Chapter 139:
Dimming Patience
"Bjard, what did you call me for?" Much time had passed since Olicia had voluntarily stepped foot in the throne room of the Faelfierian palace. After the incident within the Yursear Kingdom, nearly losing her life, she largely withdrew from her role as the Faelfier King's cousin, instead choosing to stay within her room and avoid palace affairs altogether, much to the distress of King Uther.
Bjard, sitting atop his throne with a worried frown, stared over Olicia's placid expression, having heard only pieces of what she had experienced in the Yursear Kingdom during the bridal selection. "I have some important news regarding the Yursear Kingdom, and I think you should hear it." His beard was neatly trimmed, close to his chin, and his eyes were full of tiredness, as if he had been carefully deliberating over the information he was about to share.
Standing in a simple palace dress, Olicia stared at Bjard with a frown, "I told you I want nothing to do with that kingdom anymore. After what they did to me, to us-"
"Olicia, what you know from the Yursear palace may help us," Bjard stated directly, "And it may help the noble ladies you befriended."
"What do you mean?" Olicia asked with a raised brow, her heart rate steadily rising.
"Princess Dupont and Princess Lambros were kidnapped from the palace with Duke Cyneric's son earlier this week. The palace is currently under lock down until they are safely returned."
"You're kidding me." Hearing the names of the women she nearly vowed to forget, Olicia's mouth ran dry. "W-what's happened to them, Bjard? And how did you find that out so fast?"
"The palace has said they were kidnapped, but the truth is obvious. They escaped early in the morning, using disguises to leave the palace." King Uther sat with his back straight, his eyes narrowed as his expression sombered, staring at his young niece with a worried gaze. "According to my spies, Malcolm is sending a group of knights to the Bethellian border to intercept them. If he catches them, there's no telling what would happen."
"He wouldn't dare risk the throne like that! The Bethellian Kingdom is a Yursinean ally! A strong one at that!" Olicia nearly yelled, her eyes wide in shock. "What does that moron think he's doing!?"
Bjard stood from the throne, his face darkened as he spoke again. "That's why we are sending a small convoy within the Yursear Kingdom to protect them until they are safe with one of our allies. Malcolm won't want to make a scene regarding their escape, but it's the perfect reason to severely restrict the Bethellian and Maarit borders."
Olicia stood, her fists clenched at her sides as she thought of the past events she had faced in the palace, accompanied by the group of three women. Though she did not consider herself close to the other candidates, she did not want to see any of them harmed, especially after attempting to escape the horrors of the Yursear palace.
She knew all too well the evils that dwelled within those walls. "Who's going to help them, Bjard? If I can, I want to help."
King Uther, hearing the words of his young niece, could not help but smile. "There are some things you can do that would be helpful." Bjard waved his hand, and one of his personal knights stepped forward, holding a small pile of parchment paper. Various notes were written on the pages in the king's handwriting and another print Olicia did not recognize.
"What's this?" Olicia asked, reading over the information with narrowed eyes. The more she read, the more she became aware of the situation, until she paused at the end of the parchment. "They'll be kept within the kingdom? Why?"
"A contact of mine will assure their safety while they hide in the Yursear Kingdom. But, while they are away, anything else you can share about the castle would be extremely helpful. I know you're not comfortable sharing the events at the palace, Olicia, but-" Bjarn stated, his eyes lowering as he stared at his niece, "This is your last chance. Do you know anything?"
Olicia, biting her bottom lip, gently opened her mouth, her lips parting as she frowned, hesitating as she slowly began to speak.
…
After sending one final letter to King Uther in the Faelfier Kingdom, Adora found herself with some time on her hands within the palace. Since the preparations had almost been completed for the war, Meredith's condition had rapidly improved with Eva's dutiful assistance. Part of her had been so busy, she had yet to talk to Silas, let alone discuss her concerns about the Yursinean prince, who had found himself content with buzzing around Silas like a persistent fly.
Enjoying some peace and quiet in the sitting room, Adora sat next to Silas, her expression complex as she thought hard about something, her mouth twisted into a heavy frown as she said, "You and Clarence-" She held her teacup, warming her hands as she attempted to broach the awkward situation.
Hearing Adora's words, Silas raised a brow. "What about it?" Silas was rolling a newly-developed mana pendant in his hand. Since Meredith's slow recovery, he had been sitting in bed, working on mana stones to help aid the battle. After nearly a month of idle time, he had finally completed the first communication device that allowed two elves to speak at far distances using the transfer of mana. So far, Silas had only tested it within the confines of Countess Zavior's estate, but he was curious to see how far it could work.
