26

Captain Alphonse stood. He saluted to gesture respect. The Marquis looked at him, but his eyes were lifeless. The Marchioness was still angry. However, he needs to finish his work before solving it.

"Captain Alphonse, I think I already know the reason why you are here. "

"Marquis, as you guess. I'm here for the Princess."

Captain Alphonse had been commanded by the Emperor to search for the Princess. The Prince was injured, but it's not life-threatening. The problem was that the Princess was abducted.

The Royal Knights blocked the roads that would cross every border.

The Princess was missing for two days. Fortunately, they received information saying that the Princess was safe and she's in the Marquis Fillan's Manor.

Captain Alphonse immediately traveled to know Aria's situation. The Emperor gave him the approval to use the precious Gate.

"The Princess, is the Princess fine?"

"Based on what I know, she received some injuries but they are not fatal. She's in the room right now. The maids are doing their best to clean her. That's the only thing I know. As for her feelings or traumatic stress, it's still uncertain."

"Thank you, Marquis."

The Captain bow his head. He didn't know what would happen if something bad occurs to the Princess. He's thankful that the Goddesses were with them.

"No, no. I'm not the one you should be thanking for. Marlon and Christopher were the ones who saved her. Well… they are resting right now. So I think you need to wait."

"Christopher?"

Alphonse heard this name before. He heard it when his deceased senior talked about his younger brother when he's alive.

"Christopher Mellwood. "

"Ah, I see. I thought he only stay in their territory?"

The story about Christopher Mellwood was famous in the Capital. He's the younger brother of Vincent. Unfortunately, he's part of the unlucky warriors who broke their own Aura. The instructor in Academy uses his story as warnings and examples so that the students will be afraid to fail. All in all, Christopher was famous for being a failure.

"About that, I asked him to become a substitute for the Annual Conference. The Count is busy right now. I believe you heard about the Inaudible Plain."

"Yes, they said the Patag Region will prosper because of this new route. Congratulations Marquis."

"Thanks, but I'm not the only one who will prosper. His Majesty will become wealthier. Haha"

"Ever Prosper Empire"

"Ever Prosper Empire!"

They saluted. Yet the term prosper would only happen if the Capital could survive the upcoming disaster.

…………………

Princess Aria finished her bath. She's currently wearing a light dress. The maids ready her lunch. They were nervous because the Princess was staring at them. However, Aria was actually thinking about what happened earlier. She's couldn't forget the face of Christopher.

'Christopher Mellwood… I think I heard it before. Ah, Captain Vincent Mellwood. Yes, he is his younger brother… However, I heard that his younger brother is ugly and drunkard? Hm, I believe they are different person. This Christopher is handsome!! As for being booze lover, who cares? After all, my Father is a drunkard too. Anyway, I will get that guy....'

Aria fantasized, she thought about every feature that Christopher has. But her imagination was quickly cut when she heard a knock outside her room.

Marquis and Captain Alphonse entered. They saw that the Princess was okay. She's eating her food like nothing happened. They breathed in relief because the Princess was in her normal state.

"Princess"

The two bend their knees. They're the subjects of the Emperor. They must show their respects to the one and only Princess of Cransia.

"Stand up."

"Princess, the Emperor asked me to escort you to the Capita-"

"Marquis Fillan, where are the two brave men who saved my life. I believe I need to express my gratitude."

She thought that Christopher was having a meeting with the Marquis. The Marquis was now in the room, but she couldn't see Christopher. Her eyes squinted showing that she hated it.

Alphonse talking was quickly cut by the Princess. Despite that, he shut his mouth. He believed that the Princess was fine because she still has the ability to cut his sentence. He's thankful.

'Thanks the Goddesses. Our Princess can still face slap. It seems she's okay. '

Marquis thought about the two who were currently sleeping because they are having a hangover. He decided to use a lighter way to answer. He didn't want to say that the men were drunk and even vomited in his office.

"Marlon and Christopher are currently resting. They will visit the Princess after they wake."

"Is that so… Then I believe I need to rest too. Captain Alphonse, I'm sorry, but I want to stay here. I will travel with the Count."

"Kuck… Yes, Princess."

Alphonse was confused. He didn't know whose command would he follow. The Emperor said to escort the Princess but the Princess wants to stay…

"Since the Princess is staying here. Then, the Royal Knights will stay to protect the Princess."

They didn't want another abduction to happen. Dozens of Intermediate Mahikero and Rara Avis were patrolling the vicinity. They'll do everything to protect the Princess.

"What happened to my brother?"

"The First Prince is safe. He wants to go here, but we forbid him. He's currently recuperating."

The Princess sough in relief. She's glad that Julian was fine.

"Good, you can now leave. I want to be alone. "

The maids followed the two and exit the room. Aria rested her body on the bed. Her mouth twitched whenever she thinks about the handsome blonde man.

…………………

"Aahhhhhh!!!! Please stop! I already said what I know!! Kill me already!!! Please…"

Marquis Fillan took the Captain to the cell. There were couple of Knights inside the cell. They were torturing the merchants…

They learn that these merchants were spies from the neighboring countries.

"Sir!"

"What's the situation?"

The Knights had killed all of the merchants and left only three people to live. They tortured the three to gather information.

"Sir, they said that there are three kingdoms related to this incident."

"Is that it? How about their contact inside the Palace? I believe this abduction was planned. "

"Unfortunately, they don't know."

"I see… then, kill all of them. "

"Yes, sir"

The Knights pull their swords and put them to silence. The blood splashed and tainted their weapons.

"Captain Alphonse. I believe something big will happen."

Edson Fillan sighed. As a Rara Avis who's experienced in wars. His intuition was telling him that another battlefield is calling him.

"Yes, Marquis."

Captain Alphonse clenched his fist. He realized that this abduction was lead by three countries. He needs to relay this information to the Emperor. He used the fastest eagle to send the Intel.