The Rose That Blooms In North
Chapter 24: Return to Palais
When Anna woke up two hours after Xavier woke up, the first thing she saw was a pair of emerald eyes staring at her. Anna jumped in shock and immediately confirmed her sitting position.
"A-You're awake, Your Majesty? Since when? Why didn't you wake me up? Forgive me for—“
"It's okay. I just don't want to wake you up. It was not a polite act to wake up a woman who was fast asleep. I actually woke up about two hours ago."
"God! I've been asleep that long? You must be feeling very thirsty." Anna was busy picking up empty glasses, water pots and medicine bottles at a nearby table. "The doctor said the effect of the poison will make your throat feel like it's on fire so the Doctor asked me to give you this medicine as soon as you woke up." Anna immediately poured water and put the medicinal liquid into the water and gave it to Xavier.
Xavier drank it all over. Now he felt much better, as if he had never been pierced by a poisoned arrow last night. Xavier will only rise to his feet when Anna prevents him.
"You should take a full rest today. Don't move a bit. If there's anything you need, just tell me, Your Majesty."
"But I'm fine. I can even directly ride without a break towards the Palace right now. I'm very healthy."
"That's impossible, Your Majesty. You are exposed to poisonous arrows whose effects can be deadly. You're so lucky that you have immunity to poison that it doesn't make you die last night."
"But even the scar that the arrow left behind was already drying up by now. If you don't believe me, look." Xavier said as he began to unbutton his clothes to reveal the scar to Anna.
"Your Majesty, you may not feel it but your wound is very severe, don't move too much later the seams are broken and your wound will get worse."
But Xavier didn't listen to Anna. He took off his clothes and found his body covered in bandages. Xavier tried to open the bandage himself, but had trouble grabbing the bandage wrap behind his back. Anna sighed. Xavier wouldn't listen to him no matter how he forbade it. Inevitably Anna helped Xavier open the bandages. Anna was sure that the wound was still not dry because she herself saw it last night that the arrow piercing scar was quite deep. It's impossible for Xavier to recover in just one night. But Anna still helped remove Xavier's bandage because Anna did have to remove the bandage and replace it with a new one. The doctor had taught him last night to always be diligent in changing his bandages until his wounds dried up.
Anna was still not used to seeing the body of a man without clothes. In Schiereiland, ladies and gentlemen who helped members of the royal family change clothes, should not be of the opposite sex. But it was different with Nordhalbinsel. In Nordhalbinsel, all members of the royal family, whether male or female, who would change clothes were assisted by maids and maids. So maybe Xavier was feeling normal, but Anna's heart was pounding automatically and her cheeks were flushed red. Fortunately he was currently behind Xavier so Xavier could not see him blushing in shame. Anna began to remove the bandage slowly, afraid that if she did not do it properly Xavier would feel pain.
On the other hand, Xavier actually felt the same way. He himself was not sure if it was indeed because of Anna or because the heart of the Fire Dragon was pounding violently or indeed because of the merger of the two.
Xavier's back was full of scars. Anna always remembered the Dragon she met back then whenever she saw Xavier's scar. But from the entirety of those scars, they were all scars that had dried up, as if they had been for many years. No new scars. No trace of an arrow pierced Xavier last night. All those scars look the same old time now.
"Impossible... How can—“
"Xavier! Thank goodness you're not dead.” Someone directly broke through the door of the room back then making Anna and Xavier too shocked to realize the situation back then which could make anyone misunderstand. It was Elias. "Would I be considered impolite if I asked what you're doing right now? Why aren't you wearing clothes?" Elias asked in a suspicious tone.
"I said it, didn't I? The scar has dried up." Xavier said to Anna as he immediately picked up his clothes and put them on himself. "Are you so happy to know I'm not dead that you forgot to knock on the door, General Elias? Where's your manners?"
"You don't know, do you? Eleanor was so worried that she didn't sleep all night and begged me while crying to come here immediately. Of course I'm so happy to know you're okay. I heard it was Siarine's poison from the Orient region, the deadliest poison. No human being is immune to the poison Siarine. That's why I thought you could die from the poison."
"Wait... Elle already knows? How can—“ Then Xavier turned his head towards Anna behind him who was just standing still. "Did you tell the people in the palace?"
"No, Your Grace. I only sent a letter to Lady Eleanor last night because she might be able to deliver medicine or a trustworthy doctor. It turns out that your postal eagle was able to deliver the letter so quickly that I instantly got his reply that the royal family trust doctor lives in the town near this Castle."
