Her Trail

24

It was almost midnight when everything slowly became smooth. In the first hours, the Knights are busy fighting the Knights that infiltrate the other empire.

I saw scared just by seeing their weapons clash towards each other. And every time some were injured, we have to aid them right away.

Good thing is, even if my thinking and the other healers thinking are from different eras, or world, healers still thinks the same. We do not discriminate against patients. A patient is a patient, they healed and I perform surgeries even to the enemies.

Because after all, the goal was not to kill. We just have to detain them.

Life is still life.

The Knights have different opinions on that matter but our reasoning became superior the moment the Crown Prince stand up for us as well. He told about his plan that made both sides reunited.

It was just like that for hours, and in the end, some of the enemies surrendered.

They were so many and I can not believe all of them manage to come inside. Still, they are brave to invade our empire because they won't know their fate the moment they are in.

I wonder what happened to our Knights who also went into the other empire to spy.

Two days have passed and the situation is not as hectic as the other past days, a good thing, because I swear, I am so freaking tired.

My body is sore all over and I can feel my wrist hurting from all the operations.

I lay my body on the bed, closing my eyes, and eventually, I embraced my Hypnos again.

I wake up from my slumber when I heard several loud knocks.

My forehead crease, I told the knights not to disturb me unless there are patient!

I stand up from the bed, frowning because of the lack of sleep. Gosh, there are patients again? I did not even have a good sleep!

I am so tired!

I jump off a bit when I heard an explosion again. From the moment the war started, explosions did not even cease.

It's making me wary and worried because it can literally kill instantly, and scared the day will come and this building will explode as well. Thinking about it makes me shiver already. I think I am even fully awake now!

I opened the door and my jaw almost drop on the floor when I saw the image of Papa and brother standing in front of me.

They are looking at me seriously and after that, Papa immediately grabs my arm for a hug. He hugs me tightly and I can feel his heart's loud beatings because of that.

"I heard about what happened, are you alright? Were you hurt? Did they inflicted a wound on you?"

I was so stunned that I only did was to stand like a statue with my mouth gape.

I haven't heard from them for almost two months and now...

They are here.

They are actually here.

My eyes were moist, I do not know what to feel, but I am sure, I miss them so much, I did not realize it until they are here in front of me.

I was actually trying to avoid it, and I was hurt when they did not even send me letters, and I realized, I felt all that because I missed them so much and I am craving for my family's warmth.

"Papa..." I tried hard to say that even though I am close to crying again.

"We were so worried, Elora..." his voice almost c***k.

"Are you hurt somewhere?" This time, I heard the voice of my brother, I felt him caress my head.

"I-I am fine..." I let go of the hug even though it seems like Papa does not want to release it, "How about the two of you? I haven't heard from you since you engaged in the war."

They were shocked to hear that. I saw how confused Papa is, even brother who is eyeing me with a question mark on his face.

"What do you mean? I am constantly sending you letters," Brother said.

"I did too," it was Papa, "I thought you were still ignoring me so you aren't replying to any of those."

I was really confused because there are really no letters that were sent to me. I was so sad about that and now they are telling me they write letters for me? Then where is it now?

"Papa, brother, I really did not receive any of it, I was even crying because I thought you did not even think of making me sane from worrying!"

Now, we are all confused.

Suddenly, Brother's face became really serious.

"Alfred always comes back after delivering everything. He is the sender of those letters from, he did not do his job? No, I told you, Father Duke, he is indeed suspicious."

Papa looks terribly mad right now, I can see his sharp gazes, and how his jaw moves in anger.

"Tell those knights who came with us to hunt Alfred down. I have him investigated myself."

"Yes, that will be good. He just works as a volunteer, and he can be a spy, I heard that in the past few weeks, there were a lot of enemies that we're able to come inside our premises, and the location of the small camps are known as well. That was suspicious. There must be traitors."

What Papa said made my eyes widened. Traitors? Then we are really in great danger! What if those traitors are slowly sabotaging our empire?!

"I am also thinking of that, Duke Dallas."

All of our eyes went immediately to Donovan who is walking in the hallway full of grace.

He look at my Father and his eyes settled on me.

"Crown Prince... I heard that you left your camp, I thought you are on the north and guiding them," Brother eyed Donovan with seriousness.

They still have this air on them. They are hard on each other but still, I can sense a platonic relationship between them, they just do not admit it.

