Grand Duke Alcide Cajarte

"Your Excellency, were fortunate to find a healer in the inn of the town," saluted of a knight.

A rare existing being currently lodging at our territory. What an odd. I look at the meek sleeping face of my wife. She was better like this, seeing her lips pout than trembling when she glimpsed at me. I sighed. Well, lucky for you then.

When a ruler possessed healers, they can be considered invincible. For they do not rely only to medicinal herbs and potions but instead, they got holy powers to boast. They are nothing but useful in wars. As well as situation like this.

"Bring her here."

"Yes, Sire!"

I sat down on the mattress beside her. With my bold palm, I caress her cheek that made her slowly open her dear eyes and met my gaze. Her lips parted and tried to get up but I immediately stopped her.

"How are you feeling?"

"Itchy," she complains, trying not to let her fingers crawl on her arms with red marks.

This is my fault. I keep blaming myself while recalling the hours before it all happen and all I can do was just to click my tongue.

"If this doesn't work, I will have the two of your heads hang," I threatened them beside me.

Jackson's idea is to make me and my wife have a better close relationship by using the condition that we both agreed, which I doubt. In addition to that, Josh also wanted to confirm where did my wife knew such thing about those routes. And so, they came up with a plan that forces me to participate, saying that it will eventually be benefited to me.

They wanted to lure her in my office with the excuse of Josh's concern. Even though, we already knew what's beyond those rumored rocks was just a clear path. Hitting two birds in one stone, as what the butler of mine spouts.

Because her idea was brilliant, it shook our ground. Not only she solved my dilemma with ease, the preservation of food was also a successful. The researchers were amaze enough to get motivated in this new method that they were able to work until the sun rise just to accomplish it.

Eating the food in a can after a few days did never disappoint us. The taste was still the same after few hours have passed. It was highly advantage for us to choose the can compare the meat. And before we knew it, we were able to produce thousands of them with different flavors as their imagination go on.

With this, we can conquer that remotely Ivium Dukedom easily. All the glory shall dedicate to my wife. Truthfully, I never regretted marrying her and rather was simply grateful.

So, once again. I asked Jackson's advice for his plan the last time was awfully did a great job; I must say.

"What could make her happy?"

With his proud nose and beam smile, he sure answered flowers confidently. I'll have to cut he's tongue if I ever get the chance.

"Why your face has darkened? Perhaps, I did something wrong?" she caress my cheek without her knowing.

"No," I clench my jaw. Holding the back of her tender palm, only to be brought on my lips and damp a gentle kiss. "Forgive me, I didn't know you're allergic to flowers not until your maid went hysterical."

Not even a second has gone by when she withdraws her hand from me. Staring at me drastically with her wide eyes, that it was something unbelievable happening right before her sight. She then, looks down and tightly grip the blanket.

"W-well. It's because you didn't ask or get the chance to know me."

My lips formed into a thin line. Once, the cold ice has melted and my gaze turned soft. "How could I. You kept avoiding me."

Am I plague? Do I look like I will kill anyone whenever I want? Even I wanted to get closer with you. If you never falter nor tried to escape every single time of wanting to be able to hold a conversation with you, probably I'll know that giving you roses were dangerous.

"Oh."

If it wasn't for that night. I wouldn't dare to sit comfortably with you like this. Nor be daring to let you call me by my first name.

"You're afraid of me."

She stayed quiet, which confirm that I'm not wrong. How many times did I assure her already that I will not chop her head? That rumors about me in Claintery Empire had gone bad. How wicked am I in her eyes?

"Then, shall we start getting to know each other from now on?"

"Hmm."

"I will perhaps stay here for a long time. I can't always live in fear whenever you're near."

I nodded, agreeing with what of her little mind had been thinking. However, I won't let you escape from this castle. You'll will stay here, accompanying me until our hair turns grey.

"So, then Your Excellency. We shall slowly to get to know each other."

I frowned. "You agreed to call me Alcide."

Her cheeks turned red just like a fresh tomato that was pick up in the farm. She covers her face with the blanket, leaving only her eyes for me to see. I can't help but to be amuse with her reaction in my mind. This adorable woman.

"However, I need to postpone your intention."

Her color went back to pale. "May I ask why?"

"Your canned food was a success. So, we decided to move onwards."

"Really? I'm glad that I was able to help," she finally showed me a genuine smile after staying here for few days, leaving me mesmerized.

"You're beautiful," I whispered.

"Pardon?"

"Right. The soldiers were excited too." As I stood up, we heard a knock coming from the door that got all of our attention. With my permission, the door opened and a knight came in with the healer beside him.

"Your Excellency and Madam," he bowed. "Behold! The healer."

