163 Saving the Elf Princess: A Soldier's Duty

VOLUME 2 

CHAPTER 163

Everyone was quiet. No one knew what action to take next. Suddenly one of them spoke up.

"Search around, there must be a vial somewhere. We cannot give up hope," Aelfdene announced.

He turned his gaze back to Avery and then Callum. "Take care of her. The rest of us would search the vicinity for the antidote."

"Yes, General."

"General, Sir. I found one."

They looked at the direction where the voice came from. A small figure could be seen from far back in the trees. His hands waving as he ran towards them.

"Thank goodness."

Within a minute, the soldier was already in front of them, with the vial in his hand. Cleon moved first and took it from the soldier.

The soldier hesitated at first before giving it to him. Cleon could sense that he was fighting with himself inside as he realized the vial into his outstretched arm.

"What is causing the wait? Princess Avery's life is in danger," Aelfdene called out.

Cleon raised his hand in the air and Aelfdene refrained from speaking further. Rather he moved forward to see what was causing the delay.

"What bothers you, soldier?"

"A comrade was pierced with the poisonous arrows."

"How come? The arrows were deflected."

"When the hybrid pushed them off with her powers, he fell on a quilt and an arrow pierced him."

"When the arrows were deflected, an arrow grazed his arm and the poison got in," the soldier explained.

Aelfdene could see the conflict in Cleon's eyes. He was faced with making a serious decision. Either save the soldier or save the princess.

"Cleon!"

"I know. A soldier's duty is to his country and the rulers. And the ones ruling the country are the royals. All soldiers would lay down their life for the royal family," he muttered to himself but Aelfdene heard him quite well.

"Give the vial to the soldier," Avery's raspy voice was heard from behind them.

Aelfdene and Cleon turned around at once to look at her. She had a weary smile on her face as she held their gaze.

"Princess Avery, you need this vial as well."

"It is my decision, General Cleon. His life is precious. He has been injured far longer than I was. I can still journey."

"His Majesty would have our heads if anything were to happen to you,' Flynn said through gritted teeth. "Please, Your Highness."

"How about we split the antidote?" Everyone's head turned to the one who spoke.

It was Callum. Out of everyone, he wanted the Princess and soldier to live the most.

"But the antidote wouldn't be effective."

It was Lieutenant Flynn who spoke next. Callum looked up at his senior Lieutenant and replied.

"With all due respect sir, although that is true, it would do a magnificent job slowing down the spread of the poison or both parties till we get back."

"Fine. If there is a way to save both parties, then let us do that. It is all up to Her Highness."

"Alright then," Avery replied them.

Cleon moved closer and knelt down beside Avery. She opened her mouth a little bit and he emptied half of its content in her mouth.

Avery swallowed and gave a slight nod to the Commander. He smiled at her and got up. He moved over to the soldier and gave him the vial containing what was left of the antidote.

"Thank you, General, thank you, Princess," the soldier thanked them and ran off in the opposite direction, where the injured soldier laid.

By now, only a few soldiers were left guarding the princess. All the others had joined in the search for the hybrid and the traitor.

"We need to get Her Highness back to the palace now," Cleon said and turned around, moving close to the Princess.

"Alright. No time to waste. These soldiers would go with you. Lieutenant Flynn and I would join the others in the search."

Aelfdene and Cleon looked at each other intensely. It was as though their eyes did all the communication. After some seconds they both nodded and turned away from each other.

"I am entrusting her well being to you. Ensure she reaches the palace on time," he said to Callum and Cleon without looking at them. "Lieutenant, let us go."

" Yes, General."

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~HUMAN KINGDOM~

Back in the human kingdom, everything went on smoothly except for the incessant disturbance of the Ministers and Lords.

King Bayard was already having a tough time coping with them and now that they needed something, it became more annoying with their pestering.

He was in the throne room when one of the Lord's was announced.

"Ahh!" He sighed silently as his gaze moved to his left-hand side.

His Grand Advisor Jareth had an emotionless look on his face as he stared right back at Bayard.

They had been ongoing for the past three days and not until he answered them, it may not stop. They had come in batches, while some had come on their own.

This time it was Lord Ferdinand Alfred. He came alone.

Bayard took in a deep breath, inhaling sharply before releasing it slowly and gave his order. "Let him in."

The big doors to the throne room opened, revealing an elderly man in his early sixties. His age didn't show on his face save for the wrinkles on the forehead and some strands of grey hair adorning his black hair!

He raised his head slightly and his gaze met with the King's. With slow majestic steps, he made his way in and the big doors closed shut behind him.

"Greetings, Your Majesty," he said with a bow.

"Lord Ferdinand, welcome. Please rise."

"Thank you, my liege."

As he rose his head and stood straight. By the time he looked at King Bayard, his lips curved up to the side, revealing his brown teeth a bit as he gave the King a side smile.

"Welcome, My Lord," Gerald who had been silent all these while finally spoke up.

"Ah! If it isn't the one and only wise, Grand Advisor of our magnificent King. Thank you, Gerald."

His facial expression only showed joy but if one were to look closely, you would be able to see the hint of mischief in his eyes.

"To what do I owe this visit, Lord Ferdinand? Seeing as today isn't a council day."

"Sire, I come bearing goodwill. I trust our King is well and healthy?"

"As you can well see, I am. Thank you for your never-ending concern."

"I am doing the best I can do, Sire. Your health is of utmost importance to this Kingdom, as only a well and sane King can rule a prosperous Kingdom."

'Get to the point already, Ferdinand. Deliver the message Erwina sent you to deliver.' King Bayard said inwardly.

He was getting tired of the constant visit from the Ministers and Lords. Although not all of them were sent by Erwina, some came in favour of the Crown Prince to plead on his behalf.

Those were the late Queen's loyal followers. Owen was lucky. Even though he didn't have his mother alive, but her legacy and her good nature kept the people loyal to her at his side.

After some minutes of blabbing on and on, Lord Ferdinand finally hit the nail on the head.

"My liege, it is high time you stop running away from the inevitable and postponing council meetings. We all know the Crown Prince made a huge mistake and almost cost a citizen his life. But as much as it saddens me, an example must still be made even though he is our beloved Prince."

Unlike the others, he didn't try to mince or sweet mouth his words; he spat it out straight at King Bayard.

Gerald, who stood at the side, clenched his fist and tightened his jaw. He was angry and ready to query this Lord, but he could not speak out of turn even though he wanted more than anything to.

Lady Erwina had gone too far with her schemes. It was as though, she was tired of waiting for King Bayard to do something and then she tried to force his hand.

'I see Erwina's patience has worn off. Although sending him here was a rather clear indication of that, but still, she knew the right person to send to best convey her words.'

King Bayard was not paying any more attention to Lord Ferdinand's words as he was too busy with his thoughts. Unconsciously, his sensitive and alert ears caught a phrase and that seemed to have brought him from his reverie.

"If you leave him unpunished, you would only end up spoiling him."

'What did I just hear him say?!'

King Bayard's eyes narrowed and his fingers tapped incessantly on his throne as he looked intensely at the man standing before him.

Everyone knew this man and his standing at court. He was one of the prominent Lords whose words had much weight and had a major influence in the kingdom.

To add, he was Lady's Erwina's greatest supporter and her adoptive father, making him an uncle to the Princess and the King's father-in-law.