Chapter 79 - To Abduct You
Chapter 79 – To Abduct You
I didn't think that Ivo wasn't exaggerating at all until I saw the training grounds myself. People kept flying in every direction as if they were dandelions once blown to make a wish. And yet, no one was stopping the knights from attacking Hugo in the middle all at once.
'How can I help?' I wondered while biting my lip, standing on the open corridor meters away from the training grounds. I was too scared to even approach, afraid that I would get in trouble as well.
"Rinnie, am I right?" I flinched when I heard Daniel's voice from my side. I looked at him and tilted my head down, greeting the crown prince humbly.
"Aren't you polite?" he chuckled, waving his hand as he stood beside me. "Did you come here to see your fiance?"
I cast him a look, seeing him hold his hand on his back before I gazed ahead. "Yes, Your Highness."
"Just call me Dan. The crown prince is just a title that had no importance to my siblings. I prefer that you also treat me as a big brother since you are already a part of our family." Daniel smiled gently at me, reassuring me that it was fine to address him by his name.
"Alright." I nodded meekly and sighed.
"So, why are you staying in here?" he asked out of plain curiosity.
Daniel was like a big brother, reminding me of Ashton. Even his sisters thought so highly of him and even gossiped him to me. Unlike their opinions of Hugo, their opinions of Daniel were the complete opposite. Well, from what I heard, Daniel deserved the respect from his siblings and from their people since he had achieved a lot from a young age until now.
They also mentioned that when Daniel was born, an oracle from the church was delivered. It was said the moon goddess favored Daniel and his reign would bring peace across the continent with the moon on his side. That was why he was blessed with strength and wits and looks.
"I'm scared for my life," I answered after a few seconds of silence. "Ivo asked me to come in here and distract Hugo, but I'm afraid someone will come flying at me before I can approach him."
Daniel chuckled as he cast me a quick look. "I'm sure you will be fine. Hugh is just… like that."
"Your Highness — I mean Dan, why are you letting Hugo do this?" I asked, correcting how I addressed him when his brow raised. "If this continues, the knights will be too exhausted to do their other duties."
"Hah… of course, they will be. But it's not like they are the only ones who are capable warriors in our Ronmin Empire. Even the citizen are fighters, so a little decrease in numbers for guarding the capital isn't really a problem," Daniel explained while staring at the training ground with the same smile. "We always make sacrifices for the better good. Strengthening our warriors is important for me, so they can last longer and have a higher survival rate in wars. After all, they are the ones who are in the front line, and blocking an attack from Hugh is an achievement in itself."
He then looked at me and smiled brighter. "Don't worry, Rinnie. Blocking an attack from Hugh is like a badge of honor and the warrior's unspoken rule to be called a standard warrior of the empire."
I pressed my lips and bit my inner lip. I gazed back at the training ground when Daniel pointed at it while saying, "just observe and be the judge."
As instructed, I studied everyone on the training ground in silence. Although I could hear everyone's grunts and yells as they attack, I finally noticed something that everyone bore: enthusiasm. I couldn't make up what Hugo was saying from this vantage point, but whatever it was, it made everyone's eyes lit up.
'I can't feel bloodlust,' I thought the more I watched and studied everyone. 'It looks like… everyone is just eager to climb over a towering wall. Even when they stumble down, the warriors kept standing up to try again.'
A subtle smile dominated my face as realization kicked in. Now, I could say, Ivo was exaggerating in a way. Although it seemed some of them were too exhausted and wanted to have a break, no one complained aside from Ivo. If anything, it seemed the warriors already thought that to have a rest, they must defeat Hugo.
"You should stop him now, though." I flinched when Daniel spoke again, looking at him with raised brows. "If you didn't come in here, I will surely call for you. As you can see, although everyone is passionate, it will not take long until they will all die from exhaustion. My brother is a bit excited — a little more excited than usual."
"Uhm…"
"Right, you're scared that he might not notice, and you get hurt." He nodded while rubbing his chin before his eyes lit up. "I have an idea."
I couldn't even react on time when Daniel placed both his hands on either side of his lips. "Hugh! Someone came to visit you!" he yelled to catch Hugo's attention.
Just as Daniel caught Hugo's attention, the latter turned his head in our direction. But instead of relief when our eyes met, I jolted and hollered as warriors launched towards him all at once.
"Hugh!" My breath hitched for a second before I jumped back when all those who attacked him flew away like parliaments floating along with the wind. I got worried for nothing, heaving a sigh of relief as I patted my chest lightly.
Daniel chuckled, making me gaze up at him. "Thank you for lending me a hand, Rinnie. I must excuse myself first." He waved before pivoting on his heel to walk away. But just as he took three steps, he looked back and spoke.
"By the way, do you perhaps know someone… never mind." His lips curled up before resuming in his strides.
"Huh? Do I know who?" I tilted my head, watching Daniel's back. That was strange, I thought. I didn't dwell on what Daniel wanted to ask me when a shadow towered over me.
"Bambi, what are you doing here?" Hugo inquired, while I turned to face him.
I smiled, seeing him covered with sweats before sprawling my hand to hold him. I slipped my fingers in between his fingers, holding it up with a grin.
"To abduct you."