Before leaving Kingdom Zephyra, Eve heard the news about Eldara’s knights being caught after infiltrating the castle.
"What happened last night?" she asked, facing Crown Prince Leonard, Gideon, and Alaric.
The four of them were gathered in her pavilion.
"They rescued Lady Sylvana, the Seer, and captured Chancellor Igrin," Prince Leonard answered her.
"Sylvana, Igrin, and others managed to escape. But four of them were apprehended. They will be subject to severe punishnt. They might be executed on the spot... during interrogation." Gideon explained the possible fate of the captives.
"Can we do sothing to save them?" Eve asked again, worrying about those knights.
Gideon and Prince Leonard shook their heads. Their situation was now hopeless.
"My father is furious. He wants to know how the intruders managed to enter the castle while avoiding the guards." Prince Leonard took a deep sigh.
"Did they confess about it?" Alaric butted in.
Gideon nodded in response. "King Zaraki and my father finally found the secret passage where you and others passed through."
Both Alaric and Eve were saddened by that news. The secret passage was a big help for the rebel group to go in and out of the castle without getting caught by the royal guards.
However, that secret passage was now revealed to King Zaraki and Chancellor Gustav. This only ant they would do sothing to prevent intruders from using that passage.
Alaric instinctively grabbed Eve’s hand, giving it a light squeeze. He wanted to comfort her.
"You don’t have to worry about this. Focus on your task. You are leaving today. Can’t I just join you?" Alaric asked her, still wanting to join her on this journey.
Eve shook her head. "You can’t co with . It’s a rule we have to follow."
Alaric lowered his gaze as he clenched his fists. "I am so useless. I can’t accept the fact you are being blackmailed by King Zaraki because of . I’m the one holding you back. You lost your freedom because of ."
Prince Leonard and Gideon fell silent upon hearing Alaric’s words. They didn’t expect him to be sentintal.
Prince Leonard could only smile awkwardly. He felt like he was a villain there because his father was the one making things difficult for the married couple.
Gideon tapped Prince Leonard’s shoulder, signaling him to co with him.
"We need to give them so space. Princess Eve is about to leave. Our presence here is not needed." Gideon whispered to his friend.
Prince Leonard bobbed his head in agreent. They excused themselves for a mont, leaving the couple behind.
As soon as they stepped out, Prince Leonard directly confronted Gideon.
"Are you okay seeing them together?"
Gideon frowned upon hearing that. "What do you an? Why the hell are you asking this?"
Prince Leonard looked at him aningfully. "Your sister told that you have feelings for Eve."
The crease on Gideon’s forehead deepened further. "Don’t believe her. She is just making up so story," he said, denying it.
But Prince Leonard didn’t believe him. "Hmm. You can’t lie to , my dear friend. I trust my woman more than you!" He gave him a teasing smile.
Gideon could only roll his eyes in annoyance. "Shut up, Leonard, or else I will ask my sister to break off your engagent," he threatened him.
But Prince Leonard just laughed it off. "Hey, Bro. Erika will never do that. We love each other!"
"But my sister loves more than you!" Gideon confidently declared.
Prince Leonard chuckled once more. "Hmm. Are you sure about that? Rember, you are not always here. You neglected her. I’m the one taking care of her. You are not always around when she needs you."
Gideon couldn’t refute his words. He had to admit that he was right.
"I have a reason why I chose to leave Kingdom Zephyra. But I still care about my sister."
The mischievous smile on Prince Leonard’s face disappeared as soon as he noticed Gideon’s serious expression.
"How about your father? Do you care about him too? Perhaps you hate my father. That’s why you chose to leave Kingdom Zephyra, am I right?" Prince Leonard confronted his friend.
For the past few years, he had been wondering why a great warrior like Gideon left them. If he didn’t go, he would have beco a General.
"Of course, I care about my father. And I don’t hate your father. It’s just that... I can’t turn a blind eye to their tyranny." He smiled bitterly as he recalled how much blood had been spilled when King Zaraki took over the throne.
