Ripple Water

43

The sound of a twig being stepped on, I was immediately awake. Looking around me in panic. I don't know how long I slept. Prince Riana still closed her eyes on my lap. There was a voice talking around me.

Damnit.

The Prince of Sera. I'm sure it is. It turns out they still haven't given up looking for us.

I inching to place the Prince's head carefully onto the ground. His condition is getting worse. I can't wait until those soldiers are gone. The prince coughed loudly. His voice echoed within the cave. The voices out there stopped. We have the will.

There were footsteps approaching. I immediately positioned myself, standing in front of Prince Riana to protect.

The soldiers entered heavily armed. Like chasing a big criminal. I put on a cautious attitude. They stand in line. Instantly the Cave became brighter because of the flame of the torch they carried.

"Yuki" Prince Sera burst in. There was a sense of relief on his face when he saw me. I clenched both my hands in the chest. Still excited in my ears all the conversations he had with Princess Marsha that I had heard.

I retreated when Prince Sera tried to get closer. "Yuki's...Come here" Prince Sera reached out. But I'm silent not flinching. My jaw is tightly clenched. "Yuki's.." Call Prince Sera again in a frustrated tone.

Prince Riana coughed again. I immediately turned around, approaching him to see his condition. The heat is getting higher.

"Yuki come with me"

"No"

I shook off Prince Sera's hand that was outstretched towards me. I cried sobbing.

"All out" Prince Sera's orders were firm when he saw me crying. All of the soldiers without asking much walked neatly, out of this cave. Leaving the three of us.

"He is dying" said Prince Sera indifferently near Us. "If you keep leaving him here, he'll die. Make your choice Yuki"

I'm speechless. Prince Sera's words were correct. If I keep letting Prince Riana here. Survive my selfishness. He's gonna die. He can't die like this. No. gabe.

I clenched both my hands. Prince Riana coughed again. Face pale.

"If I come with you, will you save her ?" Tanyaku. "If I follow your wishes will you guarantee He will return safely to Garduete ?" I looked at Prince Sera assessing his seriousness.

"Yes. I promise"

"Then save Him and send Him to Garduete safely in return I'll come with you"

Prince Sera looked at me for a moment.

Prince Sera exits the Cave. Not long Four soldiers came carrying palanquins. Prince Riana was lifted onto the stretcher. I followed them from behind. Refusing to stay away from Prince Riana. I'm afraid if I'm far apart and Prince Sera hurts Prince Riana I can't protect her. We arrived at the waiting horse. Prince Riana was lifted onto the wagon without a cover. He was treated like a prisoner. I passed Prince Sera who reached out to take me on a horse ride with him. I kept going, Ignoring it, I'd rather be near Prince Riana.

Group moving. The weather was pretty hot today. Summer begins in Argueda. I occasionally rubbed Prince Riana's face with the handkerchief I had wetted before. I really hope he survives and survives.

We walked for almost three hours. We finally arrived at a small temple that looked dull. I look around. What will Prince Sera do this time. An old man appeared from inside the temple.

"My respect to Prince Sera, the regent prince of Argueda kingdom" said the old man in his small voice.

"There was the wounded Prince of Garduete. Can you handle it ?"

The old man was surprised. He then walked quickly towards Prince Riana. "God...Quickly bring Him inside" The man said as he looked at Prince Riana's condition with a panicked face. Two soldiers helped to capture Prince Riana. I followed them, ignoring Prince Sera's whereabouts.

Princess Marsha came in not long. He looked at me like he had no faults. "Your Again. Are you not satisfied to constantly endanger him"

Two soldiers kept Princess Marsha from attacking me. Princess Marsha rebelled increasingly upset.

I'm silent. Not listening. I focused on seeing the old man who turned out to be a former Royal Physician treating Prince Riana.

Prince Riana was on medication for nearly six hours. As long as it is unrelenting I pray that Prince Riana can fight through her critical period. When at last the door opened and the Physician came out of the room, I immediately stood up to him with anxious feelings.

"How ?" I asked when I was standing in front of the doctor. Princess Marsha had already been kicked out by the guards from the room earlier for making a fuss, But She was constantly yelling and banging on the door from the outside asking to go inside.

"It's a good thing you brought him here so we can handle him in time, now the Prince is recovering. His consciousness would recover within a week. Please Princess be patient"

I nodded my head understanding. I'm relieved, Prince Riana is fine.

"Can I come in ?"

"Not my son. He couldn't hear something shaking him now. You must be Princess Yuki, right?, From earlier when the treatment was underway, Prince Riana kept calling your name."

I'm silent.

"Prince Sera is waiting for you Princess, it's better that the Princess return soon before the Prince changes his mind again" the Physician looked at me pityfully. Do I look so pathetic ?.

"Uncle is right" I said sighing. I gotta get out of here. I made a pact with Prince Riana. For Her sake, for Garduete's sake I hope that my sacrifice is not in vain.