Episode 12
1092 Words
Linfred ceased on moving and just stared on the child.
“What do you think?” Linfred asked in return.
The child did not answer. The emperor stared at the child for a while. He then faced the people of Prilassi.
“King Octavius, come here in front!” Linfred ordered.
The knights picked up the King and dragged him in front of the emperor. He received a blow from his back causing him to fell on his knees and lower his upper body.
“Sign the surrender treaty…” Linfred glared to the King.
Taran threw a piece of paper in front of the King. The king saw and read some part of it. It stated in the paper the condition of their surrender. The country of Prilassi will fall under the rule of Asseraviel. And as a part of the country of Asseraviel, their resources were now owned by the Emperor and will be subject to the tax collections.
“I won’t… never in a million years.” Octavius replied and glared the emperor as well.
“You won’t?” Linfred reiterated. “Then, I have no choice… Taran!”
Taran walked to the front of the King. He then drew his sword and without having a second thought, slashed the King’s neck.
“Goaah!” Octavius groaned. He held his neck, in an attempt to stop the blood from flowing out. He then smiled towards Linfred, as he choked on his own blood. “I… I- will… never be one… of your slaves.”
“Yes, at this rate you won’t… but you left your people, just to save yourself from the consequences that you made yourself… what a really good king you are.” Linfred replied, mocking the dying king.
Octavius’ smile faded slowly as blood started to foam out of his mouth. His eyes started to darken and he eventually fell down. He ceased from breathing and just laid cold on the floor.
“The party has ended, clean the mess and let those subjects go…” Linfred waived a hand to his knights.
“Yes, Your Majesty!” Taran bowed slightly and turned to face all the knights of Asseraviel. “You heard the Emperor! Now start moving!”
“Yes, commander!” the knights responded in unison.
“We will head back home tomorrow!” Linfred ordered.
“As you wish, Your Majesty…” Taran replied.
Linfred headed out of the receiving hall of the Prilassi’s palace. Taran was left, darted his eyes at the remaining knights who stood in front of him who were waiting for his orders. He was deciding who will he assign as the personal guard of Linfred’s child at the moment.
“Grimmer!” Taran called.
“Yes, commander…” Grimmer stepped forward and went down on one his knees.
“You will be given the task of guarding the royal princess until we get back,” Taran said.
“As you wish, commander.” Grimmer responded.
“Bring her highness, to her room so she can have her rest.” Taran ordered, and went out with the other knights.
Grimmer approached the child.
“Your Highness, I am Grimmer… one of the Knights under the direct order of Commander Taran. I am assigned as your personal guard until we get back to Asseraviel.” Grimmer went down on one of his knees and bent down slightly while resting his right hand to his chest.
The child didn’t respond and just stood there facing the knight.
“Let me escort you to your room, Your Highness…” Grimmer said.
“Okay…” the child responded.
Grimmer was left staring at the child. He doesn’t know what to do. If he should let the princess walk on her own or hold her to prevent her from falling to the floor.
“I do apologize, Your Highness…” Grimmer reached and carried the princess on his arms. The child was surprised to what Grimmer did.
“What are you doing?” the child asked.
“I do sincerely apologize about this, Your Highness… but I just fear that you might stumble on something and fall on the floor.” Grimmer replied.
“I can walk…” the child said.
“I beg for your understanding to my actions, Your Highness.” Grimmer said.
The child could only bite her lips and fell silent. Grimmer saw this and chuckled on the cute site he’s seeing on the princess’ reaction.
“Don’t call me that way with ‘Your Highness’…” the child said.
“And why would that be?” Grimmer asked.
“Only because I am not a royalty…” the child replied.
“Of course, you are… after all, you are the First Daughter of the Emperor.” Grimmer smiled.
“I don’t want to be a daughter by just in name… what’s the use of that if the treatment I receive doesn’t coincide with that.” the child said, her voice was flat and cold. It was a solid proof that she went a terrible childhood and had to endure it with her young age.
Grimmer could only fell silent to what the child said. He knew what the child went into, after the revelation earlier. He couldn’t say a single word only because he couldn’t blame the child for thinking that way.
They silently passed the hallway until they arrived in front of a huge door. He opened it and saw that it was one of the empty rooms of the palace. He turned the lights around the room and gently placed the child on her bed. A maid, followed and entered the room as well to assist the child on her needs.
“Just take a good rest for now, Your Highness… Tomorrow as the sun rises, we will be heading back to Asseraviel.” Grimmer said, slightly bowed in front of the child.
“Haven’t I told you to quit calling me that way?” the child retorted.
“Then, should I start calling you Princess?” Grimmer replied.
“How does it differ to what you were calling me earlier?” the child crossed her arms.
Grimmer chuckled. “You see, no matter what you do… the title of being the First Daughter of the Emperor will be yours now. That only means that the title of being a Princess is yours as well.”
“I…” the child was about to protest again but he was stopped by Grimmer.
“You should sleep now, Princess. Don’t worry, I’ll be guarding outside your room, and if you may need anything you can ask for this maid. She will stay here and assist you to your needs.” Grimmer smiled. The maid also bowed upon her introduction to the princess.
“B–but…”
“Now sleep…” Grimmer once again said.
“W–wait…” the child brought her hands in front of her in an attempt to hold Grimmer.
“For now, just take a good rest Princess. I guess you don’t want me to call the Emperor just to let you sleep, right?” Grimmer chuckled.
The child couldn’t do anything but follow Grimmer’s advise. She laid comfortably on her bed and closed her eyes. Grimmer covered her body with a warm blanket before heading out of the room.
- Writer
