Guevera! Gideon rushed forward and extended his arms, but he was too far away. Guevara seed to crumple into herself, and her head hit the ground. Sir Atienza managed to grab her to soften the blow, but Gideon grimaced. Sir Atienza put his hand under her head and frowned.
The tall knight looked over his shoulder and shouted. Bring the carriage closer and contact His Highness!
His Highness he was referring to was Piers. Gideon felt his heart tighten as he looked at the pale young woman in the blue robes. All he had seen was a blue blur sprinting towards the collapsing schoolhouse. His own reaction wasnt as quick. Hed just stood there, stunned to see the roof collapsing. Hed done nothing.
Sirs, what happened to the Countess? The Abbess made her way through the crowd that had gathered. Gideon looked around. Hed been so caught up in the mont watching Guevera use crystals to remove most of the debris blocking the doorway into the classroom that he hadnt noticed that nearly all the guests who had been sitting in the benches had gotten up and co closer.
All around him, nuns were gathering children into groups and comforting them. The Abbess knelt beside Guevera.
The Countess is proficient in crystals, but she is still a student. She overexerted herself and has crystal fatigue, Sir Atienza said. Gideon didnt know if he was so calm because everyone else was panicking or if it was because he expected such a thing to happen to Guevera after she exerted herself. Whatever the reason, his brothers knights deserved to be his brothers knights.
Will she be all right? A small voice asked from the crowd of small children trying to look past the nuns corralling them.
Sir Atienza gave the children a comforting look. Of course, shell be all right. Shes only tired. After a nap, shell be awake and ready to go.
Will there be any lasting side effects? The low, tight voice ca from behind him, and Gideon turned around. Pri Minister Guthry was pale as he looked at Guevera.
Two of Piers' knights seed to move in front of them, as if to block Guevera from their sight. Their faces were dark, and they looked at the Pri Minister with disapproval.
Pri Minister, if youll excuse us, we must take the Countess to the palace to rest, one of them said.
We can make room! The palace is so far! Let the Countess rest in the abbey. Another nun rushed forward, and Gideon recognized her as the nun who had shown Guevera around when they arrived.
Sir Atienza was already standing, lifting up Guevera across his arms. His lips were in a tight frown, and he shook his head. Another knight was beside him and moving Gueveras arms so that her hand clutching her bracelet was carefully resting on her stomach. Gideon wondered how much his brothers knights knew about Guevera that theyd be so cautious when caring for her to the point that they knew the importance of that bracelet.
Sir Atienza shook his head at the nun. No, His Highness Prince Piers would prefer that the Countess be taken to the palace to rest and be checked by imperial doctors.
The weight of Piers na seed to block all other attempts to stop them from leaving. It was as if his brother gave the order from his own mouth. It also stressed Gueveras importance to his brother.
Your Highness, one of Gideons knights said behind him. We must go with them. You were only to stay as long as the Countess stayed.
Gideon nodded. He took a step forward to follow, but felt a small hand grab his wrist.
Gideon, are you leaving? Alessa pulled him back and gave him a desperate look.
He hesitated. Im sorry, I cant stay long.
Gideon, we can really use your presence to help calm the crowd, Fabian said. He motioned to the side and Gideons eyes swept across the dozens of guests muttering amongst themselves and the children who were crying, sniffling, or being checked for any injuries.
Already, there were a few who had cuts and bruises from when parts of the ceiling caved in and pieces flew out at them. The worst seed to be a boy who couldnt walk and was laying on the ground, being checked by one of Piers knights. Soone was calling for a doctor; the boys leg had been crushed by a beam.
He wanted to stay. A small voice in the back of his mind was keeping him rooted in place. He had to stay and calm the crowd, if only to help reassert order and stop Alessas opening from becoming even more of a disaster.
You should help your friends as much as you can when it is needed, but you cannot do everything for them. You will only make them too reliant on you. They should not be made helpless because of your affection. His brother's words echoed in his head. Piers had spoken to him more recently, and Gideon took all his words to heart.
Gideons eyes narrowed. He looked towards one of his knights. Call for an imperial doctor to co here to check on all the children at once. Request assistance from the Imperial Engineering Commission to inspect the buildings and find out what happened, he said in a cold voice. One of his knights bowed his head.
Yes, Your Highness.
Fabian! Gideon called his friend and Fabian rushed forward. Wait here for the imperial doctor and if anything, else is needed call .
Youre leaving? Fabian looked at him with surprise. But we need you to help calm the crowd!
The nuns will take care of the children and Alessa is the hostess; she has to be the one to calm the crowd, Gideon said, looking towards her. You are Baroness Hart and this is your project. You can and will take control and calm the crowd. I believe you can.
Alessa seed hesitant and her grip on his arm tightened, but she lowered her head and nodded.
Youre right. I am the hostess. This is my responsibility. She still hadnt released his arm. She lifted her head and gave him a pleading look. But must you leave? Everyone is nervous and a few words from a prince would calm them. Even if you dont say a word, they will be relieved to see you.
Gideon held his breath. It wouldnt hurt to stay, would it? It would show Alessa had backing. At the very least, it would give her more confidence.
Your Highness, his knight spoke in a low voice. We must go. The Countess has been taken to the carriage. The knight paused. His Highness the first prince will want to speak to you.
Gideon tensed. He looked at Alessa and took her hands. I need to go. Guevera is injured and if I dont return with her, my brother will be furious. He holds her in a favorable position and if sothing happens to her, he will be angry.