"Thank God then. In the future, if anything happens to me, don't tell the people in the palace. Just inform General Elias or Lady Eleanor. The eagle knows the address of both."
"All right, Your Majesty. I'll remember it." Said Anna. He was grateful he didn't send a letter to the Palace last night. Somehow Anna herself felt Xavier did not trust her family in the Palace. After all, Anna knew that the one who had inflicted such a wound on Xavier's body since she was a child was Empress Selena, and at that time there was not a single person in the Palace to help him. So it's only natural that Xavier doesn't trust them.
"Are you really healthy?" Elias asked showing a worried face that was exactly like Eleanor.
"Of course." Answer Xavier. "We can't linger here. Too dangerous. We'd better get on with the trip to the palace. Too much time has been wasted. Ah, I almost forgot. What about the archers? Did you catch them?" Xavier asked Anna.
"No, Your Grace. They instantly killed themselves when the soldiers almost caught them."
"A suicide? In that case, it is possible that Selena who—“ Elias will only issue her assumption regarding the mastermind behind the planning of the murder, but Xavier hinted at her to remain silent.
"Anna, where are their bodies now?"
***
There's no dead body. Anna did not see him in person last night when the archers killed themselves before being captured by the soldiers because Anna was with Xavier. But all the soldiers at the scene said the archers simply disappeared after sticking their own arrows into their hearts. They all disappeared like dust. If Anna had heard of something like this at least a year ago, she probably would not have believed it and would have assumed all the soldiers had lied and planned treason against the kingdom by concealing assassins. But now Anna believed their words. Not only because they were soldiers loyal to the Crown Prince, but also because in Nordhalbinsel, such a thing was common. Magic, Dragons, and other things that Anna had originally only read about in fairy tale books, she now faced all of them directly in Nordhalbinsel.
"They are shadow killers. They're not human. They do look like humans, but they're made of magic and will obey all the words of their makers." Xavier said upon hearing the explanation from the soldiers.
"If they're shadow killers, then someone has made them, right?" Ask Elias.
"really. Someone had used one of the black magic that was forbidden in Nordhalbinsel. And whoever that man is, if we can find him, he will not be spared the death penalty for himself and his entire family and his descendants. Because that person not only used forbidden black magic, but also used it to kill me. And he had also illegally imported Orient goods. Also due to the use of the poison Siarine which Nordhalbinsel prohibited." Xavier.
"This must be because the Crown Prince announced he would soon marry Lady Eleanor a week after we reached the Palace."
"Maybe the Empress has run out of ways to expel the Crown Prince from the Palace."
"But the Empress never dared to touch Lady Eleanor because Her Highness the Crown Princess had the blood of a Grimoire. If the Grimoire elders living deep in the Northern Palace on the Ice Mountain knew that the Empress was plaguing the life of one of their descendants, Empress Selena would have been instantly exterminated."
Anna had suspected the same thing that Empress Selena was the mastermind behind all this. But Anna remembers that the arrow was supposed to hit her. If it was true that Empress Selena sent the Shadow Slayer, what was the reason the Empress killed Anna? Anna had never even met Empress Selena and Anna was sure the Empress had never seen her. They didn't know each other but why did Empress Selena want to kill him too? Questions piled up in Anna's mind.
"Don't say anything about today's events. If I find out any information about this is known to anyone other than those here, I'll look for the disseminator of that information and give him the appropriate punishment for leaking secrets regarding my condition." Xavier.
"Okay, Your Majesty" said everyone, in unison.
***
In the afternoon, as Xavier said he had completely recovered and managed to prove it by winning a sword duel against all the leaders of the warrior group as well as General Elias at once, the party continued on its way to the Palace. Anna again had no idea where General Elias had gone after that. Anna is now getting used to the sudden arrival and departure of the Crown Princess' twin sister. And no one questioned the sudden departure of the Young General.
Two days later, after a trip without rest, they reached Noord.
Everyone in Noord came out of their homes to give a standing welcome to the entire army and the Crown Prince who had managed to clear up the problem of the outbreak in Montreux. Young people, young children, adults to the elderly make a line extending from the gate of Noord to the Nordhalbinsel Palace to see the heroes. All the streets of the city have been ordered so that there are no riots. Along the way are decorated colorful flowers that will not be able to grow in the Nordhalbinsel climate. There were loud cheers from all the people who came. Some of the parents and families of the soldiers looked teary-eyed as they welcomed their father, husband, son and brother.
