181 Hang In There

CHAPTER 181

"And the winner for the swordsmanship challenge is, Cullen Valerio."

"Yayy!!"

Everyone was joyed at the announcement. Even though some minutes ago they weren't so sure of the outcome as both men were equally skilled, but the distraction caused by the servant had done a good job in deciding the winner.

Too bad it was Owen who got distracted this time and ended up losing. Right now they had a draw. Only one challenge left to decide the winner.

Some were worried for the General while others had faith that he would win it as well.

After all, the outcome was nothing any of them had imagined. Both won in challenges they had been thought they would have lost. It was truly a magnificent battle and one worthy of their attention.

Erwina smiled from where she sat. She was quite satisfied that Cullen didn't let her down. Although she had wished Owen luck, in her mind she secretly wished him ill and wanted Cullen to win.

"We are all happy at today's outcome, but tomorrow promises to be better as we would watch two brave men battle it out with a hunt. At the ninth hour tomorrow morning, the hunting challenge would commence. I wish you both good luck and congratulations. This challenge is over for today," King Bayard declared.

He looked over at Erwina, extending his hand out to her for her to take. She took it and placed her hands in his gently then stood up on her feet.

"Your Majesty, do have a lovely day," Lord Ferdinand called after them.

"Hmm. Shall we go, My Lady?" Bayard asked Erwina and extended his hand for her to take.

"Thank you, My King."

One after the other, the royals left the arena alongside Lord Ferdinand and Gerald. Cullen stayed behind with some soldiers to continue their training.

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~ELF KINGDOM – PALACE~  

In one of the rooms in the palace, a man is seen sitting on one of the three chairs in the big room as his fingers tapped on the armrest in an unknown rhythm.

His eyebrows furrowed and he squinted as his gaze drifted off into the distance as his feet danced to the rhythm of his fingers. He was deep in thoughts. He had so many things running through his mind at that moment.

BANG!

The door opened with a loud bang and a soldier hurried in. He stopped a few feet from the King and bowed his head to him.

He could barely talk at that moment as he panted hard. After some seconds he found his breath and raised his head.

"Your Majesty, the… I saw…"

King Regin raised his left hand and the soldier kept silent instantly.

"I know. They are on their way to the palace and should arrive in a few minutes. Hurry to the infirmary, ask the physicians to get ready the antidote and prepare beds for the injured soldiers."

"Yes, Your Majesty," the soldier replied and ran out the way he came.

"What has she done to herself?" Regin muttered under his breath and then rose up from his chair.

He took several steps to pass the desk and halted when he got in front of the window.

From far, he could see the soldiers running at an alarming speed towards the palace. He looked to his left-hand side and noticed his son, Terrence was with some of the soldiers up in the wall bridge.

"Hmm."

Without a second to waste, he walked away from the window and strode out of the room.

Within a few minutes, King Regin had arrived at the front gates and ordered that the gates be pulled down.

"Who is the person that asked for the gates to be opened?" Terrence bellowed at soldiers by the gate.

He placed one hand on the wall and inched closer to get a better view. He squinted, trying to see the figure at the gate. His eyes abruptly widened when he confirmed who the person was.

"Father," he said softly. "Be on the watch," he ordered on the soldiers and made his way down towards the gates.

On getting there, he bowed his head to his father and went to stand beside him. "Father, I didn't expect to see you here," he said his mind bluntly.

Until now, Regin had not looked in his direction. He had his eyes fixated on the path ahead as he waited for the arrival of the soldiers. It was after Terrence made mention of that, that he turned his head to his side.

"Your sister is injured and you think I wouldn't be the first to see her? For someone who loves Avery the most as you claim, I expected you to have already run ahead and get your sister, Terrence."

His face fell at his father's words and he put down his head slowly.

"Or is it that you… Wait a minute, Terrence, don't tell me you still haven't sensed her?"

"I didn't at first. I just sensed that some of the soldiers returned. I honestly thought they were some injured soldiers like the previous set," he replied his father truthfully.

"You have a keen sense, son. Utilize it well. Do not let your worry and fondness of your sister dull you out. Your thoughts are being clouded with worry and unfortunately, you couldn't sense the one you cared for the most."

"I understand, father. I would be more careful."

"Hmm. They are here," he said and turned his head back to the path in front of them.

The soldiers standing at their backs tried to see for themselves what the King has said, but they couldn't. What the King saw as near was still quite far for them.

Before anyone knew what was happening, a gush of wind blew at them, raising dust with it. Everyone closed their eyes to prevent the dust from entering.

After it had died down, they opened it but couldn't find the King. Only the Crown Prince remained.

"Father!"

Prince Terrence didn't waste time as well and ran after Regin. It was then the soldiers realized that the wind just now was caused by the King taking off.

In about two minutes, King Regin had gotten to where the soldiers were. Due to the speed in which he came, as soon as he stopped the dust rose up blocking everyone's view of who he was.

The soldiers halted in their steps and waited for the dust to clear a bit.

But before the dust died down, Cleon spoke up first. "Who are you? Leave our path before I make you regret. We are in a hurry!" he yelled at the person.

He was getting angry from all the constant interruptions they were getting. It had been days since Avery took the antidote and because she wasn't properly treated, she was starting to get worse.

She needed to be taken to the infirmary at once, lest something bad should happen to her.

After speaking, the dust finally settled to reveal a man in all black and gold regalia, with the royal symbol on it.

"Ahh!"

They all gasped when they saw the symbol and quickly bowed to him.

"Your Majesty!"

"You were going to make me regret?"

"Apologies, Your Majesty," Cleon quickly knelt down as he apologized to his King.

"I am joking, Cleon. Stand up."

Just then Prince Terrence arrived, causing his own torrent of dust everywhere. Cleon quickly raised his hands to shield his face from the sand accompanying the dust.

COO! CHOO!!

They coughed as the dust entered their nostrils.

"My Prince!"

"Your Highness!" the soldiers said as they bowed the second time.

"Rise, there is no need for that," Terrence admonished them.

"It took you long enough," Regin said to his son.

Without waiting for his reply, he took some steps forward and went to stand in front of General Ivaran.

Regin's expression fell the moment his gaze drifted down to the girl in Ivaran's arms. She looked so fragile in the state she was. Her lips paled without comparison.

As if on instincts, Ivaran walked closer to the King and handed over Avery to him. Before Regin could say anything, Ivaran immediately he fell on one of his knees with his head bowed down, to apologize.

"Forgive me for my incompetence, Your Majesty."

The other soldiers and Callum followed after him and knelt down. They all had their heads down as they chorused their apology.

Regin kept his gaze fixated on his daughter. He didn't bother to answer or look at them as he turned and disappeared.

He actually ran, darting off to the palace as quickly as possible, but in the eyes of a normal person, it looked as though he disappeared.

As he ran, his gaze was fixated on the palace walls. The moment he brought down his head to look at Avery, his eyes sharpened and his once fast speed became faster.

He could have let Terrence take her, but in the whole kingdom, no one could match his speed, save for his son, Prince Blade and unfortunately, he was nowhere to be found.

'Hang in there, Avery. Father is here.'