Chapter 14

// Kingdom of Nakahud//

- His majesty has not yet returned? - asked the empress dowager to one of the guards who denied, the empress dowager walked back to her chambers.

The neighing of the horses caught her attention, seeing the seal of the Duchy of Tyson on the carriage, the empress frowned as she went to meet the new arrivals.

- Duke, what is the reason for this sudden visit? - asked the empress dowager, the duke politely greeted the empress dowager and spoke.

- I am sorry for my sudden arrival, her majesty has asked me to come urgently - answered the Duke of Tyson, Norma got down from the carriage, noticing the presence of the empress dowager he saluted in silence while he went to his father's side - empress... as I understand the empress dowager is restricted to go out, then may I ask why the empress dowager is out of her chambers?

The empress dowager looked with annoyance at the duke, after hearing about the restriction they had imposed on her, after the trial given.

- As long as I stay away from that girl I can be wherever I wish, the duke worries too much, besides I was about to return to my chambers, I just... wanted to know about Cedric... his majesty has not returned yet, I am worried that he doesn't know anything about him -

- You shouldn't worry about his majesty, the meeting he had with the tower of magicians will last longer than expected, his majesty is personally dealing with that problem, that's why he will take longer to return to the palace - the duke said in a calm tone without taking his eyes off the empress dowager - so please return to your quarters - the duke spoke to some of the servants so they would accompany the empress dowager.

- If so, then I shouldn't be worried," said the empress dowager without taking her eyes off the duke - then I would ask that when you hear from his majesty the duke to inform me immediately - said the empress dowager in a serious tone to the duke who only nodded slightly, the empress dowager gave a slight smile as she withdrew, the duke did not take his eyes off the empress dowager, when he saw that her silhouette was completely lost he turned his gaze to Norma who only looked at him - I hope you understand that the situation we are in now is dangerous, Norma.

The green-eyed boy nodded to his father's words as he clutched a piece of paper in his hands.

The duke together with Norma entered the palace and as specified in the letter, they looked for one of the trusted servants of her majesty, the person specified in the letter Norma knew her well because in her visits to the palace she always knew how to be by Stella's side, Mary when she heard about the situation in which the queen and the princess were in, she collapsed when she knew that both the queen and the princess were in danger.

Norma was by Mary's side while she calmed down and they began to explain why they were in the palace, as she had promised the queen Norma would keep her word by giving support to her majesty, however, Norma felt helpless to only be able to help Stella that way, he had promised to help Stella, so why in such a critical moment he could only wait for good news to come, although they were not sure of the state of both Norma was afraid that the worst could happen.

- For now keep an eye on the empress dowager - spoke the Duke of Tyson, Mary nodded to the Duke's words as he withdrew - that woman... will she be alright? - asked the Duke as he saw Mary leaving.

- She will be - answered Norma as she looked at her father who turned his gaze to a map that was on the desk.

- If we follow the route that the queen and the princess took, they shouldn't be very far between the border of Khardia and Nakahud, even so, the weather is our biggest problem - he said seriously while pointing on the map - it will be difficult for her majesty to get to them - his gaze remained fixed on the map, he looked up slightly at Norma who was clutching a letter that had arrived a few minutes before the official announcement of her majesty, surely that letter was from the princess.

- Listen Norma, you must be prepared for the worst possible scenario, as head of the Duchy of Tyson and your father I have supported you, but if the princess does not return, I will retreat.

- Father!!! - Norma shouted in annoyance and euphoria upon hearing his father's words, however, his father's gaze was serious towards him.

- Since you can remember I have taught you how this kingdom is governed, I will not lose any of my people even if you are willing, my decision is made and as my only son you must listen to my words - the duke's voice was firm towards Norma who lowered her gaze when she could not oppose - when you are the head of the family you can decide what to do with the duchy, but now that decision is not in your hands.

Norma could not respond to her father's words, his judgment was correct, if the queen did not return the power of her side would fall, even though the duchy is independent of the kingdom, if the duchy was taken away by the other kingdoms, they would have great losses, Norma was willing to give everything for Stella without hesitation, The more her father's words were true, the one who led the family was not him, in silence Norma left the room, when she reached the balcony she raised her gaze while watching the blue sky that covered Nakahud, Norma clutched her chest with both hands while choking her voice trying to scream with all her strength.

- Stella, please come back - Norma said with her voice cracking.

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//Khardia//

- Stella! -

Shouted the queen with all her strength clinging to her while dodging that attack, the queen's breathing was agitated to see those arrows falling under her feet, Stella looked stunned by what happened her body was shaking while clinging to her mother, it was clear that it was an ambush, the queen even with fear tried to take a deep breath while trying to see where those arrows had come from, she had to find out before they attacked again.

