Then she did something I didn't expect, she suddenly, jumped on me.
Ahhh... Lia screamed, taking a step back.
While the strange girl wrapped her arms, around my neck, and her legs around my waist, making us both fall to the ground, she still didn't let go.
"Get off her," Lia yelled, trying to get her away from me.
"Help me," the strange girl whispered before someone(Lia) pulled her away.
"Help me, they want to kill me, please," she yelled, grasping my arm, her eyes filled with tears.
"My queen, she's a stranger and could be dangerous, you can't trust her," Lia advised.
I looked at the strange girl, who was giving me a helpless look, then at Lia.
"Lia, I know she's a stranger, but she's helpless, and if I don't help her, there's no way I would be at peace, so let me talk to her," I reasoned.
Lia sighed, nodding her head in agreement, and I gave her a light smile before turning back to the stranger.
"What's your name?" I asked.
"My name is Myla," she whispered.
"Myla, you don't have to be afraid, I won't let anyone hurt you," I reassured, patting her shoulder lightly.
"You mean, you would protect me from the bad people who want to hurt me, "Myla asked, looking unsure.
" Yes I will, I promise."
I didn't want to ask her more questions until she was comfortable, so I ask Lia to help give her a bath and fresh clothes.
...
IN NEPTUNE
"Your majesty, our troops in Azrael, said there has been no more retaliation from Azrael after the first one," Arnold reported.
Arthur scoffed, clenching his fist, "I thought they would ask, Carl for help, what's taking them so long."
He thought by now, Carl or king Alan, would have sent him a message, asking him to stop the attack in return they would give him whatever he wanted, but that was not the case.
"My king, it could be that they plan to sort it out themselves and not ask Carl for help."
Arthur sneered. "Why would they do that, it's not like they have enough men, or the power to stop me. I think they are taking this lightly. Arnold, I want you to send more men to Azrael, this time tell them to destroy everything, I mean the whole town in the border area, and everyone who lives there, both men, women, and children, including their horses, and cattle.
"My king, don't you think that's too cruel. why don't you leave the people out of this?" Arnold reasoned. Although he supported Arthur in most things, he didn't want innocent people to be dragged into his quest for revenge.
"Just keep quiet, and do as I say. I didn't ask for your opinion," Arthur yelled, glaring at Arnold.
Arnold trembled slightly, before bowing his head in respect, and leaving the room.
It didn't take up to a minute, before Arnold showed up again, in a panicked state.
"What!" Arthur shrieked.
"Your Majesty, there is chaos," Arnold yelled, wheezing.
"What do you mean by chaos?" Arthur asked, also looking panicked.
"Your majesty, one of the soldiers guarding the border, just reported that all the towns on the border, have been destroyed and even the soldiers were killed."
Arthur screeched, looking horrified. "Did they say who was behind the attack?" he asked, even though he knew who was behind it.
"He said it was soldiers from Everton and they didn't kill the citizens, just the soldiers," Arnold replied.
Arthur's hands balled in a fist. He thought Carl would send his soldiers to Azrael once he found out about his attack, he never imagined that Carl would retaliate instead.
"My king, what should we do?" Arnold inquired, giving Arthur a curious look.
Arthur tilt his head to meet Arnold's gaze, and sighed, he was speechless and didn't know what to do.
"My king, if we don't do something now, the people might start rallying against us," Arnold reasoned.
"Arnold, I want you to send a message to our troops in Azrael, tell them to stop the attack and return home," Arthur ordered.
" Yes, your Majesty."
"Carl, it seems like whatever I do, I can't win against you why, why is it so hard to defeat you?"Arthur thought, gnashing his teeth.
The reason he called back his soldiers, was to settle things in Neptune first, before thinking of another ways to get back at Carl...
IN AZRAEL
King Alan was happy that the attack on his border has stopped and Arthur's troops left. Although he found it confusing, that they would just leave. it's not like he went to Neptune to negotiate, because when he was supposed to leave, he suddenly felt dizzy and passed out and when he woke up, they told him that he didn't have to go anymore.
