The Royal Quest

CHAPTER 31. Reese's Manor

"You failed, I can't believe you let the princess slip away. She is just a weak human who didn't even know how to hold a blade properly." A strange man hissed, sitting on a throne-like couch on a balcony while staring at the moon in the sky.

"They were accompanied by a vampire, sire. Not just an ordinary vampire, we're like fighting against a dozen warriors' strength. He doesn't even care about standing in the sunlight."  The man who attacked Dahlia explained.

"A vampire? The princess is travelling with a vampire?" 

"Yes,"

"Weeks ago, Sullivan's men were slaughtered by blood-sucking creatures when he assaulted the princess. What in the world happened that made Dahlia survive the attack while none of the men were left breathing in the woods?" The man complained as he tried to analyze the possible scene that happened that night. 

"There must be something to do with that vampire, I wonder." He added, caressing his chin.

"But about the guard she's with, my lord. We got him with one of our poisoned arrows. I don't think he'll survive without the antidote. His body will drain after a few days."

"You mean Baron?" And the man nodded in response.

"That's good, at least we got rid of one of the loyal men to the royal family."

"Yes, my lord."

"Where is the princess heading now?" 

"I believe they will stop by at the Northriver, the final town, before they can reach the dark woods to the kingdom of Gorgax."

"She made it that far already? Remarkable." He commented with a sly smirk and stood up, and walked to the table where an alcoholic beverage was placed and poured himself in a glass goblet.

"I think I should wait now for the vampire king to kill her instead. However, with that vampire with her that you are talking about, I feel uncertain. I need to make sure that there will be no more princess Dahlia returning to the Haru kingdom. Once I secure the falling status of the royal family, then I can make my way to grab the opportunity and to be the new leader of the most influential kingdom." The man dreamily announced and commanded, 

"Continue the pursuit, I want to make sure that the vampire will kill the princess upon entering Gorgax." He demands, but the man servant does not answer, feeling hesitant.

"Why are you not responding?"

"Uh, sir. I have never been in the dark woods of Gorgax before. Rumours said that it was the hungry vampire's nest so-" but the man did not let him finish his words.

"I don't care, bring bunches of garlic and wear them all over your body, just make sure you deliver me the news that I wanted. Do you understand?" 

"Ye-yes, my lord."

"Now, get out of my face." 

*****

Meanwhile, after days of travelling back home, Savanna and Baron finally reach the region where the glamorous Three storey Reese's Manor is located. It was standing in the middle of the wide land full of trees, away from any town or villages, a peaceful place to live in. However, as expected, before they could enter the courtyard, Savanna's carriage is welcomed by one of the palace's guards.

"Good evening, lady Savanna." The man in his elegant uniform greeted the lady while the latter just responded with a weak smile and cold eyes. 

"I see you brought a company." The guard notices Baron but failed to recognize as the man is looking weak at the moment while sleeping, added by the darkness of the night

"The patient has a contagious disease. I'm afraid you could get it, especially since it only causes male people to have it. If I were you, I'd start stepping back now." Savanna said, dramatically trying to get the man off, which she did not fail when the man started to step aside, letting them enter the manor courtyard.

'This is my house. Why do they have to keep questioning us every time we enter or leave this place? Unbelievable!' Savanna irritatingly thought, rolling her eyes.

Though Savanna is not the heiress of a kingdom, in their mansion, she is one of the rulers. 

The carriage strolls along the road, passing through the enormous trees until they finally reach the entrance of the glamorous manor. Savanna steps down into the carriage first and signals one of her guards to carry Baron. 

"Bring him to the guest chamber." She ordered.

'Tala, be fast.' She thought, feeling worried about the man as he became weaker with each passing hour.

"Finally, you're back." Her father, Jonathan. Welcomed her with wide arms, ready for an embrace.

"Father." She responded and received his arms.

"How's your journey? I see you brought a patient. What happened, dear?" Jonathan asked. 

"He's not just a patient. That was Baron, Dahlia's personal guard." She honestly said.

"What?" Her father suddenly became confused, with a furrowed forehead.

"Oh, father. I'm so tired. Can I take a bath first, then I'll explain to you later, okay?"

"Sure, dear." Jonathan responded and withdrew from the embrace following his daughter's sight, who walked past him and headed to the staircase. Leaving him dumbfounded after hearing his niece's name, hoping everything is fine.

"My lord." One of the servants interrupted.

"Yes?"

"Miss Tala from the Haru palace, wishes to see lady Savanna. Should we let her in, my lord?"

Another unexpected guest from the palace arrived, which added to his worries.

"Let her in," he agreed.

After an hour, finally Savanna is ready and descends down the staircase, making her way to where Baron is, but suddenly her eyes darted to a familiar face, sitting on the couch in their receiving area.

"Tala! Thank goodness!" She was delighted to see the lady and welcomed her.

"Good evening, lady Savanna." She bowed in respect to the lady.

"Did someone notice you?" Savanna asked.

"Well, there is a guard outside wearing Haru's guard's clothing. He stepped in front of me asking a lot of questions but fortunately Lord Duncan helped me."

"Duncan?"

"Yes, my lady." Suddenly the man interrupted from behind. 

"It's been so long since we saw each other," The man said and bowed in respect in front of her.

"Ye-yes. You've changed a lot," Savanna commented.

"And you too," Duncan responded, 

"Yeah, uh anyways. Tala, did you bring what I asked for?" 

"Yes, it's here." Handing the lady a small pouch.

Savanna immediately took it and opened the pouch, smelling the ingredient inside.

"You got it right. Good job, Tala." She complimented the servant.

"By the way, lady Savanna. Can I see him?" Tala asked, as she badly wanted to see Baron since the moment she learned that the man was with her, feeling worried about his condition.

"Yes, actually I need you to look after him while I am preparing the antidote."

"Antidote? What happened to Baron? Is the princess fine? Is she here also?" Duncan interrupted.

"No, she isn't here, just Baron. He's been hit by a poisoned arrow." Savanna explained while Tala gasped for that information.

"How's the princess now?" Tala inquired.

"Don't worry, Tala. Dahlia is doing fine. Her journey made her a tough one, even wiser." Savanna told the lady with a smile.

"Anyway, I will ask someone to lead you to Baron. I cannot tell you stories now as I need to start working with this."

"Of course, no problem, lady Savanna." Tala said as the lady nodded and started her way to where her infirmary was.

"Can I come with you?" Duncan inquired.

"Sure, as long as you behave," Savanna warned, while Duncan just smiled at the beautiful lady in response.