Odette entered the thicket as she chose the route she had previously decided. In her opinion, it was better than going up the slope following Rion.
Which fool would follow the one who nearly harmed him?
The girl walked through the tall bushes that obscured the view almost like a show curtain. She used the branch in her hands and swatted it against the vines that blocked the way.
Odette really hoped to find a way out of the forest, but the more she walked, the darker and darker the surroundings became.
For a moment, she stopped and looked around. For some reason, the place felt unsafe, and the hairs on the back of her neck suddenly stood up when she felt a gust of wind pass by.
The gust of wind was as warm as... someone's breath behind her ear.
Something went wrong.
Odette turned her head back stiffly and instantly froze. Her heart felt like it had just fallen into her stomach when she saw the face of a big bear plastered clearly and distinctly in front of her face.
ROAAAAAARRR!
The big bear opened its mouth very wide and roared very loudly right in Odette's face.
Rion, who walked up the slope, turned his head with a surprised expression when he heard a roar from within the bushes below.
Elsewhere, Trish and Anwen, who were still busy looking for Rion, were also startled by the birds that flew out of the forest as soon as they heard the roar.
"Trishy, maybe big brother is there," said Anwen.
"Um. Let's check it out," Trish nodded, then ran south followed by Anwen.
They hoped they went in the right direction because it was very difficult to determine where a voice came from in a very dense forest.
They just decided based on the birds they saw which flew from the south.
***
Odette froze, her whole body shook violently as the bear stared straight at her. Then, it finally stood up and looked like it was about to slam its big paws on Odette. However, before the bear could strike its claws, a rock shot out of nowhere and hit its head hard.
THUDD!
Shortly after, the bear staggered backwards then fell unconscious.
"Looks like you really like getting yourself into trouble, huh," Rion said flatly. He stood by the head of the bear that had just fallen. "If you still want to live, come with me, but if you want to be the breakfast of the beasts here, it's up to you."
He was about to turn to leave, but then he quickly ran to catch Odette's body that looked like it was about to fall.
SWOOSH...
Odette's body fell in Rion's arms.
A gust of wind blew the white flower petals that grew clustered under the tree and scattered the grass spores.
For a few seconds, Rion's hazel eyes stared at the girl's face with a look that was difficult to interpret before he finally picked her up and carried her away.
***
Trish and Anwen, who ran towards the edge of the slope, suddenly stopped when they saw Rion appear from below. They saw that in his arms, he carried a woman.
"Trishy, are you thinking what I'm thinking?" Anwen turned to look at Trish beside her and put on a bunny smile.
Trish just squinted at Anwen for a moment, then rushed over to Rion, and Anwen followed him.
"Your Majesty, are you all right?" Trish asked as soon as he stood in front of Rion, while Anwen immediately hid behind Trish's back when she came face to face with Rion.
"Your Majesty, she..." Trish turned to look at the woman in white who was currently in his king's arms. He seemed to want to ask who the woman was, but he stopped his intention when he saw the appearance of the king and the woman who were both wet, and when he saw the red marks on the woman's neck.
Trish secretly gulped as he wondered in his mind, had his king done that to the woman in white? If so then...
"It's not what you think," Rion said dryly as if he understood Trish's thoughts clearly.
"Ahem. I-I'm sorry, Your Majesty." Trish tried to get rid of his strange thoughts while Rion walked to get back to where his horse was.
Anwen seemed unmoved as she stared at the back of her brother, who continued to move away. There was sadness hidden behind her purple eyes. But a moment later, she jolted in surprise when Trish tapped her on the shoulder.
"You okay?" Trish asked.
Anwen quickly smiled broadly and put on a cheerful expression again.
"Yeah, of course. Come on!" she said, then ran after Rion.
***
The sun moved so stealthily that nobody realized it was already evening.
Rion, followed by Trish and Anwen took their horses and rode off. The creatures galloped through the forest exit, villages, plantations and along a long path flanked by meadows. Until finally, their eyes saw a green building that stood majestically in the distance.
Exposure to the setting sun made the building sparkle .
Rion urged his horse even more. Odette, who sat in front of him, leaned on his chest in her still unconscious state.
The woman was very shaken after experiencing a series of stressful events in succession.
After they traveled for about 10 hours from the forest, they finally saw the gate of the Green Castle. The green color of the building had a sense of calm for everyone who saw it.
Rion's eyes flashed in surprise as Rose's image reappeared in front of him.
This time, the figure of the woman in the red dress stood in front of the gate and extended her hands towards Rion. It was as if she expected Rion to run towards her.
Rion subconsciously lifted the corners of his lips and smiled faintly at the sight. However, a moment later, he was disappointed as the figure he had seen disappeared without a trace.
The castle guards who saw King Arion immediately opened the gate.
For a second, they were surprised to see the woman on one horse with the king, but then they immediately bowed respectfully as the king's horse followed by Knight Trish's horse and Princess Anwen's horse walked through the gate.
***
The Panthera troops led by Arlo arrived at Panthera Palace. It was a magnificent building which was dominated by grey colour.
Arlo walked up to an old woman with grey hair and hazel eyes who stood in front of the entrance of the palace building.
Despite her age, the woman looked very dignified, charismatic, and cold. Her powerful aura dominated everything in her surroundings. She was Her Majesty, Cristela.
"Where are the boy and the dog?" the woman asked as soon as Arlo arrived and kneeled before her.
"His Majesty the King went to visit the grave of the late Queen Rose, and Knight Trish escorted His Majesty there," Arlo replied.
"Huh, I see. Then, is Anwen also coming with them?"
Arlo raised his head and looked at Queen Cristela in confusion, then two seconds later, he looked down again. "No, Your Majesty."
"You can go."
Arlo nodded slowly, then got up and walked away.
After Arlo left, Queen Cristela ordered the two female knights who had been stationed behind her for a long time.
"Find out if Anwen went with them and succeeded in doing the task I gave her. If she fails, drag her home. I will marry her off to Duke Carolus' son," she ordered, then turned and walked into the palace.