Orla pointed at the sofa for Arihan to sit as she sat down. There were a lot of things she couldn't share. Nevertheless, she chose to share the required information that Arihan will need to train Alora.
"Let me make this clear. Alora isn't what you are thinking." Orla clearly knew what he was thinking. And she didn't mention the word in case Alora could listen to their conversation.
Arihan didn't react to her words. He has to know about the redhead lady to cultivate her powers or train her physical strength even if she wasn't a witch. So he sat down to listen to Orla.
Orla didn't just choose Arihan because he had promised to protect Alora. She needed somebody who could keep the secrets and be loyal to the throne.
She had an option of choosing Zander or Eugenie but those two wouldn't be able to watch their daughter struggle and Alora would endure without voicing her troubles to her parents.
Thus Orla had to choose somebody she could trust. The Darwins were the most trusted noble family than her family. Hence she ended up choosing Arihan who had trained day and night, and dedicated himself to the nation, just to protect Alora when she will reign.
Therefore Orla was patient with Arihan and briefed, "Alora's health wasn't in the condition to handle her powers. There were chances her power could do her more harm rather than being under her control. Hence she had to grow up in isolation."
If anything provokes Alora, it could bring up her powers. And it will harm herself instead of protecting her. And that's the main reason Orla allowed Eugenie to bring Alora away from the palace.
Arihan was aware of the Roosevelts' powers. Thus he wasn't surprised. Orla's words cleared his doubts and the possible reason behind Alora's unconsciousness.
Nevertheless, his attention quickly shifted to the present. The Redhead lady's appearance was already creating a buzz in the capital. It would become a hot potato as soon as the spring festival starts when the nobles and royals hold a grand banquet. Apart from that, he was aware of the Blewett family. They wouldn't let the matter slide off.
During this crucial time, if something triggers the redhead lady, she could be in danger. Hence he suggested, "Your Majesty, why aren't we choosing Princess Alora's cultivation and training in isolation?"
Lothar was surprised by the suggestion. 'Did Arihan truly think of Alora's goodness?'
Well, Arihan had different thoughts in his mind. Disturbance and distraction during her cultivation of power and training would cause delays in his work. And he wanted to end this headache very soon.
Sending Alora back to an isolated place will lead her parents to follow her. Because nobody else could provide her the comfort due to her appearance always being questioned.
They won't be able to fetch physicians in time if something happens to Alora. More than that, Alora has to learn to handle the cunning royal Roosevelts.
However Orla used Arihan's words against him as if she was very much concerned about Alora, "Alora's life is in danger here." She paused and looked at Arihan firmly, "Then General Darwin might have to move to the palace for a few days."
Lothar and Arihan: "…"
Arihan pretended like he didn't say anything. Hiding his annoyance, he left the chambers.
Orla caught her husband's deathly glare and shrugged her shoulders, "I found a man for your granddaughter's harem."
Lothar snapped at his wife, "Anybody but him."
Harem? Her husband will find every man inefficient to be with Alora. Orla snickered and went to get prepared for the day.
—————
Alora, who woke up after some time, cluelessly looked around her grandparents' chamber. Her eyes widened, 'Did I fall asleep while meditating?'
She got off the bed and grabbed her cloak and sprinted out. The guard immediately reported to her, "Your Highness, General Darwin is waiting for you in the eastern garden."
Thus started her brutal training. Every morning she would sit to meditate but find herself in her chambers. Afraid of getting scolded, she would run to find Arihan who was taking her to the bank of the river where nobody would disturb her training.
Her training would start with running in the forest on an uneven surface where she will also have to climb and jump. She would be breathless, her legs would be giving out, and she would be dizzy sometimes yet the heartless trainer would lift her by the shirt collar and demand her to run.
Alora who used to watch everyone got trained in the academy always thought it was fun. Now she learned, that it wasn't fun but needed lots of physical energy and determination.
Arihan had given her a wooden sword yet her arms weren't strong enough to swing it in the air for long. Her heartless master wasn't scolding her but his gaze was enough to bury her deep in the shame.
Her grandparents were just getting a glimpse of her in the garden, her parents were seeing her in the morning and night as she was busier than everyone. Freya would get a morning hug every day as Alora would have no strength in the night to walk back to her chambers, much less meet anybody.
...
On the third day, Arihan was leaving the palace when heard Freya calling him, "General Darwin!?"
He paused and looked around at Freya. "Your highness." He greeted her with a poker face.
Freya asked, hiding her emotions behind her indifference, "Is there progress in my sister's cultivation?"
Alora had returned the first day of training with bruises on her limbs, the second day with limping legs, and another day with lifeless arms, yet neither Alora's parents nor her grandparents approached Arihan to say or ask him anything even. It was like they left all responsibilities of Alora to him.
However, Freya never missed a day asking him the same question. Aren't these sisters close enough to ask each other?
Arihan reported the fact, "Nope."
Like every day, Freya's eyes dimmed before she nodded, "Have a good evening." She took a step back and walked away.
Other than doing his job, Arihan was taking no kind of interest in the redhead lady. However, he couldn't help pondering about what worried Freya.
The redhead lady having no powers? Or the redhead lady finding her powers?
If the redhead lady fails to find her powers, she will also fail to be the next crown princess. Freya would eventually go up in the line of succession.
Arihan shrugged off his thoughts, uninterested in Royal politics, and left the castle on his horse.
——————
On the peak of a mountain,
The gibbous moon was bright in the dark sky, shining the light on the man next to a horse. The soothing rustle of the leaves and creaks of the crickets surrounded him. The night breeze fluttered the cloak of a man who stood looking over the bustling city in the night.
Cyrus stopped his horse when he got a glimpse of the man's back. He looked like he was about to lose his life when he collapsed from the horse and lay on the ground. He groaned painfully trying to move his legs. "Your highness, I don't think I will be able to walk anymore." He swore in his mind that he would never follow the impossible target of his prince again.
They had hardly rested anywhere. Other than taking a break to eat something quick or napping after getting fresh at the lakes or rivers, they were riding horses non-stop. They changed horses in towns and villages, paying more than usual.
Agost's hand was caressing the neck of the horse he rode while his eyes looked at the massive capital of Anka. In the dark, the sight of the palace and capital lit in the lamps was a sight to behold.
Rather than the happiness on his face for making it so quick to the capital, his eyes held complex emotions due to his behavior. He was never so impatient and always level-headed. His curiosity and eagerness got the better of me.
Cyrus managed to stand like a crippled man and breathed a loud sigh of relief, "Your Highness, let's depart." He wanted to comfortably sleep like a log for some days. There could be no better place than the palace, if not an Inn.
Agost walked towards the tree close by as he untied his cloak. He flung it on the ground and the cloak spread out. He laid on it, tucking his hands under his head.
Cyrus had to tie horses to rocks and approached Agost in confusion. "Your highness!?" In just an hour, they could have a comfortable mattress underneath.
Agost watched the star-studded dark sky. His curiosity already brought him to the capital of Anka however how could he forget he was a prince of Crisal. His action will affect him and the kingdom's image.
Cyrus: "…"