The Royal Quest

CHAPTER 43. Stubborn Heart

The next morning, Dahlia woke up with tiny kisses all over her face and neck.

“Hmm…” She whimpered as she tried to push Massimo away from her, but the man refused as he continued on showering his love on her while his hand travelled down to her smooth thigh, gently caressing it.

“Hmm, stop.”

“Marry me, Dahlia.” Suddenly, Massimo whispered, biting her ear and that made Dahlia finally open her eyes.

“Massimo, what are you doing? Get off me.” She groaned.

The vampire stopped and stared at her eyes with a smile.

“I love waking up every day with you in my bed, sweetblood.” he lovingly whispers as he shovels the few strands of Dahlia’s hair that covers her face.

“You’re like Tala. Why do you have to interrupt my sleep?” Dahlia complained, scratching her eyes.

“Tala?”

“My personal servant who keeps on reminding me of my errands as a princess, always waking me up early without mercy.” She explained dramatically that Massimo chuckles in response and suddenly alerts when he feels someone is coming.

“What is it?” Dahlia noticed.

“It must be Alice,” Massimo said, and quickly covered Dahlia’s exposed thighs with a blanket.

“Alice? What is she doing here? I-I thought you killed her too that night.”

“What?” Massimo was stunned.

“Why would I kill her? Besides, she is the one who told me about your location.”

“She did?”

“Yes, and now I asked her to pick up some clothes for you.”

Massimo chuckled.

“I can’t believe all this time you thought that I killed Alice.”

"I'm sorry," Dahlia apologized with her head bent down.

“But what about the other vampires in the tavern?” She asked again.

“No, they are alive. But if one day comes and they want to hurt you too, I will not hesitate to end their lives as well.” Massimo firmly said and pecked at Dahlia’s forehead.

“Wait for me here,” Massimo added, and quickly vanished in front of the lady.

Dahlia moves and picks up Massimo’s coat to add covering to her body before she steps out of the chamber, but the moment she does, she already sees the vampires in the hall. Massimo is holding the clothes while Alice is encircling her arms around Massimo’s neck. She suddenly felt a sting in her chest at the sight, but before she could react, Alice noticed her and Massimo shoved her arms away and stepped back.

“So the princess knew everything now, huh?” the lady vampire said and looked at her with a mischievous smirk.

“Alice, could you please help the princess dress up?” Massimo asked.

“Of course.”

“No, I can do it myself.” Dahlia insisted.

Massimo walked closer to her and held her hand, squeezing them gently.

“Are you okay?” He asked when he noticed the Princess' sudden wary eyes.

“Huh? Of course.” She looked up at him.

“I hope the dress will fit to your liking, Your Highness,” Alice interrupted.

“Ye-yes, of course. They are beautiful. Thank you.”

“Alice, we need some privacy for a moment, please.” Massimo implored.

“Sure, but is it okay if I stay in the castle for the meantime until sundown?”

“Of course. Just make sure to keep your distance away from this tower.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.” Alice said before she disappeared in front of them.

“Now come.” Massimo said, pulling Dahlia back inside the chamber and tossing the dresses on the bed.

“Tell me, what’s wrong?” Massimo immediately asked Dahlia,

“Believe me, I’m fine.” Dahlia insisted with a forced smile.

*****

Meanwhile, in the Reese’s Mansion, Baron is still recovering and Tala never leaves his side. She kept her eyes and ears to make sure that the man could have the best care.

“Your wound is almost healed,” Savanna announced gladly while wrapping Baron’s shoulder with a clean fabric.

“Finally, I should be preparing now so I can follow the princess to Gorgax as soon as possible.” Baron let out.

“You can’t.” Suddenly Tala interrupted, which made Savanna and Baron turn to her.

“I mean, your body is still weak. You should take some more rest before thinking about it.” She reasoned.

“I agree. Baron, the poison almost killed you. You must recover completely before starting your trip back to Dahlia. Besides, Moss is with her, I’m sure he will not let anything bad happen to the Princess.” Savanna also spoke up.

“But that’s the point. I don’t trust that vampire. I can’t keep myself calm every time I think of them together. I am the Princess’s personal guard. I should be with her no matter what.”

“Don’t be stubborn, you can follow the Princess later for sure, but not now. Understand?” Savanna strictly said while packing her things and stood up while Baron did not answer.

“You’re lucky that you have Tala at your side during your dying times, you should listen to her.” Savanna said before leaving the two alone in the chamber.

Tala sighed before taking a spot on the edge of the bed and sitting.

“You always think about the Princess.” She muttered, looking down at her twisting fingers.

“Of course, I pledge to protect her with all my life. You should know that.” Baron retorted.

“But it is not because of your pledge why you want to go after her.”

“What do you mean?”

“I can sense jealousy in your words,” Tala let out.

“I believe the reason why you tolerated the Princess’s decision is because you want her to avoid the marriage in Haru. Right?”

“Why? Do you want the Princess to marry a man she didn’t love?”

