As the Bloodburn armies and the gathered crowd dispersed, Rowena, heeding Asher's advice, decided that the Umbralfiends would live with the Naiadon Tribe, where Asher would be constantly updated about their whereabouts due to his ties with their chief.
Although the matter of their people's fate had been settled for the time being, Rowena knew that she now had to deal with the rebellion and calm down the people.
Just as she was about to voice her thoughts, a trickle of blood dripped from her nose, forcing her to turn away towards her dragon to hide the sudden development.
Asher, who had been standing close by, caught a glimpse of her distress and reached out to gently hold her hand.
"Are you alright?" he asked in a concerned tone as he observed the demonic crimson lines on her face fading away and her appearance returning to normal, leaving her looking a bit pale.
He knew she had unleashed one of her most powerful abilities to get to the Kraken and save him. And as expected it came with a price.
Rowena wiped away the blood, her voice steady despite her weakened state, "It's just the backlash from the power I used. But I'm fine," she insisted, "I have much to do besides calming down the people. I need to speak with Moraxor to learn how they survived and then put an end to the rebellion," She inwardly berated herself for not having been more vigilant as a queen, for not foreseeing the troubles brewing within her kingdom.
Asher nodded and offered a reassuring smile, "We can talk to Moraxor together tomorrow, and I will handle the disgruntled people of the northern lands. We discussed everything earlier, but this war just suddenly disrupted what we had planned. But I got this. So you should head back to the castle and rest."
Rowena still adamantly shook her head and said, "No, Ash. My people in these lands think I neglected them. So it is only right I talk to them myself. I also understand the reason why you revealed things to me this late, though we can't wait any longer. And that is why, our plan…we will execute it together in my way."
Asher realized that he couldn't change her mind about this, and he also felt it would be better for her to be present, "Okay, fine…We will do it together. Just tell me what you have in mind and I will do the necessary."
Rowena nodded as she revealed what she wanted to do to Asher.
Isola, who was standing a few meters away, shot a look at the royal couple but looked away, still finding it hard to believe that the Bloodburn Queen married someone who wasn't of the same bloodline nor even the same race.
Pushing that thought away, she was saddened she didn't even get to talk to her father since they were forced to disperse right away while she had to stay behind as the Umbralfiend Emissary who works for the two-faced consort.
Apparently, her duties involved sticking close to Asher and enlightening him about her people while relaying any information between him and her people. She was hoping to use her role as the Emissary to at least make sure her people's concerns and any troubles they might face wouldn't go unheard, though it would all depend on his nature. She still didn't know if he and his queen were planning to take advantage of them completely using her.
So all she could do now was pray and hope.
As Asher saw Rowena flying off on her dragon, he reached into his pocket, retrieving a subtly glowing blue orb. The orb seemed to pulsate with a faint, mystical light.
The orb was called a Whisperstone which was an enchanted communication device, allowing anyone to converse across vast distances.
Holding it gently between his fingers, he brought it close to his mouth and spoke into it, his voice barely above a whisper.
"Caelum, has everything been handled as planned?"
The orb's soft glow flickered, and Caelum's voice echoed in Asher's mind, as if resonating within the very fabric of his thoughts, "Everything has been handled flawlessly, Your Highness. All that remains is for you to give me the command."
A satisfied smile crept onto Asher's face as he listened to Caelum's report, "You can come to the Central Town here."
With a gentle squeeze, the glow of the orb subsided, and he placed it back into his pocket.
No sooner had Asher returned the Whisperstone to his pocket than Sabina approached him, limping gracefully towards him with a charming smile that belied the pallor of her face.
Her injuries appeared to have stabilized, but it was evident that she was far from fully recovered.
Asher couldn't help but shake his head as he regarded her, "Sabina, what are you still doing here?" he asked, "You should be resting and recovering from your injuries."
Despite being in such a weak condition, she was still as alluring as ever.
Her smile widened, as if she found his concern amusing, and she responded with a light, teasing tone, "Fu, fu, you didn't think I would just lie in bed while all this excitement unfolds, did you? Besides, aren't you forgetting something? The baby Kraken…my House wishes to reward you for helping us bring it back, albeit we would have to wait for it to grow up."
Asher narrowed his eyes as he realized her parents probably sent her here to confront him about this.
