Xo Novel
43
CHAPTER FORTY – THREE
Edward’s POV
I was camping with my brother Andrew, searching for Alice. We had been searching for days but she was nowhere to be found.
As I, and my brother, Crown Prince Andrew, set up camp after several days of searching for Alice, I couldn’t help but feel frustrated and defeated. Despite our efforts, we had yet to find any trace of her.
Our camp was a small clearing surrounded by tall trees and shrubs, offering some protection from the elements. We had set up a few tents and a fire pit for warmth and cooking. Our horses were tethered nearby, munching on the grass.
Andrew sat on a log near the fire, sharpening his sword while I paced back and forth, my mind racing with worry for Alice’s safety. I couldn’t shake the feeling that we were running out of time.
Suddenly, a figure approached our camp, and I tensed, my hand instinctively going to my sword. But as the figure came into view, I recognized him as one of the palace guards.
“Your Highnesses,” he said, bowing, “I have news of the escaped prisoner, Alice.”
Andrew and I exchanged a quick look before approaching the guard. “What news do you bring?” I asked, my heart racing with both hope and fear.
As we sat in the tent, we discussed the possibilities of who might have helped Alice and why.
“Do you think the rumors are true?” Andrew asked me, his voice filled with worry. “Do you think the King really did kill the monarch of the lost Kingdom?”
I shook my head, not wanting to believe it. “I don’t know, Andrew,” I replied. “But I do know that I won’t rest until I find Alice and bring her back.”
Andrew nodded in agreement, and we continued to make our plans. But even as we did, I couldn’t shake the feeling of unease. Something was not right, and I couldn’t put my finger on what it was.
later that night when a stranger approached our camp and offered us information on Alice’s whereabouts in exchange for money. My initial reaction was one of anger and suspicion, but as he spoke, I began to see a glimmer of hope.
According to the stranger, Alice and Meredith had joined forces with a resistance group who believed the King was responsible for the death of the monarch. They were planning on crossing the border to safety.
I was shocked that he confidently replied that it was for money. My anger boiled over and I killed him to silence him so the information won’t leak, I knew that if I begged Andrew then he might allow this to slide. But it was too late. The King had planned a surprise visit and had heard the man’s words.
The King then ordered us to go to the border and not let Alice cross.
I was running towards Alice as I saw her men fighting against Andrew’s knights at the front. She turned to look at me as I ran towards her, but I stopped in my tracks as I saw an archer shoot an arrow at her from her right. Time seemed to slow down as I watched in horror as the arrow flew towards her.
“Alice!” I screamed out. She turned to look at the incoming arrow, but it was too late. Meredith pushed her out of the way and took the arrow instead.
I stood there frozen, unable to process what I was witnessing. My heart ached as I heard Alice’s scream of pain. I turned to look at her, and she was on her knees beside Meredith’s lifeless body, tears streaming down her face. I wanted to run to her, to comfort her and make the pain go away, but I was powerless.
Then, out of nowhere, two hooded figures approached Alice and without a moment’s hesitation, they took her away. I watched as they disappeared beyond the border, and I couldn’t move. I was frozen, rooted to the spot. I didn’t want to leave, I wanted to hold onto the hope that she was still there, but eventually she was out of sight.
Tears slipped down my face as I stood there, feeling lost and helpless. I was so consumed by my grief that I barely noticed when Andrew approached me and put his arm around me in a comforting embrace. But even his presence couldn’t ease the pain I was feeling. I couldn’t believe that Alice was gone and that I had lost both her and Meredith. I was heartbroken.
“Edward, I am so sorry,” Andrew whispered, holding me tight as I sobbed. “Meredith gave her life for Alice, and now she’s safe. That’s all that matters.”
I nodded, still unable to speak through my tears. Meredith was a selfless woman, always putting others before herself. She had been a trusted friend and advisor to my family for many years, and her loss was a heavy blow.
As I stood there in Andrew’s embrace, I couldn’t help but think about Alice. I had known her for a short time, but she had already captured my heart. The thought of her out there in the world, alone and vulnerable, was almost too much to bear.
But I knew that I had to be strong. Alice was safe, and that was all that mattered. I had to believe that she would be okay and that one day, I would see her again.
I took a deep breath, wiping my tears and pulling away from Andrew. “We have to go back to the palace and face the consequences of our actions,” I said, my voice steady despite the turmoil in my heart.Belongs to NôvelDrama.Org - All rights reserved.
Andrew nodded, and together, we turned and began the long journey back to the palace. Despite the sadness and fear that weighed heavy on my heart, I held onto the hope that one day, I would be reunited with Alice, and that together, we could find a way to make things right.