Confrontation

We've taken the next step, we've won the battle against the knights Ezra and Katrina had sent. Holland's newly reclaimed territory has been populated with our allied force, and the knights are currently on their training to prepare for the last step in reclaiming Astrae.

Zairo is overlooking the knights' training, as for the King Skylark, he is back in Holland to ensure that Holland's inner economy is not to be affected by the war and to ensure that no information will be leaked. Holland and Arcadia have been placed in lockdown, no one is to enter and to exit the territory except those who are permitted by their monarch or are to play a part in our plan.

Everything is going through in a normal pace, not abnormally fast and not relatively too long, and at the break of dusk, we are to attack Astrae but…

The young prince hasn't woken up yet, it's been three days but he hasn't regained his consciousness.

"I see he is still unconscious." I looked at the person who had entered

"Your majesty," he knelt on one knee

"Rise," I said and he stood up

"The young prince has gained some color to his skin." He said eyeing the young prince

"Yes, thankfully, he has," I muttered and caressed the young prince's hand

"Will her majesty not come on the march to Astrae's borders?" he asked and I turned to him

"I am, we must not delay our march to push through Astrae's borders." I said

"How about the young prince?" he asked worriedly

"If he were not to wake up by sundown, I'm afraid but we'll have to leave him here." I replied

"We are to leave at the break of dusk, must we really leave the young prince unaccompanied?" he asked with a hint of concern and uncertainty

"We are given no choice, Baron Tariq, it's that or we delay the plan which we must not do so as we may lose our momentum on waiting too much." I said in a tranquil voice to hide my anxiety and qualm

"I see, I take it that it's the queen of Astrae that I am speaking to right now," he said nodding his head with his thumb on his chin

"However, if I were to ask the lady Vielle, what would be her response?" he asked and the side of my lip rose

Why would the answer differ?

I am the queen of Astrae and I have also taken the identity of Lady Vielle during my days of hiding.

"They do not differ, Baron." I replied

"Is that so? The lady Vielle I've known puts compassion and heart while the Queen of Astrae I've met is a goal-driven, admirable leader, however she resorts to the option that her heart does not desire." He articulated and I sigh

"Indeed, but at a time like this, it's not just Astrae's people who are at risk, I am also gambling the people who are not even affiliated with my situation." I responded

"Then is silencing that voice in your heart necessary?" He asked again

"Baron Tariq, I take it that you've bothered the queen too much now. You've been querying in topics that are none of your concern." Zachary's tone was profoundly somber

"You've mistaken, King Zachary," I rebuffed

"It is actually quite cathartic for me," I added

"I shall take my leave then, your majesties." Baron Tariq lowered his head

"Baron Tariq, may I ask you look over the young prince for a while? I have something to discuss with the King Zachary, I do not wish to leave the young prince vulnerable to more harm." I avowed with a hint of underlying meaning directed to the king towering before me

"Ah, as you wish, your majesty." He said and I stood up

I walked pass Zachary, I felt his hand grazed mine as I walked pass, as he tried to hold it. We are in no place to take our time leisurely to deal with personal conflicts, treating him civilly would be the best option I could resort to as of the moment.

I headed to the resting tent made for me and waited for Zachary's presence.

"Patrice," he called and I held my gloved hands in front of me

"Must you vent out your emotions on the poor baron?" I asked him

"This is what you want to discuss?" his tone is as if I've said something implausible

"Well," I clicked my tongue and faced him

"Would you rather we discuss the young prince's condition?" I provoked him and turned sideways to see him in my peripheral vision

"It's your choice, Zachary," I said and I saw how his mouth parted in surprise

"Patrice, must we discuss this at a time like this?" he asked

"Yes, why must we not? As far as I can recollect, you declined my suggestion of sending the young prince back to your kingdom as you said that he must not leave the frontline." I stated

"I am only thinking of the possibility that the plan will head downhill if we're to send him back to Arcadia at a time like this." He said

"Then, have you considered the fact that the young prince has not regained his consciousness for three days now and we could have gotten the answer as to why that is the case if he was sent to your kingdom?" I expressed my difference of opinion

"No?" I asked and shook my head before sighing

"The young prince is in great need of medical service, you both came from a kingdom with an unparalleled background and knowledge in such field, so why is it that he can't even receive treatment rooted from such vast knowledge that your kingdom has?" I asked him blankly

"Must you feign ignorance as to why that is, my Queen?" he suddenly asked and I chuckled

"Must you take your grudge out on the innocent child, King Zachary?" I asked unbelievably

"He is no innocent child, Patrice, you and I know that he is the product of deceit and greed." He muttered and I looked at him in incredulity

"You have to be kidding me, Zachary. Are you even hearing yourself?" I asked in cynicism

"Don't look like I'm being cynical, Patrice, the both of us know the truth." He muttered

"That belief of yours has blinded you, Zachary, you do not see how appalling you are acting right now." I said in somber

"Bring him to your kingdom, Zachary, or I will." I said and he looked at me with disbelief

"You're willing to risk your life for him?" he asked and I looked at him blankly as I nod

"Yes, why not? Is he not deserving of empathy and care now that he has played his part? Isn't he lying on that very bed right now because he played his part perfectly?" I catechized

"That child –" I cut him off

"That child is your flesh and blood as well, Zai!"