CASSANDRA: The Unfavored Princess-Chapter 56: Black Eagle

Duke Salvador was pacing back and front.

The room was dark making a single ray of light look like a god’s hope.

Aiden’s eyes were filled with resentment. He was a little confused and a lot disappointed. His pace was steady, going rhythmically.

’Why would Achard say that?’

’Do I really need to think before I act?’

’No that was never necessary.’

’Why should I think before I make a decision that is beneficial to everyone.’

’What does Achardr mean that I would put Princess Cassandra in danger?’

’I would never do that.’

’I need to protect her.’

’I will protect her.’

Duke Salvador walked towards his chair as he sat down. The lightning in the room was dim. Aiden’s gaze turned darker but no one knew. His heart beats getting messier. There was anger brewing in Duke Salvador’s heart.

Suddenly there was a knock on the door. Duke Salvador looked up towards the person entering.

"What are you doing here?" Duke Salvador’s gaze was already filled with an unsure emotion. Seeing someone enter at this time made him annoyed.

"Our informants have sent some messages." The man in black bowed in front of his master. The man waited till the Duke gestured him to look up and standstill. "The Crown Prince of Vivere Kingdom will be in the capital in less than two days."

"We had just received the information that they would be here. The location that they last told us about was at least five days away. Why are they moving so fast?" Duke Salvador’s voice was low. He was contemplating whether he was thinking too much or the Vivere Kingdom was moving fast.

The man’s gaze refused to look up in guilt. He did not know if what he was thinking was right or not but by the looks of the situation there was something that was making the Vivere Kingdom’s Prince move faster.

"Master ..." The man continued. "The distance they are traveling has significantly increased. We cannot understand the situation fully but the Vivere Kingdom’s Crown Prince army will enter Duke Bentham’s land."

Aiden tapped at the table as he listened to the report. He was confused with the whole situation and he can also understand the confusion in his men. It was self-evident.

"Why are they entering through Duke Bentham’s land? Are they going to stop there?" Aiden’s voice was low, bringing a shiver in his subordinates’ spin.

The man in black shook his head. "According to the informant, the Vivere Kingdoms carriage will not stop at the Duke Bentham’s region."

Aiden nodded his head in understanding, as he waved his hand. But before the man left, Duke Salvador’s words hit his ears. "I need all the minute details on them."

"Yes, Master." The man in black blew as he disappeared in the dark leaving Duke Salvador alone in his room with his own thoughts.

’Why are they moving so fast?’

’If I am informed now then the Emperor will get the report by tomorrow. We need to send people to the palace to protect the royal family.’

’I have to decide what people I want to assign to whom.’

Duke Salvador rested his head on his hand as he looked at a distance. There was only darkness surrounding him when he thought back at the discussion he had with Lord Bentham.

-----

"Stay away from her?" Aiden chuckled as if he had heard a joke. "And why would I?"

"Why would you?" Achard rested his back comfortably as he smiled mockingly. "Because you will bring her disaster."

Duke Salvador raised his eyebrows. His face, full of questions.

Lord Bentham did not reply. According to him, he should not answer the unasked question.

"Lord Bentham is not ready to explain it further?" Aiden asked in a sarcastic tone.

"If Duke Salvador asks, I will answer." Achard smiled.

Aiden laughed but his face was serious. "So, tell me. Why are you really here? Just to give me a warning that I am going to ignore anyway?"

"No matter if you believe it or not, it is the truth and for once I advise you as a friend. Listen to me. Ignore the Vivere Kingdom’s people, no matter what they say or do."

"You know what, Achard. Something that is valuable information for me and yet you are talking in puzzles." Aiden smiled as his gaze turned sharp.

"I will never do that and you know it," Achard said in a small tone.

"And I know that." Duke Salvador said laughing.

Silence filled the room. The atmosphere stiffened suddenly. No one spoke.

Aiden looked at Achard with his gaze. "So are you going to tell me the reason?"

"No." Lord Bentham said straightforwardly.

