The Princess and The Advisors

Chapter 5 Innocence

Arcadia sneak out that night. She went to the stable and took her beloved horse. She ride in the middle of the night in the castle back forest, it calms her nerve, her mind. She thought about her decision to be the proxy queen. Now, she's not as confident as the first time she accept this queen title. She can't even control The Council, they do things behind her back.

A sound from the bush alerted her. She can feel goose bumps on her arm, she's sure she heard something. Unconfident, she stir her horse back to the castle and she put the speed on her horse. She feels safer as she saw the castle back gate when suddenly an arrow shoot through her horse landing on the horse thigh. The horse neighed in pain and throw Arcadia from the horse, surprising her.

She realized her horse is hurt and try to stand up when she realized her left ankle is sprained. Despite the pain, she get up and run to the gate as fast as she can. She looked back while running trying to see if she can see the attacker but it's too dark to see, the new moon didn't help much.

She feels a gush of wind and realize a second arrow just missed her. She gritted her teeth and run faster, ignoring the pain that is excruciating now. She look back as she saw the third arrow is coming to, she realized this arrow is spot on and won't miss. As she close her eyes accepting her fate, suddenly a figure comes between her and the arrow, countering the arrow.

"My Queen, are you okay?" Arcadia open her eyes as she look at the figure in front of her. She might see him only for a few times but she recognize who this man is.

"Vonlir!" Arcadia gasped in relieve.

"Seems like you hurt your foot, thank God I can make it," Vonlir is eyeing his surroundings alerted,"Go to the gate, I'll guard behind you." Arcadia nodded and do as Vonlir said. The arrows didn't come again until they went behind the castle gate as maybe they realized now it's too risky to shoot another arrow.

Arcadia grimace as the pain is surfacing now the adrenaline has come off.

"My Queen, please pardon me," Vonlir took Arcadia bridal style as he went to the Pharmacist Office. Doctor Doran is surprised to see Vonlir come in with the injured Queen.

"My gosh, what happened?"

"I fell from the horse," Arcadia cut in before Vonlir can say anything, surprising him," I want to calm my mind so I ride my horse, but it's nightime and I can't see clearly, so I fell, I think I sprained my ankle."

Doctor Doran quickly get some medicine in the back which Arcadia use to whisper to Vonlir,"Don't let them know about the incident tonight, please take my horse to Mazon, see if he can help her."

Vonlir nodded and left to do as she say after putting her on the clinic bed.

Doctor Doran is putting a salve when suddenly the door is open. Tristan is barging in with a heavy breath, it's apparent that he ran here. His eyes screening Arcadia looking for any injuries when he realized the fair white thigh which hitch his breath. Arcadia skirt is up to her left thigh as Doctor Doran is treating her ankle.

"Pardon me, that was inappropriate," Tristan turn around at the sight making Arcadia realize her predicament. A tint of blush formed on her cheek and she put the skirt down to her knee.

"Are you hurt anywhere else, My Queen?" Tristan asked while his back is still facing Arcadia.

"No, it's just my ankle," Arcadia is wondering if Tristan already know about her murder attempt.

"There, we're done," Doctor Doran had finished bandaging the ankle," I will check on you tomorrow." Arcadia nod.

"You can still walk with a cane but I suggest you rest your foot for a few days."

"I understand, thank you, Doctor Doran," Arcadia smiled. She try to stand up with the cane that Doran give when suddenly she feel light. Tristan has carried her bridal style.

"I will take the Queen to her chamber."

"Yes, thank you for the trouble, Advisor Tristan." Doctor Doran give his regards.

The hall seem long as Tristan is carrying her without saying anything. Arcadia knew Tristan is angry.

"Are you angry?" Arcadia asked feeling suffocated with the silence. But Tristan didn't even answer or look at her until they reach her chamber.

Tristan put Arcadia gently beside the bed and stand silent. Arcadia look at Tristan and she realized he's composing himself.

"What do you think you're doing venturing out in the middle of the night?" It was the best and polite ways Tristan can think of to say.

"I need some fresh air to think," Arcadia answer and she's surprised of how little her voice sound.

"Is it my fault?" Tristan sighed, desperation engulfed him,"You're lucky Vonlir is there, if not, and something happened to you, it is my fault."

"Please don't blame yourself," Arcadia feels bad now.

"You're out there because you're angry with me."

"I'm sorry, it won't happened again," Arcadia look at the floor unable to look at Tristan.

"I will ask Blaive to put guards from now on," Tristan tone is commanding.

"No, they will know something is up," Arcadia sternly look at Tristan.

"Do you realize you almost died today?!" Tristan lost his composure. Did Arcadia even realized how grave her situation is.

"They will be foolish to try again after tonight failed attempt," Arcadia brave herself in front of an angry Tristan.

"Guards everywhere you go from now on, that's final," Tristan growled and look at Arcadia, menacing,"Or I will lock you in your room."

"And who do you think you are telling me what to do?" Arcadia challenge him back.

"Okay, that's enough," A voice broke the staring contest. It's Alester followed by Vonlir. Arcadia and Tristan both awkwardly look away.

"Vonlir, thank you earlier for saving me," Arcadia give Vonlir her sweetest smile.

"I was told you want to talk to me so I hurriedly come back when I saw you running desperately at the back castle, I know something is wrong, you're very lucky," Vonlir shake his head.

"I know, I'm sorry, how's my horse?"

"Mazon said she will be fine, though she need to rest for a week, I have arrange the matter so it will be discreet."

"Thank you," Arcadia is relieved that her beloved horse is okay.

