Chapter 5 : The Exiled Princess

San prepares a medicinal potion to treat the wound on Kennard's arm. The slash from the tip of Princess Alex's sword left a deep wound that required immediate treatment to prevent infection. San returned to his son carrying a cup of the stinking herbal concoction, he placed it on the table. "Drink it."

Kennard nodded obediently, he took a slow sip at the beginning then winced as the bitter taste assaulted his taste buds. "It taste so bad," he complained.

Sam laughed softly. "Open your mouth," he ordered while shoving a sugar candy into Kennard's mouth. "Does it hurt a lot?" he asked worriedly eyeing the wound.

Kennard shook his head. "The taste of the medicine is much more painful." He joked to calm his father's heart.

"Go to sleep," San said while ruffling his son's hair playfully.

"Father,"

San looked at his son, waiting for Kennard to say what was the question in his mind. "Say."

"How is the the Princess?"

San sighed softly. "Right now only the King and Queen are allowed into her chamber. I don't know how Princess Alex is doing yet." He glanced at his son. "Why? Are you worried?"

Kennard nodded quickly. "Is she hurt?"

Sans smiled. "You really worried about her, huh?"

Kennard nodded again. "When I looked into her eyes, I saw someone else tie Alex up in a dark room," he said doubtfully.

San frowned. "What do you mean, son?"

"Dad, you know that every time I touch someone, I often see a glimpse of something, right? When I touch Princess Alex, that's what I see," Kennard added determined to make his dad believe.

San gripped his son's shoulder firmly "Ken, don't ever say this to anyone else. You have to remember what I said. Do you understand?"

Kennard looked at his father for a long time trying to find doubts there but he didn't find them either until Kennard decided to follow his father's orders and nodded.

***

"No! I will not allow the princess to leave the palace." Queen said. She strongly rejected the proposal of the King and palace advisors in front her.

"But honey, this—"

"Whatever the reason, I still do not agree!" Cut Queen quickly.

"But this is the only option I can choose to save our daughter," said the King sadly. He sat on the edge of the bed. His face bent down to stare at the marble floor carved with the royal coat of arms. "Oriana, I also don't want to separate from Alex. Like you, I also love her very much. But..."

Hearing her husband's soft voice made the Queen's turned around, her heart grimaced at the sight of her husband. The face that usually looked dignified became withered, tired and sleepy from staying up all night made him look pitiful.

The king let out a long sigh, his heart filled with anxiety. This morning he had to give his decision before the palace officials. "I am sorry, dear."

"Until when?"

The king lifted his face. His eyes filled with tears staring at the woman he loved so much. "Until the peak of the red moon ends, Alex's seventeenth birthday."

"I can't be apart from Alex." The Queen wept sadly. Her tears were unstoppable when she thought about the fate of her poor daughter who had to leave the palace and live a life alone in a place she didn't know.

The King held the Queen's hand. "Just be patient, honey. Until the time comes, we'll take Alex back home." He promised.

***

All royal officials were present in the main hall. They whispered to each other, questioning the intent and purpose of the King who had suddenly ordered everyone in the palace to gather. "Is this related to the fire that happened a few days ago?" The same questions kept rolling in their minds.

The sound of the hall door opening made the room fell silent, stood half bowed and wore respectful faces as the King walked towards his throne. King Achilles sat in his royal chair with a tense face, tired lines clearly visible on his face. Not long after, the hall door opened again, Queen Oriana entered with Princess Alexandra. The Queen's beautiful face looked pale, she was holding the Princess who walked with unsteady steps and her face downcast.

"Today I invite all the important people of this country to announce something very important." exclaimed the King. He glanced at the Queen beside him, asking for approval.

The queen turned the other way, she was unable to meet her husband's gaze. Even though it was difficult, she still tried to be strong in front of everyone.

"Something has happened and this is due to my daughter's carelessness," the King sighed for a moment, gathering the strength that might still be left in his body. "Because of her carelessness, as punishment I decided to exile Princess Alexandra somewhere until she was old enough to return to the palace." he continued.

A low whispering voice filled the room. They thought the King's decision was too excessive in punishing the Princess who had just turned ten years old.

