Chapter 22 Jail break

Jingle, rustle*

A woman popped out from the dark bushes, walking like a cat on the rails. She gently placed her feet on the ground, minimizing the sound while looking out for the guards in case she might be caught.

Fortunately, most of the guards were new in their uniforms, so no one bothered patrolling the area that much despite the constant warning of their leaders as the night was heavy for their light minds.

" Lancelot! Are you there?"

Lancelot raised his head to look at the iron bars with shock on his face, not knowing how Guinevere even managed to get there because he was certain that the guards weren't that sloppy during his interaction with the young lord.

" What are you doing, miss? Get out of here before they catch you. If you are caught, you will be sent back to your home. Besides, I will be released soon due to insufficient proof that I am a spy."

Guinevere was as stubborn as her father despite refusing that she was like him, her mind was as stale as a mule. Furthermore, her heart was without any dirt or taint in it.

" Don't be silly, Lancelot. I will get you out of here and go to another place."

Just as she was about to reach for the hem of her dress to pull out a sharp ridge, a hand touched her shoulder and her whole body stiffened with a mixture of shock and surprise.

" I never thought our culprit would be a woman. Miss, what is your name and where are you from?"

Guinevere gulped to calm down her nervous mind while crafting some ideas to slip away from her but his firm hand was like a boulder that was placed on her shoulder. There was no chance she would escape from him.

Hence, she quickly changed her mind to ease up the situation because she was being suspected as a spy which meant he might use force if it was necessary.

" I am Guinevere of Wales and I am here for my knight. I beseech you to unhand my man for your honor."

Halfdan burst out with laughter at her cheeky words while Arthur stared at her face with a blank look. Honestly, he admired the courage of this young girl who wasn't afraid of Halfdan who was much taller and stronger than her. Moreover, she even managed to calm herself that quickly.

" You heard that, Arthur. She is asking me to let them go without any compensation despite creating havoc in our territory. Maybe I should throw both of them in a dungeon because clearly, she doesn't respect the rulers of this territory."

Guinevere's pupils shrank at his words, begging for help from Arthur with her beautiful eyes which made Arthur hesitate since he was just joking. However, it was indeed true that they needed a lesson for their brazen disregard of the diplomatic relationship with another territory. One wrong move could cause irreparable damage to both sides if it wasn't for Halfdan's quick wit.

He took a deep breath to calm down his quick beating heart whilst searching for a way to satisfy both sides and thankfully he found one in the nick of time.

" How about this, miss? You and your knight will serve us in our castle for one month as a punishment and I will guarantee your safety, shelter, and food. Furthermore, I won't mention you to your father because clearly you aren't here for official business."

Guinevere groaned at his words for a few seconds, imagining possible futures in her head because being servants wasn't a good idea for nobles were known for their treacherous nature.

" Alright. You must give us money too."

Arthur's expression brightened at her words as he sighed with relief, looking at Halfdan who was glaring at him with an unknown grin that sent chills to his spine.

Somehow, he felt like he dug his own grave here, prompting him to fall into his trap but the time already gone past him.

" Good job, buddy. I know that look. Our Arthur had grown up."

Arthur rolled his eyes, hitting him with his elbow to say that he had to tone down.