The Rose Of The South
Chapter 9: Une Promesse

It had been three days since they had left the little hut and made the journey towards Schiereiland. Anna tried to look ordinary in front of everyone as if she had never heard a sentence of rejection from Leon. Anna even chatted and joked as usual with Leon. He managed to deceive everyone except one person who continued to pay attention to him from a greater distance than the others.

Xavier knows Anna is trying to cover up her feelings, but she can't tell anyone. She didn't really know what made Anna that sad and kept it a secret from everyone, but more or less she guessed it. From the attitude of Anna who sometimes looks unfocused and daydreaming while being alone, then the next second bright cheerful and full of spirit as if wearing a mask. From the movements of the girl who seemed to avoid Leon's gaze. Both of them do not seem to be fighting or have any problems. But it looks weird. From there Xavier knew what was going on apart from the pain and pain he felt in his heart as if he was the one who was heartbroken.

On the way to Schiereiland, the small party bought three horses for Anna, Xavier and Queen Isabella—Louis who were not yet skilled at riding onyx with Leon— and bought supplies for their long journey. During the day they will ride through forests or villages that are deserted by residents. In the evening they would ride on the edge of the city and stop at a small inn to rest or set up a tent in the snowy forest. Sometimes when passing through a place that is too crowded, they will split up and ride separately but meet again at some point. This is done so that they do not appear suspicious.

That afternoon after riding through one of the villages in the Richterswill region directly adjacent to Schiereiland, they took a short break to drink and check the map.

"If we continue riding this groove without a break today, tomorrow afternoon we will arrive at Cleteland." Leon said as he looked at the map he had just bought in one of the markets they had just passed the day before.

Cleteland is the name of the region in Schiereiland that has the coldest climate because it borders directly with Nordhalbinsel. It was in that region that Leon and Louis once went to plant some Bloody Berry because of its climate similar to Nordhalbinsel climate, but the soil did not die and the plants could still thrive.

"Then, let's get on with the journey." Anna was already preparing to get back on her horse, but Xavier held her back.

"Sit down, Anna." Xavier.

"Why?" Ask Anna.

Because Xavier didn't answer her straight away, Anna sat back on the rock. Xavier knelt before him and observed his feet.

"Can I see it?" Ask Xavier.

"See what?" Leon asked, approaching Anna and Xavier. Louis and Queen Isabella stood beside him.

"Please take off your shoes." Xavier asked politely.

"I don't want to." Anna replied directly, knowing what Xavier meant. Without waiting for anything else, Anna had already walked towards her horse. But his path was a bit limp even though he was already trying to walk normally.

Anna fell that morning as they took separate roads. He fell because his mind was busy thinking about many things during his own riding. For the past three days, he has been unfocused and daydreams a lot. But since he didn't really feel any pain, so he ignored the wound. When compared to the scars of arrows or the wounds of sword incisions, the pain in his legs was nothing to him. Anna was sure the wound would heal by itself so she did not say it to anyone. After all he wanted to get to Schiereiland soon. He did not want the trivial injuries on his legs to hinder their journey.

Xavier immediately restrains Anna before the girl returns on her horse. "Anna, it's not too late to be treated now. It will get worse if left unchecked. I think Louis will be able to treat it." Xavier.

"I'm fine. Really."

But Queen Isabella immediately knelt before her daughter and opened Anna's shoes knowing she would insist on going on. The Queen was used to the stubbornness of her daughter.

"Why didn't you tell me, my daughter?" The Queen gasped at what she saw. Queen Isabella looked surprised and almost cried when she saw the wound. It was an abrasion wound large enough and severe that his skin was peeling off and his flesh was clearly visible. "No more travel. Today we rest until your wounds heal." Decree of the Queen.

"Mother, it'll take time. We'll be there soon."

"Your Majesty, the Crown Prince is right. The wound will get worse if left unchecked. It's almost an infection." Louis said as he watched the wound. "How can His Majesty withstand this during the journey?"

"Leon, please tell them that we should resume—“ immediately

"No, Your Majesty." Said Leon directly. Her tone was colder than usual to the point that Anna herself was shocked to hear it. Anna knew Leon was angry. "We'll rest. Let's get the tent up." Said.

They finally set up a tent in the middle of the forest. After setting up a tent, while Anna is treated by Louis with the help of Queen Isabella, Leon and Xavier go to the forest to hunt animals for their dinner.

"How did you know that Her Highness the Princess was injured?" Ask Leon.

"I feel it." Xavier. "When he feels pain, I will feel the same pain. It might even hurt more than what he felt."

"How can you?"

Xavier shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know either. It just happened. I told you we used to have a special relationship that's hard to explain."

"I knew Princess Anastasia was Grand Queen of Zhera." Leon said in passing.

Xavier pecked for a moment, surprised that Leon knew. But he hurriedly matched the General's footsteps before the distance between them grew further and further. "Anna told you?"

"No."

"Then how did you know?"

