Episode 5
1116 Words
When he turned around, he was surprised to see a spear stuck in Alice's abdomen. Alice had managed to prevent Adrian from being hurt, but in return, she became the victim.
As a warrior pulled out his spear, Alice immediately fell to the ground, accompanied by an excruciating pain. Her abdomen was severely wounded, blood gushing out as if it couldn't stop. Adrian panicked. "Alice!" Adrian fell to his knees, lamenting Alice's condition with confusion.
"Alice, why did you..." Adrian's words choked in his throat. Alice showed him her smile, a weak smile with a face that began to pale. This situation stirred emotions in Adrian. Slowly, the tattoo on his face seemed to come alive and move. The forbidden curse on Adrian's body now showed its reaction. In an instant, Adrian lost control and brutally attacked the warriors. Meanwhile, Lily, who witnessed it, looked stunned with fear, realizing that the warriors' abilities were not comparable. She ran inside to seek greater help.
"Adrian, stop..." Alice's voice whispered in the midst of her nearly fading consciousness. She wanted to go to Adrian to stop his brutality, but she couldn't with her condition not allowing her to get up and walk.
Just as the warriors fell and another group of additional warriors arrived, Adrian regained control of himself with a surprised expression. Quickly understanding the situation, he immediately scooped up Alice and disappeared into the darkness of the night.
Alice was being treated by the doctor in Adrian's mansion. The girl had not yet awakened, causing Adrian to feel anxious about her condition. "When will she wake up?" Adrian asked the female doctor who had finished examining Alice in the room.
"Fortunately, the wounds on her body did not affect any vital organs. However, they can be very dangerous because of the poison, which will delay her awakening," the female doctor said respectfully.
"What do you mean?" Adrian furrowed his brow in surprise. So, the weapon they used on her was actually coated with poison? How dare they! Adrian fumed.
"Madam will awaken if given a potion that can accelerate the healing process of her wounds. Unfortunately, the potion is not available in the city. Because the ingredients are difficult to obtain."
"What ingredients are needed to make the potion?" Adrian asked, intrigued.
"Jasmine flowers that only grow in the middle of the snow. Finding them is very difficult. The last time I heard about the flowers, they were in a cave inhabited by a ferocious dragon."
Adrian fell silent, pondering. "I will get those flowers for my wife." He made a decision with determination.
Later, after the doctor left, a soldier arrived carrying something. "There's a letter for you, Your Highness," he said, handing over the envelope with the distinctive red seal.
Adrian opened the letter. Its contents made Adrian feel furious, and he unconsciously crumpled the letter.
"Is there a problem, Your Highness?" asked his subordinate, noticing Adrian's sour expression.
"They are going to punish Alice for conspiring with me. How dare they," Adrian hissed.
"Guard all the borders of this territory, don't let anyone in or out. Conduct strict inspections on all residents here. If anyone looks suspicious, interrogate them!" Adrian commanded sharply and firmly.
"Create a barricade around the house. Don't let strangers in! Do it!" His subordinates immediately carried out the tasks, rushing off to fulfill their duties.
Adrian then strode down the corridor. When he met the Head Butler, he hurriedly excused himself to go search for the Jasmine flowers right away.
"Your Highness! Shouldn't you be accompanied by soldiers?" the Head Butler ran to catch up with the man's wide strides.
"No need. Guard this mansion from strangers, and protect my wife no matter what happens." Adrian had given the order, and he was confident his orders had spread to all the people working under him.
"Okay, Your Highness! I will ensure your wife is safe until you return safely!" the Head Butler exclaimed enthusiastically. He was very pleased to receive orders from Adrian, whom he considered a god.
***
Two days later, there was an attack by a group of Gerald's soldiers. They tried to ransack Adrian's mansion to find Alice. However, they were held back by Adrian's forces guarding the mansion.
"Where is Alice! Come out!" shouted the leader of the soldiers, who was at the front of the troops.
"There is no Alice! Go away! You are not allowed here!" replied Adrian's assistant named Erlond, shouting loudly. Erlond stood gallantly in front of the mansion's gate, while several soldiers stood guard with their arrows on the balcony and roof of the mansion.
Meanwhile, in the luxurious room, Alice showed signs of waking up. Alice finally woke up and regained consciousness.
"Madam!" the Head Butler exclaimed in surprise as he saw Alice sitting up, holding her head.
"Are you alright?" the Head Butler asked, concerned.
"Yes. I'm fine. But I'm a little dizzy. Can I have a glass of water?" Alice said, her voice hoarse from days without intake.
The Head Butler promptly poured water from the bedside table into a glass and handed it to Alice politely. Alice immediately gulped down the water until it was finished.
Faintly, Alice heard the commotion outside her window. Alice was curious when she heard her name being mentioned. "What's happening outside?" Alice asked the Head Butler.
"Just a little problem," the Head Butler replied, covering up the actual events.
Alice was not satisfied. She uncovered the blanket and got out of bed, walking towards the window. Instantly, she saw a crowd of armed soldiers outside the mansion. Although she didn't know what was happening, Alice was sure they were in a standoff. Something was wrong, Alice thought to herself.
The situation outside was heating up. The two sides were on the brink of war when Alice suddenly appeared. They were all surprised, each with a different expression. If the enemies looked pleased, Adrian's troops looked apprehensive.
"Madam, why are you out here?" It was too sudden for Adrian's knights to see Alice, who was previously known to be unconscious, now appearing and standing before the enemy.
"Where is Adrian?" Alice asked one of the soldiers near her.
"The master is out looking for Jasmine flowers for you. Because the doctor doesn't have a potion to heal the poison wounds on your body."
Alice was touched by Adrian's efforts. Then she turned to look bravely at the enemy troops. "I hear you are looking for me? What do you want?" Alice asked loudly.
The leader of the small enemy forces then said, "You are accused of rebellion against Prince Gerald. If you don't want bloodshed, then come with us without resistance."
- Writer
