"I've sent the soldiers to look for the plant. I'm sure they'll find it no time." Lucid said, as he was assuring Elen that everything would be alright.
"Father...."
"Mm"
"I'm a bad person right?" She asked and Lucid stared at her for a while before he spoke.
"Why'd you say so??"
"I caused all of this and I'm here, sitting while Amir is fighting for his life. I should help those men to find the plant. It's the least I can do."
He heaved a sigh and stared out of space. This girl was really like Elen. They both were stubborn, determined to do what they wanted. But hers, Ellie's own was on another big level. She's not easily persuaded. Her determination is fiercer and stronger. She had the aura of a warrior and he liked it.
"Father, did you hear what I just said?" She asked softly and he snapped his head towards his daughter and heaved another sigh. How should he explain this to her now?
"Ellie, it's dangerous out there. It's not a place someone like you should go." He said and Ellie didn't know when she finally snapped.
"Why can't I go father?!! I'm also human, and I'm the main cause of this. Why are you restricting me from going? Why can't I go help my friend?!! Why are you doing this father?!!" She yelled and Lucid just patted her back and let her open up all the pain in her heart.
When she was done, she raised her head and turned to look at her father who was still holding that calm expression on his face and it was then she realized she yelled at him. Her father! How could she be so foolish?! He's just trying to look out for her! Her angry gaze turned apologetic as she looked at her father and a soft and heartwarming smile carved on lucid's face. 'Thank goodness he's not angry.' She said inwardly.
"I'm sorry father, I couldn't control my an..."
"It's alright. You're my daughter, you have the right to get angry at me once in a while. Had it been another person that spoke to me in that manner, I would have given them the most heart wrenching punishment." He teased trying to lighten up the atmosphere but knowing Ellie, this won't even remove her guilt even a tiny bit. Nonetheless, this was good. At least, it would make her stop thinking of Amir for a short while. 'Well, this worked out on your advantage.' He grinned inwardly.
She shook her head and spoke again. "But it doesn't justify the fact that I yelled at my father. It just doesn't sit right." She said, her voice was cracking and lucid felt his heart clench. He didn't want to see her cry. This wasn't her fault. It was his fault, he shouldn't have let her go. He should have explained things to her and let her stay home. He was partly at fault too.
"Look Ellie, like I said. It's fine, you have the right to scold me anytime you want." He said as he pinched her cheeks playfully and she giggled while she nodded.
They both sat in silence, each occupied with their own thoughts.
'Amir, please wake up. It's been two days and I haven't heard your voice. Just open your eyes for me. Just once.' She said in her head.
Everything was her fault, even if the world told her it was not her fault. She still would not believe. She's a horrible person! She caused everything and still, she couldn't do anything to help him.
"Excuse me father. I'm going to my chambers." She said and Lucid nodded.
He signalled some guards to follow her and they nodded.
Few minutes later, Ellie was in her chambers. The guards were standing outside her room on alert.
She laid on her bed staring outer space. She just wished Amir would be alright. It's past midnight already and her father's men were still not back. Was the plant that hard to find? They should have been back by now. Did something go wrong? Everything better be fine because Amir was still fighting for his life. She wanted to ask her father why his men weren't back yet but she refrained from doing so because she didn't want to worry him unnecessarily. If she wanted to help Amir on her part then she needed to stay strong for him. She shouldn't break down, she would patiently wait for the soldiers to return.
After thinking for a long while, her eyes finally felt heavy and she gladly succumbed to it.
.....
"Did you perhaps at some point develop hearing impairment?" Elen asked the man who claimed to be a soldier.
"N-n-no my lady, my ears are perfectly working well, it's just that when you spoke I kind of developed a short hearing impairment." He gave out a ridiculous excuse causing the guards around them wanting to burst out in laughter. Had Robert been there, the whole hall would have been filled with his annoying laughter.
Elen's expression turned darker. Just who the hell was this so called 'guard'?? He's too out of this world. His courage was what no guard or soldier could even have. Though, Elen never felt superior to Robert and his comrades. She still felt that they had this kind of fear towards her, even if she's friendly with them, they still didn't take it for granted and still gave her the most needed respect.
But this man here. This man didn't even feel inferior. It felt as though, he wasn't a soldier or guard. It felt as if he was a friend joking with his best friend. She narrowed her eyes at him and asked him again.
"What is your name?" She said, this time in a more friendly tone. Maybe, he would open up now and tell her his name but the man just fell silent. No, it felt as if he was in a daze. With the expression on his face, it looked like he didn't have any intention of revealing his name. He still had that contemplative look on his face which made Elen's curiosity drive even more. Was he hiding something? Is he even a real soldier or he's just an impostor?! These questions kept swirling in her head and it made her want to just choke out all the answers from him.
She was at the brink of bursting out when a thought popped up in her head. Robert! That's right! If this man here was really a soldier, Robert would be able to recognize him. Robert and the rest of his comrades were generals after all. There was no way they wouldn't recognize one of their kind!
"Bring me Robert." She ordered and the guard beside her hastily move to carry out her order.
'Tch...why is that guy behaving as though he's going to get killed? Can't he just tell her highness his name?! Now I have to be the one to call the mighty and annoying Robert!' The guard complained in his head.
Elen and the 'claimed to be soldier' stood there, watching each other in silence.
Meanwhile, the guard who was sent to call for Robert was already at his quarters and he was told that he was busy. Well, busy only meant that he was with a woman.
"Tell him that her highness is the one calling for him." The guard nonchalantly said.
The man then stood and gave out a light knock on his door but there was no response. He was about to knock one more time, but the door opened with an annoyed Robert standing by the door, glaring at the man who dared to interrupt him.
The man flinched back in fear but he had to do this. It was important. This was the princess's order.
"H-h-her highness called for you." He said and his sour expression turned troubled. Oh no! What's the matter now and why does it have to always be him? He's not even the leader! Can't he have at least a fun night without disturbance for once in a lifetime?
He nodded at the guard and spoke. "You can leave now. I'll be there in no time." He said and the man stood there not moving at all.
"She told me to come with you." He said and Robert pinched his temples. If it was another Q and A session, he wasn't doing this alone this time. His comrades must be with him. So he ordered the guard to call for the rest of his comrades and the man just nodded.
The door was shut close as he went towards his bed to wear his coat when the woman he had almost forgotten about her existence caressed his chest.
Good lord, why does he have to interrupted now? He was having such a good time!! But since this was concerning the princess, he had to ignore his own needs and listen to the princess's summon.
He pulled away and hastily wore his coat. "I'm sorry but I have something important to attend to now." He said and the woman just scoffed and left the room.
He let out a sigh and also stepped out of the room. 'This better be something worth it.'
....