Chapter 63

63 Giving up to her request

The two gentlemen were horrified to hear that Anne was intending to join them at the Beyor cemetery.

In a rage, Justice looked directly at Anne and said, “Absolutely not. We are not going to have a picnic, Anne!”

“I know! I just wanted to help, that’s all.”

“Sorry Anne, I must agree with Justice. It would be dangerous for you to be with us.” Xavier also tried to persuade Anne to abandon her wish to go to Beyor’s cemetery.

“I can help you, you know my skill in medicine, and now, I even have a bit of magica inside of me.” Anne still trying to convince the two of them, although the increase in her magica is still a mystery to her.

A sympathetic look adorned Justice’s face, he hated to be the bearer of bad news. “Anne, your magica is coming from the bangle that Vale gifted to you, that’s the portion of Vale’s magica inside of you.”

“I see, I knew it was too good to be true.” She feels bitter, thinking that the magica doesn’t belong to her.

“Wait, Anne, we tried to help you. Having less magica is better than not having any of it in the first place. Please, don’t feel bad about this.” Xavier once again tried to comfort her.

“I... I don’t know how I feel about this, maybe after I talk to Vale,” Said Anne, being honest with Justice and Xavier, “and about the Beyor cemetery, please let me go with you. My hand will not be a hindrance. It will be less painful within the week.”

.....

The two friends look at each other. They don’t know how to convince her to give up. The journey to Beyor’s cemetery is not even an easy one; one day and an encounter with a dark and mischievous road. Anne’s condition is one thing that the two of them need to consider as well.

Anne lean on her pillow, while Justice carefully took the chair. Xavier opts to be behind the crown prince, staring at the two of them. He saw a desperate and heartbroken girl, but he noticed a fire inside her. Glad to see her with hope in her deepest heart.

“You can join us, Anne.” Xavier suddenly said that, making the crown prince in front of him turn around and glare at him. He ignored him and continued to speak, “But I don’t want you to go in this condition. We are going to give you one week. If your condition is better than that, then...”

“Xavier, are you out of your mind?!” Justice was livid. He had never in his wildest dream that Xavier would allow Anne to go into Beyor cemetery. “We couldn’t bring her. Do you know how dangerous the place is, and possibly the road.”

“Justice!” Anne shouted at him, while her hand grabbed into Justice’s arm, her eyes pleading to the crown prince, “Please, give me a chance, I know I could be useful, and it could also help me with my next exam.”

He remembered the third exam was the training field test, and although one officer was standing on guard, anything could happen. She could benefit if she joined this expedition. Justice still has a doubt, but now, he sees the good factor if she goes with them. Besides, having him and a captain of the huntsman would be safer for Anne.

“Fine! You can join us, but as Xavier said, you need to be healthier and also prove that you can defend yourself,” Justice, with a heavy heart, agreed to let Anne join them, “One week from now, and you need to take a full rest, alright?”

Her eyes shine brightly, and even though her finger that lost the nail still hurt like crazy, Anne still smiled at Xavier and Justice, “Thank you so much, Justice, Xavier... I’ll be healthy in one week.”

Getting off his seat, Justice excused himself from our heroine. “We need to prepare for the journey. I’ll be seeing you a week from now. Remember, you promised to take a full rest.”

Nodded at the crown prince’s request, Anne cheerfully said goodbye to the two of them. Xavier was especially content to see her spirit raise. It was a good thing that he agreed to her request, and thankfully, Justice also follow suit.

“Thank you, Justice. Never imagined that you will agree to her request. I thought for sure that you would be rejected by the request and be confined in your private infirmary.” The two of them are on the way to the stable, as Xavier is still on duty in the east forest, and Justice also needs to go back to his studies in the palace.

Justice gave Xavier a smirk. “Confined her in the infirmary, Xavier, I am not you. All I think is for her to be healthy, so the third exam will never be a burden for her.”

“Oh shut up, you know I will do anything for her, even though I won’t put her inside a golden cage.” Justice insinuated Xavier about his unhealthy obsession.

“Well, so am I. Don’t you think I will let her inside a cage?” Then Xavier grew quiet. He turned around to Justice and said, “Point taken, now. Would you give me the name of the girl that hurt our sweet girl?”