Queen Lyarra and the council on the other hand were aware, that the attack only stopped because of Carl, although, they didn't know what he did.
"Your highness, should we tell the king that it was Carl who stopped the attack?"
"Yes, we'll tell him, but not now, "queen Lyarra replied.
...
TWO WEEKS LATER
Gwen decided to approach Prince Aiden for help since all her plans has been failing and he once offered to help her with getting Carl.
"Lady Gwen, what do you want?" Aiden asked, raising his brow.
"Aiden, I want to ask for...
"It's prince Aiden to you," Aiden muttered with an eye roll, turning his gaze to Eric who was stuffing his face with food.
Gwen sneered inwardly but smiled at Aiden. "Okay pince Aiden, I want to ask you for a small favor," she muttered.
"And what could I possibly have to give you?" Aiden countered, giving Gwen a bored look.
Gwen gritted her teeth, if it wasn't for the fact that all her plans has been failing, there is no way she would ask a child for help.
"Uhmm, remember you said you would help in winning Carl's heart?"
"Yes, I did, but you undermined my ability. now, how has that worked out for you?"Aiden retorted, and Eric giggle, using his tiny hands to wipe off invincible tears.
Gwen glanced at both of them and almost choked out blood. These little kids just ridiculed her. If they weren't princes, she would have spanked them hard on the butt. But instead, she smiled. as long as they would tell her, how she could win Carl's heart, she didn't care.
As if realizing something she asked, "Prince Eric, why would you want to help me, when you are Zara's nephew and also prince Aiden, you seem to like Zara, so why do you want to help me?"
Prince Eric coughed, almost choking on his food, but he quickly recovered and gave Gwen a sweet smile, before answering.
"It's Because of gold, and I don't like the arrogant king. I want my aunt Zara to leave him and come back to us in Azrael," he lied.
"Yes and if aunt Zara leaves, I want someone I know to become the next queen because not everyone is as nice as her," Aiden added.
The corner of Gwen's lips twitched in a sadistic smile. "These little princes are so naive," she thought.
"Okay, will you help me?" She begged.
"We will, but not for free," they both answered.
"Whatever you want," Gwen replied.
Aiden and Eric both turned to each other and smiled.
"Lady Gwen, for your first lesson, you'll have to take care of the both of us, if Carl sees that you care so much about us, I'm sure a part of him would melt," Aiden instructed and Gwen smiled.
Aiden just gave her a great idea, she would not only take care of the both of them but other orphans.
...
ZARA POV
"My queen, are you alright?" Lia asked, looking concerned. This is the second time, I've thrown up this morning, after having breakfast.
"Should I call the royal physician," Myla asked, also looking worried, and I smiled. Lately, Myla has become very close to Lia and I.
She told us how her father wanted to marry her off to an old and wealthy merchant because he needed money, so she had to run away, but almost got killed in the process.
"My queen, you look pale, I think it's best to call the physician," Myla muttered, turning to Lia who nodded in agreement.
"You don't have to worry, I just need rest, that's all," I retorted.
"Zara, it's the King," Lia whispered, winking at me, and I twirled to see Carl, walking toward us.
"Your majesty, the queen is sick," Myla blurted out, immediately.
Myla! I whispered, glaring at her and she gave me an innocent smile.
Carl stood in front of me, scanning me for a while, before picking me up gently.
"Call the physician," he ordered, before walking away.
Carl took me to the chamber, and shortly after the physician arrived.
Your Majesty's," he greeted with a smile.
"Sir Thomas(Royal physician), the queen is ill, can you check to see what's wrong with her?" Carl asked, giving me a worried look.
Awwn! Who would have thought the arrogant king would be worried about me?
"King Carl, you seem to care a lot about me," I teased.
He rolled his eyes, before coming to sit beside me. "Of course, I care about you. after all, you're my wife and I... Just forget it, let the physician check you," he muttered.
The physician first checked my pulse, then my eyes, before placing his hands on my stomach.
"What wrong?" asked, getting impatient.
The physician smiled at me then at Carl. "My king, nothing is wrong with the queen, she pregnant."