I Will Leave Her In Your Hands

Prince Karium had already chat with almost every guest who wished to strike up a conversation with him. When he thought that he was finally done, he noticed her making her way to him.

Yes, her. That alone was enough to make him feel uneasy once again.

Why was she so great at intimidating him? He didn't understand as he was rarely at the receiving end of such a thing! It was always the other way round.

"Prince Karium," Yara Amiel curtsey with her signature angelic smile on her face. "That was quite a feast," she pointed out and added, "I have so much fun."

She had so much fun by doing what? Staring at him?

"I'm glad to hear that, Princess," Prince Karium said, maintaining a formal tone. He reminded himself to not lose his composure but... her presence alone was quite nerve-wracking.

Karium Maselli wished that the talk would be over soon, but...

"Princess Yara."

It was King Edric who chimed in. Seeing his brother making his way to them, Karium inwardly sighed while the Princess gracefully curtsey once more.

"Your Majesty."

"Did you enjoy the feast?" King Edric asked the Avarian Princess as he stood beside his brother.

"Very much, Your Majesty," Yara Amiel replied as she briefly glanced at the Prince. "I was mentioning to the Prince just now."

"Is that so?" Edric Maselli asked with a smile. "You have met Karium before and he might be the only familiar face for you here in Welahan. So, feel free to seek him out whenever you need help or anything."

Karium Maselli blinked at his brother's words. He can't sell him off just like that while he had no idea about the true nature of this Avarian Princess! However, the Princess flashed her angelic smile, again.

"I will remember that, Your Majesty," she said. "Thank you for your kindness."

King Edric nodded and turned to his younger brother. "I want you to be attentive with the Princess during her stay here. It's her first time here and you're the only familiar face for her. So, I will leave her in your hands. I think that will be the best for Princess Yara."

"Brother -"

"Do you have any problem?" the King asked.

Karium Maselli briefly glanced at Yara Amiel and noticed the mirth in her eyes. Though it frustrated him, it can't be helped!

"No, Your Majesty," he replied in defeat. "I will do as you say."

King Edric nodded in satisfaction. Then he walked away to chat with other guests.

"Seems like you will have to bear with me for a little over a week, Your Highness," Princess Yara pointed out with an amusing smile. "Even the God of War can't defy the King's words, right?"

How Karium wished he could tell her to behave! However, he holds back. After all, she was an envoy.

"I hope Your Highness remember what I said in the border that day," he finally muttered, forcing a little smile.

Yara Amiel recalled what he said. He warned her that if he realized that there was something more to this negotiation, she will have to give him an answer. Then she nodded at him. "I remember."

"I'm glad," Karium Maselli said. He was willing to endure her game but... not some dark motives. "You're right, Princess. I can't defy the King though he is my older brother. So, I will try my best to help you have a comfortable stay."

Yara Amiel nodded. "Then I'll thank you in advance."

Karium Maselli had an idea of what he had gotten himself into. However, it's not like he could do anything. "You're welcome, Princess. If you'll excuse me, I'll take my leave now." He nodded at the Avarian Princess and walked out of the hall while the Princess stared at his disappearing form with excitement.

It seemed like the King just made things easier for her and... it also seemed like the Prince listened to his older brother with quite a devotion. She should make use of that from time to time!

* * *

It was almost midnight when Commander Nicklaus Elan reached his mansion after attending the feast in the palace. He gets off his horse and walked past the gate to his mansion and finds a few people in the courtyard. He stood still for a few seconds, confused, until his right-hand man, Miguel Ledino came to him.

"Greetings, Commander," Miguel Ledino said as he bowed.

Nicklaus Elan pointed his chin at some people who were in his courtyard. "What's going on?" he asked.

"The King of Thigon promised to send 100 slaves when he was defeated. The slaves arrived today and His Majesty sent these 4 slaves to serve in your mansion," Miguel explained, glancing at the slaves. Two were females while two were males and they appeared quite young.

"They arrived during the feast," he added.

Niklaus Elan observed the slaves for a while. "You should let them eat something and take them to the servants quarter," he said to his right-hand man. "They don't look so well. The journey to here must be very taxing."

Miguel Ledino nodded at his Commander's words and walked away to comply with his order. Then Nicklaus Elan continued walking towards his chamber but when he was about to walk past the slaves, one thing caught his attention. Halting, he turned his head to the right where the slaves were sitting on the ground, exhausted from the long journey.

He noticed that one of the two female slaves was barely awake. She rested her head on the shoulder of another slave and shut her eyes from time to time as she whimpered in pain. When his eyes trailed down to her leg, he saw that her left leg was covered by blood.

Nicklaus Elan's eyes flickered at the sight he witnessed. Letting out a breath, he crouched down and reached for the leg without even thinking much. When the woman felt his touch, her eyes flew wide open. Panicked, she struggled and made him withdrew his hands right away!

"I won't hurt you," the aloof Commander murmured. "Your leg is bleeding and I just want to see the wound," he explained, slightly raising his palms at his chest level.

He waited for a few seconds and when it seemed like the woman had calmed down a bit, he put down his hands, reluctant to reach for her again. However, there was too much blood for him just to ignore. Then he looked at her. It was quite dark and he couldn't see her face that clear. Besides, she was a complete mess.

"Will you let me?" he asked in a calm voice. "I won't harm you. This is my mansion and you will be safe here." He reached out his hand for the second time but he didn't touch her until he saw her nodding in approval.

The Commander observed the woman's wound and noticed that her left leg had many cuts, mostly because of the long walk. However, there was quite a big and deep wound in the form of a circle.

Though he didn't know how she got the wound, he knew that it won't be easy for a fragile-looking woman like her to bear the pain! Her fighting spirit and fortitude were quite admirable.

"Commander." Miguel had returned from the kitchen and he was glancing down at his Commander with a surprised face. Then Nicklaus Elan stood up.

"Call a doctor," he said to his right-hand man and narrowed his eyes at the woman. "She needs treatment."

"I understand," Miguel responded right away.

With that said, the Commander made his way to his chamber right away.....