“I don’t think Anne would appreciate you calling her sweet,” Chuckled Justice, “and, no, I would never give her name to you, and you should stop asking around.”

“Why?!”

“Because it is dangerous for her and you. So, I asked you nicely, Xavier, stop!” Justice is fed up with his way of thinking sometimes, “Look, let Bernard do his job, I trust my chief guard, and we need to focus on getting the arcana tome.”

There was no answer coming from Xavier, the only thing he did is to grunt at Justice. They parted ways as soon as they arrived at the stable. Xavier realized there was something wrong with his mind, but he just couldn’t help it, something inside of him makes him the way he is. He let out a sigh and galloped his horse to the east forest.

Justice arrived at the palace and at once went to his studies. He saw Kirara sleeping on her bed, next to the crown prince’s desk.

“Kirara, you’re back.”

How glad he was to see his familiar safe and sound. He brushed Kirara’s fur softly while the familiar yipped excitingly at her master.

‘I am back, master.’

“I am sorry. It must be a tough journey for you.” He said to Kirara in a heavy tone. He felt sorry for his familiar. Gaftan is a Bordertown, so Kirara needed to run and took a short rest, only to deliver the news and then get back to him with another piece of news.

‘I am fine, thank you for your concern, master. I have some news from Sir Vale and Lord Henry.’

“What is it?”

‘The Clandestine tower is still on the red warming color. The Hoard has not begun yet. They are in the middle of constructing a lot of traps. Sir Vale also asked you to keep an eye on Sir Xavier, and Lord Henry asked you to send her regards to Miss Anne.’

With a sigh and a smile, Justice spoke to Kirara while giving her a small piece of a chunk of meat, “So, the clandestine tower crystal is still in a glowing red? That means the hoard is still waiting for something, but what?” Muttered Justice. Talking to himself, Kirara stared at her master, waiting for another delicious meat. Laughing at her family, he gave her another chunk of meat. “Thank you, Kirara. You should take some rest now. We are going to have a long journey next week.”

He let his familiar finish her meal, and while he took a seat at his desk, there was a lot of paperwork that he needed to review. As the crown prince, the quarter half of the duty in the kingdom goes to him. Mostly in the military section, as he is the head of the military himself.

As minutes change to hours and hours go to a day, and day becomes a week. Finally, a time to go has arrived. Anne enthusiastically waited for Justice and Xavier in her room, while Darla folded her hands, sulking at her friend.

“I can’t believe you’re going on an expedition,” gruntled Darla at Anne, “You’re still recuperating, still need to drink your medicine regularly, that nail to not grow without that medicine!”

“I know, Darla, I’ll take my medicine regularly, alright?” Anne looked at her friend and gave her a warm smile. She was thankful for her friend’s concern, but she knew there was something more than concern there. It was jealousy. Darla is a girl that loves adventuring. She wanted the excitement of a huntsman herself. Now, only Anne had gotten the opportunity.

After she packed her belongings, Anne turned to her familiar. “Do you want to stay? I’ll ask the matron to give you your meal every day.”

Refusing to stay behind, Chikara meowed at his master. He jumped onto her shoulder and settled there. Anne smiled and take her basket to Chikara’s bed for the rest of the journey. She walked into the lobby and hoped to wait for Justice there, another pair of blue eyes looking at her with a fit of obvious jealousy on her expression.

Heirim steps in front of Anne, and mocks her, “I see that you’re waiting for your sponsor. Pity that you’re becoming a servant. I bet they take you along just for Justice to have his own personal maid.”

“Stop it Heirim!” Everyone around, including Heirim and Anne, turned their attention to the source of the voice. Justice stands at the front door, eyes glaring at Heirim, “As usual, you spewed your poison tongue everywhere, if it wasn’t for your brother...”

The glare from the red-ruby eyes was enough for someone to tremble and submit. Heirim was shaken and with mumbled words, she ran away back to her room. Anne just stared at her, not an inch of sympathy or happiness for her.

“I can see that you’re healing pretty quickly, so shall we go now?” said Justice, while taking her to the carriage.

The Beyor cemetery expedition is now begin.