I growled. His playful act knows no bounds. If he has that amount of energy, I should put more weight on his training next time. I glared at him and he immediately salute.

"Then, I will be guarding the entrance."

He stiffly walked outside of the room. My eyes went to the healer who wore a brown cloak. She removes the hood and revealed her long hair with purple eyes that greeted us with respect, showing my wife a soft smile.

"I'll start chanting to heal the lady now."

She touches the skin parts of my wife were there are rashes and a white light has shine from her palm while speaking a language that I wasn't familiar. Her eyes were closed and was engrossed in healing my wife.

"Oh. Lumayo lumayo lumayo ka."

Just from how she kept repeating those words was enough to made me annoyed. Her voice was in high pitch that only irritate my ears. It was only soothed when I saw how my wife closed her eyes to endure the pain.

After a few more chants. The healer finally shut her mouth. I don't know how those unfamiliar words were so effectively to cure my wife.

"Well then, Your Excellency. My job is done."

"Good. You can leave now."

She wore her hood back again. Before she can step out of this room, I suddenly remembered something.

"Wait." She paused and turn to look at me. "I heard you were staying in this town. Are you here for something business?"

As being said. Healers are well protected by the knights of the Empire. If not, they should remain in the churches.

"I'm here to accompany the Crown Prince, Your Excellency."

Ah. That makes sense. I waved my hand to dismiss her when I got a satisfying answer. Of course, the Emperor wouldn't let his next-in-line son to just wander alone and be injured when his guard couldn't do his duty.

I went near to my wife, who can't seem to keep her hands off from checking her body with astonish eyes. Not a single bit of red spots to be trace on her milk skin, just like it was a miracle thing to happen. "Now, be good while I'm gone."

"Alright. I will be expecting victory from you."

I remained from my position. Looking at her with seriousness. Her eyebrows met. "Aren't you also leaving?"

"No. I will watch you sleep," I stated as I cross my arm. Leaning my body against the wall.

"Well. That will be awkward."

All I ever heard was the siren of the trumpet and the army's shoes that were marching forward. I rode my white horse and lead the soldiers with Josh beside me. Today, that we will overcome this challenge.

"Prepare for the war!"

And their hailed brought melody to my ears. It was morning and the sun hasn't wake up yet. Lovers were crying while sending off their husband. Letting them to carry a special belonging that will help them to remember memories for to comfort their longing.

I didn't even bid her goodbye. I was watching her eyelids twitch as she fell asleep in middle of serene night. Until then, I used those remaining time to memorized her sleeping features.

The huge gates have open that serves as the entrance of Celtic will be now our exit. This time, how long will the war last? I was hoping that it will not take years. If ever, she might forget her offer and probably will meet a man that she'll fancy.

I clicked my tongue. Let's end this as soon as possible.

"Your Excellency, as we planned. Let's proceed," Josh stated when he noticed I wasn't giving any orders.

I nodded and gave a signal from my behind where thousands of men were lined up to follow me with their fully equip of armors. We continue to march, bringing the weapons that are essentials in this battle.

We travelled by then, through the night came just like a shooting star. We haven't reached a place that we could stay for the meantime so we decided to camp in the forest.

"Wow," the knights burst filled with lost for words in their eyes as the hand of the clock strikes the midnight. Their stomach was growling and it was already past supper, the chefs we brought that was in-charge of preparing our food was already retiring for the night.

"How can the food stay this fresh? Look, it still smells delicious!"

Josh let out a proud laugh as his nose grew longer. Boasting my wife's creation. "Right! it was the idea of our Madam!"

"It was cold though," commented one of the knights after poking the insides of the can.

"Then, why don't we heat it up?" suggestion of the other.

"Will that be okay?" Josh turned to me with asking eyes. I shake my head, not knowing the answer. I returned my gaze on the document that I was reading.

"Would it's taste vanish?"

"Hmm. I don't think so. Let's heated it up, shall we?"

"Fine. I'll collect some woods. So, prepare the fire."

When they're finished. The pleasant smell coming from the pan spread in the air, surely it will wake the other knights. They didn't mind it and was actually excited to place the food on their plates without even offering me.

"Unexpectedly, it was more delicious," Josh stated when he joined the group in moaning as the warm meat covered their taste buds. He then took a bite again, forgetting that they were in the presence of their leader.

I sighed. Why did they even decided to stay here in my tent? My grip on the quill pen tightened. I will have them train more than the usual, to the point where they can't catch up with their breath.

"This is all thanks to Madam!"

"Now, I wanted to meet her."

The heavy books beside my elbow fell down from the table when I accidently nudge it because of being startled to the knight who stated that. They all look at my direction and I stared back at them. Making them gulp the food that they were chewing.

"Mind your words."

"Y-yes Sire!"