Alessa lowered her head once more. I see....
But Im not going to let this go. The Imperial Engineers will find out what happened, and well find the party who caused this, Gideon assured her. He looked back at Fabian. Take care of her and wait for the doctor.
He let go of Alessas hands and gave a small bow of his head to the Pri Minister and the Abbess before heading to the awaiting carriage. The knights quickly mounted, and they rushed off.
Inside the carriage, Gideon looked at Guevera lying across from him and propped up by pillows. The bells were still on her ankles and wrists, but her hand was holding the gold bracelet with the crystals.
Sir Granger, one of Piers knights, sat on the floor with his back to Guevera, and seed to act as a brace to keep her from rolling off the carriage bench in case of a sudden stop. Her plain canvas bag that she had brought with her was next to him.
A glowing comcry was in his hand. Thank you, Captain. We appreciate the escort.
I will inform Her Majesty of Countess Gueveras condition, a mans voice replied from the comcry. A room will be ready for her and a doctor on standby.
Gideon fumbled with his own comcry. Has my brother been contacted yet? Gideon asked as Sir Granger ended the call.
Not yet, Your Highness. He is not answering.
Gideon frowned. He picked up his comcry. Call Piers du Soleil. The crystal pulsed for several counts, but no one picked up. Gideon swiped his finger across. Call Axton Alvere. The sa thing. No one answered. Gideon tapped his foot impatiently. He knew he needed to tell them what happened, but he was told theyd be at so eting most of the day.
If that were the case, they likely couldnt get through for so ti.
Call Lions Gate Duel. Gideon lifted his head and looked at Sir Granger. His comcry flashed once before soone answered.
This is Lions Gate Duel. How may I help you?
Captain Sorset, Sir Granger greeted in a respectful voice. This is Sir Granger, escort of Prince Piers. Is Lady Agafonova present and available to speak to?
Yes, she just arrived with the others, Sir Granger. Please wait a mont. There was silence for a while and Gideon could hear vague, muffled voices. Then, a young womans voice answered.
Hello, Sir Granger, is sothing the matter?
Gideon didnt know if Agafonova sensed sothing was wrong at once, but her voice was laced with trepidation.
My lady, there was an incident at the abbey this morning. Countess Guevera stepped in to save orphans and overexerted herself. She fainted due to crystal fatigue.
She what! Is she hurt elsewhere? Where is she now? Ill co at once-
Lady Agafonova, rest assured, she is with us on the way to the imperial palace. I have already contacted the palace and they are preparing a room and an imperial doctor will be waiting, Sir Granger almost seed to report. We are in the process of contacting His Highness. Would you be able to contact Madam Biancci about her nieces condition?
Yes, Ill contact her right now. I will arrange my work here and then rush to the palace. Please inform them of my arrival.
Gideon blinked and drew his head back. That was rather daring of Agafonova to invite herself to the imperial palace. It wasnt a normal residence she could just go to uninvited.
Yes, my lady. I will inform them of your arrival and the possible arrival of Madam Biancci.
Gideon stared at Sir Granger in horror. Did he just agree? Didnt need to go through the appropriate channels? Gideon could understand if Guevera had such privilege, but Agafonova wasnt tied to the imperial family in any way.
When Sir Granger ended the call, he looked towards Gideon. Your Highness, please continue to call His Highness Prince Piers. I will continue to try to contact Duke Alvere.
Gideon nodded his head and slid his finger over the crystal. If this were a few months ago, he doubted Piers would answer even if he saw the comcry flashing, but in recent weeks, Piers had answered him every ti he called.
Gideon tried to restrain himself and not call for unimportant matters so as not to bother his brother, but this was a legitimate reason.
He continued to call, and it wasnt until they were halfway to the palace and well past Horizons gates that Piers answered his comcry.
What is it? Piers sounded a bit annoyed.
Piers, Guevera tried to save orphans and got crystal shock. She passed out and-
Bring her to the palace. The annoyance in his brothers voice disappeared at once. His voice beca stern and authoritative. He was giving an order and Gideon felt his heart thump.
He was filled with a sudden swell of admiration. His brother was made to rule.
Yes, Piers! Were on our way there right now! Gideon told him earnestly. Sir Granger has called ahead and there will be a room and an imperial doctor waiting. He has also managed to call Lady Agafonova.
Make room for Lady Ilyana, Miss Sonia, Ewan, and Nanny Rey.
Gideon knit his brows together and drew his head back. Why-
They will co to see Tori. Heed my order, Gideon. The comcry call ended and Gideon stared at it. Did his brother not question her friends at all?
...Yes, His Highness also requested a spare room for Lady Agafonova, Miss Vissage, Ewan Conner, and Commander Reystrom. Sir Granger was back to speaking on his comcry and Gideon looked across the cabin at him. Madam Biancci will likely co, but will not stay the night as she has two children at ho.
We will have the rooms prepared, Sir Granger.
After the call ended, Gideon looked at Sir Granger. None of you questioned allowing them into the palace?
They are approved guests of His Highness Prince Piers, Sir Granger told him with a serious look. In the case that Countess Guevera is injured and must be taken to the palace, there is a list of people approved for access to see her. It has been approved not only by His Highness, but Their Majesties, and Countess Guevera herself.
Gideon narrowed his eyes. My brother had such a list approved?
Sir Granger nodded. Countess Guevera is a special case.
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