Chapter 58 - ARTHUR'S JOURNEY

It had been six months since Arthur last saw Veronica. He would stroll aimlessly in the town at night. Once Sebastian asked him if he was missing the silver haired girl but he didn't answer.

One day, he came out of an antique shop and headed to his library. His old caretaker gave him two books and said, "A visitor came and told me to give them to you, Master."

Arthur saw the romance fiction books and he grabbed the old caretaker's shoulders. "Where is she?"

The old caretaker was startled by his aggressive action. He had never seen him like this. He answered, "She left just now. Didn't you see her?"

'Damn it!' Arthur cursed. He snatched the book from him and left the library. He looked around the town all morning and noon and went back to his house after the sun went down.

Sebastian was waiting for him in the usual place. "Is there anything I can do for you, Master?"

"Go, find Veronica's whereabouts," Arthur ordered him.

After Sebastian left, he thought about Veronica. 'It's been six months and now she came to meet me.' He looked at the books he left and chuckled. 'She took great care of my books. Not a single scratch on them. Why didn't you come to meet me all this time?'

Sebastian came not long after and told him whatever he found out, "Miss Veronica left the town with other healers. They must be going to the desert to support the Synetians."

"So, she has become a healer then." Arthur smiled softly thinking of her dream coming true.

Sebastian hesitated before disclosing the matter, "Actually, she was wearing regular clothes. She wasn't wearing a healer uniform or the church uniform she regularly wore."

"Hmm?" Arthur frowned. 'If she wasn't wearing any type of uniform, it means she belongs to none of those places. If she isn't a healer and not a part of the temple anymore, what is she then?' A sudden realization hit him, 'Don't tell me she was kicked out because of her last visit. She must have been caught by them and was punished.'

Arthur stood up and grabbed his cape. "I'm heading to the desert."

The cool headed Sebastian began to panic, "Master you still have to finish signing these papers. This is an emergency!"

Thus, Arthur's journey was delayed. On the way, he got the news that Veronica was sick. He turned his fifteen days journey into a ten days journey. When he reached the destination, it was already night. He was on the way to meet Major General Orion but ended up encountering an unexpected acquaintance.

Ivona recognized him even when the dark shadow was looming over him. "Y-you!" Her voice quivered with emotion. She quickly moved closer to him. "I knew you would come. That's why I came here. I wanted to see you. I missed you so much, my love. Arthur…"

After being stopped by a woman, Arthur became slightly annoyed. "I need to work."

Ivona embraced his firm body. "I know but I missed you. Please spend some time with me."

Arthur narrowed his eyes. There were times when he wanted to have the company of a woman or a bunch of women. There were times when he wanted to have none. At that moment, he wanted to meet the Major General of the Synetian army, not Ivona.

He controlled his anger and patiently stated, "My lady, I know you missed me but I have things to do and it's urgent. You mustn't get in between a man and his work. It's unpleasant." Although his voice was gentle, his words were sharp.

Ivona wasn't used to his harsh words. Her eyes welled up. She wanted to protest but then they heard the siren.

Arthur knew instantly what was going on. The enemy invaded the camp to secretly attack the Synetian Army He didn't wait to meet Major General Orion. Thinking of sick Veronica, he harshly pushed Ivona away and went to look for her.

Who would have known that he would find her rooted beside the fiery camp that was falling over her?

Arthur thought he was going to have a heart attack. He couldn't help but say, "Honestly, whenever I meet you, you are in danger. If you are going to attract dangers like a magnet, you better not get out of my sight."

Veronica heard the voice she wasn't expecting to hear. "A-Arthur?" her voice quivered.

Arthur embraced her closer and asked her in a playful tone, "Troublemaking princess, did you miss me?"

Veronica gasped. Her eyes teared up. She became emotional. "It's really you!"

Arthur wanted to tease her a bit more but seeing blood all over her body, he got up with her and inquired with a serious expression, "Are you injured?"

Veronica was overwhelmed. "…I…"

"Show me everything," saying that Arthur took off her shawl. He furrowed his eyebrows and scanned her up and down. The upper part of her clothing was clean thanks to the shawl. Arthur understood that the blood didn't belong to her.

Veronica spoke, "The blood… doesn't belong to me. Some dead soldier I came across…"

Arthur questioned her while checking her arms, "Are you injured anywhere? Do you feel pain?"

"My knees… ouch!" She flinched when he touched her knees.

Arthur looked around and said, "Let's get out of here. This place isn't safe right now." He picked her up with both hands and kept her close as he moved quickly to a safe place.

They left the camp. Arthur walked a hundred meters away from the camp and reached his tent. He carried her inside and then put her down on the ground.

"Is this where you are staying?" Veronica asked him.

"Yes. This is my tent." Arthur rolled up her nightdress and examined her injuries. "These are not serious injuries. You will be fine after putting on some medicine." He took out a bottle and opened it. He applied the balm on her injuries and wrapped them up with a clean cloth.

"I'm thirsty," she said with a dry throat.

Arthur gave her a water pouch and said, "Drink it all up."

"Is this okay? Water is rare in the desert," Veronica was concerned for him.