Since House Thorne seemingly owned the bloodline of the Kraken for thousands of years, they must want to take the baby Kraken and try to tame it no matter the costs. Losing the symbol of their power must have shaken them quite hard.
And he had no doubt they would even take this matter to Rowena and cause an issue since this obviously mattered a lot to them, especially their face and strength.
So they must have sent Sabina to first see if he would give in and let the matter end there or if they would have to escalate this.
So he chuckled softly, his expression easygoing but carrying an underlying edge, "Ah, the baby Kraken. I've been meaning to discuss that with you, Sabina. But first, let me share something I find rather intriguing. I've heard some unsettling rumors about a village massacre that happened just as the war started, and…" His expression became difficult as he said, "I don't know how to put this but your fiance's name was involved," He allowed the implications to sink in before adding, "Now, that's not something we'd want the people of the northern lands to know, is it? I'd hate for your distinguished House to face any trouble, and I can't imagine the queen would be too pleased if she found out either. Don't you think so?"
Sabina's lips curled into a smile that was equal parts amused and dangerous, "You truly have a way with words, Asher. I suppose it's best for all involved if certain secrets remain just that – secrets. As for the baby Kraken, let's just say it must be feeling quite happy with you as its master for now."
Asher chuckled as he nodded, though inwardly he knew these people had no plans in letting this matter rest forever.
"I trust we both have urgent matters to attend to. So I suppose I will see you soon," Sabina said with a wink as she turned around and walked away.
However, as she did, she licked her lips as she thought, 'It seems I have to make you fall for me harder. Once you are mine, then everything you have will be mine too, hehe.'
Asher felt that House Thorne won't be causing any trouble in the immediate future, especially when they were in the limelight.
As Sabina's footsteps receded into the distance, Asher turned to Merina, and said, "Merina, I need you to bring and help Isola settle down in the castle. Show her around and teach her everything she needs to know. She's been living in the seas her entire life, like a fish in a pot. It's time she learned about the world beyond the darkness."
Isola took a sharp, deep breath but a part of her was excited to learn about things she had always dreamed of.
Merina nodded, her eyes filled with determination, "Understood, Master. I'll make sure she's well taken care of," However, her gaze lingered on him, concern etched on her face, "But you don't look well, Master. When will you be back? You need rest, too."
Asher softly smiled, trying to reassure her, "Don't worry about me, Merina. I'll be back soon, and I will be fine. I am just exhausted," Though his words were meant to comfort, they did little to alleviate the worry in her eyes.
"Don't worry, mother. I am here to take care of Boss with my wisdom and strength," Kookus said with a grin as he loudly patted his chest.
Asher clicked his tongue as he grabbed Kookus by his collar and pushed him towards Merina, "Take him away too."
"Boss, noooo!" Kookus cried inwardly since the chance to show his face to the public by being with Asher slipped right out of his hands. If more people saw him following Asher around, the more the pretty flowers would understand how important he was to the royal consort.
Reluctantly, Merina gave a final nod and left to carry out her assigned task while Asher knew she was right since he felt like a living corpse, drained of all energy.
Rowena did help his blood regain some of their energy, but if he doesn't rest and heal soon, he might collapse.
This only made him feel more impressed that Isola was still conscious despite getting drained for a lot longer than him.
He couldn't see through her strength, and made him wonder if she was stronger than a Soul Reaper.
Just as he turned around, a formidable figure clad in imposing armor was standing in front of him, making him wonder how long she was standing here.
Eradicator stepped forward to address him, "Where do you wish to go, Your Highness?"
Asher's eyes narrowed as he took in the sight of her cracked armor, blood seeping through the fissures, "Have you even looked at yourself? Shouldn't you be attending to your injuries first?"
He knew she had been injured while buying him precious time to enter the Kraken's belly, and felt that he shouldn't be surprised to see how she still wanted to follow him instead of tending to her wounds.
Eradicator shook her head slowly, her voice resolute, "These injuries are nothing but scratches, Your Highness. I am more than capable of accompanying you."
'Scratches? Wow...I wonder what she considers as a serious injury...'
Asher shrugged, knowing she won't stray away from her ironclad determination and he also needed her, "Very well, then. Let's head to the central town of the northern lands. Be ready to draw your blade if necessary."
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