15 Relief and Sorrow Part 2

The sun was already setting when they reached the People's Park.

Her body wanted to give up countless of times along the road but the fear that it might happen again made her stay awake.

They have never looked this scruffy their entire lives, one look and you would barely recognize the royal children. Stench of blood filled the air from their sodden attires.

The pain still throbbed in her guts, deep and warm, but not in a nice way. It felt like someone placed their hand in there and was squeezing her organs either gently or as hard as they could. The now browning blood had drizzled down her face like so much rain down a window pane.

On the way, they saw a piece of clothing hanged on one of the fences so they rolled it on their faces, covering the head and neck. They couldn't bear to be complacent after all that happened.

The villagers they passed by stared at them curiously as if wondering who they were but the dirt on their faces made them grotesque enough to look at. At least in this circle, no one knew them thus they were safe.

She already understood the hate the rebels have for the royal family—even though she still wasn't sure why—so it's only inevitable that having an attempt on her life would become a new normal from now on.

There were already guards patrolling the village, requesting everyone to enter their homes immediately. She never knew there were such things as curfews being implemented in the country. For what reason? That she cannot answer. This was the first time she's ever seen the outside for a long time.

People, including children and mothers, were being forced inside their houses. Their expressions told her they didn't like the rules very much but they had no choice but to oblige.

The peasants sleeping on the streets were being pushed aside, carried in carriages she didn't know where it would lead to. It was a silent riot during the night. She never thought this was how the world worked outside the castle.

"I'm sorry your first visit had to be like this," Allyria said. She wasn't even sure he was listening but she didn't bother to glance at him and just stared at the road they were passing.

He was silent, so silent that she thought maybe she brought the wrong guy home. When they crossed the road, she saw their men riding in horses on the way to the People's Park like they just came from the castle – another group of her guards.

Only one thought came to mind: Her mother and father must have deployed these men to look for them.

Without a second thought, she grabbed the reins from Kaius and spurred them forward with their heels.

"Wait!" she bellowed, dashing straight towards them.

They turned around just in time for her to reach to where they were. The guards just stared, waiting for any one of them to talk but they couldn't hide the disgust on their faces.

It was only understandable. They were filled with dirt as if they've gone swimming on a pigsty, their skin bloody and her gown in complete shambles after she tore it apart. If eyes could speak, they would probably tell her she's a lunatic trying to waste their time.

Commander Elil Marquesse, the one leading the search party turned and directed his horse to face her, his eyebrows furrowed, "What do you want?"

Hurriedly, she jumped off the horse, almost stumbling. Her knees were too weak but she still staggered her way towards him. The guards pointed their swords at her making her stop, "Please don't!" she reacted and raised her arms above her head, "I mean no harm."

"What do you want?" the commander asked again, this time with emphasis on each word, his voice full of authority.

She tried to hide her fright, her trembling hands went to the tip of the clothing removing the headscarf, "Please, help us." She turned to see Kaius who was already barefaced, the clothing gone. He was full of bruises, his eyes bloodshot.

The commander's eyes widened but immediately wiped away the reaction on his face soon as he realized it, "Princess Allyria?"

He didn't wait for Allyria to respond and immediately ordered the guards, "What are you waiting? Help them!"