War Princess

Chapter 3: The Prince

She can hear a loud thump and she can feel the air coming back. Coughing as her lungs desperately get as much air as they can. Her blurry visions start to clear up and he saw the giant is kneeling down with bleeding face in front of a familiar figure.

"Vrag?" Zils unconsciously called to him. Vrag look at Zils and she can caught a pure raw anger on his face. 

"I do believe that I have emphasize that none to touch her. And you have the nerve to enter my chamber."

The giant has kneel down, his face on the ground now. The giant is shaking uncontrollably, everybody can see that he is in fear.

"Please forgive me, General Vrag." 

Some soldiers standby waiting for Vrag's instructions. It was a chilly silent and nobody dared to say anything. 

"Castrate him." Vrag finally giving out an order. His eyes as cold as ices. 

"General, please forgive me......." the soldiers has dragged him away. 

"Your Highness!! Pleaseee!! "

He keep wailing on his way out and Vrag seems to collected himself before he approach Zils and checked her. Zils never felt so relieved that Vrag is here. 

"Are you alright? Can you walk?" 

"I think my left leg..." Zils can feel the throbbing pain on her leg.

" Get the physician to my inner chamber."

Vrag has draped his cloak over her to cover her torn gown. In one swoop he already carry her in his arm and transported her himself. Vrag bring Zils up to the stairs and a huge doors stood there with their doorkeepers. Two soldiers with full plate armor was seen standby on each side of the door. They automatically opened and bowed when Vrag is in sight.

Vrag put her down on a round shaped bed with red satine sheet. The canopy has a sheer curtain tied to two post at the sides. The familiar scent made Zils knew that this is his private chamber. 

The physicians have arrived and Vrag left her in their care. Examining her legs and bruises the giant has made.

"Your Highness, Prime Minister Klog is requesting an audience."

Your Highness, the second time Zils heard that and Zils is alerted that Vrag is not just a military general.

"Let him in." Vrag never spare the messenger a second glance.

"Your Highness." the old man with white beard wearing a green moss colour robe entered in haste.

"We do request to annull the punishment for General Grut."

"I have decided so. Don't question what will be done." Vrag never spare Klog a glance he just observing the phyisicans working with Zils.

"Your Highness, General Grut is the one that managed to bring the Azure Beauty for us. He is just clouded with judgement that he has a right on her."

"Didn't I made myself clear that none to touch her?" 

Vrag now looked at Klog with an angry stare. Klog realized that he has to wait until Vrag's rage cool down. Vrag is very cruel when he is angered, not even he can imagine what Vrag will do.

"I didn't stripped him off his titles and military ranks, it's enough to reward him for his merits."

Klog swallow his saliva. That cold death angry stare is not something you can get used to.

"Since Grut can not keep his pants in control I decided to control it for him." Klog close his eyes, the castration will be proceed as Vrag wanted to, he can't help Grut anymore. Vrag is making an example of him, the consequences of those who dare to try to touch the Azure Beauty. 

Zils makes a pained sound as the physicians examined her left ankle. Vrag and Klog's attention is now on her. 

"You are dismissed." Vrag wave his hand away, giving gestures to Klog to leave his chambers. 

"As you wish, Your Highness." Klog bowed one more time and proceed to leave the chamber. He will talk to Vrag after his rage is gone. 

"How is she?" Vrag approached the two physicians and their assistants. 

"It's a fracture I guess, since she has been hit by that mahogany stool... It might take 3 months to heal."

"Three months?" Zils protested. She have to be an invalid for three months here? 

"Well if you rest well it might heal faster." the physician smiled at Zils. Zils show a dissapointed face. What can be worse than being captured? Now she is an invalid. 

"Do what you need to do." Vrag open his mouth. "You have to check on her daily."

"Yes, Your Highness."

"Wait." Zils suddenly talk. She can't take it anymore. She got to many questions going on her head.

"Why do I have to be treated by Slothia royal physicians? I'm just a war prisoner." 

Vrag and the physicians are looking at Zils now. 

"Leave us." Vrag gave a command. 

The physicians are scurrying out but leaving their medicines and tools behind. They will come back later. Zils and Vrag is looking at each other now. 

"Will you give me an answer?" Zils can't take the staring anymore. Most likely she will spend her three months here in Vrag's private chamber. He is a royal from how they address and show him respects, but she never heard of Vrag as a Slothian prince. He is a vicious general that everybody call the "White Devil".

One week in captivity, her needs is taken care by the chambermaids. Bath, clothes and food, Zils never need to ask. 

Vrag touched Zils' silky black hair.

"Royal treatment is fit for a royal, don't you think?" Vrag bring her hair and inhale the sweet aroma of the rose oil the maids have applied daily.

Zils is stunned by what Vrag said. How does he know? 

"Why? How do you know?"

"You are my trump card to negotiate with Arethean King." Vrag continued. "I'm going to win this war."

"Who are you?" Zils can't help but asked. 

"I'm Vrag Vlast Slothia, 5th Prince of Slothia Kingdom." he caressed Zils cheek. "Nice to meet you, Zils Juvel Arethea."