The Rose That Blooms In North
Chapter 32: Prisonnier

The next morning, the entire Palace was in an uproar over the news that there were prisoners of war who had escaped. The Crown Prince looked very upset. King Vlad is angry. General Orthion who was at the Palace was ordered to interrogate everyone in the Palace including the servants and royal guards. But when Anna pretended not to know and asked Xavier who the escaped prisoner of war was, Xavier gave no explanation. He simply said that they had to find the prisoner of war no matter how. Hearing that, Anna became even more convinced not to trust Xavier.

In the end, after everyone was interrogated, they were unable to find a bright spot regarding the investigation of the two escaped prisoners of war. Moreover, that night was a party night where there were a lot of guests coming and the servants and guards were busy taking care of the party.

Anna's watching Xavier. She acted as if Anna really did not remember anything about the events of that night. Xavier learns of Anna's true identity as Princess Anastasia. Also about the kiss. Anna was amazed at how good the Crown Prince was. But it made it easier for Anna to explore her role as well. To keep pretending to be a loyal and ignorant Personal Guard. Anna will pretend not to remember anything about the events of that night.

“Which I remember, I was going to go to a party, but then I felt sick and fell asleep in the room. Maybe because I was so tired back then.” Anna said as she testified to General Orthion. The General seemed to trust Anna directly and did not question her further.

On the advice of his Empress, King Vlad finally decided to send the Crown Prince to go look for the two escaped prisoners because Xavier was in charge of the two prisoners. Xavier immediately accepted the King's decree without the slightest protest although the search may take a long time and the wedding ceremony will be held soon. Of course, inevitably Anna came with him as his personal bodyguard.

That afternoon, they were preparing to leave with thirty knight troops when suddenly from the direction of the Crown Princess's room came the panicked sound of the ladies-in-waiting.

About five maids rushed to the Crown Princess's room. They all looked panicked and worried. Xavier stopped one of the maids carrying a large container while running towards the Crown Princess' room.

“What happened to my fiancee?” Ask.

The waiter looked frightened. He did not dare to look Xavier in the eyes. “I'm sorry, Your Honor. I'm guilty. Please forgive me.” His voice vibrates.

“How can I forgive you if I do not know what is going on and what is your fault? Why did you all go to the Crown Princess's room?” Ask Xavier firmly. His cold tone made the servant even more frightened.

Anna could see the maid trembling and almost crying, so Anna came up to her and clasped her two gently trembling hands. “Your Highness the Crown Prince just wants to know what is going on. He was very worried about the Crown Princess. You don't have to be afraid.” Said Anna.

The waiter nodded. “Since this morning the Crown Princess said she did not want breakfast and did not want to eat anything. He ate a little yesterday too. So this afternoon I brought him his favorite snack and rose tea that he really likes.” The waiter sobbed. “I swear I didn't put anything weird into that snack and tea. I have also tasted everything and made sure there is no poison in it. But Her Highness the Crown Princess immediately vomited after eating a little of her snack. And now he looks very pale.”

“You said since morning? Why didn't anyone tell me? Quickly call the Doctor!”

“Puni me, Your Majesty. The Crown Princess ordered us not to tell this to anyone. Not to His Highness the Crown Prince, nor to the Palace Physician. I do not dare to refute the orders of Her Highness Crown Princess.”

The servant looked terrified before Xavier, but he was much more afraid of what could happen to him if he denied the orders of one of the strongest magicians in the Kingdom.

“Why—“ Xavier will ask, but then Eleanor and her ladies come out of the room.

“Your Highness..” call Eleanor.

Seeing his fiancee walking out assisted by the ladies, Xavier immediately ran to meet her. From a distance Anna could see how pale the face of the Crown Princess was.

"Elle? What the hell happened to you? Your face is so pale. Though last night you didn't get this pale. Actually why—“

"I'm fine, Your Majesty. Just feeling exhausted. Maybe I just need a break." Reply Eleanor.

