36: Wounds From The Past

Wounds From The Past

As if in response to her thoughts, the wagons finally stopped moving.  2

'They stopped!' 

She almost cried happy tears, thanking the universe for siding with her for once. It was very dark when she looked outside, but the escorts held lanterns that allowed her to see they were in a dense forest. There was a small tavern in front where hardly any people could be seen. 

'Please, please, please…'

Oriana almost laughed in relief when no escort stayed behind this time.

She watched the entire group enter that wooden building, not leaving a single soul to guard the goods.  As fast as the wind, Oriana took this opportunity to leave the wagon where she hid. 

It was a dark and dense forest so it was a good opportunity for her to do her things without being noticed. 

She went behind the woods obstructed by the large body of the wagon. Once she finished her business, her stomach growled. 

'Dried jerky is not enough. I need to eat something more or I am sure I will go crazy.' 

The scent of freshly cooked food filled her nostrils and she looked at the tavern where everyone was eating. 

'Those morons are eating their fill, yet here I am, starving since morning and had nothing but jerky and berries.'

Taking advantage of the darkness, she slowly moved towards the tavern while hiding behind the trees. The only option was for her to grab food from the kitchen or from the convoy's tables.

She went in the direction of the kitchen, but she could not steal food without alerting the cook or the servants. It was also impossible for her to steal the dishes from Ron and his group.

'What to do?' 

Oriana looked around and her gaze landed on the horses which were drinking water and having their food. She moved her hand forward in the direction of the wagons and there was a strong gust of wind that scared the horses. They jumped with their front legs in the air, making frightened noises. They ended up tilting the wagons attached to their bodies, and on one wagon, a part of the goods even slipped out.

Those eating in the tavern were alarmed and ran out to see what happened. Oriana used that chance to go to their tables and steal some food. She was so fast that she managed to get some meat and bread and even a cup of water for herself before hiding back in the woods. Sitting quietly in the shadows, she wolfed down the food until she calmed her hunger. 

Before the group left the tavern, Oriana once again sneaked inside the second to the last cart and resumed her dull journey with them.

—---

Two days passed by in a blink of an eye. The Crown Prince of Griven's short visit to his sister's home was over, and the servants of the estate were bustling about in preparation to see him off.

Arlan was currently in his chamber, getting ready to leave. 

"Any news about that boy?" Arlan asked as he fixed his clothes in front of the full body mirror. 

"The villagers said he must still be out in the forest," Imbert informed him. 

Arlan raised brow. "And yet to return?"

"Yes, Your Highness," the knight replied. "It is rather common practice. Herb collectors often go deep into the forest and don't return for days."

The prince could not help but be puzzled. He paid enough silver for her entire family of five to live well for months. The only reason he could think of for her sudden disappearance was that she was deliberately hiding from him. 

'If I go hunting now, I wonder if I'll find her saving another deer…'

Arlan sighed. "Keep someone to watch over there."

"Yes, Your Highness."

Before leaving, Arlan left to visit his sister and found her tending to his newborn nephew in her chamber. His sister was holding her sleeping son in her arms. Alvera asked her servants to leave the moment Arlan arrived. 

"Are you here to bid farewell?" she commented as she observed her brother clad in traveling clothes. She put her son in the crib to let him sleep better.

"You sound delighted. I am hurt that you think of me as a troublesome guest, sister."

Alvera rolled her eyes at his theatrics. "Not really, except for you going on  spilling blood and rampaging in my estate," she replied, referring to what he did in the past few days. She was aware of her brother's 'troublesome' activities. 

"I should be thanked. I made things easier for your husband," he countered and leaned down to see his nephew's irresistibly chubby cheeks. "Moreover, those lowlives deserved it." He allowed his finger to be held within the little guy's tiny hand.

"Killing is not always the answer, Arlan." 

Not responding to his sister, Arlan caressed the soft cheeks of the baby with the back of his fingers. "Little Ryan, I promise you and Rayjin will grow up happy and carefree. Uncle will make sure to clean the kingdom of filth before you get the chance to see the real world."

Alvera could only sigh at those words. Which parent would not want the same for their children?  "Arlan, try to understand what I am saying. Your way of thinking is rigid and cruel—"

Arlan finally looked at his sister, his gaze serious. "To commit treason is to court death."

"Not all crimes are treason, and not all criminals deserve death. I can understand why—"

"And still you think I should be merciful?" Arlan interrupted her. "Your father was a good king, in fact too good he spared those scums, and in the end, he and his wife lost their lives, leaving you orphaned. Mercy stripped you of the happiness you rightfully deserved.

"If my father had learnt from his eldest brother's mistakes, my mother would not have been killed in front of my eyes. Because of this so-called 'mercy' and giving others 'second chances', those lowlives dared betray their kingdom and act against the kind and merciful royal family. 

"Call me rigid or cruel, but if this will ensure that our family will remain safe, I do not care if I become a devil in people's eyes.I will make sure to drag each and every one of them to their deserving ends."

Alvera's eyes turned moist. Her parents' deaths continued to torment her although her uncle, the current King of Griven, had adopted her and raised her as his own child. 

Arlan walked towards her as he realized he just scratched open an old wound of his sister. He held her hand. "I am sorry. I didn't mean to…"

"It's alright."

Despite her words, tears rolled down her cheeks. 

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