Chapter 15 (something strange )

Natalia's POV

I sat under a tree trying to hold myself from passing out as that memory I have held for so long finally made its way back

" it's enough" Rowan stopped me from going any further like he knew that I could not take it anymore " you are Damn strong for someone who went through that " I raised my head to look at the guy sitting beside me and our gaze met, in his eyes I was something, I saw sadness pain and guilt and I wanted to know, I wanted to know why he had that look in his eyes

" Really," I said and I was taken aback by his smile, his smile that made me want to drop dead that instant " you are smiling again " my voice was calm

" I know" I raised an eyebrow at his answer, at that moment I realised that Rowan was nicer than before since we got to the village our conversation has gotten a lot smoother than the other night, was I beginning to get on his good side, I thought to my self, I should be calm and not take this for granted. I smiled at him brightly

" Thanks," I said

" for what " the look he gave me told me that he had no idea why I was thanking him

" for helping me down there, if it wasn't for you I would do what Colin would have done to me " and he nodded

" Should I be honest," he asked and I nodded " I was impressed " and I didn't know when I started smiling at his words, immediately I took my face away out of embarrassment " you stood up for yourself, not every woman is brave enough to hit a general "

" he did mess with the wrong lady," I said proudly and I thought to myself how stupid I must have sounded" but did you trust me on this?" I asked not expecting him to say anything pleasant

" No," I said with full honesty and I rolled my eyes " your bravery was what I trusted and it didn't fall me " I didn't know if it was a compliment I just smiled about it

" your Highness" we were suddenly interrupted by Eric who came out of know where and he looked like he just saw something terrible

" Eric?" I called

" your Highness you have to come to see this " his voice was calm which was enough to tell me that it was an emergency but not a scary one

" what is it, " Rowan asked as he stood up

" something I can't explain" Eric replied. I was about to stand up when Rowan surprisingly presented his hand for me to take and I looked up at him

" I will help you up and please don't tell me you are ok because I know you are not " I rolled my eyes and obediently to his hand just like that he pulled me up when he was sure that I was standing property he let go of my hand " are you good "

" yes, thank you "

Eric lead the way and Rowan walked behind me making sure I don't fall which made me a little uncomfortable, for goodness sake I was not a child, I had no ideas where Eric was leading us and am sure Rowan didn't as well, he claimed for a while and as we got to a point Eric stopped walking, with his finger on his lips telling us to be quiet, he bent down and began to walk on his knee, I looked at Rowan who followed and I shrugged and went on my knees as well, they got to the end of the mountain top and lay flat on the ground and I reluctantly joined them, looking down I was taken aback by the view.

The land had been cleared and had several camping tents surrounding it and at different areas men were digging the ground, some of the men were looking very weak but were punished for being slow and on one end had a pill of dead bodies and that gave me a little headache " I my God " I whispered

" are the mining Gold " Rowan asked

" it looks like it " Eric replied to him

" how comes my father and I are not aware of this " Rowan sounded angry

"it's an illegal mining industry," Eric said

" they don't look Bengland," I said as I noticed the foreign faces " they are using Bengland's people to min Gold, Export it to their country and dispose of the body In the water that people take causing illness to people which is also killing them" I put it all together and I frowned " who is this cruel, " I asked

As we watched the event going on down there, a man suddenly fell, two guys ran to him and tried helping him but he didn't get up, we watched as they dragged the body to the pill of dead bodied and left him there

" I can't take this " Rowan sounded very angry and was about to stand up, immediately Eric pulled him down

" what do you think you are doing," Eric asked and it was a good question

" I can't just stand here and watch, " Rowan said trying to keep his voice down

" and what do you want to do, you want to get killed, " Eric said " come on Rowan, right now we have to go back to the castle and make a plan "

" There is no time," Rowan said

" that is the choice we have right now " Eric tried talking some sense into his head

I suddenly had something moving in the bushes and was about to check it out when I felt something cold and shape on my nick immediately I froze, using the corner of my eye to see what it was and behold I had a sword on my nick, not just me Eric and Rowan as well

" look what we have here " I had a dip aggressive male's voice from behind and I knew that we were in trouble