- Stella, are you all right? - asked the queen.

Stella looked very pale clinging to her mother's clothes, the queen carefully stood up with Stella while they took shelter behind a rock, when she heard the footsteps in the snow the queen looked up, when she saw some men with black clothes in the distance she hid again while she looked at Stella.

Her heart was beating harder than usual, she could barely stand up because of the ambush, even so, the queen had to keep calm for Stella, in any case, both had to get to Agnus and the other knights, the queen took a deep breath while she put herself at Stella's level and covered her with her cloak.

- Stella, take a deep breath - said the queen calling Stella's attention, while she placed both hands on the little girl's face and smiled calmly - calm, mommy is here -.

The determined queen took some small rocks in her hands and threw them to the opposite side of the camp.

The robbers heard the sound of the rocks and immediately went to that side, the queen together with Stella kept silent until no sound was heard, the queen saw that her distraction had worked and took Stella by the hand.

- Stella, don't let go of my hand -

Said the queen firmly, as Stella clung to her grip the queen took a deep breath as she started walking towards the forest cautiously, Stella couldn't help but look around in fear.

- Stella just look at me - said the queen without stopping her gait - I am here you must not look back no matter what - Stella with tearful eyes nodded at the queen.

Stella with teary eyes nodded, the queen smiled slightly, that smile disappeared when she heard some faint voices behind them, the queen clenched her hands as she began to run, the sound of the branches breaking as they passed made her alert as she watched those men begin to shoot arrows continuously towards them.

- Mom, who are they! - Stella looked very scared as she clung to her mother's hand and ran with her, the queen did not respond as she kept running, Stella saw the arrows in the sky approaching them and shouted - mom! -

The queen snapped her teeth.

- Praesidium!

A golden colored wall rose behind them holding back the arrows, those men continued launching the arrows without being able to hit them.

- Stella close your eyes and cover your ears - said the queen seriously, Stella nodded as she did so, the queen's golden eyes began to glow with intensity, a golden energy enveloped her - Redi! - shouted the queen with force, the arrows used by those men began to rise, the queen did not hesitate to return those arrows to their owners, the screams of being chased by their own weapons could be heard in the forest while one by one the lifeless bodies of those men were falling, the snow began to turn crimson red, being in complete silence the queen lowered her hands which were shaking - come on... - she said in a low voice while she walked in front of Stella.

Stella listening to her mother nodded, silently she followed her without looking behind her, everything had become silent, Stella didn't know what had happened, but she was calmer, even so, her mother's look seemed off, Stella wanted to talk to her mother, but she preferred to remain silent while they continued their walk, seeing that her mother had stopped completely, she stood next to her.

- Mom? - Stella spoke.

The queen's gaze was fixed on the forest, when she heard a slight noise she shouted.

- Stella run! Now!!!!

Stella started to run with all her strength while her mother followed her, some magic circles suddenly appeared under their feet, the queen saw those seals and pushed Stella to the side, an explosion rumbled in the place and a thick curtain of smoke enveloped them.

- Mom! - cried Stella desperately in tears at the sight of the explosion.

When she received no answer from her mother Stella panicked, her chest squeezed tightly as she desperately looked for her mother's silhouette in that explosion, those men in black were in front of Stella pointing their magic.

- Opice!!! - In front of Stella a golden wall rose up, the magical attacks bounced off when they came into the slightest contact with the wall.

The mages' attention was drawn to Layla, the queen wounded by that explosion walked straight towards them.

Stella was relieved to see that her mother was safe and her eyes filled with tears of happiness.

- Mom! - Stella shouted with a smile.

The queen stood in front of Stella staring at those men who only smiled and launched continuous attacks against the created barrier.

- Do they still think they can escape? And even then, where would they escape to! -

Shouted one of the masked men, while the attacks continued, it could be seen how the barrier began to crack, the queen clenched her teeth upset to know that she could not stop them for long, her concern was more towards Stella.

- Mother... -

The sound of footsteps getting closer and closer to both called their attention, the mages stopped their attack when they saw their leader had arrived at a slow pace, the silhouette of a person was observed, the queen had fallen to the ground on her knees exhausted after having stopped the attacks, Stella was next to her mother when she saw the newcomer in front of her, Stella stepped back by inertia, Layla looked up and her face showed surprise when she saw who was the person that was in front of her.

- Aisha... - said the queen in a low voice to the newcomer.

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will continue...

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Author's note: To the readers of Scarlet Heart I introduce myself, I am Liss the author, I thank you for reading the book and at the same time I apologize for the delay in the chapters, I hope you enjoy the book and I hope your comments =)