"Then I cannot guarantee anything to you, my friend." Aiden’s lips curled up.

"I don’t know why you want her help but leave her alone for now Aiden."

"I will not and I will not repeat it again. The fifth Princess and I have an agreement, and no one can come in between it. She is my responsibility now so you need not worry about her safety." Duke Salvador got up from his seat. "I suggest you leave now. I am not going to put her in danger, I will save her from it."

Lord Bentham got up from his chair as he shook his head. There was no denying that Duke Salvador will not listen to anyone. Once the man had decided on something, it would be impossible to make his mind change.

"I hope you can safeguard her." Lord Bentham said as he left the room leaving the Duke standing in his study.

---------

’Achard said I was dangerous for the fifth Princess.’

’Why would he say that?’

’Does he know something that I don’t?’

’And why did he suddenly talk about the Vivere Kingdom?’

’Why would the people of Vivere Kingdom do something to an unfavored Princess?’

Duke Salvador was in deep thoughts. He could not think of any possible reasons.

’The Vivere Kingdom’s people are coming from Bentham’s territory.’

’Why?’

’Why would they take that route when it is the longest?’

Duke Salvador’s gaze turned dark. The location that was reported to him was nearer to the Garfield territory. It was the smallest distance and yet the Vivere Kingdom’s people decided to travel miles to the Bentham’s before they entered the capital.

’Is it just a coincidence?’

’It should be right?’

Duke Salvador was in deep thoughts when Blazh entered the room.

"Master .."

Aiden looked up. His red eyes glowing in the dark giving an illusion of a night hunter.

Blazh swallowed. He could sense the hostility through the Duke’s body. It was as if Duke Salvador’s body was telling him to stay away to be killed.

Blazh wanted to take a step back in fright and he did before he continued. "The fifth Princess had reached her palace."

"Did something happen?" Duke Salvador asked. He knew that if Blazh was here then something might have happened.

"That ..." Blazh refused to look into Duke Salvatore’s eyes. He knew a wrong sentence and his head might be cut off from his neck.

"Is it that bad that you have to think before your words leave your mouth?" Duke Salvador’s words came out in whispers. The dangerousness in it was enough to make Blazh shiver.

"No ..." Blazh swallowed, he looked up at the Duke in fright, before he continued. "When the Princess left the Queen’s palace ..."

Blazh could not gather his courage but seeing the impatience in Duke Salvador’s face he said in a hurry. "There were scratches on her body."

Duke Salvador’s hand formed a fist. "Scratches?" His tone was low. If Aiden had a knife in his hand, he was sure he would have killed Blazh in rage.

"Yes." Blazh nodded. "She could not walk so ..."

"So?" Aiden’s eyes narrowed.

"I treated her," Blazh said in a whisper. He looked at the Duke who had raised his eyebrows in question.

"You treated her?" Duke Salvador smiled. "She did not oppose it?"

"No." Blazh looked down at the floor. His hands fiddled with each other waiting for his Master’s reaction.

"Did she know?"

Blazh’s sight moved upwards. It took him a minute to understand what the Duke was asking. Seeing the irritation on Duke Salvador’s face, Blazh finally realized what the Duke was asking.

"Yes. Princess knew that I was your subordinate."

Duke Salvador nodded his head. He knew that the fifth Princess was intelligent but he still did not know how she could reveal the identity of the man who was covered in black.

’Blazh’s face is also covered. Only his eyes are visible. How did the fifth Princess know?’

Aiden was in deep thoughts. All the things that had happened in the last two days made Aiden wonder if the fifth Princess, Princess Cassandra was really who she said she was? A powerless and unfavored Princess?

Aiden laughed as he looked at Blazh. "We need to send people to protect the royal family. Our Black eagles will be sent."

Blazh nodded. He was the head of the black eagles. An army exclusive to Salvador. Before Blazh could suggest who should be used, Duke Salvador’s next words stunned him.

"I will go to protect the fifth Princess as a black eagle."