The Royal Mark-Chapter 87: A Year Ago - Chris’ Story (6)

"That is her! She was the woman whom I saved, the granddaughter of the Archmage. So this is Hera Van der Aart, my future wife?" Chris uttered.

"Yes, Prince Christopher. You keep on mentioning that you saved her, do you mind telling us what happened?" Prince Andrius asked before they continued walking toward the great hall. 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

"Besides killing the demon who was after her, I found her unconscious, bitten by a snake. I sucked the poison out and made her drink some of my blood, so I am sure that she was already healed before I left her," Chris narrated making Queen Irina cover her mouth as she look away disgusted by it.

"I see. Thank you for saving my daughter’s life, Prince Christopher. I am forever indebted to you," King Allister then gestured for everyone to take their seat at the huge and long dining table.

"No need for that, she is my betrothed and it is just right that I take care of her moving forward. Giving her hand to me is enough payment already," Chris saw how the Royal Family looked at each other meaningfully because of his statement so he added, "Is there something wrong with what I said?"

"None your Highness, but I’m afraid there will be no wedding between you and the second princess," Prince Drake mentioned making Chris frown.

"Goodness gracious, so you still have your tongue. I thought you had already lost it," King Allister sarcastically uttered, obviously annoyed and irritated with his second son.

"I am sorry father, but I only wanted to help Hera. I didn’t know it would end up to this," Prince Drake bowed his head clearly regretting the decision that he made a year ago.

"Can someone please enlighten me," Chris urged.

"I apologize, let me explain," Prince Drake said, seeking approval from his father, the King who nodded in agreement.

"Princess Hera ran away and I helped her together with Archmage Nadezhda, her grandmother. The princess does not wish to marry you, Prince Christopher, my sister is in love with someone else–"

"Prince Drake! That is unnecessary information! She is a Princess and she knows her duty to her people, and I all taught you not to be selfish!" King Allister exclaimed, angered by Drake’s choice of words.

"I’m sorry Father, but let me continue. I want to be honest this time, please..." Drake pleaded, making King Allister roll his eyes and gesture for the Prince to continue.

This son of his is known for his mischievousness but his love for her sister is undoubtedly unconditional. Drake and Hera are of the same age and grew up together. They do not see the issue in having the same father but different mothers, for them, all that matters is they love each other not only as siblings but also as best of friends.

As royal children, they do not have the luxury of playing with other children anytime they want to. Because of this, Drake and Hera became very close to each other, almost inseparable.

"The plan was only to hide Hera for a while but then we came across the demon soldiers and we were outnumbered. I told them to run, I didn’t know that the Archmage would decide to send her to the other world," Drake said with a voice full of regret.

"Why don’t we get her back then?" Chris butted in.

"As I said earlier, Prince Christopher, it is a forbidden spell. It would cause the caster a great sacrifice, the caster would lose years of her life in exchange for opening that portal. Divine mages are very rare, in fact, Princess Hera is the last of her bloodline. That leaves us with just one divine mage, her mother. I will not allow it. If Hera decided to run away and forget her duty to her people, then so be it! Let her suffer and grow old there, like what she wanted," King Allister said.

"I would do it! I will open the portal if the Prince would promise with his life that he will bring my daughter back safe and unharmed... I do not mind losing some years of my life. I am old and all I want is to see my daughter again."

Everyone shifted their gaze to the woman who bravely showed and voiced out her defiance to the King of Zemaria.

"That is absurd Valeria! You shall not do such things!" King Allister’s voice roared through the great hall making everyone quiet.

"My King, with all due respect, I assure you that I can open the portal safely–"

"It is no when I say no!" Everyone can see that King Allister was fuming with anger turning Mistress Valeria silent.

"For the kingdom’s sake, let her do her duty, it is her daughter’s fault anyway that a lot of our people’s lives are in peril. So let her sacrifice a few years of her life to save millions of lives, not only in Zemaria but also in Arcanis as well," Queen Irina exclaimed.

King Allister glared at his Queen causing Prince Andrius to take some action to diffuse the brewing conundrum.

"Father, Mother, I think the conversation is only making our guest more confused. How about we tell him first what happened while he was away before we all make a collective decision."

Thankfully King Allister nodded in agreement and let the Crown Prince take over the situation for he also thinks that he is too emotional at the moment to make any sound and wise decision. He just cannot imagine losing the love of his life when he believes that they already lost their daughter.

He would not allow his one true love to sacrifice herself just to save many. He can sacrifice himself for the kingdom which he already did when he agreed to marry the current queen. However, he already did his part and will do anything in his power to protect the woman who holds his heart.