The once peace-loving kingdom had beco a war-seeking kingdom.
Gideon grabbed Prince Leonard’s shoulders and looked into his eyes.
"Crown Prince, I hope you will beco a good king soday. You don’t have to follow your father’s footsteps. You have your own destiny."
Crown Prince Leonard didn’t know what to say. It seed that his best friend had too many expectations of him.
"Don’t worry. You will not disappoint . You have a kind heart, Leonard," Gideon added, reassuring him.
Prince Leonard felt flattered because of his complint.
"Stop talking about . You are changing the topic. The thing I want to talk about with you is your feelings with Princess Eve. You are even accompanying her on her journey. Aren’t you going to confess your feelings?" The prince returned to their previous topic, questioning his best friend.
Gideon let out a soft chuckle before shaking his head. "You are spouting nonsense, Crown Prince. Princess Eve is already married. She is in love with her husband."
"Fine. But what if there were no Alaric? Would you express your feelings toward her?" he asked him hypothetically.
"Hey, tell honestly. Are you working with my father? Why do you sound like him?" Gideon cocked his eyebrow, pushing his best friend away.
"Huh? What do you an?" Prince Leonard asked him in confusion.
"Before eting you and Princess Eve today, my father summoned to his quarters. I can’t understand why he is urging to be with Princess Eve. He even ntioned marrying her and becoming her second husband. This is the most ridiculous joke I heard today." He ranted.
"Oh, really? Then what did you tell him? How did you respond?" Prince Leonard looked at him expectantly.
"What do you expect to say? Of course, I turned it down. I’m not going to ruin my current relationship with Princess Eve. I’m her ntor, and she is my student. We are good friends." Gideon insisted on.
Prince Leonard could only heave a sigh of defeat. He couldn’t force him to admit his feelings. If this was his decision, he should respect his best friend’s choice.
"Alright. Just take care of Princess Eve. She is still my niece. Protect her from the enemies!" Prince Leonard reminded Gideon of what he should do.
"Of course, that’s my duty. I’ll be her shield."
If Alaric was Eve’s sword, then Gideon served as her shield. Gideon knew the limit and boundary of his relationship with Eve. He didn’t want to cross the line. He didn’t want to be greedy.
*****
anwhile, at the capital...
Crown Prince Cassian’s group was now preparing to leave Kingdom Zephyra. However, sothing was holding him back. Prince Cassian heard about Princess Eve traveling back to Kingdom Averion. But this ti, she was bringing Zephyra’s knights with her.
"What is going on in the palace? How did this happen? Have you talked to Princess Eve?" Crown Prince Cassian asked Sylvana about what she knew.
Sylvana exhaled deeply as she recalled her last conversation with Princess Eve.
"She is going to invade and conquer Kingdom Averion. King Zaraki lent her an army. It was her mission from King Zaraki. She couldn’t disobey him because he is holding Alaric as a hostage, blackmailing Princess Eve."
Prince Cassian frowned upon hearing that. "Why her? Can’t he do it with his generals?"
"I think King Zaraki has discovered Princess Eve’s beast-taming ability. He will use her as a powerful weapon to conquer other kingdoms. We should prepare for that. Chancellor Igrin has betrayed us—he asked for Zephyra’s help in sending an army to our kingdom to stop you from inheriting the throne. He will stop your coronation!" Sylvana warned him.
"I understand. I know how to handle this matter. But I’m more concerned about Eve—her power poses a threat to all kingdoms. Is there a way to make her join our side?"
Sylvana fell silent for a mont. Then her eyes lit up when she recalled an important thing.
"Yes. I think there is a way to make her join our side."
"Really? Tell . What should we do?" Prince Cassian’s eyes were filled with determination.
"We need to help her find the cure. Alaric is dying because of a rare poison. Only King Zaraki knows the antidote. Eve is in a desperate situation. If you offer her help to cure Alaric, she will certainly owe you."
Prince Cassian was taken aback upon hearing that revelation. Alaric was dying! This was what he wanted. But Sylvana was proposing to find the cure for Alaric. What should he do?
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