"I decided to send Princess Alexandra to study at an all-girls school so that later, she would become a mature woman who has a better personality."

Queen sighed softly. He tightened his grip on Alex's fingers. The King's words resounded in his mind.

"I'm sorry my wife, this is all I can do to save our daughter. Princess Alex must learn to control whatever is inside her. Marfiato has said everything, that power will only get bigger as Alex grows and she has to be prepared to control her power or it will backfire on her and on all of us."

The queen looked down sadly, never thought before that she would be separated from the princess. The little angel who has made her life so happy. The Queen would never be able to watch Alex grow to a time limit she would never know.

***

"San."

Achilles approached a man in full armor, standing proudly in front of hundreds of soldiers. San—the general of the palace soldiers—immediately turned around and bowed respectfully as soon as he saw the King approaching.

"My Lord."

"San, I want to talk to you," said the King.

San nodded in understanding and invited the King to go to the room he usually used for meetings with team leaders.

"Please, your highness."

"San, I want to ask for your help."

San stood up straight, readying himself to listen to the King's order. "Please King, whatever it is I am ready to carry out orders."

The king looked at the one of the best warriors and the right hand he relied on to maintain the security and sovereignty of the kingdom with affection.

"My request this time, it may be difficult for you to fulfill. But I will still ask it away."

"Please, you have the right to ask us anything. You are the owner of our body and soul, my King." San straightened his sword then dropped his body in a kneeling position. Ready to accept any orders from the leaders of this country.

"San, I want Kennard to accompany Alex in her exile. I want your son to look after my daughter," he asked, "But, I can't say where they are going or when they will return to the palace. No one except Marfiato knows." continued the King with a trembling voice.

San's body was stiff, but he didn't intend to utter a single word for an explanation. For him the King's request is an order, even San's life will be given if shall the King wants it. Ten years ago, San made a promise with his own blood, a promise he made when the homeland threw him and Kennard away and only King Achilles accepted them with arms open.

"Don't you want to ask why I chose Kennard?"

He shook his head. "No, my King. You must have wise reasons and it would be an honor for me and Kennard if we could protect the royal family."

Achilles nodded in satisfaction. He never doubted San's loyalty. "Get Kennard ready. They're leaving in the morning." he ordered. He patted San's shoulder and squeezed it hard.

"Thank you," he said before walking away leaving San who was still transfixed with teary eyes.

***

"Mother," Alex called softly, she gripped her mother's fingers tighter.

The queen was unable to hold back the tears when she saw the face staring at her with sad eyes.

"Why did father throw me away? Have I done something really bad?" she asked. Alex still can not accept the punishment given by her father.

"No, princess, you didn't do anything. We're only separated for a while. When the time comes, we will pick you up."

Alex sobbed softly then nodded in understanding. The queen immediately pulled the baby into her arms. Hugging her tightly, giving confidence to her heart.

"Princess, promise me. Never use or tell anyone what you have. Study well and behave until we come."

Alex nodded slowly. He returned his mother's hug tightly, for some reason Alex felt that this separation would last a very long time.

The King came with San and Marfiato. Behind them, Kennard followed at a fast pace to keep up. The king looked sadly at his little daughter. "My daughter," he called.

"Forgive your father, but this is the best for all of us. One day you will understand the decision that I made."

The king waved at Kennard, asking him to come closer. "Ken, promise me. Never take your eyes off the Princess, you must protect her from anything."

Kennard nodded obediently without saying a word. His eyes turned to look at Princess Alex, in a split second she immediately looked away when Alex looked back.

The king turned to Alex. Kneeling in front of her daughter, hugging her body lovingly. Shows how much love he has for his little princess.

"My daughter," he sighed softly.

Alex looked at his parents one last time. Sadness, fear and confusion filled his heart. What really happened? She still doesn't understand what she did so wrong to be exiled to a place nowhere.

"Come on, Princess." Marfiato touched the Princess's shoulder, leading her to ride the horse.

After making sure everything was ready, Marfiato immediately got on his horse. The whole group left the palace. Leaving torture of sorrow for the occupants of the kingdom left.

*****