Chapter 30: Bandaging Wounds
After leaving the others Diana headed back into the forest and just as she'd thought she found them.
"Lieutenant what a surprise," she said sarcastically as she leaned against the side of a tree.
The man was obviously startled, he quickly turned around weapon drawn, his blonde hair ruffled in the wind and his brown eyes scanning the area until they landed on Diana.
"So you are here princess," he said venimously.
"Where else would I be?" she asked nonchalant.
"I'm surprised you showed yourself," he ignored Diana's question as he smugly stared at her.
"Well, I wanted answers before I killed you after all that arrow may have been shot by that archer and aimed at my heart but it wasn't intended to kill me, was it? But instead to poison me and take me back to Malum without me making any fuss."
"How did you..." the lieutenants smug smile fell from his face.
"I'm not as puny and weak as you think," Diana replied with a piercing tone "now as to how I figured it out that's simple, the arrow was coated in a poison only found in Malum and even then it's rare and hard to find so only a handful of people have access to it or can find it."
"Then how did you know that I was here?"
"That's even easier, I knew you wouldn't be far and then I thought of the best places you could be hiding and using to help complete your mission and then from there I found your tracks. Now then, enough chit chat."
"Indeed," with that he lunged at Diana as she easily dodged before stabbing him through his left lung. He slid off her sword and fell to the ground coughing up blood.
"Your fight is over," with that she turnt away the wind blowing her hair to the side as she walked away he swung his sword taking Diana by surprise and creating a long, diagonal gash down her back. "Aaaahhhhhh," she turnt around quickly slicing his throat making sure he was no longer a threat.
'Dammit I let my guard down,' Diana scolded herself as she headed back to the palace by the time she got back the sun was already setting over the horizon.
Although some of the maids and knights saw her unattended wounds they didn't bother Diana as she walked back to her room. She turnt on the light and as she put her swords down and took the daggers out of her boots she caught sight of herself in the mirror. Dried blood staining her clothes and skin, her hair had fallen out of its ponytail on the way back. What surprised Diana the most however, was that the flower Alex had given her was still tucked behind her ear and had avoided being tainted by any blood.
Diana pulled her dresser draw open and took out her hair stick with the diamond vile on the end and used it to put her hair into a messy bun. Then she took the flower out her hair and placed it on her nightstand. She ceaned up the wound on her side and bandaged it as well as treating her other scars to make sure they didn't become infected. As she pulled the back of her top up she tried to tend to the wounds on her back but couldn't reach them.
Suddenly a knock came from the door.
"Coming," Diana pulled down her top and headed over to the door before opening it. "To what do I owe the visit," she asked the ruby eyed man infront of her.
"I heard from a maid that you had quiet a few untended wounds and one on your back that looks fresher then the others." Alex replied "So, I thought I'd come and help you sought the one on your back out."
"Theres no need to do that I'm perfectly capable of doing it myself...thank you though."
"I doubt you can reach the one on your back,"
After a few minutes Diana gave in "Fine come on in," Alex smiled at her answer.
Diana turnt around and walked into the room with out looking behind her at him 'Why did he come to help though? He could have just got a maid to do it,' she thought as she sat down on the stool so he could tend to her back.
Alex gently pulled the back of Diana's top up before cleaning her wounds starting with the large one which is still bleeding slightly.
"I'm guessing you got this on your 'erand'," he comented as he cleaned the larger one.
"Yes,"
"Would you mind telling me what the erand was,"
"The archer wasn't alone he had company waiting for him further in the forest I didnt want to alarm anyone and you'd all just fought a battle and were tired so I decided to handle it on my own. I also wanted to see if my suspicion was correct and it was." Diana explained as he bandaged the wound.
"And what was your suspicion?" he asked as he tended to the smaller cuts.
