Chapter 266 - Prince Andrew P2

Andrew could not understand the girl's reaction at all. He thought she would be pleased that he was paying attention to her. But instead, it seems like she has the wrong idea. Then again, it is partly his fault for neglecting her over these years. Andrew reached over, "Is it hard to believe that I genuinely want to make things work between us?"

He was still unsure about his feelings for Gabrielle. Did he want to pursue things romantically, or did he simply want to change their current relationship? Their present state is not bad at all. However, it always made him feel very restless. It seems like Gabrielle has had her concerns on this, too; otherwise, she would not react this way.

"B--but, it sounds like I'm a hindrance to you," Gabrielle seemed genuinely confused.

"Let us make it work, Gabrielle; I'm unsure exactly how I wish to pursue this. But I do want to think things through. Please bear with me."

"My Lord, I…." before Andrew could hear her next words though. The doors opened, revealing one of his knights. Even without words, Andrew immediately understood.

"Now?"

"Yes, Prince."

A frustrated look appeared on his face, but he knew better than to complain. He turned to Gabrielle and informed her that he would leave now and like always she told him not to work too hard. Andrew nodded and left the room. A deep sigh passed his lips; this truly is frustrating.

Andrew did not want to leave her after that talk. He felt like if he left, the next time he came, he saw her again - things would reset to how they were from the beginning. His thoughts broke off when he hears faint footsteps and turned to see Gabrielle running after him. Andrew paused, "What's the matter?"

"I do not wish for you to forget our conversation," Gabrielle reached over and hugged him.

For the two of them, acts of affection are something they usually did for show. Normally he would not hold her in private. His wife candidate is very conservative after all.

However, right now, she is the one initiating everything. Andrew had to admit that embracing Gabrielle was nice for him. He's always liked it for some strange reason.

A pleasant smell, the feeling of having her in his embrace was nice too. Andrew, however, snapped out of it when he hears the sound of chatting not too far from where they were.

"Gabrielle, if you hold onto me so tightly. I will be unable to leave."

"I ---apologize, my Lord," Gabrielle immediately drew back.

"I shall return immediately," he reached over and caressed her cheek. "Can I trouble you to wait for me?"

"I shall wait…"

"Prince, the carriage is ready."

Gabrielle paused, "You're going out?"

"Yes, there's a riot in one of the towns," Andrew sighed. Riots seldom happened here in the Mist Kingdom, so he was unsure of what was going on. It's in the academy district too.

".."

Andrew could tell what she was thinking from the expression on her face. Gabrielle always wore her heart on her sleeve after all. Since she usually wore such a blank look on her face, it was easy to tell what she was thinking.

"What if it is a trap?" Gabrielle asked worriedly.

"I recognize the seal; it was from the family running the district," he reached over and gently kissed Gabrielle's forehead. "I shall come back before nightfall, and we can continue our conversation then."

….

Year 4014 Mist Kingdom - Academy District

"Lord Farah," Andrew repeated with a sharp voice. "Let me repeat what you just said to me. Are you informing there is no riot here, and that everything is fine here?"

Andrew did feel that something was amiss when he entered the town. Generally, if there were a riot, things would be bad the moment he entered. But instead, he received the opposite treatment.

Instead of Farah, a blond-haired woman answered him. Her tone was sharp just like his, and her usually cold gaze was replaced with anger like flames. "Brother already explained to you. Are you sure it bore our family's seal and crest?" This person speaking is Lady Deliah.

Of course, he is sure. He can't make a mistake on the crest at all.

"Should you go back now Royal Highness Andrew? If I were you, I would run back to the castle, Now that you know the letter is fake. Anything could happen to your future Queen –" however, Andrew did not hear the rest of it, since he was already on his horse.

'Are you sure it isn't a trap?' How foolish of him. Something like this is the biggest trick in the book. He should have had somebody analyze the letter. How foolish of him. Andrew quickened his pace, and for the next forty minutes, he did not stop for a rest even once...

People always praised him for his fast riding skills. Andrew always thought it was a useless skill, though, what use is there being fast on the battlefield? If he's so fast he could neglect so many things, even though it has it's benefits. The battlefield is a place where one could not let their guard down even for a moment. A rushed fight would only lead to mistakes. For the first time in his life, he is grateful for this useless skill.

...

Mist Kingdom - Main Castle-

Andrew dismounted from his horse and ran through the light gate without so much a word to the guards on duty. All of them looked puzzled to see him back so soon, but even more puzzled that he took this gate. It's the fastest place to the greenhouse. He knew Gabrielle's activities very well. She would always be there reading.

'If he knew this would happen, he would have assigned her a ton of guards at all times.' Andrew thought. While he assigned her guards, they were not on duty twenty-four-seven. Gabrielle likes to have her privacy, after all. He did not want to restrain her too much.

With his quick and hurried pace, Andrew immediately arrived there. He found her right away in her usual seating area; she was crouched down on the ground. A massive slash wound across her right arm. His face paled at the sight; she got hurt.

For an arm wound, so much blood was coming out that it even formed a puddle on the ground. Andrew made his way over.

"Gabrielle?"

Gabrielle said nothing but her eyes seemed blank - as she stared at the spot in front of her. "He...he said he wanted to get revenge on you Andrew, that he would take those dear to you and make sure you don't take the throne," her voice was weak and Andrew immediately picked her up. Gabrielle held onto him, "Andrew, Lyn...you have to...."

"I know," Andrew replied angrily as he clenched his fist. The ones they are after are not him. People would not target him over something like the throne since he has not shown interest in it. However Lyn has, his sister has not said so verbally. But everybody who knows of her existence is aware. No, the people who are finding out about her know this information too.