Chapter 75: Eavesdropping

The Head Royal Physician knew the condition that no one was allowed to see the princess's face, and the king could trust him with this. The physician checked Seren's pulse and instructed his apprentices to bring out and open the wooden boxes they carried with them.

One of them started mixing some herbs with medicinal potions, while the other one took out a set of silver acupressure needles for the Head Royal Physician to use on Seren. 

The time passed by as slow as a snail for everyone waiting both inside and outside the room. As the treatment continued, the two royals sitting inside the room did not even dare talk as they waited to hear about Seren's condition.

After half an hour, the physician stepped away from the curtained bed while he instructed his apprentices to take care of changing the Third Princess's clothes into the new ones that were brought by one servant a while ago. 

Seeing the physician walking towards them, King Armen and Cian stood up. Before he could bow to greet, King Armen asked in a hurry, "How is she?"

"Your Majesty, there is nothing much to worry about. The Third Princess seemed to have experienced trauma and went unconscious in order to protect her mind. I have given her some soothing herbal medicines that will help her calm her brain after a nice sleep. All we need to do is wait for her to wake up."

The physician had done a thorough check on her body, and thankfully, there was nothing wrong with her except for minor bruises and small cuts on her feet and elbow that were probably caused by her bumping on something or falling down while her feet were strangled with something.

King Armen and Cian gave out sighs of relief upon hearing his observation.

"After proper rest and with the help of medicines, Her Highness would be back on her feet. We just have to make sure not to leave her alone for a while. Although I am unsure what Her Highness had experienced when she wakes up, she will need to be comforted and pacified as her emotions will be more fragile. Patients like her might even end up having nightmares for several nights. Your Majesty, Your Highness, please keep the Third Princess away from anything that would affect her state of mind."

King Armen nodded, and the physician spoke hesitantly, "It would be better...if His Majesty does not send her back to the tower for a few days at least."

"I won't," King Armen assured.

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Outside, Drayce had stopped somewhere nearby his bedchamber. His sensitive ears were focused on what was going on inside during treatment, ready to act if anything was to happen.

After a long wait, he finally heard the physician talking to King Armenand felt relieved by the physician's words at the end. 

Arlan, who had quietly accompanied his friend, saw the tense expression disappear from Drayce's face. 

"Are you done with the eavesdropping?" Arlan teased. 

Drayce didn't answer but instead instructed, "I should visit my knights."

"Finally! Now you remember you have your people left back in Abetha, and they are waiting for you." 

As usual, Drayce didn't react to Arlan's jab.

"Well, what did you hear? Is the Third Princess awake?" Arlan asked, although he already knew there was nothing to worry about, or else his friend would have run back to his bedchamber.

"Not yet, but she is fine," Drayce replied, relief visible in his eyes. 

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While the leaders of the rescue party were busy with the affairs of the Third Princess of Abetha, the rest of their troop finally entered the palace. Unlike how guards had turned hostile upon the arrival of Drayce, things were much smoother for the people led by General Cavrois as Sir Berolt was waiting for them to arrive and had already made arrangements for them by the gate. Servants were already waiting to lead them to their quarters.

After their long journey, everyone was tired and thought of nothing but rest. With the war raging between kingdoms, they had been on the edge for days, and it was only now that their mission was completed they could truly relax. However, when they entered the palace and saw the scenario inside, all were surprised to see the strange sullen atmosphere inside. 

General Carvois went to Sir Berolt.

"What happened?" he asked with his eyes trained on the man working on the window of a nearby building.

Sir Berolt gave him a brief explanation, and General Cavrois asked, "How is the Third Princess?"

"She is getting treated," Sir Berolt replied before bidding farewell to the general. Now that they had returned to the royal palace, it was time to part ways. Sir Berolt would go to his king to personally report the details of the rescue mission, though he was conflicted if he should directly go to him or await in the King's study to at least give King Armen more time to take care of the Third Princess.

The other knights returned to either their own manors or to the military barracks.

The arrangements made for Slayer were different from before. He was specially arranged in one of the guest rooms inside the royal residence, on the same wing where Seren was kept. One chamber was arranged for Slayer to be treated comfortably, where the physicians could be by his side all the time. 

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Assured that Seren was fine after hearing the talk between the Head Royal Physician and King Armen, Drayce proceeded to see his knights in their assigned quarters. He was still in the same travel-worn clothes he wore upon arrival and didn't bother with his appearance since he was just going to his people. Arlan had similar thoughts, not bothering to clean up as well. 

When Drayce and Arlan reached the military barracks housing the men from Megaris, everyone present recognized the red-eyed man and the one more handsome man with him despite their simple clothing. They hurried to bow to the newcomers, leaving whatever they were doing aside.

"We have seen Your Majesty King Drayce and Your Highness Prince Arlan!"