"You sure? I'll call the doctor palace—“

"Xavier's." Eleanor called Xavier by his name in public. Something that has never happened before. Xavier himself was surprised because usually Elle called his name only if there was no one else around. "Go, Your Majesty. I'm doing fine. Elias will also come soon after finishing his work. She will keep me here as long as Her Majesty goes and—“ Eleanor's words come to a halt as she refrains herself from vomiting. From the look on his face everyone knew the Crown Princess was not okay. "really... Its alright... Go away..."

"You sure you don't have to go home? Or should I call the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess to stay in the Palace for a while?"

"No, don't do that. Lately there's been a lot of things that Dad has to do, so he shouldn't have too much of a mind. Our wedding day is also near Your Majesty, so do not let outsiders know about my condition. I will be healthy again after I rest. Please believe me, Your Majesty."

Xavier looked worried. Some of him wanted to cancel his departure. Delaying the search for a day would not be too influential even though it might make King Vlad even more wrathful. But his common sense knew it wasn't the right thing to do. Eleanor's right. Elias will come to accompany her. There were not many things that Xavier could do as Eleanor had insisted on not wanting to be examined by the Palace Physician. And not a single person could persuade the stubborn Eleanor other than her twin brother who was much more stubborn than her.

Xavier sighed. "alright. I'll send you a letter soon. Hopefully it won't be long. Until then, hold on. You need to stay healthy until I get back."

***

Eight hours ago...

Leon was drinking a beer served by the barmaid. It was his third glass that night. Usually he could afford to spend seven to eight beers, but this time he had to be careful not to get drunk. Because the main purpose of drinking beer that night was not to get drunk, but to keep an eye on the movements of the people who came in and out of the Palace. And of course he wore a mask just in case no one recognized him.

The bar is open only at night, from five in the afternoon to five in the morning. The bar was never visited by the nobility as it was reserved for the common people living in the Capital of Noord. The price is much cheaper than other bars. The atmosphere is perfect for being alone at night. The waiter is beautiful and friendly.

But that's not what makes Leon come to the bar almost every night. That's because the Bar has an outdoor area for drinking beer under the star-filled night sky of Nordhalbinsel. Although it is not always filled with stars, sometimes there are times when the sky is very dark and the air is very cold. But that night Leon was lucky because the weather was much warmer than usual and the stars dotted the night sky as if to accompany his solitude. Leon liked the outdoor area, because from that place he could clearly see the gate of Nordhalbinsel Palace and anyone who went out or went inside.

The clock in the middle of the city shows at two in the morning. Leon would only stand guard at the bar until five in the morning when it closed. The waiter who was the sister of the owner of the Bar had memorized Leon's habit of drinking all night until their Bar closed, so he did not bother him anymore. Even though the Waiter Bar was interested and curious about Leon, he did not dare to approach him. Leon didn't even bother to glance at the Bar Maid when all the customers there were flirting with her. Leon's gaze continued to be fixed on the Palace gate.

"Your glass is almost empty, sir. You want one more glass?" Ask the waiter.

"Yes. Please." Please." Leon answered briefly, without looking at the Servant.

The waiter fills Leon's beer glass to the brim and prepares to return to the kitchen when Leon suddenly holds his hand.

"sorry. I was just wondering, why does the Palace look so crowded tonight?" Ask Leon as much as possible using a typical Nordhalbinsel speech accent so that he is not suspected.

The waiter was stunned for a moment. It was the first time Leon had spoken more than two words to her after a few days of Leon being a regular customer there.

"so apparently... Alright. Thanks for the information, Merry."

The waiter smiled happily as Leon mentioned his name. He never even expected the man to remember his name even though he had already introduced himself on the first day Leon came to the Bar. "Please call me if you need anything." Merry said before going back to the kitchen filled with happy feelings.

Leon expected it. Anna had told about the Crown Prince's wedding plans and about the party. Anna also said about her plans to find Queen Isabella and Crown Prince Alexis before the Crown Prince's wedding ceremony took place. But she had no idea that the party Anna was referring to would be held that night.

