Chapter 13 ( out of the castle )

Rowan's POV

We rode to the bottom of the mountain where we found the water that flows to the village, we came to a stop and I helped Natalia down, as usual, to be honest, she was lighter than I expected, After her performance on the balcony the other night I thought she would be heavy but I was wrong. We walked closer to the water, to examine it, I found it strange when she said that it was the water but I can't doubt her she make be right, she sounded too confident to be wrong

" The water looks clean," Eric said with eyes focused on the flowing water

" yes it does, " Natalia whispered to herself, I watch as she bent down, put her hand in the water and brought it out, she rubbed her wet fingers together before bringing them in contact with her tongue " but taste funny " she whispered again, I watched as she used her eyes to follow the direction of the water up the mountain like she was looking for something, then she began walking, forgetting that we were with her

" where are you going?" I asked, immediately she turned to look at me

" We have to check the water from the main source" I raised an eyebrow wondering what she was thinking

" is that where the problem is coming from," I asked

" I think so, the water looks clean but it's not, something is polluting the water from out up there and before it flows down here to the village it begins to look clean, I believe that is what is making the people sick " Natalia explained

" And why exactly should we believe you " I didn't expect, Colin to say those words even if he had every right to, it was odd that she could reason all that in her head, what I found more strange was the disease she called 'diarrhoea', it was my first time hearing it but I didn't want to ask questions now, it was for later

" Excuse me?" Natalia also wasn't expecting it

" I asked, why should we believe you," Rowan asked again and I could see the frown on her beautiful face

" Sorry, but have I given you reasons not to believe me"

" Oh come on My lady, you shouldn't just expect me to believe that the people are dying because of water "

" Not just water, infected water " She corrected she was being to show the anger

" wow, infected water " Colin repeated her words like it was a joke then he looked at me " Forgive me, your highness, but I wouldn't be happy if I come to realise that we disobeyed the king, left the castle, for nothing. I still don't understand why we are trusting a woman on this matter "

" wait, I see the problem here " Natalia to a few steps toward Colin " it's not the water, but the fact that I am a woman "

" Not only a woman but one we can't trust, the very next day you arrived in Benglang, a disease started killing the people, then you made us go against the king, Now you want to lead us to the mountains using water as an excuse, who knows what trap we will be walking into, " Colin said, Colin had always had a problem with anger, he gets angry easily, especially when he is frustrated about something

" why the fuck will you think I am up to something no good, is that how far your brain works " Natalia's voice was loud, she was angry

" Don't you dare raise your voice at me lady Natalia, because you are a princess doesn't give you any right, you should know your place as a woman " the moment he said that I became upset with him, He had no right to speak to her that way, I was about to interrupt when Natalia took me off by her actions. With every straight in her, her fist came in contact with Colin's face, bringing to the ground, my eyes fell wide open. Colin on the ground was in shock as well, with his hand on his right cheek he looked at her

" Just so you know, I am not that woman who like being told what to do Neither do I like being called weak, if you don't want me to raise my voice at you, then watch what you say to me and say it with respect " she yelled as she spoke and for an unknown reason I wanted to smile

" How dare you " Colin got up and wanted to hit her, immediately I stood in between them

" This ends now, " I said with Authority in my tone and I could see the shock in Colin's eyes he have never expected me to use Authority on his, it was something I rarely do

" your Highness don't tell me you trust her " he was clam

" No I don't, I said. The people are dying, they need help and so far she is the only one who was brave enough to ask for help, to go against my father to help the people, that is what I trust " I said and turn to look at her, only to be caught by her beautiful eyes " And I hope you don't betray that trust " Natalia smiled at me and said

" I never betray "

" good" I replied "let's go up and see the problem " I turn to face Colin, showing him that I wasn't pleased with his behaviour " you, never have Imagined that you will use words like that

" forgive me, your Highness, I lost control of myself for a moment "

" As a soldier, you have to work on your self-control," he nodded in agreement " now let's go," I said and began walking while they followed behind me

We climbed for a very long time, the more we climbed, the darker it became and bigger and taller trees came to view, I turned severally to check on Natalia and I was beginning to doubt if she was truly a princess, she was way stronger than I expected her to be, she climbed like it was nothing and to be honest, I was starting to have a real interest in her. I heard something, immediately I said out loud " Wait " they all stopped moving " listen," I said, the environment became quiet as we listened and it was taken by the sound of flowing water, I looked at Natalia just to see her smiling

" water " she whispered and I Nodded, I turned away from her and was about to start heading in the direction but I was interrupted by Natalia's cry of pain "AAAA" turning again only for me to find her on the ground using her hand to rub her left leg, I quickly went to her and kneel before her

" what is it," I asked with worries in my tone

" I sprain my ankle," she said in pain, looking at her ankle, I saw a small scratch " Damn, it hurts," she cursed angrily

" let me see " I reached for her foot to examine it and I noticed that the bones at the joint moved, it was something I could fix " there is a small shift at the joint," I said looking at her face

" Fuck " she cursed in a low voice

" Colin " I called still looking at Natalia

" sir " he replied

" You and Eric should check the water for anything odd, Lady Natalia needs medical attention," I said, immediately Natalia cut in

" No, I can keep going "

" No you can't," I said almost raising my voice and I saw the shock in her eyes, for goodness sake, she was injured, why was she trying to prove she was ok " Colin, you and Eric should go "

" yes sir " Colin replied

" Fine, but just because we are leaving you two alone doesn't mean.... "

" Errrric!!!" I said out loud, citing him off

" I'll just, " He said running away. I found Natalia smile

" Why are you laughing?" I said, knowing exactly why she was laughing

" Nothing " immediately, the smile faded " it's nothing, so what am I to do now, just sit and wait till they get back " I ignored her and held her feet

" deep breath," I said to her

" wait, what? " before she could even comprehend what was about to happen I twist her ankle adjusting the bone

" Yaaa" she yelled in pain " fuck " she cursed out loud and the look she gave me was priceless, I wanted to laugh but I didn't, I held it in " Dude, why?"

" does it still hurt?" I asked and watch her move her legs, then she looked at me

" Are you a doctor or something" she was in complete shock and I didn't know when I realised the smile I was holding

" No am not, it's a soldier thing," I said looking at her, I then realise that her mouth was wide open and I raised an eyebrow in confusion " what?" I asked

" Did anyone ever tell you that you are extremely handsome when you smile " immediately my smile faded for reasons I don't know " No, no, no don't stop? " She said and I gave her a confused look

" Pardon?"

" I said don't stop," she said again " a moment there I thought an angel was kneeling before me "

" that is very flattering, Natalia, I see you recover very fast " she smiled at my word

" I get injured almost all the time, so it's something am used to," she said, looking at the lady before I didn't know when I asked

" You don't know how to embroider, do you " My question to her by surprise