217 Are You Giving Up?

"State it and it shall be done so long as it is within my capability."

"Great, it is within your capability. I want Evelyn to work as a palace maid."

Everywhere became silent almost instantly. Owen didn't say anything but took time to process the news very well. After some time he broke the silence.

"Although I am a prince, it still is not left for me to decide on who gets the job. That particularly is left for the queen to handle and in this case, Erwina was giving the job. Everyone vying for the job of a palace maid would have to go through training and then a test once they are accepted to participate. And of course, only daughters from average families in the city would be allowed to take part."

"Oh, I see. It is okay. Thanks anyway."

Owen arched his brow at his friend, wondering if he listened to a word he was saying and shook his head, his hair scattering with his move.

"Are you listening? I never said I cannot help. Just that it was not in my hands. The governess heading the palace maids and reporting directly to Erwina was one of my mother's supporters. If I put in a good word for her, she would let her participate in the test, then whether she passes or not, it would be up to her as the governess is a very strict lady."

Owen relaxed in his chair when he finished explaining, watching Cullen's sulking expression turn bright the next minute.

"That is great. You do not have to worry, she is a fast learner. I can guarantee you that she would surely pass," Cullen said in excitement.

He was happy because he could get the girl a better paying job while taking her out of the bar-like brothel.

"If I didn't know better, I would have thought that you wanted her in the palace so you could bang her inner cave ceaselessly."

The moment the foul words left his mouth, Cullen shot him a deathly glare and Owen quickly raised his hands in surrender and apologized.

"Easy, easy there. I was just joking. But you should have seen your reaction just now. I hope you are not having second thoughts and now starting to like her?"

"Get away. I am not. I am happy to be able to help and not see her waste herself away in this place. You should be happy, this would be one more god you did. You really are changing for the better. His Majesty would be proud of you."

"Yeah, that old man. Anyways, if that is all, please go and have a good rest and send my ladies back to me," Owen said, waving his hands to dismiss Cullen away from his private room.

All the talk about banging Evelyn had made him horny and he couldn't just wait to find his release.

"As you wish, your highness," Cullen joking bowed and got up, making his way to the door.

–––––––––––-

~ELVEN FOREST – TUNNEL~

It took them some time, but General Aelfdene and the others successfully made it out of the tunnel.

There was no form of any living being in sight, let alone the soldiers that should be staked out, guarding every exit.

Unfortunately for them, by the time they came out, the hybrid, Astrid and her friend the traitor elf, Jareth, were nowhere to be found. They had long gone and was now at the other side of the Valley of lost souls.

"Great! Just great!" Lyklor exclaimed, feeling his anger and tiredness wash over him.

"We could have had her!" Borak complained, clenching his fists tight at his side, as his chest heaved up and down.

It was only Aelfdene and the other soldier, that seemed rational right at that very moment.

Although they were equally frustrated, I mean after several days of searching and chasing after her, only to come to a dead end. Of course, who wouldn't feel frustrated?

But unlike how the other two took it, they were calmer. The soldier sat down on the ground to catch his breath while Aelfdene walked further away from them, hoping to find any clue as to where they might have gone to.

"What are you searching for?" Lyklor asked, his voice almost buried by the sharp cool wind blowing against them.

"Looking for clues obviously," he replied back, not bothering to look in Lyklor's direction.

He squinted and bent down, his hands moving in the sand on the ground to check the pair of footprints he saw.

They weren't fresh as the breezed had blown sand, covering up the tracks, but from his years of experience, he knew it belonged to the hybrid and her little team and they followed that route.

"It is of no use. Let us return to the palace and report to the King. The hybrid has escaped. We did all we could." Lyklor sighed, he turned around as his eyes dropped close. 

It was at this point that Aelfdene whipped his head in their direction, his gaze sharp and fierce as he stared at his comrade.

"Are you giving up?" His deep baritone voice asked as his eyes alternated between the two of them.

"I am just saying. Clues or no clues, Aelfdene, you cannot deny the fact that they are gone far and we cannot just venture out in search of them with little or no supplies. Do you want yo lead a death mission?" Lyklor asked, walking up to meet him. 

Aelfdene didn't back down as well and walked up to him. 

The fierceness in his eyes showed his determination and commitment to his mission. 

He felt like he owed it to Princess Avery and the King to try and find them till there was no more hope. 

"There is still hope. We may still be on to them," Aelfdene said, presenting his argument.