As the night wore on and his fourth beer was running out, Leon saw two people in black robes. Their faces are invisible because they wear a headscarf. But from the way he walked, even from a distance, Leon knew who the two people were. Leon immediately got up from his chair and went as far away from the bar as possible. The two people he saw had also seen him from a distance and followed him further and further.

Eventually they reached a small dark tunnel and there was no one else but the three of them. One of the men wearing the black robe revealed his hood and revealed his red hair. Leon hugged her tightly.

"I'm very worried about you, Your Majesty. Why didn't you say that—“

Before Leon continued his sentence, the person next to Anna also revealed his hood. Leon was so shocked to see that he could say nothing. He immediately knelt before the person. Leon knelt before the Queen.

"I miss you so much, my son." Queen Isabella said with a smile. The Queen considered Leon as her own son, as King Edward often referred to her as his son. "Reside, boy. I want to see your face."

Leon obeyed Queen Isabella and took off his mask. He stood before the Queen whom he respected as much as his own mother.

The Queen looked at Leon as gently as she looked at her son who had long been away from her. Without tears in her eyes. The Queen immediately hugged Leon. "Thank you, Leon. Thank you so much for being alive and thank you so much for taking good care of my daughter when I wasn't by her side."

"Baginda Ratu—“

"Why are you calling me that again?"

Leon took a breath. "Mother..." Leon Said. Queen Isabella seemed to be smiling happily as Leon called out to her like that.

"Yes, my son?"

"Is Mom okay? Did they treat my mother badly? I'll behead them if Mother allows."

"Not at all, my son. For more details, we will talk about it later. Anastasia said she had to hurry back before her magic was gone."

"Magic?" Ask Anna.

"really. I want to explain it to you but we don't have much time. I need to hurry back and find Alexis as soon as possible." Said Anna.

"Is that not too dangerous, Your Majesty? They'll soon realize that the Queen's missing. They'll definitely tighten the security."

"Lust trust Alexis to me, Leon. And I entrust your mother's safety to you."

"I'm going to go find His Highness Crown Prince Alexis. I can no longer stand idly by while His Majesty is in danger every second."

"They'll recognize you, Leon" said Anna.

"But, Your Majesty—“

Queen Isabella clasped Leon's hand. "My son.. My daughter's words are right. I heard the talk of the Nordhalbinsel soldiers. They keep talking about you. They're looking for you. I don't know why, but they want you. They will recognize you when they see you. So we'd better trust this to Anastasia. You didn't underestimate my daughter's ability, did you?" Queen Isabella smiled and added, "The sword teacher is the famous Lion of the South."

"Mom know?" Anna asked, surprised. Because all this time he had slipped out of the palace to learn the sword from Leon so that Queen Isabella did not know. He didn't want the Queen to worry.

"I've known all along. Leon told me. And I think that's a good thing. So I know that my daughter can take good care of herself." Queen smile. "So, Leon, please trust Alexis to Anastasia. This is not a command from a Queen, but a request from a Mother."

Leon gave in to the words of Queen Isabella. "Good, Mother."

***

That morning, in their little cottage, Louis greeted the presence of the General and the Queen with warm tea, dried bread and freshly cooked meat soup.

The boy was so shocked that in the early hours Leon entered their cottage. Though usually Leon will only come home after the sun really rises. But when he saw the person who had come with Leon, Louis was much more surprised. She was so shocked she could not say anything and prostrated herself before the Queen.

But the very humble Queen asked Louis to treat her like a Mother.

"I have a son who is only a year older than you. So just like Leon, I'll see you as my son." Said The Queen.

Louis was so happy when he heard it coming out of the Queen's mouth that he admired so much that he shed tears and repeatedly thanked the Queen. Louis has not had a mother since he was a baby. So she never felt the affection of a mother. The queen immediately hugged him when she saw the boy crying happily.

They had breakfast together and then told what happened after the Nordhalbinsel attack. Queen Isabella had trouble telling her what happened that night. Her beloved husband died in front of her. So how could he not tremble while recalling the events of that night.

Queen Isabella sipped her tea slowly, her gentle gaze fixed on Leon and Louis as she began her story, "That night..."

***