Magnus and Casey made their way to the court when Chad was talking with his crew. The baron, the earl, and the duke were nodding at them as they passed before Chad turned to look at them, making sure that she was not having any scratch as well as her husband. Then, they took their seats as the advisers of her father were present.
"What is the meaning of this, my prince? I am sure that we have resided—"
"I just discovered that the walled city, our city, has been attacked and the princess was nearly killed by it," her brother said before the elder duke was blinking his eyes at Chad. The crown prince gained the attention of the aristocrat before he was clearing his throat and looked around.
"That is correct. It has come to my attention that the bandits were becoming braver these past days and just this afternoon, they managed to get into the walled city," Chad said before voices were straining inside the courtroom.
"How did it happen?"
"When did this happen? I am not informed of this!"
"Who managed to get the secret of the walls to those bastards?"
"Order!" her father said before the court was silent again. Then, Chad was clearing his throat and he was looking at each of the peers of the realm as he spoke of the event that had happened in the market earlier.
"I got a message that has been intercepted by one of my crew and it had been laid out that the bandits will be attacking the market today. At first, I was curious about which market. They could have attacked the one that was in Fiktown since it was closer to the Fik forest for their hidings and all that.
"But then, I also have to count the markets that Warydeval had as well as Scatterford and Hamptor. However, Norkins was never made into that list." Chad said before he was looking at the king.
"However, I've got another message intercepted, and this time, it was clearer than before. The leader of the bandits has confirmed that they will be attacking the market at the center of the walled city. But, I must confess that I don't know how they could have come into the market if the walls prevented them before." Chad said before he was looking around.
He was trying to get something out of this court, Casey thought before her brother was looking at her and nodded.
"But then, I went down onto the field to see that the market was already there. And the princess was once again in the hands of the bandits. We did not conclude how they able to get in because my priority was to get my sister back to safety. And we did it," Chad said before he was settling his blue gaze on the peers of the realm. Some shifted and some were whispering to each other. Then, her brother continued for one last time.
"The king has granted his approval for the formation of elite guards that will be working behind the scenes for the royal family. I would recommend that the members remained anonymous for the benefit of the realm. And if anyone, I mean anyone, was to get in the way of the guards' duty, they will be brought to trial," Chad said before he sat down and the court was silent.
Well, my brother was certain to control the floor whenever he went, Casey thought before the court was discussing the walls that needed to be inspected and the king will be on the field himself after the repair has been made. Then, they were dismissed.
*****
"Both of you, a word?" his father-in-law, the king, has called Magnus and Casey to meet him in his private study. They went there after the court and sat together in front of the hearth in the study. It was raining outside the castle before the servant carried some hot tea with scones.
Casey poured the tea and put one cube of sugar and stirred. She served the others as well before her father took a sip and looked at them.
"Now, I know it's all new and all with this married life for you two, but I think it is time for you to take precaution after today's event," the king said as his eyes were looking at Magnus. He knew what the king was asking for before he even spoke the words. Casey put down her teacup before asking the dread question that has been playing in the king's eyes.
"What do you mean, father?" her angelic voice was soft against the dim room before the king was smiling at his daughter.
"Casey, it has been an honor for you to spend some time with me in the castle and in Red Cast, showing Magnus what a tremendous life that we're leading. But I am worried for your safety hence I have asked Lady Ashley to put you both back into Flemington Estate in Fiktown," the king said as Magnus was sipping on his tea.
"What?"
"You will have to go into hiding. The current event has been planned since your abduction in the Fik Forest and if I was to understand your brother's intention, he wanted your husband to take you to the country. It is for your own safety, darling," Casey's father said as his wife was looking at him.
"It's true. Chad has spoken to me earlier," Magnus added, remembered the warning that Chad gave him one night ago. It seemed like ages now with what was happening.
"So, let me get this right. You want me to go to the country to protect myself and my husband from the ambush that the bandits have on us? Is that what you're trying to say, father?" Casey turned to look at the king before the old man sighed.
"Yes, my darling. That is the plan and I hope that you will agree to it. I know you will not like it at first but I promise you that it is for your own good, Casey," the king reached out to hold his wife's hands and Magnus can see that Casey was leaning toward the king.
"But, I will be far away from you and—"
"We will try to visit you whenever we can. And of course, it would be better for you to plan for the Tempest Ball when you're in the country and I hope it will inspire you to be creative with it," the king baited Casey with something that she cannot refuse.
Magnus applauded the king's manipulation of his daughter's wish. No one can escape that now.
"Well," Casey sighed before she turned to look at him and smiled, "What are we got to look? I will have my husband with me and it will be great for us to get to know each other better," Casey said as Magnus smiled. Then, the king clapped his hands.
"Excellent! Now, you will be leaving tonight. Everything has been packed and I hope that you will have a wonderful time together. And I promise to visit you when things settle," the king said before Magnus turned to look at Casey, surprise was on her face.
They have been planning for this for some time now, my love, he thought as they headed out from the private study and to their bed chambers to get ready for their night outing.
*****
"It would seem that my father has been planning this all along with my brother, " Casey said as she was looking at the carriage that will be carrying them across the walled city and into Fiktown.
The carriage did not carry any insignia or crest to indicate that they belonged to the royal family. It was painted in black with shining wheels and black stallions to carry them. The horses were neighing before the footman was opening the door for the coach.
"Your Highness," the footman said as he was helping Casey to get inside the coach. Magnus followed after his wife before they were settling against the velvet seats in the carriage. The horses neighed before the footman closed the door and climbed up to the driver. He even dressed in a commoner's clothes.
"You think the bandits will not come after us?" Casey asked Magnus before he took her hands into his. He kissed her knuckles before settled them on his thighs.
"I promise you, my love, I will protect you till my last breath. And if anything happens to you, I will not rest until the day I die before I bring justice for your honor," Magnus said as he was smiling at Casey. His wife smiled before she leaned forward and kissed him on the lips.
It has been forever when they kissed without anything was weighed on their shoulders. The driver yelled at the horses before the whip was heard. The horses neighed and the carriage was moving forward.
Casey sat on Magnus's laps as they were still kissing, oblivious to their surrounding as the coachman was heading toward Fiktown. Only when Casey needed air, Magnus broke the kiss and leaned his forehead against hers.
"I will never rest until I have your justice, Princess Christy Donavan. Your life is mine and my life is yours. I will cherish you until the day I die and by doing this, we will survive to see us grow old with each other," Magnus explained why he had to give in to the king's order. Why he risked getting Casey out of the walled city of Red Cast and went to his estate again.
Magnus has been informed that his grandma has settled in Fiktown on a different house and his brothers have settled in Hamptor.
Perhaps they can visit them later on but for now, Magnus prayed that they will arrive in Fiktown without any interruption from anything as he hoped that Casey will never have to face her trauma ever again.
Or they will have to face Magnus.