"Clarence seems awfully attached to you." Adora said with some spite, staring at the stone Silas was moving in his hands. "I'm surprised he's still helping us."
"He's just unfamiliar with the environment, that's all. He's trying to redeem himself the best he can." Silas said with a sigh, feeling the conversation was leading into something he did not feel comfortable discussing.
"Then why-" Adora started, but Silas spoke again.
"Have any letters arrived from the Faelfier Kingdom lately?" Silas sat forward, his eyes sparkling slightly with excitement, hoping to hear back from the twins rather than discuss the prince.
Silas had been so busy, he had almost forgotten to write Cirdan and Aurelia their letters, the two he still considered children in his eyes. After being separated for so long, it felt awkward, attempting to rekindle their relationship, but after seeing them alive and well, there was no such feeling, and instead, it brought the group more joy than any of them could express. Maeir sent a batch of letters each week from her and Silas, checking on the twins as if she were there by their side.
Every few weeks, more letters would be delivered from the twins, allowing Silas another moment of normalcy within the thick of the war. He enjoyed each letter, reminiscing of the times they had spent together, thinking of all the things they would be able to do as a family once the war ended.
"Speaking of which, I heard you reached out to King Uther regarding the Faelfier army. How is everything going there?" He swiftly changed the subject, moving back to the discussion of the war before Adora could probe any further. "He must be busy with the attack approaching so soon."
"Oh, Bjard?" Adora started, humming in thought. "He'll be sending a group of soldiers to assist with the war efforts. Another group will be stationed at the border to help as we need, a group of my soldiers." She spoke of the Faelfier king in such a casual tone, reminding Silas of their close relationship. "They should arrive as we're traveling to the Yursear palace."
"That's good. With their help, there should be more than enough soldiers to effectively clear the palace. It will be difficult to hold down the fort, however, if Bethellian forces come to help." Silas rubbed the space between his brows, his eyes narrowed with a sigh. "The servants will be another problem. Eva already discussed evacuation procedures, but it will be difficult to say if any of them will try to rebel or not. We'll have to be extra careful within the palace. Clarence can only help us so far."
"After this war, what are you planning to do with Clarence?" Adora finally asked the question that had been weighing on her mind. After asking, she paused for a moment, allowing Silas to think as she said, "There is no way he can retake the throne, unless he's a puppet emperor, and I severely doubt that would happen, knowing Eva." Silas frowned as she pressed further. "He's done a lot of things, not just to you, but many of us. Do you really want to forgive him just like that, Silas? Do you really trust that he can redeem himself?"
It was something he had spent a lot of time thinking about. There was no easy road to forgiveness. Neither direct nor easy, Silas had wondered, laying in the same bed as the prince, if he could move on from their past, beyond the parade, beyond the events in Cailith, and beyond what had happened within the palace walls. He was inhumanely cruel in the past, but had he changed enough to be redeemed?
Silas let out a sigh, "I don't know if he can, Adora-"
"You know that he likes you, right?" Adora shot out in response, "That moronic child is about as subtle as night and day. Tell me you've at least noticed that? I'm sure Maeir has already spoken to you about it."
Silas fell awkwardly silent, and it seemed that everyone around him was keen on stomping on his toes, broaching the delicate situation with the gentleness of an elephant's foot.
"I'm aware." He said, resting his face in his palm with an expression of heavy exasperation. "He's young. I'm sure he'll get past this…" Silas paused, "Momentary lapse in judgment and move on, onto brighter pastures I'm sure. Besides that, we're in the middle of a war. His focus won't last long."
Adora could see it in the prince's eyes. There was a trace of infallible determination, hooking him onto Silas like a chain. As much as she wanted for the prince to give up, she felt deep in her heart that the prince would not give up as she had. Instead, much like Silas, he would claw himself onto whatever he desired, until there was nothing separating him from his goal.
Can Silas really stand the weight of that? Adora thought quietly, continuing her conversation with Silas as the pair continued their own efforts, finalizing the infantry's attack plan before their true plan would fall into motion.
Outside the room, the door hooked slightly ajar, stood Clarence, holding a small plate of cookies in his hand to deliver to Silas. As he heard Adora speak aloud, he froze, his hand that had lightly held the door retracting, as if he had been burned.
The pit in the bottom of his stomach felt as if it were growing, the words Adora sat repeating like a songbird again and again, irritatingly so in his mind. What she thinks of me is irrelevant. He shook his head, carefully balancing the plate of cookies in his hand as he attempted to peek through the crack in the door. Nothing was visible, but he listened closely as Silas swiftly changed the subject, stopping the two of them from knowing his own feelings in the situation.