"I was actually attacked that is why I am here," Donovan shrugged his shoulders, "But this is really my destination..." he then looked at me again, "because I am curious of something."

Papa faked a cough as if he did not like what he is hearing. That made me smirked. He is really so protective over me!

I went nearer to Papa and held his arm, which caught his attention.

"Papa, last last day, the Crown Prince protected me when I was almost killed. We should be thankful to him..."

That made him stiffened, and he look in the direction of Donovan who was kind of shock when I revealed the truth. But then, his expression changed and he smiled politely at Papa.

"Trying to get out Father Duke's approval, eh?" Brother butt in.

That made my eyebrow furrowed. What did he mean by that? Is there a secret conversation here or something? A boy talk perhaps?

My father suddenly became serious, as well as Donovan who is already glaring already at my brother, who is smirking back at him.

"I saved her not for those petty reasons you think of, Memphis, all of us know that."

And I don't?!

That made me really curious. I feel so lost!

"Really, huh? Or you are just trying to get Father on your sid—"

"Enough, both of you," Papa's serious voice stopped the both of them from quarreling.

I frowned, not understanding anything.

"What are you talking about? Is there a hidden intention why he helps me? Of course, there's nothing, Crown Prince, right? The reason to save is to save itself."

When I look at Donovan, he smiled and nodded, as if he is amused at something.

And when my eyes went to Papa, I saw his proud smile, his eyes revert away from me and he look at Donovan who is in front of the Fleyrs. Papa's expression became serious.

"I still do not approve of anyone for my daughter. She's too precious for us, but if one day, she told us who she wanted to fight for, I will willingly hand her."

Donovan was about to open his mouth to say something when someone came in this direction. He stands beside the Crown Prince who looks pissed at his sudden intrusion.

Halo bow down to greet everyone, and after that, he eyed my father.

"Forgive me for the disturbance, but I'd like to ask for Elora— I mean, Lady Elora's presence."

Papa's eyebrow raises a bit, looking at Halo as if he is already scrutinizing him.

"And you are?"

"Halo, Duke Fleyr, I am a Healer, your daughter asked to be my assistance if needed."

Halo's eyes went to me after Papa. He smiled a bit and I was shocked because he rarely does that!

"Are you sick?" I can not help but say because Halo is not someone who gives his smile like that! He can be compared to a robot!

I gasped when he chuckled, my eyes even widened.

"Oh my goodness, who are you? Halo won't act like that!" I exclaimed.

"Elora," Brother held my wrist.

I look at him only to find out he is raising a brow on me as if he did not like something.

"Are you that close with this man?" He asked, and I gulp on his question.

I revert my eyes away from him and I wish I did not because my eyes went to Donovan who is clenching his jaw, pissed.

And when I look at Papa, he looks troubled on something, he looked stressed out while eyeing the men in front of him.

His eyes went to me when he felt my stares.

"I can not believe you are really growing up, I do not like what I am seeing right now, my daughter," he whispered, but everyone clearly heard it because of the silence.

I blink my eyes, getting what he said.

"No, Papa, they are not—"

"I know men, Elora," his attention went to the two again, "I know your stares, young men. But I do not permit you to pursue my daughter... just yet."

"Oh goodness gracious, Papa! I am just seventeen, of course, they do not think like that! Am I right?" I eyed the two, they both revert their gazes away from me.

I look back at Papa, he raised an eyebrow as if he is telling me he is right on this.

When I was seventeen back then, I only worry about my studies! I can not be I have to face suitors this early...

And really? Is Halo admitting his plan to pursue me by reverting his eyes away? Like how Donovan did? I am aware, deep inside that Donovan developed something on me, I can sense and feel that, but I was shocked when Halo also low key confirmed it. Or was that really a confirmation from him? I have to talk to him!

"May I excuse, Lady Elora? Her patients are actually looking for her," Halo finally said but still, he was avoiding my eyes.

I nodded and look at Papa, "Do you want to come with us?" Then I look at Brother, "How about you, older brother?"

They both nodded, and when it's time to look at Donovan he speak without even my invitation.

"I'll go as well."

It was super awkward to walk with all these towers surrounding me. Many are eyeing us the moment we enter the other building where the patients, knights, and healers are.

Many are actually shocked to see these honorable men walking on the humble hallways of the building. They all bow down and greeted them, especially the Duke who just declared his presence by walking here.

Many look tense because of their presence, but they manage to hold their curiosity by simply eyeing our direction.