"My Queen," Alester look at Arcadia gently,"Please forgive Tristan, he just wants what's best for you." Tristan look away, seem embarrassed that Alester is speaking on his behalf.

"I know," Arcadia bit her lower lips, she can't say anything if Alester put it like that.

"Then please from now on don't go wondering without an envoy," Alester smile,"Please realize your position now."

"I understand," Arcadia look down, ashamed of what Alester said.

"Then it's settled," Alester smile satisfied,"Please excused us." Alester bowed followed by Tristan and Vonlir.

"Vonlir, about the matter I want to speak with you," Arcadia called out.

"Of course," Vonlir stay while Tristan and Alester leave the room.

Alester and Tristan walk in silence, just the sound of their steps along the hall.

"Thanks for vouching me in there," Tristan suddenly break the silence.

"It's not like you to be that agitated," A smirk formed on Alester face.

Tristan took a long breath," She drives me crazy."

"I can see that. King Titus is a very careful man. Queen Arcadia on the other hand,"Alester shake his head," Maybe it's because she's still young."

"Curiosity killed the cat," Tristan rolled his eyes.

Alester laugh,"Yeah, I think that fits her."

***

"A journal, My Queen?"

"Yes, I was wondering if you've seen my father hold a journal. I think you see him more on his private time," Arcadia need reassurance on this journal existence.

Vonlir seem to think hard,"Yes, I think I've seen this journal once or twice."

"Do you might know where he keep it?"

"About that I'm sorry, I don't think I know the answer to that. Your father is very discreet about it, when he knew I'm arrived he immediately put the journal in his robe."

"It's okay, that's sufficient," Arcadia is content, the journal really exist.

"Well, I think it's time you take a rest, My Queen, it's been a long night," Vonlir look at Arcadia assessing,"Are you feeling fine?"

"Yes, you're right, um, about this journal, can it be a secret between us?"

"Yes, it can, My Queen."

"Thank you, and again, for saving my life."

"It is my duty, My Queen, don't fret about it," Vonlir smile and dissapear behind the door.

Arcadia look at her figure in the mirror and decide to take a bath. She's a mess with grass and dirt on her hair and decide to take a bath, she did fall from a horse though. She called for Enu to assist her, the bath is relaxing and she wear her night gown.

"Is there anything else I can do to help, My Queen?"

"No, it's fine, Enu, you can go back to sleep." Enu give a bow and dissapear behind the door chamber.

Arcadia see her figure in the mirror.

I almost die.

The thought came suddenly that it surprised her. The images of the arrows invade her mind, she shake her head trying to chase away the horrible scene away. She get up and decide to take a glass of water to calm her mind. When she try to drink, her hand shakes so bad that the glass slip from her hand and broke to pieces on the floor.

"My Queen, are you alright?" Arcadia is surprised seeing Tristan in her chamber.

"I heard something so I ....," Tristan realize Arcadia face is pale and she's shaking badly.

"I-Im fine," Arcadia try to compose herself,"I just dropped something," She bend down trying to clean up the broken pieces.

A pair of strong hand prevent Arcadia to touch the broken glass,"You are not okay, let it be, you'll hurt yourself." Tristan help Arcadia to stand, she is still shaking.

Tristan look at Arcadia, worried. Tears suddenly burst out from Arcadia amber eyes.

"Hey, hey, it's okay, you're safe now," Tristan instinctively hug Arcadia, soothing her.

Tristan hug make her feel safe and Arcadia cry her fears away. She almost die today, the realization just hit her suddenly. Tristan patiently sooth her back and her hair, trying to calm her down until he feels that the sobs has stopped. Tristan check and see Arcadia has fallen asleep. He carefully put Arcadia on her bed and envelope her in a blanket.

***

Arcadia try to open her heavy eyes. She was trying to remember what happened last night and it hit her.

She burried her face on the pillow. She's so embarrassed of showing her broken side to Tristan when she's the one that act brave.

A knock can be heard from the door,"My Queen, Advisor Tristan told me to clean up a broken glass in your room."

"Yes, come in, Enu," Arcadia try not to let Enu look at her face. She's sure her face is puffy and Enu would realize that she had been crying yesterday.

"My Queen, Doctor Doran told you to rest today," Enu is making small talk while cleaning up the broken glass.

"Yes, I will rest today," She doesn't want people to see her puffy eyes anyway.

"I will tell the maids to prepare the food in your room then," Enu is finished with cleaning up the pieces.

"Thank you, Enu," Arcadia can hear the door closed and she's alone again.

***

Tristan can't seem to sleep so he decide to see Arcadia once more to apologize. No matter how right he is, Arcadia is the Queen and him being agitated with her is inappropriate, and he doesn't feel they separate in good terms. Alester negotiate for them, the ill feelings though, still remains.

He's stunned when he heard something break in the queen chamber. His mind has thought about worst thing that he decide to barge in.

That's when he see the young queen shaking in fear. It broke him that he forgot Arcadia is still 21 years old, just lost her parents and need to bear a burden of a kingdom. And now she just realized that she could have died today.

Tristan try to soothe the young queen and when the young queen is asleep, he left the room before assigning two guards in front of her room. Arcadia never assign guards in her room even after she is crowned Queen. Crown Prince Sverre on the other hand always had guards on stand by. They didn't think Arcadia would be targeted. Sverre is the trump card and Arcadia is a pawn that can be use. Why did they try to kill Arcadia, a temporary queen has proven that the game has changed.

Tristan sighed. He need to find who responsible for this as soon as possible.