CHAPTER TEN

We rode deeper and deeper into the bush, running through no specific track, until I couldn't see the castle building or its roof tops anymore.

And as we continued, my heartbeat quickened as I imagined the king surrounded by those fiery looking men.

Whilst Irene was still holding her breath, she told me the soldiers of Baldamon had come down on us because of me, and not to carry out their past threats since our recent land disputes as kingdoms.

What if those soldiers end up killing my father if he doesn’t provide for my whereabout? Or beat him into a coma until he says nothing? I became more worried.

Those men have succeeded in causing great havoc in the palace by taking our guards unaware, slaughtering not just the guests but the invited marriage guests as well. And perhaps, to a greater extent, innocent palace servants and visitors going about their business.

From every indication, those soldiers would definitely not stop at anything until they find me. But why me?

Why am I their target?

How did even I manage to offend them?

By the way, what is my offense?What crime did I commit against the people of Baldamon to have warranted such a weight of attack?

Wait! Can this be because I am getting married to the ruler of a powerful kingdom and they are already feeling troubled about it?

What?!

The more those thoughts raced through my mind, the more restless I got. While sitting on the back of the horse, I could feel my body trembling slightly.

My spirit gradually became burdened with a greater degree of emotion. I got so dizzy in my abdomen that my hands around Edvin’s waist were loosening. When I struggled to hold him tighter, it suddenly became a hard task for me, a task that could take hundreds of years to complete.

"Should I proceed more slowly, your highness?" I heard Edvin ask me in a low tone. He must have noticed me fumbling with his body.

What’s the point of telling him to ride slowly when my life is seriously in danger? Looking forward, I found out that his men have gotten ahead of us and we had fallen behind.

“No, go faster.” I said, dropping off all the bad thoughts.

“Okay,” he said, applying some force on the horse, and then he sped on. He rode vigorously, and in the blink of an eye, he had gone past others.

Do they have a place we are running to? Where are you even heading to? I contemplated silently as the thought flashed through my mind.

I have really been observing; the further we progressed into the forest, the more it got astronomical. It seems as if the forest doesn’t have an end; the various trees look as if they have been abandoned for years, and no leg-paths could be seen.

Pondering over this, I began to develop a certain old feeling. It was coming against my skin in the form of harsh goosebumps, and then a sudden cold sweat. Taking it as nothing, it came heavier on me.

All of a sudden, Edvin’s horse started to misbehave. It halted abruptly and couldn’t run further, neighed endlessly, powerfully throwing its legs up and down until we went off its back and landed on the ground.

Immediately, the horse let off and hurried off into the forest, looking so scared.

Why is it afraid?It was then on the ground that my gaze met a group of men appearing from their hiding places around the bush. They were carrying daring weapons in their hands, and their faces exuded an indistinctive aura. They were coming towards us.

Are they also after my life?The thought struck my mind so hard that I got overly frenzied. Let it not be that the Baldamon soldiers have lain in ambush against us.

Snapping my eyes around in search of an escape route to save myself before they got closer, my glances met the greatest shock of my life. Edvin’s men are all dead!

How did this happen?

Can this be a silent slaughter?

Oh God! Why are so many people dying today? I wished all this could only be in my dreams, my usual bad dreams, but sadly, it’s all happening for real and I am facing it.

Seeing the scene about to take place before my very eyes, my chest repeatedly rose and fell with force. My heartbeat got faster, missing a couple of beats at the same time.

“Do you think you can ever get away from us?” asked one of the groups’ men; a very hefty man with a voice as harsh as thunder, stout and tall, possessing terrifying shoulder-length and arms.

Just when I thought he was asking Edvin, I realized he was actually directing the question to me, but then it was too late for me to answer; the man was already walking straight to me, a very fierce countenance on his face. His eyes blazed wickedly.

Getting to where I was on the ground, he strongly clenched my shoulders, dragged me up and slapped me across the face, then let me fall back again to the ground, exerting a great force.

I screamed, not in pain but in fear, deep fear.

“Do you think we will spare you after what you have done?” The hefty man asked again, this time, grabbing my hair. He wiggled my head around several times and severely.

Edvin couldn’t stand the sight of seeing me under his torture. He tried to stop him, but the man’s men hurried after him.

They began to force their strength on him, throwing heavy kicks and punches at him, hitting him with big sticks and many more tools as well. They were able to get him down, but nonetheless, he still tirelessly struggled with them.

“You bastard! Get your hands off her now!” said Edvin.

“I should get my hands off of her.” The hefty man fumed, releasing his hands from my hair. He walked slowly towards where Edvin was held down.

“I swear to God, I will surely kill you if you lay your hands on her again.” Edvin swore, threatening with every bit of confidence.

Now they laughed at him.

I realized their attention was now on Edvin, I tried to utilize the chance to run, but a hand suddenly caught up with me.

“You idiot!” It was the man.

“Let me go!” I struggled with him, bawling.

“You still think that you can get away?” He asked as he pushed me down.

“I don’t know what you are talking about.” I said frantically. He gave me another slap across the same side of my face. The slap was so hard that I could get the taste of blood in my mouth.

Instantly, my head started to spin resultantly. My face was in great pain, his hands pricked so much on my cheek. And when I thought it was all, he grabbed my neck and seized it stiffly.

“You don’t know what I am talking about? Huh?” He yelled, his eyes getting more intense with anger.