They all didn't know what time it was. What is certain is that the sun has been shining on all corners and the sky looks bright blue.
The six soldiers had been busy since this morning. They formed three teams and divided the tasks of preparing firewood, making a fire, and looking for fresh water fish in a lake not far from where they spent the night.
Of course, it wasn't just the six soldiers who moved, but Royce and Frans also moved to help. Athena and Nancy used a wooden bucket left over from last night's water as a container for the fish that the two soldiers had caught.
The fresh water fish were immediately cleaned by Nancy, and Athena gave them just a little seasoning. The girl found a little salt that was drying near the coast. Maybe the salt belonged to the fishermen and was left just like that when the war broke out yesterday.
When Athena and Nancy finished grilling the freshwater fish, they immediately ordered everyone to sit in a circle and eat.
The broad leaves that they have cleaned using water, they use as their dishes. The fresh water fish are very delicious. It's really good to eat grilled fish that has just been caught straight from the lake.
They all of course hadn't bathed and they both looked shabby in appearance. Even Aubrey, who is a royal princess, is now more silent and her hair looks very messy.
While Lucy was also like that. The girl was tired of crying, maybe even her tears had run out and dry. She could only be silent and always obey what Royce told her. And Athena who always helps Lucy in anything.
Edgar and Erick looked better. The wounds on their bodies started to look drained, even though they had not healed completely. Edgar's wound on his stomach was no longer painful like yesterday, maybe because he had a good night's sleep. Meanwhile, the stab wound to Erick's left leg also seemed to be getting better, even though the man still had to limp for a while.
"We have to come up with a plan and we have to find a new place to live. I mean, we have to be in the midst of the other residents. Even though I was let alive and out of the palace just like that by Jackson. But I'm not sure if he won't come after me. From the start, I was his target. And now I don't have enough energy and strategy to fight him. I myself need a place to shelter and hide." Royce said. He spoke when his food was finished. Although a fresh water fish is actually not too filling for him.
Athena could only sigh softly, then she looked at Frans. The girl is also good friends with Frans.
"Do we have to walk all the way over the mountain, prince?" Frans asked and he also pointed towards a mountain that was not too high. The mountain is also not active or not a volcano, just an ordinary mountain and there tends to be a resident's area behind the mountain.
Royce immediately nodded. "Yeah, I think we should just go there."
"No!!"
All heads immediately looked at the owner of the voice that had just said 'no'. Edgar who firmly rejected the plan that Royce said.
And of course Royce frowned. He was confused why his uncle refused his plan. "Why, Uncle?Jackson will definitely come after me and I don't know when that will happen. I can't fight him like this and we all really need someone else's help." Royce said.
"Yes, I see what you mean. But going over the mountain is a very long journey. Even riding a horse can take hours, especially on foot. There are a few women coming with us, Royce. Don't you think about them and your sister? Even Erick and I are still injured. We both need a few days to heal the wounds on our bodies."
"Then do you have any other plans, uncle? Most importantly, we cannot sit idly by." Royce said.
Edgar nodded in understanding. "There's a wooden house in the middle of this forest. We'd better head there."
"A wooden house? Whose house is it?"
"No one lives in that wooden house. It's been empty like that for a long time, but the wooden house is very strong and durable. The house isn't very big, but we can all go in and sleep in there safely at night. Me and Arthur, always heard about that wooden house from our mother, Queen Ariadne. Back when the Diamond Kingdom was attacked by the man named Sergio, Queen Ariadne and some of her friends hid in the wooden house for a few days. The wooden house was very safe." Said Edgar who explained firmly.
Hearing that explanation, Royce of course believed it. Because he himself also heard stories about it, but he just remembered now.
Then Frans nodded. "You are quite right, Uncle Edgar. We should all rest in the wooden house first. Is the wooden house hidden enough?"
Edgar nodded. "Yes. Arthur and I have seen that house before. The house is covered with large black stones. The enemy troops will not easily find the wooden house."
"Very well, then I also agree with your suggestion, Uncle Edgar." Royce said. "However, after the wound on your stomach and the wound on Uncle Erick's leg have healed. Are we all going to the resident's area that is behind the mountain?"
And Edgar immediately shook his head. "No, Royce. We'd better not depend on other people's territory. There we will definitely be seen as so foreign and we have to work for them."
"Then where should we go? What do you want, Uncle Edgar??!!" Royce began to look annoyed and frustrated. Of course, a man like him, who always lived easily, now looks irritable and does not easily accept suggestions from other people.
Athena could only remain silent. Nancy, Lucy, and Aubrey also just sat quietly and listened to the men discussing where to go next.
Meanwhile, the six soldiers also did not dare to interrupt Royce and Edgar's conversation, who looked serious. Erick was just silent as he finished his food.
"Have you forgotten where your biological aunt is, Royce?" Edgar asked quietly and looked at Royce.
Royce was silent for a moment and his face, which was originally angry, now looked calm. "Aunt Jasmine?"
"Yes. We should go see her and tell her what happened. I'm sure Jasmine and her family haven't heard about this attack." Edgar said.
Royce's shoulders looked down. Now he felt like he saw an opportunity. Why had he not thought about Aunt Jasmine since yesterday?
"I'm sorry, Uncle Edgar. I had forgotten Aunt Jasmine just like that. I even suddenly forgot that my father also had siblings out there. Even I forgot about you."
"It's okay, Royce. Everything just happened and don't try to blame the situation. Besides, Jasmine and I rarely visit the palace, because we already have our own families." Edgar said with a smile.
"Then, where does Aunt Jasmine live?" Ask Royce. He completely forgot about his aunt's family.
"Jasmine married a man who works as the mayor. She's out in the urban area. So, we should go find Jasmine and leave this area of the kingdom." Edgar said.
*****