148 A Walk in the Garden

"Jae, Jae!" Yejin called his prince's name as he held the true blood's head and checked Jae's pulse. "Oi, Jae-" Realizing the prince was out cold, Yejin carefully placed the true blood's head in his lap and made sure Jae's pulse was steady as three guards approached them.

"Excuse us, Captain," the leading guard bowed to his commanding officer. "We would appreciate your cooperation."

Yejin hung his head and released a breath as he looked at the unconscious man in his lap. He did not want to leave the prince to be handled roughly by rookie guards, so Yejin said, "Help me get the prince on my back. I'll carry him for you." The young guards were quick to aid their captain in situating the prince to be on the alpha's back before leading the way to the dungeons where Jae would be watched for the next day.

Once the guards and Yejin had exited the courtyard and entered the palace, Armina released a shaky breath and turned to the beta standing just behind her. "I shall take some time, Yehwa. Rest today, dear."

"Ae, Luna," Yehwa answered with a bow.

"Please keep me informed on the prince's health," Armina said to the beta before turning and walking out of the courtyard. Once Yehwa made certain the Luna had safely exited the courtyard, the female beta started for the stables while the crowd dispersed and the news of the prince's punishment began to spread.

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The sun was high in the sky, and Syri's nerves were just as high-strung. The zeta let out a breath and rolled onto his side to face the opened window that was allowing the warm sun to seep into the prince's bedroom. The moment Jae and Yejin left the infirmary, Estan had shuffled Syri to Jae's room and instructed the zeta to spend the upcoming day in the prince's chamber much to Syri's dismay. Syri understood Estan's concern, but the zeta was not fond of being stuck in one place alone. So, before anyone was the wiser, Syri found himself opening the door to Jae's room and sneaking down the hallway in search of an exit or entry point to the grounds of the palace.

Several sets of maids and servants passed the zeta, but the arrival of the visiting packs caused the zeta to blend in with the many guests milling about the palace. So, the zeta remained unnoticed as he roamed about in hunt of a way out. After several minutes of finding and losing his way, Syri came upon an open-air walkway that brought him into the sun. Hopping over the low railing, the zeta's feet landed on the soft ground, and Syri took the opportunity to begin roaming about the flower-covered ground.

The days were steadily growing cooler, so it was no surprise that a cool breeze made the zeta shiver slightly and brought a light layer of goosebumps to his arms. The leaves were nearing their peak in vibrancy as they turned their respective colors and filled the gardens of the palace with a beautiful array of warm yellows, golds, and reds. A smile came to the zeta's lips as he gazed at the entrancing sight before him. White flowers blanketed the ground while red leaves fell through the air and golden rays of sun pierced through the trees that blew through the wind providing warmth on the cool day.

Syri lifted his face to the sky and soaked in the sun's warmth as he slowly made his way down the well-kept paths through the entrancing garden of elegant trees and endless flowers. The zeta walked for several minutes enjoying the serenity surrounding him before coming upon a bench stationed to the left of the path underneath an arbor decorated by a climbing vine with pale blue flowers. Letting out a small breath, the zeta sat on the bench and relaxed amid the beautiful nature surrounding him.

Before long, Syri's eyes had drooped closed, and the zeta had turned his pale face to the sky to let himself be warmed by the sun while he silently worried for the prince and wondered what Jae was doing at that moment. The zeta was so immersed in his thoughts of the prince that he did not detect the footsteps that approached him from the left.

"Mind if I join you?" A feminine voice sounded, causing Syri's eyes to snap open. The zeta's eyes widened, and his mouth opened in surprise when he turned to see the Luna standing before him.