Albert was talking with Maria, and I was only listening to their conversation. Maria was full time worried about what was going to happen, and Albert was trying to help her calm down.
"Do you really think it's safe for Albert to be in the palace?"
"Of course, have you ever heard of someone being able to successfully kidnap a person from the royal palace, as much less be killed?"
"No, but I know dad can find a way to-"
"I told King Howard about our situation, so he agreed upon putting some of the best guards in the palace to look after and protect Alex."
"What if that's not enough?"
"Honey, I think you are getting paranoid. I told you it's going to be fine."
"Don't you dare say that Albert! You know I am just looking after our child. I just don't want him to get hurt."
"I am pretty sure every mother is like that. I get that you are very protective of Alex ever since you heard about dad
killing him, but you need to calm down."
"I am calm."
Albert mumbled something that I couldn't understand, so I am pretty sure Maria didn't hear it pretty well either. His mumbling was almost like a whisper, and you couldn't really understand it.
"Did you say anything?" Albert shook his head.
Suddenly, the carriage went out of control and then stopped. I guess we're already at the palace, but it was kind of weird how the carriage went out of control before actually stopping. I looked out the window to see the view. We were still surrounded by trees. I sensed someone was watching us again. I also sensed bloodlust. We were under attack. I felt a hand wrapping around my waist, and it pulled me back. It was Albert.
"Alex, be quiet."
Albert lifted up the seat that I was sitting on and opened it up. There was a sword underneath the seat. Albert pulled it out and put a hand on the doorknob.
"Stay here till my next call. I only sense three people, so I am going out to find them." He looked at me. "Alex, try to keep mama safe and run if you sense there is some kind of problem." I nodded in response and watched him go out.
We stayed like that for five minutes. Then it turned out to be half an hour. I looked out the window to see if I could
spot Albert anywhere, but I was welcomed by an incoming dagger that broke the window and made a small cut on my left cheek.
"Alex!" Maria grabbed me and tried to protect me by using her body as a shield. "Are you okay?"
"Yes, mama!" I heard the door handle click as it opened. I tried to peek out to see who it was, but Maria kept on blocking my view. My hand found something on the seat. It was the dagger. I grabbed it and pulled out of Maria's arms. I lunged at the incoming intruder with the dagger.
Clang!
My dagger hit metal. I looked up to see two or three soldiers looking inside the carriage. I recognized their armor from the palace.
Reinforcements! But how did they get informed?
"Is everyone alright?"
"Albert went off to fight against three intruders. I don't know-"
"Duke Albert is fine. The two assassins committed suicide once they were caught by Duke Albert, but unfortunately, one of them got away. One of our informers has been watching you since you left home. Once you were in trouble, the informer rushed and alerted us about what happened. We came as soon as we could."
Albert came into the carriage with a smile. His left shoulder was bleeding, so he was applying pressure on the cut with his right hand.
"We will be guarding you for the rest of the journey, Duke, Duchess." Maria was not paying any mind. Her main concern was about Albert. She took her right glove off and helped to apply pressure to Albert's wound.
"Then, we will be in your care, sir knight."
It did take longer to get to the palace since most of the knights were walking and only the captain was on horseback. Another assassination attempt was a complete fail, which was a relief.
Finally, the carriage stopped; we had reached the palace. We were greeted by King Howard, the three princes, and Serena at the door. It was weird how I never got to see the queen up till this point. I looked at Serena, and she gave me a small smile. I guess she was finally opening up to me now.
"Hello, Albert! Hello Maria! Hello Alex!" We all bowed down in respect before walking with the king further inside the castle. I was walking side-by-side with Serena. She still had that blank face from our last meeting.
"You know, you could smile every once in a while, right?" Serene turned to me. "Everyone looks way prettier when they smile." I could see a small smile forming on her lips.
"I don't see you smile." I showed her my best proud
smile that I mustered up. She started giggling.
"What's with your smile? It looks so goofy." That actually hurt my pride. I ran into Albert. They had all stopped and were staring at Serena. This made Serena blush a bit.
"I guess bringing Alex is like bringing good luck to our palace." Did I do something? I tilted my head in confusion.
We started to walk again. Maria and Albert were having a deep conversation with King Howard.
"I heard you were adopted." I was surprised Serena started talking to me first.
"Yeah." I noticed that Serena was not acting like her age at all. She was so mature. The way she walked also seemed really perfect for me. Our conversation died down after I answered. It got awkward again.
'Alex.' A voice whispered into my mind. I never thought I would hear this voice so soon. I knew who it was, but how??!!