A Distraction

After Alora left, Freya had warned Agost to maintain his distance from Alora. Then she went to cultivate for the day.

Exhausted, she was sitting on the couch, catching her breath when a maid knocked on the door and rushed inside. She bowed as she reported in hurry, "Your Highness, General Darwin asked me to inform you that Princess Alora has fainted."

By the end of the maid's words, Freya was already at the door of her chambers. She dashed inside Alora's chambers to check on Alora but paused when her eyes fell on Arihan who was looming over Alora. Knowing he wasn't that kind of a man, she went ahead and noticed Alora's hand tugging Arihan's shirt.

She went to help Arihan as she asked, "What happened to Sister Alora?" She was amused at Alora's hold on Arihan's shirt when she forcefully freed her grip.

Arihan straightened his back and tidied his shirt watching Alora. He wasn't sure why he had the thought that Alora wanted him to stay back as though she was fearing something.

He looked around the room and found nothing strange. He nonchalantly responded to Freya as he stepped away, "Fainted after 50 laps."

"…" Freya covered Alora with the blanket.

She looked at Arihan as though watching an unknown creature on the earth. She knew Arihan was ruthless but to this extent?

She discerned Arihan was training Alora like a soldier and that wasn't necessary. Recalling how Alora came exhausted every day, Freya chose to voice her opinion, "General Darwin, I have to speak with you." She wanted Alora's training to be training, not torture.

Arihan looked at her seriousness and nodded. Both went out to let Alora rest.

Lothar, who arrived with Cuillin, paused at the door. The duo greeted the king. Looking at her expression, "Where is Alora?" Lothar asked as he went inside.

He pinched between his brows looking at Alora pale on the bed. He could easily guess she had fainted and Arihan brought her back. He wanted to scold Arihan but it was Orla who instructed Arihan to train Alora like a soldier. They were provoking her powers but Alora was physically draining.

He turned and glared at Arihan who didn't flinch. Why would he fear when he was doing as instructed?

"Leave, don't disturb my granddaughter." He snapped at the insensitive man.

The two just heard his words from one ear and left it through another because Lothar was always too protective of Alora. Thus Orla was stopping him from meeting Alora repeatedly.

Cuillin awkwardly smiled at the two and followed Lothar, holding a white box that was elaborated with a golden design.

Cuillin placed the box on the study table and opened it for a final check. It had a set of three swords in rare white metal. The pommel and cross guard of the sword was designed in gold, and the sharp edges of the fuller of the sword sparkled under the torch. The grip was made in a way it could fit Alora's palm and the sword metal was lightweight, yet strong, perfect for Alora to use.

One of the swords in it was long and simple with stone in the center. The second one was a dagger that Alora could carry when she wore a gown. Whereas the last sword was special. It could store the power, to make each strike powerful.

Cuillin closed the box and looked at Lothar who was checking Alora's condition. Lothar sighed, "She is falling weak physically." But her presence of magic was growing.

Alora was running around with several workouts that she wasn't focusing on her food. She needed someone to take care of it. Cuillin sincerely suggested, "Your Majesty, my wife is willing to take care of Princess Alora. If you allow…" He had sons. If he had a daughter, he would have brought her to help Alora.

Cuillin was a most trusted aide. Lothar could trust Cuillin's spouse but such decisions were in Orla's hands. Orla would think he was spoiling Alora if he appointed anybody. "I will consider that."

After helping Alora to drink medicine to gain some strength, both left the chambers. Their eyes brushed over Freya and Arihan who were at the end of the corridor.

Freya faced Arihan who was looking outside the palace. "General Darwin, I appreciate your effort to train my sister. But keep in mind that my sister isn't going to battle on the fields." Her firm tone was void of emotions.

Arihan's stoic face hardened. One asks him to go hard on Alora, another one wants him to go easy on her, and another one wants him to take care of her. On the other hand, Alora was stubborn, she wouldn't give up until she faints.

What were these Royal members up to? He wasn't a puppet in their hands.

He turned to Freya who faced him boldly without flinching. There were very few people who dared to look him in the eyes with a challenge. The most bravest one was Alora.

He bluntly responded with a hint of annoyance in his ink blue eyes, "Princess Freya, you are at the wrong person. Talk about it with Her Majesty."

'Grandmother?' Freya couldn't understand why they were torturing Alora with training and cultivation. She missed Alora who was like a butterfly. Flying from one flower to another, playing in the water, spreading her colors of joy with everyone.

Now, Alora would be in a hurry to go somewhere or exhausted or fainted. Freya disliked their return to the palace.

Before she or Arihan could say anything, both heard a commotion. The guards and maids were gathered in the hallway. The duo went to check on it.

A maid was crying hysterically, holding on to an expensive piece of jewelry. Another maid was blaming her, "How dare you steal from the royal palace? Accept your mistake and apologize."

Another maid joined in, "Call the head maid. She wouldn't learn this way."

The first maid cried, "I didn't steal, I didn't steal. It was given to me."

The guard was trying to silence them, "Stop the ruckus here. Leave from here and solve it."

The second maid grabbed the first maid's hair and demanded, "Don't lie. Tell us the truth. If you wanted anything, you should have asked."

"How could you steal?" The fourth maid questioned.

"Quiet." Freya's cold voice stilled the maids and guards who lowered their heads and bowed to her.

Arihan went closer and watched the maids' who were brave enough to raise their voices in the palace. 'A distraction!?' Arihan strongly doubted.

He looked around and realized only he and Freya were there other than servants. His eyes dilated when he started hearing the struggles. It wasn't the maids but… "Alora…" The name slipped his lips without his awareness.

He ran towards Alora's room. 'Obsidian eyes?' He regretted leaving her alone when she clearly tried to stop him.

Freya was a bit shocked witnessing Arihan running. He was a man of elegance and eliteness, it was out of his conduct.

Her eyes unintentionally fell on the maid who was crying earlier. The maid's face was indeed streaked in tears but her expression was of relief, even her eyes weren't red.

Freya judged right, it was a distraction to bring them away. She slapped the maid across the face. She was about to hit another one, and a heart-shuddering cry sounded. 'Sister Alora?' The worry of Alora kicked in stronger.

She ordered the guards, "Captive each one of them." She ran towards Alora's room.