Xavier, who had since left the Trivone area decided to ride on Iris, his white horse, instead of riding on a horse-drawn carriage, led the front row and smiled to the entire citizens. Everyone was unceasingly giving a welcome and praise to their Crown Prince. Anna rode her own horse right behind Xavier. His eyes were busy looking for a familiar face. Although Anna did not really expect to see him, because she knew it would be very dangerous if Leon was seen in a place filled with Nordhalbinsel warriors. But Anna was sad when she could not see Leon's face among all the people who came to greet them.
They continued riding more slowly towards the Palace. Although they were very tired after two consecutive days of riding without rest, but when they saw the big welcome, their fatigue seemed forgotten. They are also immersed in the happiness emitted by the citizens.
Arriving in front of the wide-open Palace gate, The King and all the aides and dignitaries of the country as well as all the Concubines and Princes were waiting for them at the door of the Palace to welcome Xavier and the entire army. Xavier immediately got off his horse, followed by everyone, then knelt before King Vlad.
Anna finally saw the King up close. The man was about 50 years old. Her dark black hair that Anna saw in the painting at the time now appears to be bleaching in some parts. His former skin looked perfect like the noble sculptures of the gods now looked wrinkled and lost its radiance. Anna can see the image of Xavier as she ages when she sees King Vlad. Despite aging, Anna could still see the resemblance between the King and Xavier. King Vlad looked just like a King at his age, trying to hide his fatigue with dignity. The man was the one who had killed her father and stolen her happy peaceful life as a Royal Princess. But for some reason, upon seeing her, Anna was unable to see the abomination from him. Anna felt sorry for him. Though all this time Anna continues to hold grudges and anger against the King. But when he came face to face with the man, he did not feel any anger in him. Anna could see from the look in the King's eyes when she saw her son coming, look in the eyes of a father who misses his dying son on the way home even though Anna is not sure the King knows about it. But Anna clearly saw the tears that were held in those dark black eyes when the man saw his son coming towards her.
Anna knelt down before King Vlad, following Xavier.
"Greet my respect to His Majesty, The North Sun and the Descendants of King Nordlijk the Son and Heir of Grand Queen Zhera, Envoy of the Dragon." Said Xavier, who was followed by an entire line of soldiers behind him.
"Resist my Son. Stand up all of you, heroes of Nordhalbinsel." King Vlad. His voice was deep and heavy.
Everyone stood by the king's orders.
"Geez, what do I think is it that the whole Palace is so crowded this morning."
A woman came down the stairs to the reception area. The woman did not seem much older than Anna. His skin looked tight and smooth so no one would be able to guess his age. She has a beauty that can make the most powerful man in a country bend his knees to her. The Empress wore a red dress that looked very graceful, matching the color of her lips. Her blond hair almost resembles the color of snow, but looks radiant exposed to the reflection of the morning sunlight. His pair of purple-colored eyes looked at everyone haughtily. He showed a sweet face and smiled warmly as he looked at King Vlad and Xavier.
"The son of our pride has returned safely. I look forward to this day so much that I can't get out of my room for days to pray for your safety, Crown Prince." He said it in a tone as sweet as honey so everyone knew it was just made up.
"Selena, what are you doing here?" The King raised his voice, seemingly unable to contain his anger.
"Of course I would also like to welcome the Crown Prince, Your Majesty. Your son is my son too. My affection for the Crown Prince is as great as my affection for Princes Ludwig, Wilhelm and Henry, and also the nineteen other sons of the King." Selena said while showing her smile back to Xavier as she said that.
Anna could see from the corner of her eyes, Xavier was holding back his anger. His hand clenched, holding himself back from immediately drawing his sword at the Empress.
"Thank you very much for all your precious care and affection, Empress Selena." Xavier said as calmly as possible.
"The Crown Prince actually inherited a gentle and polite nature like the late Queen. How are you, Crown Prince? Are you hurt? You look exhausted. Feel free to ask the witches in the Tower for help if there's any medicine you need."
"I'm perfectly healthy thanks to your prayers, Empress Selena. I'm doing fine. Not hurt one bit."
Anna wonders how Xavier can still speak so calmly to Empress Selena when she learns that the woman has repeatedly injured her and even plans to kill her. Selena's eyes finally met her eyes. For a moment Anna was sure to see Selena looking surprised upon seeing her. But then Selena hurriedly set her expression and returned smiling.
"I'll ask the chefs to prepare a very fancy dish for lunch later. I beg you to resign, Your Majesty the King and Crown Prince." Selena lowered her head gracefully and stepped back inside the Palace.
***