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Rosella's emotions are in disarray.
It has been several months since the corpses' case. And now, she is sitting in the carriage towards the best hall in the Kingdom, one of her territories.
The reason is, that the Tournament had much to do with her lifelong matters, her marriage.
This had never happened before. The aperture of the Royal Tournament had always been held at the Castle. But this time, King Joseph ordered her to be held in her best territory, Alcatraz.
Alcatraz is a small island. A few kilometers away from the Cullen Castle. To reach the island, they have to travel by land for one hour and by water for at least three hours. But today, Rosella took a shortcut. Passing by the slums.
To reach the slums, they've to get out of the Royal Capital and reach Duke Hamilton's duchy, Halton's Capital.
As they passed the main road of Halton's Capital and fell upon the outskirts of the territory, a shady and unkempt slum came to view.
The slums in Halton were on a smaller scale. One could see from the beginning to the end of the housing, even at a close distance.
There was not one decent shelter. All left from the property were ten straw houses, barely managing to keep hold of themselves.
Her carriage is low key. Her green dress and blue coat were simple but elegant, not lowering her status as a noble lady. Because she's on a task. She had to find someone.
Last night, she had another dream. No different from the dreams she had when she was little when she saved Lilith and the rest of the children. But this time is different. She had to save the boy in her dreams because the boy had a special identity.
They kidnapped the boy from his parents when he was just born because his parents were in internal strife. They could not protect him, nor they could search for him. And when they ended their conflicts, they wanted to find their son. It was too late.
The boy is a member of Royalty. But she can't say from which Kingdom he belongs. She only had to take the boy under her protection and teach him to become a better person.
Based on her dream, it won't be easy to gain his trust.
Rosella rubbed the space between her eyebrows.
The boy grew up in the slums, stealing, fighting, and only he knows what else. He grew up like one wolf, not daring to trust anyone. And he is only 10 years old.
Rosella has 5 years to turn him into a Royal Member. Capable of anything. Because if she returns to his parents now, he will die.
Traitors are so close to the parents, and the instigator of the internal strife is still so close to them, waiting for another opportunity to do it again.
The parents did not have another child, because they wanted to put pressure on their subjects. Search the heir, and prioritize the heir's whereabouts. They can reward any clue.
In the beginning, their subjects will pressure them to give birth to another child. Or asked the man to take a secondary wife. But the couple silenced them. Since then, no one has given the same ideas. Only having the hope of the heir's return.
"My lady, we are here." The driver informed Rosella.
Rosella only brought a carriage driver and a shadow knight with her.
Her inconspicuous carriage, the way the driver addressed her, her clothes, everything is to keep hidden her purpose, not even Lilith and Nana knew where she went.
No one can know a princess took the boy under her... If so, the people under the instigator will react and inform him. Rosella will have to return the boy to certain death.
As for, the carriage driver is a shadow knight, and both of them are loyal to her due to their vow to her soul. Because once a shadow knight made a vow to swear loyalty to their master, they will die if they have thoughts of betrayal. And magic will plague their souls.
And the worst punishment for a person is having their soul plagued by magic, not allowed to die or live.
She believes in her people, but she doesn't want to involve everyone in this. The instigator of that kingdom had a high status, almost the same as a King.
~Sigh…
Rosella got down from the carriage, and in front of her, there was an alley.
What, it filled the alley with children. They were asking for food and money. In the middle of the alley, there is a boy laying down, sleeping. With difficulty breathing.
Rosella walked through the alley and bent on her knees to see the boy closer.
Upon a closer look, she found the messy and dirty boy frowning. She reached the forehead of the boy and when she touched it; it feels boiling. And knew he had a fever.
Maybe it's because the guard of the boy is high, but a couple of seconds after Rosella touched his forehead the boy moved his body, distancing himself from the touch, tensing his body. But might be because he did not feel any ill intentions, he did not have a strong reaction.
'Master, he had a seal in his body, if the fever continues…' Luca did not continue with his words. He knows his master will understand their implication of them.
Rosella saw him and her face changed. She had to take this boy from here right now. If not… the boy will die.
Rosella knew this fever was not a normal fever.
It's a magic fever.
"Boy, you can call me Lady Ro, I'll take you to see a doctor, okay?" Rosella spoke softly and sweetly to him, caressing his face. She uses a small amount of light magic, making him feel cool and at ease with her presence.
His tensed body lose, and Rosella saw the opportunity to take him.
"Take him to my carriage. We will leave soon."
Once her order fell, a shadow came over and took the boy to the carriage. After he placed the boy, three unfriendly men came to block their way.