“Of course not. But running away only causes you more trouble. We could have thought of another way, but going to Gorgax is not the answer. You only brought yourselves in danger just like what happened to you.” Tala couldn’t stop the emotion inside as her tears started to roll down her cheek.

“You scared me, Baron. Do you know how I feel when I see you so weak and dying? My heart felt terrified and broken.” Tala confessed.

“Tala, what are you talking about?”

“I have feelings for you,” Tala bravely confessed.

“I can’t remember when or how. I just woke up one day and I saw you. I was confused at first, but when I thought that I would never have a chance to tell you what I feel, I regretted it and promised myself that I would, if you overcame death and you did.”

“Tala, you know how I feel for the princess, right?”

“Yes, and now I know how it feels when the person you love doesn't feel the same for you.” Tala wiped her tears away with her hands before she stood up.

“I’ll be just right outside if you need anything.” She said before she walked to the door and left. While Baron was left dumbfounded by the lady’s confession, hesitation suddenly occurred in his heart.

The next morning when Tala went to Baron’s chamber to check him, the room was empty except for the mossy green cloak that the princess stole from her folded neatly on the pillow. She smiled.

“Where is he?” She wondered and decided to make his bed instead with a smile on her face when suddenly she heard a commotion from the outside of the Mansion. She quickly moved and looked through the window to see what was happening. But her eyes widened when she saw Baron was being held by two soldiers guarding the place, while Jonathan and Savanna looked like they were arguing with them.

Tala felt anxious and immediately ran outside to find out what was happening when she came across the Mistress.

“Tala? What is happening?” Sabrina asked, who was also confused and had no idea of what was happening outside their house.

“I don’t know, Mistress. I am just about to go outside to see, actually.” She said and the Mistress nodded as she strode fast ahead of her.

“Jonathan? What is happening here?” Sabrina inquired, looking around.

“I am sorry, Mistress. I didn’t mean to cause any trouble in your house.” Baron apologised, looking down..

“Only if you listen, this will never happen.” Savanna scolded the soldier bluntly.

“Baron? What happened?” Tala couldn’t keep herself silent.

“He sneaked out of the Mansion at dawn, and got caught by those unruly guards around my house,” Jonathan answered.

“I am really getting sick of this set up, I think it is time for me to confront my brother.” He added with so much disappointment in his voice.

“You’re leaving?” Tala muttered, looking at the soldier, but the man refused to look at her in return.

“My Lord, we apologise for this inconvenience but we need to bring Mister Frigg back to Haru palace and if you allow me to ask a few questions to Lady Savanna regarding Princess Dahlia,” the soldier asked.

“I already told you many times that my daughter will not be answering any of your ridiculous questions and this man is under my care. If he needs to face the King, then I will be the one bringing him to the castle, not you.”

“But, Lord Reese, this man committed a crime by standing against the palace’s order and we need to bring him back as soon as possible to help us to know the Princess’s whereabouts.

“It’s alright, my Lord.” Baron spoke up.

“I am deeply grateful to Lady Savanna for saving my life and I don’t want to bring more chaos to your family. I am coming with them.” Baron said.

“Me too,” suddenly Tala interrupted.

“I-I made a mistake too by covering Baron and lying to the throne. Take me with you as well.”

“Tala!” Savanna couldn’t believe what she heard from the lady.

“It’s alright, Lady Savanna.” Tala said with a weak smile.

The guard signals the others to take Tala.

“Don’t worry, I will go to the castle to talk to the King as I will not let these rumbustious people around my house anymore.” Jonathan said with annoyance.

The guards left the manor with Tala and Baron in a carriage. Baron’s hands were tied on his back to avoid him moving and fighting the men while on their way, as well as Tala, to prevent her helping the man just in case.

The two were surrounded by a deep silence as no one wanted to take the initiative to talk first. While Baron is just waiting for the lady to speak up and scold her for what he did. Until he gives up and sighs before saying his first word.

“I’m sorry.” He apologised but the lady didn’t respond as she just kept her head down.

“Are you mad at me?” He asked and that made the lady finally look up at him.

“I don’t know, Baron. I feel like I want to blame myself,” Tala said.

“What?”

“You’re trying to avoid me, aren’t you?”

“No, that’s not it. I just want to save you from me. I don’t want you getting hurt because of me, Tala. Just forget me, get rid of those feelings you have for me.”

“What?” Tala couldn't believe the words that came from him as her eyes started to well up.

“How could you say that, Baron?”

“I am not the one for you, I already gave my word to the princess and promised my soul to her. I am hers and there is no way that I could give your feelings a chance. We can’t be together, Tala.”

But the lady just chuckled unbelievably, shaking her head.

“Of course, who am I compared to the princess anyway,” she said, shrugging her shoulders.

“Tala, don’t say that.”

“But that’s what you are making me feel now.” Tala countered with shaky lips.

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t apologise, I don’t want you to feel bad. Besides, it wasn’t your fault. My heart is just as stubborn as yours,” Tala said and show him a forced smile.