"That the arrows may be Dolus and the archer was too but the masterminds were Malum. My parents sent them here on the off chance I was at the battle to bring me back it's why the arrow that Comander Dolosus took was fired. It may have been aimed at my chest however it wasn't intended to kill, it was laced with a poison only found in Malum it has many uses but it was intended to paralyse me."
"So who was with the archer?"
"A lieutenant I know, he was an awful man he used women as toys and everyone around him as a thing to get what he wanted he tried once to use me for personal gain, he failed and he then decided to slap me but what did I care." Diana explained without any emotion as she looked out at the stars.
"It seems you didn't have a very happy childhood or life in Malum," Alex commented and for some reason there was sadness in his voice.
"For a few years my life was happy but I felt how I wasn't wanted by my family and I was scared as to what would happen if I disobeyed afterall I was only a child. I decided however to run far, far away my best friend helped me she payed the price for that my parents made sure of it. We were caught when we were running and they killed her right infront of me her blood was on my hands and she died in my arms. I then refused to go I cried and cried and still her last wish was for me not to close of my heart. I killed three guards that day and then from then on I acted like a puppet of theirs until I decided enough was enough and faught back." Diana explained and a tear fell down her cheek but she wiped it away before Alex could see but of course he noticed.
"People think that those who live in Malum are privileged because theres no war but they don't know what hardships the people who live in Malum have to suffer through or how they live." Alex replied and unlike someone else his demeanor towards Diana hadn't changed.
"Malum has been corrupted for decades and the king and queen are at the root of the issue I want to free Malum from its suffering but as long as this war between Fortus and Nobilis continues to rage I can't do that."
"Why not?" he inquired .
"Because I swore I'd end this war and I believe that this war is the wrong war to fight, I also think that the reason for this war or more posisely the blame of why this war started has fallen to the wrong people,"
"So you think it's Fortis' fault?" Alex asked.
"No, I don't think Nobilis or Fortis are to blame."
"Then who?"
"I have a suspicion, just like I have a suspicion as to why this war started and furthermore connected then people think but I'm not sure for certain."
"Well I hope you can end this war that's all I want for my people, I just want them to live in peace and be happy."
"Your different from the crown prince of Malum,"
"Oh, how so?" Alex asked curiously.
"You don't put on an act, you think for yourself, you're honourable, you care for you country but most of all you care for your people and treat them all equally."
"You speak like you know the crown prince of Malum,"
"Unfortunately, I do but that links to my identity and duties but they don't matter now ,however, I do feel ashamed of myself,"
"Why's that?"
"My people need me and yet I've abandoned them to fight a war that isn't mine to fight,"
"No, you left to become stronger to help your people and while your getting stronger you're also trying to end others suffering instead of just your peoples and your own,"
"You have a unique outlook of the world Alex,"
"Maybe but it's how I think and yours is quite unique too Diana,"
His words are always so kind and they some how warm her heart, breaking every wall she ever put up and for once Diana couldn't help but to smile a genuine smile that reaches her eyes.
Instead of commenting when he saw her smile Alex just smiled back which made Diana feel grateful. This man will one day be king and he is far more deserving then given credit for.
"I should go you still need to get cleaned up before bed," Alex got up and headed to the door "Oh, and do me a favour actually get some rest your not invincible afterall."
"Okay, good night."
"Good night,"
"Alexander....."
"Hmmmm...." Alex looked at me inquireingly after I called out to him.
As a blush crept up my face I quickly turnt my head away "T-thank you for helping me," he just smiled at my thanks.
"Theres no need to thank me I'm just helping out a friend now get some rest," and with that he left.
After he left I grabbed a nightgown and ran a bath and as I sat down in it and cleaned up my mind wondered away. 'No ones ever helped me like that before they've never wanted to help me, when they did they weren't gentle about it either half the time they wanted me to hurt. It's odd to have friends I havent had one in so long afterall.'
I got out my bath, got dressed and went to bed sleep claimed me as questions filled my head and the same dream began again.
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