Was he fooled by the sly Princess?
Nicolin hurriedly rode his horse forward while one of the two men named 'Emeric' ran to him.
"Her Highness suddenly run with her maid and Feran went after them. This way, Nico."
Nicolin nodded and Emeric hurriedly mounted on his horse. Then they rode in the direction where the Princess went.
Just around two minutes passed and the two men saw their friend who seemed to be struggling on choosing the path to take. There was a path on the right and left and he didn't know where the Princess headed.
"Feran," Emeric called out and Feran quickly turned around to see his two friends.
"Did you lose the Princess?" Nicolin asked the moment they arrived where Feran stood.
"It was crowded back there and that slowed me down. I'm stuck with these two paths," Feran regretfully responded to Nicolin who was also the leader among the three.
Losing no time, Nicolin quickly observed both the paths and turned to his friends. "Take the one on the right. I will take the left. Remember, we should find her no matter what."
The two nodded and hurriedly headed to the path on the right. Then Nicolin took the one on the left.
If the Princess happens to get in trouble... he didn't even want to think of the consequences.
After riding for a while, Nicolin got off his horse to look around the shops nearby and narrow alleys where it wasn't appropriate to ride a horse. Besides, some places were crowded and it didn't really match with his current situation.
It's hard to have patience.
Minutes passed by and he had searched many shops and alleys without even resting for a second. Then finally, the thing he briefly saw made him halt abruptly. Taking several steps backward, he turned to the left where there was a small space between two shops. Then he cautiously walked the small path that lead him to a small secluded space.
He felt like he saw the Princess's hand that had a familiar bracelet around her wrist and... he wasn't wrong. He was now standing before four men. One of them held the Princess and his knife was just an inch away from her neck while Jocea was also held by one of the men.
Judging from the appearance of the men, they seemed to be organized thieves.
Did they even have an idea of who they were targeting?
The Princess dressed up as a noble family lady, so she didn't wear her tiara. Those men won't even be able to guess that she was a royal. While the people of Eslore were well familiar with the faces of their King and Crown Prince, the Princess never make a formal public appearance. But she recently turned 18 and according to the law of the kingdom, she will soon be required to do that.
"Who are you?" one of the men asked Nicolin. "Don't get involved in other people's business and leave before you regret!"
Paying no heed to the warning, Nicolin met the gaze of Princess Vivien Casteveron. Despite the situation, he didn't even see a hint of fear in her eyes. It was just as he expected.
The Princess wasn't only problematic and stubborn but also daring. Even King Ricard felt helpless whenever he witnessed how fearless his young daughter was! It's not like she was some warrior who was skilled in using weapons. She can't even defend herself or use any weapon but... she was never the type to compromise.
"Let them go," Nicolin simply said to the men with his usual calm voice. At one point, it almost annoyed the Princess.
He still maintained his usual demeanor even in this situation? Was he really not a human?!
One of the four men narrowed his eyes on the sword that was hanged in Nicolin's waist and rather than keeping his guard up, he simply smirked. "Are you trying to be some hero here? Just leave or you will surely regret. Don't waste our time!"
Nicolin briefly turned his attention back to Princess Vivien before he suddenly unsheathed his sword and struck on the arm of the one who held the Princess. With his outstanding flexibility, none of the thieves managed to move before he did!
Howling in pain, the man whom Nicolin struck instantly released Princess Vivien and held his arm. Losing no time, Nicolin pulled the Princess and put her behind him while pointing his sword at the men all the time.
The men now realized that they weren't dealing with an average man. As such, they all unsheathed their swords and the one who held Jocea also pushed the latter away and Princess Vivien quickly ran to help her maid who stumble to the ground.
"Leave and wait for me somewhere safe. Don't go too far," Nicolin advised the Princess who was still busy helping her maid.
"What about you?" Vivien Casteveron quickly asked.
Wasn't it dangerous for him to fight those men alone? Where were those two henchmen of his?!
"I'll be fine," Nicolin responded and all the time, his observing gaze was on the three men who all seemed to hesitate to be the first to attack him. "Leave. Now."
Vivien Casteveron wasn't even in a situation to be bothered by his commanding tone. She quickly helped Jocea up and they left the place. When one of the men tried to come after them, Nicolin stopped him and the fight began.
As Nicolin instructed, Princess Vivien and Jocea went to a safe place but not too far. Thinking of her father's right-hand man who was fighting those thieves alone, Vivien found it hard to be still.
Will he be alright?
A few minutes passed and the little patience of the daring Princess was running dry and she decided to go back there. However...
Emeric and Feran spotted them and ran towards them.
Great timing.
"Your Highness, are you alright?"
Princess Vivien promptly nodded and pointed at the place where she was held by the thieves before. "Nicolin is fighting the thieves there alone. Go and help him."
Anxiety instantly washed over the two men when they learned about their friend's situation. So, they nodded and quickly turned around. However, they only managed to take a few steps when they saw Nicolin heading towards them.
"Nico, are you alright?" Feran quickly asked.
Nicolin only nodded and walked past them. In no time, he was standing before the Princess.
Vivien Casteveron observed the man standing before her and noticed a cut on his left arm which appeared to be quite deep. Other than that, he seemed to be fine. All of a sudden, the fact that everything happened due to her recklessness dawned on her and she felt guilty.
"I -"
She wasn't given a chance to finish as Nicolin interjected her right away.
"We already waste a lot of time, Your Highness. Let's return to the palace."
She was expecting him to be angry at her but... why didn't he say anything?
Just like before, she wasn't given a chance to speak as Nicolin turned around and started walking. All she could do was follow him with an uneasy mind.....