9 Chapter 9

A portal appeared in the courtyard of the castle and out came a young man and a horse the horse panicked at what had happened while the young man tried to calm him down.

"Easy, easy" after several attempts I managed to calm him down

"What the fuck happened" I was trying to catch my breath as I got off the horse, but the moment my feet landed on the ground, I toppled over with fatigue

"Why do I feel so tired?"

"Is it because of what happened" with no one to point out the answers to my question, I redouble my determination to get up, it was hard, I felt like my feet could give out at any moment, but with willpower, I managed to get up and make my way to the only place I know where Ciri is with the queen

Through the corridors, I could see the servants panicking and running, not understanding I directed my gaze outside and the scenery chilled me as before the walls were an army

"How is this possible?" Seeing that the army was marching, I hurriedly made my way to where Ciri was.

After long minutes to the throne, I pushed open the doors to see the queen ready to attack, but as soon as she saw it was me, she sighed.

"Aiden co.." But before she could speak a small figure rushed up and hugged me

"Aiden, you're alive, I was afraid you wouldn't come back.

"I promised you that, didn't I?"

"Yes"

I returned my gaze to the queen and said "our army has been slaughtered, I must get you to safety."

"So as I thought, we lost, it was the commander who asked you to come."

Lowering my eyes in shame, I could only answer a word with a weak "Yes."

But I received a hand on my head and saw the queen looking at me with relief.

"Good thing Patrick understood me asked."

"Your request?"

"Yes, but you will understand it when the time comes. "

"Finally, Aiden, it's time to fulfill your promise to me"

"What promise is Grandma talking about?"

Not answering Ciri, but rather looked at the queen with a complicated face, but the queen seeing my dilemma said in a firmer tone.

"You don't break promises Aiden."

"No, your majesty."

"Well then go and protect Ciri"

"Grandmother what are you talking about" Ciri suspected from her words, but wanting to hope it was a nightmare asked again if it was true

The queen lowered herself to Ciri's level and gave her a hug, whispering.

"Ciri, I'm not going anywhere like your parents and grandfather, I'll always be there for you"

"Grandma" knowing what was happening tears welled up in her eyes, but the queen stood up and looked at me

"Take a horse and go into the forest and save yourself while protecting Ciri."

"Alright your majesty" bowing one last time out of respect for the queen I took Ciri in my arms who started to struggle but understanding my role I started to run towards the stables despite Ciri's cries and requests to stop

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Seeing Aiden and Ciri I went to sit on my throne and then looking in my pocket for something I found a necklace with a ring attached to it

I smiled at this as this ring belonged to my husband which I always kept with me at the time.

"Honey, I think it's time we revisit with our children"

"You know, I had a hard time when you were gone and after the loss of our children, I had snapped, and knowing that Ciri was the last one in the family, I was very harsh, and even though I'm hated by her it doesn't bother me, because she's found someone that she loves in."

"I remember, she doesn't know that I've seen her diary with only stories about Aiden."

"I'm sure you would have liked Aiden, he's a great kid and more importantly, he has something I couldn't say, but I think I can trust him with our Ciri."

Then I took the cup and put the liquid from the bottle I kept with me into the glass and as I watched the liquid in the bottle dissolve, I could only mutter.

"Too bad, I would have loved to see their relationship blossom. "

"My Dear I'm coming."

Then I drank the cup and felt the embrace of death embrace me like a lover we haven't seen for a long time.

That day, the last official ruler of Cintra died on her throne like the queen she was.

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We had arrived at the stables and as I was about to gallop off with Ciri crying into my chest, I took one last look at the place I grew up and then started to gallop out but while Ciri could not see I knew she could hear

But what I was seeing was the real war, the war for the victors, houses burned, women were either killed with their child or vio*l and men killed in cold blood, seeing this scene I felt Ciri would be because the screams of agony of people or cries of children, sounds of buildings collapsing without realizing I would be much more Ciri in my arms heading towards the forest

After a few minutes we reached the forest, I dismounted the horse as quickly as possible and took Ciri in my arms running through the trees trying to escape the pursuer, but perhaps it was just a dream of escape, for reality caught up with me as an arrow stuck in my lower torso.

Grunting in pain I tried harder and harder to move forward, but my strength was failing me until I finally collapsed, seeing death coming, I crawled to where Ciri had fallen and then hugged her crying.

"Forgive me Ciri, forgive me"

The soldiers were in front of us and were about to kill us and as I held Ciri tighter the screams of the soldiers rang out, looking to see what had happened, I noticed a white-haired man hanging in a ponytail then after he had finished he whistled "Roach!" And rushed in front of us and said in a reassuring tone

"Don't worry, sleep, I'll take care of everything" then he waved and blacked out.