The Royal Quest

CHAPTER 33. Dinner at Reese's Manor

While Savanna is working on the antidote, Tala remains on Baron’s side trying to maintain his temperature by wiping his skin with a damp fabric.

“I never thought you would follow the princess and support her dangerous quest instead of bringing her back to the castle.” Tala muttered to the sleeping man.

“Is it because you want to avoid her engagement? Why can’t you just give up and accept that you are not for each other? Princess Dahlia is the sole heiress of the throne and there is not a glimpse of chance for both of you.” She continued and apologised for interrupting, but the Mistress is calling you for dinner.” The house servant said politely.

“Thank you, I’ll be there in a minute.” She said which the servant nodded in response and made her exit.

“I don’t think I could leave you alone, but I need to show up to the Mistress. I haven’t greeted her yet since I arrived. Stay still here okay? I’ll be back quickly.” She said and leaned forward near the soldier’s face, hesitant but she courageously gave the man a peck on the cheek.

Tala’s cheek blushed by what she did and smiled timidly before she headed to the door and walked out.

The manor is not that strange to Tala since she’s been there before with the princess and even though she’s just the personal servant of Dahlia, the household didn’t treat her as one every time she goes there but a guest. Especially Sabrina, the Mistress of the household, mother of Savanna, who is kind and caring for all regardless of the person’s status.

“Good evening, Mistress.” Tala saw the middle aged yet still stunning woman descending from the stairs and bowed in respect.

“I’m glad to see you again, Tala. I thought you joined Dahlia on her adventure.” Sabrina teased the lady, showing her sweet smile.

“No, Mistress. I don’t even know when she left the palace.”

“That, little girl. I never thought she could do such a thing, she’s fragile when you only look at her from the outside but deep inside in her heart, her dignity lies.” Sabrina commented as she continued her pace where the dining area was located and Tala followed her from behind.

“That’s one of the traits a leader should have. However, she’s too young for that kind of battle, she is inexperienced and that made me worried.” she sadly added.

“You don’t have to, Mistress. The palace is still in pursuit of the Princess and will not stop until they are able to bring her back to the palace.”

“And then what? Engaging the poor girl to a stranger?” Suddenly Jonathan came out from the other side and interrupted.

“Come on, my love. Don’t just bust in like that, you’re scaring Tala.” Sabrina said, chuckling softly.

“I’m sorry, dear. I don’t mean to, I was just carried away.” Jonathan explained as he held his wife’s waist.

“My Lord.” Tala bowed to man.

“I’m sorry, Tala., for my sudden tone,” the humble man apologized.

“It’s alright, My Lord. There is nothing to apologized.”

“Alright, why not go to the dining table already. I bet you’re starving. Let’s go.” Sabrina invited.

“Uhmm, actually, Mistress. Is it alright if I stay with Baron?” Tala asked.

“His fever hasn’t cooled down yet.” She explained, looking down.

“Of course, dear. Though I wanted us to gather all at the table but I understand, I will ask the servant to serve your dinner in Baron’s chamber.” Sabrina kindly said.

“Thank you so much, Mistress.”

“Well, at least one of Dahlia’s suitors will accompany us on the table tonight.” Jonathan utter after seeing Duncan entering the manor led by one of the servants.

Savanna refused to join the dinner even though she had already prepared the antidote for Baron. However, she can’t stand her mother’s drama saying that it is their first dinner together after being away from them for weeks. So she put her senses up and courageously walked to the dining area, claiming to sit beside her mother where Duncan is just sitting across the long table.

“Where are my brothers?” Savanna asked for her younger brothers, Jonas and Seve when she failed to see them on the dinner table.

“Jonas was invited by his schoolmaster to a gallery event in the south while Seve can’t stand the disturbance of the palace guards outside and decided to stay at Atrava.” Her mother explained.

"I believe he's only making an excuse." Savanna commented, rolling her eyes.

"By the way, Duncan." Suddenly Jonathan asked for his attention which made the man quickly respond.