"I'm just guessing. You just confirmed it." Said Leon. Inwardly he was shocked as his guess was exact. But at the same time he was relieved that his guess was correct. The Great Fire Dragon was the protector and savior of Great Queen Zhenra. His companion until the end of his life. So Leon can be sure Xavier will never hurt Princess Anastasia. "Are all Dragons going to feel that way towards Her Highness the Princess? Feel the pain she's been through?" Ask Leon again.

"I don't know. Maybe so. Why are you asking?"

"Just curious. At least I can be sure you and the other three dragons won't hurt him or kill him. At least I can tell that I don't need to kill a dragon."

"You believe me?" Xavier said, surprised. "General Leon, the Lion from the South trusts me? Really, I'm so honored."

Leon drew his sword into Xavier's neck. Sharp look. "If you do anything suspicious and potentially dangerous to Her Highness the Princess, I will kill you with this sword."

"I knew. Please put that down." Xavier.

Leon, who did not want to cut off anyone's head, immediately sheathed his sword.

"I hope for the next one you can protect him, General. From me, as well as from another greater threat." Xavier half pondered before shifting the subject of their conversation. "By the way, you haven't answered my question about the sword."

"Why are you so interested in my sword? Suspicious."

"Is it really original? Did you get it from Violet? Ah, I mean, Master Violet. He didn't like me to call him Master because he said that my ability was still far below average to be recognized as his student. He is also my teacher even though he hates to admit it. The famous swordsman number one in Westeria was actually a nagging old woman, but all his students liked her and respected her."

Leon turns away shocked to hear Xavier tell him about his sword teacher. "Where do you know his real name? Not everyone knows her name let alone the fact that she's a woman."

"really. All this time everyone who had never met him in person thought he was a man because of his incredible sword ability. But I do know. Violet also used to be my mother's sword teacher. I heard that the late King Edward also studied swords with Violet. And you are the only student of Violet to have accepted all her knowledge. You're his student he's most proud of. He always talks about you to other students. He said he'd never seen that extraordinary talent before."

Seeing Xavier so excited about Violet, Leon becomes convinced that Xavier is indeed honest. That his sword master had indeed taught the Crown Prince. Leon hadn't visited the Master in a long time. Talking about Violet like this with people who had also studied with her, made Leon miss the Master.

Violet's disciples were usually nothing evil. Violet doesn't just teach swordsmanship. Violet also taught her students morals like a mother or more like a Grandma. So slowly Leon begins to be able to trust Xavier.

"It's original." Leon said without slowing his pace and observing the movements of their hunted deer from afar. "The sword of King Zuidlijk that can break the most powerful black magic. And cannot be used by just anyone. Only those allowed can use it. But you're a little wrong with the history. Even though it was written in the current history books, Violet said that it was not Great Queen Zhenra who gave it to her. It was the Great Fire Dragon who gave this sword to King Zuidlijk. You gave it to her."

"true." Xavier smiled proudly. It's good to know there are people who know the true story behind the sword. "I was the one who gave it first. I also made it with my scales. So, can I borrow it?"

Leon threw a sharp look at her. "No."

...****************...

"Thank God. Looks like His Highness the Crown Prince has good socializing skills." Louis said.

"really. But Leon also has a vast network of friends." Anna commented.

"General Leon is famous and everyone wants to be more familiar with him. But he doesn't really like to get along with other people." Louis said.

"Louis's right. Leon since childhood didn't want to talk to anyone other than you, my daughter."

"Ah, come to think of it, right too."

"Your Majesty, how's your wound?" Leon asks after handing over his catch deer to be peppered by Louis before it is set on fire.

"It's getting better." Anna's lie with a smile on her face.

"Not improved." Xavier said immediately as he felt an excruciating pain in his own leg that was completely unharmed. He then turned to look at Louis who was still standing watching the deer not far from him, "What are the obstacles, Louis?"

"We're out of medicine, Your Honor. And we're still in the snowy region of Nordhalbinsel. There are no medicinal plants here. If we go to the nearest market to find a cure or medicinal plant, it will take a full day. So I just used the ingredients but it didn't help much. His recovery will take a week."

"And we won't wait that long. Tomorrow we leave." Anna said, it sounds more like a word.

"No, daughter. We're not leaving until your feet recover." The Queen's Refutation.

Leon immediately spoke up, "I can go look for a medicine—“

"No need, Leon." Cut Anna straight away. He didn't want to trouble everyone. He did want to heal quickly, but if it meant that they would split up again, delaying the trip again, he did not want to.

Louis went out into the midst of them all. As they journey, the child grows taller and looks more mature. All could see the fiery spirit from the glare of his dark brown eyes. "If anyone can go to find a cure, it's just me, Your Majesty. Honestly speaking, among all of us, Her Majesty the Queen, Her Royal Highness the Princess, General Leon and His Highness the Crown Prince, you are all important people who are considered to be dead. Only I, who is a commoner, will not be suspected or recognized by anyone. After all, I know what medicine I need to heal Her Majesty's legs. So I'm gonna go find that cure."

