Roselia pov
I was sure our empire had plenty of herbalists and physicians that work in the line of making poison, but still she asked me to go to outlaws who had tried to kill me. I wanted to retort, but looking at the condition of Monique, I did not have the heart to do so. She was like a mother to me too.
When I walked out of the palace I saw a carriage coming from my palace towards Essendson's palace. Only then did I remember I had accepted Edward's invitation to go out with him for today.
I stood there waiting for the carriage to stop and the man to come out.
"Is there some problem, Roselia?" he did not even use my lady, or sir this time. In the empire only friends call each other by their name.
"Monique Essendson has been given poison. I am going to look for the antidote. I apologise but we will meet some other day." with that I moved towards my horse.
"Why are you not going by carriage, it will help you in bringing in the herbalist back."
"Umm, the carriage can not go where I am going. I can not explain further."
"Is it a dangerous place, Roselia?"
"Well, you can say so. I would have conversed more with you, but I am in a hurry, sir Edward.`` I bowed my head a bit and gave a kick to my horse when he added.
"Roselia" I took a long sigh. Did this man even understand the severity of the situation!?
"Yes, sir Edward" annoyance filled my voice as I looked at him this time.
"If you do not mind, can I come with you? I will feel restless if you go alone." he said with a soft tone that i have never thought possible for this man.
"I will be a great help in convincing and also fighting if necessary" he added when i did not reply.
"I don't think that will be needed, sir Edward.'' I replied as I was not sure to take him with me, but when I looked at his face, I added unconsciously, "but two are always better than one. So, I will be grateful if you accompany me."
"That would be my pleasure, my lady" he hopped on the other horse and soon we both started the journey.
He frowned when I did not take the path that goes to the town but rode inside the palace. We went deep into the estate and took the connecting door.
"Where are we going Roselia?"
"We are going to a secret place. You can not tell anyone about this place, I am trusting you Sir Edward.'' He just nodded at my serious tone and then started looking around.
Soon we reached the wall that was covered with wines. I had not seen the entrance door last time, as this was the place where we were fighting.
"Serul"
"Serul '' I started shouting the only name I knew when two men jumped from the wall.
"Who are you and what are you doing here?" their spear was already pointed towards our chest when they moved towards us.
Edward's hands moved toward his sword listening to the man's words when I shook my head.
He frowned as he looked at me confused, but stopped.
"I am here to meet Serul, tell him that I have a proposal for him."
"We do not take proposals from the nobles and knights. You can leave." The man was not at all ready to relent, in fact, the grip on his spear tightened and the other man whistled. I was sure he was calling his friends in case a fight ensues.
"I understand your doubts. But at least ask your leader once. If he refuses, we will live peacefully. If we would have been foes, how would we have come alone, we would have bought the whole army to attack, right?" I explained and they both looked at each other.
I sighed and took out my sword, dagger and knife.
"I do not have any other weapon here. You can keep it all for security. If you want, you can bind me from ropes and take me as a prisoner '' this was all I could do.
"Roselia"
"Edward, you have to listen to me if you want to help me." the man looked reluctant yet nodded and threw a sword, then dagger, 1, 2, 3, 4.. I knew it was not time to waste and admire but the man took out 23 daggers and threw them out! Where did he even keep so many daggers!!?
When I tried I realised, I was not the only one who was startled. Both men were looking aghast and gulped.
"Come with us." They finally said with a weak voice, even after throwing all the weapons, his presence was intimidating.
We both walked in with them, it was the first time i saw the door, it was smaller than the door of my room. But when we entered it was the whole town that was living inside.
"Take them to the centre hall, i will go and call Serul" said one man as many other guards came and surrounded us. Soon we were taken to the stage that was in the middle of the ground. There were three large thrones at the end of the stage.
Soon a crowd started gathering around us as if we were prisoners that were about to be given the death penalty. I had thought that we would have a private meeting with the leader, who would have thought they would make a stage show of it.
"Can you tell me out of all the places why are we here in this strange place to get the antidote of poison? Do we not have any herbalists in our empire?" he asked bewildered as he kept looking around then he sighed.
"I still have a few daggers left. If needed, I will kill all of them to take you away from here" he replied with confidence as if i was a damsel in distress.
"......"