·?θm ?"Oh, my? Aren't you a little charmer, young master?"
Her alluring and seductive voice penetrated his heart, making it quiver with excitement and re-voicing the earlier explicit scenes with her voice.
"I've heard about your act of might in the extermination of the northern magical beast." He said as he rose from the ground. "You were one of my childhood heroes. The magical ruler of the Aurore island, who single-handedly defeated the mythical beast Kraken." He exhaled, letting out a mystified aura. "To think I would meet you in person, I must be blessed by the gods."
"I'm overjoyed to hear those words, young master. Your words meant much to me and I can't say I don't love this feeling of being... respected and worshipped." She giggled like the purest of pearls would fall from her mouth.
'Yes, yes. I'll worship you all you want once you're on the bed.'
It was like his mind was only thinking about one thing. He didn't even so much as glance at the other parties- For Damien, she was the only one there.
"I'm sure our esteemed guest is tired of the journey. I will personally guide you to the royal palace, your grace. You could take the necessary rest there and meet the King whenever you're ready." Duke Silverthorne, watching the interaction between the young master Damien and the Queen, felt something in his heart. A pang of pain.
Like the little brat was taking something precious to him- stealing it right away from his eyes.
"Alright, lead the--"
"--Move!"
Damien suddenly yanked the Queen to the side with his right hand making her fall to the ground with such force that she squealed in pain, his hands were met with the sharp point of the knife that tore right through his left palm, blood spilling through it.
!!
Everything happened so fast that nobody was able to comprehend anything, but they recovered in a matter of seconds and understood the severity of the affair.
The perpetrator, who wore the same armor as the royal guards, pulled his knife back after the moment of shock and swung at the young master with nimble precision but before that could happen his hands were severed and flew through the air.
"Aaahhrr!!" the man cried out loud as he staggered backward.
Duncan brandished his bloody sword again and walked to the man and pointed at him.
"My Queen!!!" The Queen's guard suddenly rushed towards her, followed by her other entourages, and tended to her.
"Are you alright!?" Duke Zadkiel appeared before his son asked him, his voice quivering and low.
He slowly and meticulously grabbed his son's arm and examined the wound.
Blood flowed from the open wound like water falling from a slow stream.
"Healer! I need a healer here." He shouted at the top of his lungs. His hands were slightly shaking, his eyes were fixated on the open wound.
It's very small and weak, he thought as he held the weight of his son's hand.
"Talk to me, Damien."
Young master Damien was very silent. There was no whimper of pain nor any complaint of blood flow. He was all calm and collected.
It hurts like fucking hell!!! Fuck! FUCK! FUCK!
He didn't voice it out. How could he? He is going to be the hero who saved the Queen's life and avoided a war between the two kingdoms.
"Father," He finally broke his silence. "I'm just glad the Queen wasn't hurt. This is just a minor wound, it all will be alright in a few minutes of healing." He squeezed the Duke's shoulder. "What's important right now is getting the Queen to safety. We don't want another 'incident' to happen."
It was not just the Duke, everyone present there was astonished by the integrity and sincerity of the young man.
And it was his words that pulled the stupefied lords and knights to pull it together and to do their damn jobs.
"Form a formation around the Queen!" Duke Silverthorne barked out orders. "Escort the Queen to the palace, that is your utmost priority. Do not let anyone get any closer to her and check every knight and soldier for any more of 'these' hidden bastards."
The respective commanders of the squads quickly searched for any of the outsiders. They stripped the soldiers and knights of their helmets and made them speak the secret code of the legion, something only the elites knew.
"How can this happen?" Asked Lylan, the minister of the Queen. "She could've died if it weren't for the young master. Your negligence and lack of seriousness could've cost her life. Is this how you treat your guests, a guest of the highest power? if this is how it is then there is nothing more to discuss here." His voice was hoarse, indicating his obvious worry for the Queen and the annoyance of the receiving party.
"Forgive me, your grace, this was not negligence from our side. We had made sure to check everyone present here and made sure the squad was serious and committed. We're the first sword of the King," Sir Cedric Dragonfire, the commander of the First Sword, knelt before the Queen and bowed his head. "You can have my head as compensation if you will, but please do reconsider the meeting with the King. It is of utmost importance and beneficial to both the Kingdoms."
The Queen, who was still being tended to by her guard, looked up at Sir Cedric with a stern expression. "Your words are well-spoken, Sir Cedric, but I cannot overlook the fact that there was an attempted attack on my life. My safety and well-being must come first." She paused for a moment to gather her thoughts. "However, I will not let this incident prevent me from fulfilling my duties as a ruler. I will meet with the King, but I expect tighter security measures to be put in place."
Duke Silverthorne nodded in agreement, relieved that the Queen was still willing to proceed with the meeting. "Of course, your grace. We will make sure that this never happens again." He turned towards the attacker. "Shackle that man and bring him to the palace, we'll have our answer there."
Duncan, who was still pointing his sword at the attacker, sheathed his sword back on the scabbard.
"What are you doing!? have you not heard me? shackle him at this instance!" Roared the Duke.
"You do not order me around, Duke. I'm not one of your kind. If you must shackle him, then order someone of your weak knights." Duncan said calmly and walked back to his lord.
"What?! How dare--"
"Silverthorne." Duke Zadkiel spoke. "The Queen and he are your responsibility. Do not drag us into your problem. After all, you're the King's favorite, right?" The obvious mockery in his tone was not unheard by everyone there.
Duke Silverthorne flushed with anger. His whole body was trembling with embarrassment and rage.
He dares. HE FUCKING DARES!!!
The insult he faced at the hands of another Duke was one thing, but a fucking lowlife knight dared to insult him in front of the world!
I'll kill him! Those words resonated in his mind like a bee buzzing near the head.
The healer arrived along with The Duchess and Damien's two siblings and began to tend to Damien's wound.
"What happened?" The Duchess's voice quivered as she saw the wound on her son's hand.
Duke explained the whole situation while the healer carefully examined the wound.
The Duke and the rest of the entourage watched anxiously as the healer worked.
"This wound," the healer started. "...can be healed by magic, but traditional medicine or potions can also heal it. What do you want to do, young master?"
"Heal it now. Medicines would take a long time to heal and potions can have adverse effects on my body if I'm not careful."
"As you wish." The lady smiled and held his hands. A shiny golden light emitted from her tender hands and entered his wounds. Damien felt a soothing relief washed over him, like a mother's tender kiss.
The hole in the palm slowly started to mend the torn bones, form muscles, and tissues and finally became whole. The whole process only took some moments.
After a few moments, the healer finished and stood up. "It is done. Your hands are fresh as new."
The Duke breathed a sigh of relief.
"Thank you, young master Damien." The Queen said as she approached the young man.
"Damien would suffice, your grace." He weakly smiled.
"Ha- ha, alright Damien, thank you for saving my life. If it wasn't for your timely intervention, I could've been gravely injured or even died. So once again, thank you." She turned towards the anxious Duke. "Your son is a hero. You've raised him well."
The Duke and Duchess felt extremely proud while the sibling duo had a baffled expression, as they couldn't believe what the fuck had happened.
Hero? Him? Both of them looked at the smiling, useless brother with strange expressions.
"Though I believe the First Sword and Duke Silverthorne to be more diligent and trustworthy," The Queen turned towards Damien. "I Would feel safer if you and your soldiers were to accompany me to the palace."
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