"Louis's right. But, are you sure it's okay to go alone, son?" Ask Your Queen.

"If Her Majesty permits, I am ready to leave now." The answer, there was a call of soldiers on the battlefield.

"Not now. It's dark and we all need a break." Said Anna.

"And none of us can cook venison as well as you." Added Leon.

Louis smiled brightly hearing that. He was happy that the nobles he respected loved his cooking. In a moment, the figure of the little soldier vanished replaced by a cheerful boy. "Then I'll leave in the morning."

...****************...

That night, after they were all filled with fine grilled venison cooked perfectly by Louis, they gathered near a bonfire set up by Leon to share the task. Queen Isabella insisted on taking part in the vigil. And because of that, Anna and Louis also wanted to take part in the vigil. But Leon determines that only he and Xavier will be on guard because Queen Isabella, Anna and Louis need rest, while Leon is used to staying up all night.

Anna then protested, "Leon, the one who got hurt was just my leg. When it comes to guarding, I can still. You forget I was Xavier's bodyguard not too long ago?"

"Did this Crown Prince Nordhalbinsel really tell you not to sleep all night?" Leon chimed in while glancing sharply at Xavier.

Anna sighed, "That's not the point—“

"How can you let Her Highness the Princess not sleep to take care of you? You're not a kid anymore. Take care of yourself." Leon said to Xavier.

Xavier looked very sorry. He's down. "That was my fault. I'm sorry. I'm sorry, Anna. I shouldn't have—“

"Leon, I was his personal bodyguard at the time. That's not a problem—“

"Your highness..." Leon took a breath. If they have to argue with Anna who is stubborn, they might not sleep until tomorrow morning. He said, "If you don't rest, your wounds won't heal quickly. Is that what you want?"

Anna shakes. Knowing that Leon's words were true, and even though he had tried to rack his brains to argue with her, Anna could not find a proper rebuttal. Anna actually hates arguing with Leon. In the debates that have often occurred between the two, Leon usually always wins or will give up to let Anna win.

So that night, they all agreed to let Leon and Xavier stand guard in front of the tent with the bonfire still burning.

Anna couldn't sleep that night. His feet keep pulsing. The pain did not go away. But he didn't want to tell anyone especially Leon. Leon will probably actually delay the trip until his legs recover completely. So he simply closed his eyes and pretended to sleep while listening to the conversation between Leon and Xavier before he finally completely fell asleep while enduring the pain.

Anna doesn't really listen to what they're talking about. But Anna overhears Xavier giving Leon something. Anna had no idea what Xavier was giving her, but Leon sounded very surprised. And happy.

"Where did you get it?" Ask Leon.

"You could say I was lucky enough. Thanks to that thing, I found out that you and Anna are still alive."

"I don't think I'll ever see her again." Leon sounds really happy. Anna swore she could imagine her smile. "Thank you very much."

"My mom has exactly the same thing." Xavier.

"Your mother? But the owner of the emblem of a lion as far as I know there are only three people. The other two are Her Majesty's deceased older brother, Sir Kris Smirnoff and—“

"General Irene. I know.” Cut Xavier. “Now she is known as Queen Irene. It's not just a coincidence that they have the same name. The famous general Irene in Schiereiland was my mother."

"So it seems..."

There was a long pause between the two before Xavier finally spoke up again, "You remember your promise that would do anything if I managed to save Princess Anastasia's life? I want to take your word now, General Leon."

...****************...

That night, Queen Isabella had not completely fallen asleep either. He listened to the conversation between Xavier and Leon. But the conversation reminded the Queen of the first year of her marriage to King Edward. When King Edward introduced the Queen to Leon who was still a baby and could not speak. In her sleep, the Queen again saw the memory as a dream. The first time the Queen saw Leon...

The baby boy had bright Hazel-colored eyes and a smile that could make everyone smile when they saw him. The baby boy did not cry at all even when the young and unskillful Queen Isabella held him. His first meeting with Leon was a precious moment that can never be forgotten. Queen Isabella claims to be a mother right at the sight of Leon for the first time.

"Bella, I want us to take care of her and treat her like our own child. His mother and father died on the battlefield shortly after he was born. He has no one." Said King Edward.

"God... Poor baby." Queen Isabella said as she carried Leon. "What's his name, Sire?"

King Edward seemed to think as he looked at Leon before finally answering, "Since his mother was the only woman to receive the lion emblem from my father, I will give him the name Leon. He will be a strong and courageous man like the lion figure who guards this kingdom."

"Leon..." Queen Isabella smilingly called out the baby's name. Leon who seemed to understand his words, laughed cheerfully. "My dear son, I promise to take care of you and love you... The world will not always be beautiful and pleasant, sometimes you will feel sad and alone, but remember that you are never really alone. You have family in this palace. We are your family."

...****************...