"Yes, My Lord?"

"How's the suitors' competition? I bet you were ahead among the others, aren't you?" Jonathan asked which made the man uncomfortable in front of Savanna who seemed to hear nothing as she kept her attention only to her food.

"Uh, actually the palace has decided to stop the event while we are looking for the princess." Duncan explained,

"Of course, it will be ridiculous to continue without the prize you are competing for." Jonathan commented with a bit of sarcasm in his voice.

"Savanna, why are you so quiet, dear?" Suddenly Sabrina noticed.

"I'm just tired, mother." She denied it without moving her attention to the food.

"I can still remember when you both were at your young age. You are always together, everyone almost mistaken you as a couple." Sabrina suddenly utters as no one of Savanna's parents knew about the true relationship she had with Duncan before.

"But now, you both have your own goals and it's funny that you can't even look at each other." She added with a soft chuckle.

"Mother, you know we can't live with our past. Maturity brought Duncan and I to what we truly wanted in life and now have our separate ways. I love what I am currently doing while the young Lord is now head over heels with the princess and wants to make her his wife." Savanna said and finally looked up to the man across from her, staring deep into his eyes.

"Everything has changed, right, Lord Duncan?"

"Absolutely, my Lady. But those days with you are the greatest memories I have treasured in life."

"Right, memories of our careless childhood," Savanna responded with a sly smirk and cold eyes before she turned to her parents.

"I'm feeling exhausted, I hope you don't mind if I excuse myself already."

"Of course, dear." Her father approved.

Savanna heads straight to her room and gets rid of her gown, leaving only her chemise on before she drops her body on bed. However, the moment she closes her eyes, the image of her first love appears. She sighed and suddenly heard a knock on her door.

"Yes?" She responded but received no reply from whoever behind the door.

"Urgh!" She gets up with a bit of annoyance and opens the door.

"What is it? I said that I wanted to rest, right?" She hissed but was startled when she saw Duncan standing in front of her door.

"What are you doing here?" She asks with her scowling face, but the man pushes her back inside her room and locks the door behind him.

"I'm sorry, I know you're tired, but I don't want to miss this chance again." Duncan immediately held on to Savanna's waist.

"What are you doing?"

"Savanna, come back to me." Duncan whispers, staring into her eyes.

"I've been around you, supported you always for whatever you want to achieve, but you keep on hurting me. It's been years since I left but you never find me. You were stuck beside Dahlia, trying to please her because you wanted to be the next king." Savanna hissed with her teary eyes and shoved his arms around her.

"I'm sorry."

"Just leave." Savanna turned her back to the man as she tried hard to keep up her emotions.

"Savanna, please, give me another chance. Let me prove to you for the last time that it is you that I wanted. Not Dahlia, nor the crown. Only you."

"I have already heard that many times before."

"Please." Duncan stepped closer as he caress his fingers on her arm, which brought shivers to Savanna's entire body.

Duncan notices it and takes the chance as he moves closer and sniffs her hair from behind.

"I can still remember that night when we let our love succumb to us. Those soft hands and slender fingers that used to touch my skin." Duncan enticingly whispers and reaches for hand as he intertwine their fingers together.

"But that night was my biggest mistake," Savanna uttered.

"Mine too." Duncan countered.

Savanna bit her lips to suppress her wailing as her tears started to roll down.

"I failed you. I brought so much pain to you. I broke my promises. But believe me, I never regretted it. From then on I always wanted to feel you." Duncan turned her body to face him.

"Savanna, I'm a coward for not fighting for us before, but now that I have found you, I will never let you go again. I will not let anyone tell me what to do again. Just let me know if you are still with me?"

"No. Stay away from me." Savanna coldly said.

"Get out." Pointing her fingers to the door.

"I don't want you ever in my life again. I will not let you trample the bit of dignity I have left for myself, so stop and leave." Savanna said fiercely as she kept her stand, not letting the man make her fragile again.