How To End This Marriage-Chapter 101: The Race Against Time
Duke shouted at the guards, "Hurry! Get a genuine doctor! The princess’s body is turning blue!" Panic filled the air as he desperately sought help.
Crown Prince Maximus, equally alarmed, rushed into the hall and sought help from anyone he could find, momentarily forgetting his royal status. "Someone, get a doctor! The princess is dying!" he repeated urgently.
"Please, calm down, Crown Prince. I fear there may not be any other doctors here. We might have to search outside the palace," one of the guards explained.
Crown Prince Maximus wasted no time. He ran toward his horse, mounted it in a hurry, and despite attempts to stop him, he was determined not to halt. Urgently, he spurred his horse toward the main entrance, which was locked, placing him in a dilemma.
"No, stopping is not an option now," he muttered to himself.
"Up!" he yelled, and his horse leaped over the locked main entrance, carrying him outside. He briefly halted and glared at the guards who stared at him in fear.
"I will deal with all of you once I return," he declared before urging his horse toward the tribal empire. His destination was uncertain, but he didn’t care. Despite discomfort, he rode faster than ever.
Upon reaching the border of the empire, he dismounted and approached a cave he had previously discovered. He attempted to move the cave stone, but it was too heavy for one person. He struck it relentlessly until a tribal guard approached.
"Hey, help me move this! I urgently need to speak with your ruler," he said, panting.
"I’m sorry, your highness, but I have received no such order. I cannot assist you," the guard replied.
"I understand there is no order, but this is an emergency. I pose no threat to the empire. I am unarmed. If I attempt anything, you can execute me. Please, open the entrance. I must meet your ruler at any cost," he pleaded, his eyes filled with tears, his voice trembling.
"Very well," the guard agreed, opening the entrance. As it swung open, Crown Prince Maximus ran without concern for protocol, his heart racing in the face of the crisis.
"The crown prince of Duclea has arrived!" the guard announced.
"Crown Prince Maximus? But how? Wasn’t he taken by the Duke previously? Why has he returned now? Does he not fear the consequences of his presence?" Rumors and speculation spread through the palace.
"Where is the ruler?" he inquired as he entered the palace hall.
"Please remain here, your highness. The ruler will arrive shortly," the ministers advised.
"No, no, I cannot afford to wait. I must see him urgently. I have a matter of utmost importance to discuss with him," he exclaimed in his haste.
"You should at least state the nature of your issue, your highness. It is difficult to believe that Duclea requires assistance from the tribal empire, which may not hold high regard," a minister inquired.
"I understand the skepticism, but this is a matter that only your empire can address right now," he replied just as the ruler finally made his entrance.
"Please, everyone, remain seated," the ruler said as he walked toward his throne, refraining from dwelling on past conflicts.
Crown Prince Maximus wasted no time and began explaining, "I apologize for the suddenness of my arrival, but it was necessary due to an urgent matter plaguing the empire."
The ruler inquired, "What is this issue?"
"The problem is the unexpected return of the long-lost princess of the empire. Upon her arrival, she was targeted by an assassin, and the doctor assigned to treat her made an attempt on her life. Now, there are no other available physicians in the empire, which is why I’ve come to request your assistance," the crown prince explained.
"You require a doctor for the princess?" the ruler confirmed.
"Yes, we need a doctor for the princess," he reiterated.
"But how can we trust you? Historically, we have been treated as enemies by your kingdom," the emperor voiced his concerns.
Crown Prince Maximus addressed these concerns, saying, "I am aware of the past issues and the promise that was made between you and the Duke. As per that promise, the emperor has already been apprehended, and the royal princess has returned to seek justice for the wrongdoings of the former emperor and empress."
"The emperor has been apprehended?" The emperor rose from his throne in disbelief.
"Yes, the judicial team is actively investigating the matter to uncover the truth. Thus, your commitment to the promise remains intact. I am here to request your help," Crown Prince Maximus assured.
The emperor agreed, "Very well, please summon a skilled doctor who can tend to the princess’s injuries as swiftly as possible."
"I hope for the princess’s swift recovery," the ruler added with a reassuring smile. However, he went on to inquire, "By the way, Crown Prince, what about my own princess? She was sent with you but has not returned yet. Is she still within the empire?"
"Your princess has not returned?" Crown Prince Maximus expressed his shock.
"No, what do you mean she hasn’t returned?" the emperor asked.
Crown Prince explained, "I inquired, but no one seems to know her whereabouts. No one reported seeing her, and I had assumed she had returned to the tribal empire. However, your revelation that she is still within the empire has caught me off guard."
The emperor’s anger flared as he responded, "What is happening in this so-called mighty empire? First, the Duchess goes missing, and now the princess? What is the chaos within such a supposedly powerful empire!"
Crown Prince Maximus reassured, "I apologize, but I promise to spare no effort in locating the princess. First, I must return with our injured princess so that she may receive medical attention. Once her condition is stabilized, I will launch an immediate search for your daughter."
"Very well, you may return," the ruler permitted.
After receiving permission to depart from the tribal empire, the crown prince wasted no time. The doctor was placed in a carriage along with the necessary medical supplies, and the guards showed the utmost respect as they guided him to his horse. The carriage soon caught up to the horse’s pace, and they headed back toward Duclea. Crown Prince Maximus, determined to reach their destination as quickly as possible, refused to rest. It had been more than twelve hours, and night had fallen.
"Your highness, it’s getting dark, and the horses may have trouble seeing," the carriage driver pointed out.
Crown prince contemplated this for a moment and then instructed the driver to place fire sticks on the sides of the carriage to provide some light, even if it meant sacrificing some speed.
"As you suggest," the carriage driver complied, and the journey continued. Crown prince didn’t consume any water or food, reserving it all for the horse to keep it going. He couldn’t help but worry about the time that had passed and the princess’s condition, as well as the situation with the duke, but he had no way to gather information during the journey, so he focused on getting back to Duclea.
As morning began to break in the sky, they neared Duclea.
"Driver, you can pick up the pace as we enter. I’ll be at the princess’s room shortly," Crown Prince instructed, slowing down as they approached.
The journey had taken a toll on him, and as fatigue set in, his eyelids drooped. He was about to fall from the horse when his guards and attendants managed to catch him.
They rushed him to his room, noticing the wounds on his palms, cold feet, dry lips, and the signs of exhaustion.
"Someone, fetch the doctor!" they urgently cried out, but one of them responded, "How can we? The empire’s doctor has been sent to prison for a heinous crime. A new doctor from another empire has been sent to attend to the princess’s recovery."
"What should we do, then?" they pondered.
"Start by giving him some water. He may be dehydrated. Sleep deprivation and dehydration could have pushed him into this state," they suggested, and they slowly helped him drink water, as he was clearly thirsty and dehydrated.
"Yes, you were right. Sleep deprivation can intensify thirst and hunger more rapidly than usual. Soldiers often experience this during war, and even with limited food, they manage, but his highness is not accustomed to such conditions. That’s likely why he’s in this state," one of the knights explained.
"At least for now, the immediate crisis has been averted. The doctor can examine the prince once the princess is stable," they whispered among themselves.
The duke arrived at the scene and inquired, "Where is the crown prince?"
The knights informed him, "The crown prince is resting in his room, but he still needs medical attention to aid his recovery."
"Soon, the doctor will be out of the princess’s room, then he will be here shortly. There will be no issue. I can give you assurance." The duke said while patting the knight’s shoulder.
