Chapter 38 - Rescue Mission Pt.3

Donn tried to calm down his fellow guildmates, as they tried to get to Eleanor. They threw curses and insults right at her, but they just went in one ear and came out the next.

After she said what she said, Eleanor had a sudden realization. A realization that had her internally screaming. She knew of another way to get to Rowan. Using these commoners to try and break into the castle would make no sense because they would never be able to do it. Arthur was probably expecting them to.

She could have just gone to the source by herself and freed Rowan. What Arthur wanted was not Rowan, it was Eleanor.

"I think it's best if you leave. We don't seem to be getting anywhere." Donn said to her.

Eleanor nodded. "Yes, I have already thought of a better way to get Rowan back."

The older man raised his gray-streaked eyebrows. "Huh? How do you plan to do that?"

It was not something Eleanor wanted to do. But she did not want Rowan to be left in the hands of the Prince. There's no telling what he could do to him for all the times that Rowan humiliated him. And as a royal, no one would be able to stop him. The longer she was here, the longer Rowan was in danger. She needed to leave.

Eleanor smiled. "Simple negotiation." She looked at the rest of the people who looked like they wanted to murder her. Get in line. "I don't know what pathetic rescue attempt you people would have concocted, but I was foolish to come here thinking that you would be rational and level-headed. I'll take my leave now, I know how to win against him. After all, I have met the Prince. But by all means, try to get Rowan back, that would add some much-needed amusement to my day."

One of the other female guild members scoffed. "If you think you're smart then tell us how you plan on getting him back."

"Why would I tell you when you can't even show me the basics of human respect? But what could I have expected really." Eleanor mumbled the last part to herself.

Donn escorted her out of the guild and Eleanor made sure to get back to the cart quickly. She didn't know who could be lurking in the shadows and the last thing she needed was an angry Goldenshroud member coming after her.

She had wasted so many hours getting to the town only to realize the best solution while she was in it. How unfair. Rowan could already be walking free if Eleanor had only thought about it earlier.

"Dammit," she sighed in frustration as the cart moved through the trees of Amsey. "Can you go a little faster please?"

Eleanor got to Arkdone in the late evening. The sun had almost set when she found herself standing in front of the Tudor castle. Lamps were lit around the castle on either side of the road making it easier for Eleanor to show her face to the guards.

A look of realization passed through them and they looked at each other. "What's your business here?" One of them asked.

"The Prince, I have business with him. I'm sure that if he knows that I'm here, I will be invited in. So, who do I need to speak to, to make that happen?"

Eleanor was walking into the castle ten minutes later. One of the guards escorted her through the halls of the castle until he led her to the throne room. She thought that she would have to plead her case to the King and Queen, but it was only Arthur in the vast hall.

The floors were white marble. Polished to perfect. Every other wall in the room was made of white stone. Even the section carved out for the thrones of the royal family. The stairs leading up to the seats were covered in red velvet carpet. The curtains that hung above them were also red velvet, with gold outlines and tassels on them. The big arching windows were also covered in the curtains, and the room was lit up by a chandelier of candles. It was beautiful. Eleanor hated who it belonged to.

What caught her attention was the person seated on the center throne.

"Is this what you do in your spare time? Play pretend on your daddy's throne?" Eleanor spoke first. "Or is this some sort of tactic to try and intimidate me?"

Arthur smiled. "It's the most comfortable of all the chairs in here. And besides, it will be mine one day, so why not practice."

Eleanor rolled her eyes. "Where is he?"

"Exactly where you think he is."

Eleanor didn't even give Arthur the custody of a bow and walked up the steps to the thrones. He didn't even blink at the action.

"I knew that you would come eventually. There was no other way." The Prince placed his elbow on the armrest and leaned his head on his hands.

"I could have taken him by force, with a band of misfit commoners."

Arthur's eyes lit up. "You would have talked to those savages for help? And here I thought I knew you well."

"You don't know anything about me. You're too absorbed in your own little world to care." Eleanor stopped before the throne.

"I know more than you think. I am the Prince after all." He cocked his head more, causing some of his golden strands to fall in front of his face. The light from the candles almost made them sparkle.

" You know, I once thought that you were the most beautiful person I had ever met," Eleanor said.

"What changed?"

"Your personality tainted the image."

Arthur smirked, getting up from the chair and towering over Eleanor. Not as tall as Rowan and was more on the lean side, but the clothes he wore made him seem taller. All straight lines and perfectly pressed. "A pity."

"You know what I want, but first, tell me how you found out about Rowan."

"I had someone do some digging. Quite simple. A couple of people followed him, others got records of certain transitions that went down, and the rest is history." Arthur said casually.

"The lengths that you go to to win is beyond me. Can never give up can you?"

"That's not how I was raised I'm afraid."

Maybe on the first look Arthur found what he needed to. But she was sure that if he kept looking then he would have found out about everything the guild was planning. Poor Prince, he really could have done something if he wasn't so impatient.

"I'll give you what you want if you let him go," Eleanor said. It was painful, but it needed to be done. She really could never be happy.

"Why do you care so much about him?"

"That is none of your concern. Promise me his safety and I will marry you."

The Prince's lips quivered. "Hmm, letting someone that dangerous go would not be very wise. I'm keeping a no-good criminal off the streets."

"It's not like you've ever cared about the people of this country. Don't start now, it's not a good look."

"The pot calls the kettle black," Arthur said in a sing-song tone and walked past her, descending the stairs. Oh, how easy it would be to push him.

"At least I'm aware of what I am. Let him go."

The Prince paused, thought for a couple of seconds, and then turned around. He stretched his hand out to her. "Alright, Princess, you have a deal."