What do you think of me, Silas? Clarence wondered, his mouth growing dry as he stood by the door for only a moment longer, disinterested in hearing more of the war discussions. His only concern was entering the palace with Silas, protecting both him and his family, and ensuring his life after the invasion was over.
Whatever Silas wanted after the invasion was completed, he would do whatever in his power to achieve it, even if it harmed him in the process.
All Clarence wanted to know, all he truly desired, was Silas's affections towards him.
…
In the initial escape with Charlotte, Philomena, and Alywin, the trip was normal. They traveled in their formal traveling clothes,
The few servants that had been brought for the journey were quickly left behind at the nearest rest place, making it appear as though Charlotte and her group were kidnapped and taken in the middle of the night. However, Basch was nowhere to be found, and the group of palace servants fell into a deep panic, nearly falling over themselves to find their nobles.
All of their favorite servants, particularly their nannies and others they found important, were sent to the Bethellian Kingdom ahead of their travels, ensuring their safety as their true plan laid to rest.
With little luggage and the group of them in tow, Basch became their sole knight, monitoring the group's travels. Days had passed since their initial escape from the palace, and there was not enough time for the three to sleep anywhere but the small carriage. Their only breaks were bathroom breaks, taken in groups in order to prevent even the slightest of delays. There was only so much time they had before Malcolm and his guards would send for them. If they were caught, there was no telling what could happen. That thought repeated in all of their minds like a drum.
"How far are we from the border now, Basch?" Charlotte asked, her fatigue apparent after days of little to no rest. Even her eyes had glazed over slightly with fatigue.
"A few days." Basch mumbled, his eyes glued to the carriage window, watching the outside intently. Basch's hand, which rested on his opposite arm, suddenly tightened his grip.
"Someone's approaching, lower your heads." Basch said suddenly, his words only loud enough to be carried through the carriage. As he slowed the carriage, he grabbed his sword, looking over his shoulder with his heavy gaze, his eyes nearly full of killing intent.
The person approaching, however, made no attempt to hide their approaching presence and instead hurried forward with an increased pace, their movements nearly frantic.
Knocking on the carriage window was Theo, his face damp with sweat as he panted, the gem dangling around his neck burning a bright purple light. As his eyes met with Alywin's, seeing him safe and sound, the strength in Theo's body gradually faded. The smile on his face drooped as his head fell forward, his body nearly falling from his slowly-moving horse, had it not been for the harness holding his body upright.
"Theo!" Alywin shouted, nearly half of his body out of the carriage window, attempting to grab the reins of the horse in order to slow the other man down.
"Stop the carriage!" The sounds of horses whining echoed in the air. Theo's horse kicked up its head into the air with the sharp pull on the reins. Alywin wasted no time throwing himself out of the carriage as both Theo's horse and the carriage came to a quick halt.
"Quick, help me get him off his horse!" Alywin shouted at the startled group as he used his arms to keep Theo upright. Basch looked at Charlotte skeptically, but she nodded her head, so he stepped out of the carriage, overshadowing Alywin's small frame as he dragged Theo's limp form off the neighing horse.
Alywin glared at Basch sharply as he lowered Theo to the ground.
"What do we do now?" Charlotte asked, rubbing her forehead in frustration as she looked at the unconscious man on the ground.
Basch looked down at the pale man, his tanned skin ashy, drained of blood. Basch sighed, looking up into the air in annoyance before slapping Theo across the face, the sharp sound echoing around them.
"What are you doing?!" Alywin shouted, lunging for the hulking man. Theo moaned weakly, grabbing the group's attention.
"Get him in the carriage." Charlotte commanded, moving aside to make room for the injured man, "We'll have more time to talk on the road."
…
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Bjarn (pronounced Bee-yorn), was last introduced in chapter 49 (AHAHA), but I found him again and made sure that the spelling and pronunciation was right. Though, I'm using my old laptop again with my old tablet, so if there are any spelling mistakes, apologies in advance as I've been shuffling around laptops :D
My store is up and running, and I am sitting in my work corner as we speak >y< I haven't made my first sale yet (I've barely been open ahaha), but I'm selling art and I will begin Japanese classes sometime in June. Very interesting to start this venture, but it's the first of its kind in my area. I actually received a congressional award during my ribbon cutting ceremony (I got to use the giant-ass scissors!), so it was very, very cool!
I may be a little slow responding, as I'm spread thin between my store and work, but I felt much stronger coming back from last week this chapter :D Thank you all for your continued support, and I hope you continue to enjoy YMtK!! ;u;