Chapter 10 – The Rescue I
Clarines, Harbor..
Zen and his three aides, Mitsuhide, Kiki and Obi were preparing to leave for Ruthergent kingdom. Of course, another person was added to the companion and it was none other than the first princess of Yuvenlia Kingdom.
Zen's older brother, Izana was there as well to see them off. However, Zen had a feeling that his brother was also there to rile the first princess of Yuvenlia Kingdom. This hunch of his was confirmed when Izana arrived at the harbor.
Princess Melodia or Melody, as the person herself wanted to be called, had her expression changed by the mere sight of Zen's older brother. Zen noticed that Melody was a cheerful and laid back woman, but the moment her golden eyes saw Izana walking closer toward them, her face changed drastically from happy to an expression of what people called 'Despise'.
His brother, Zen knew him all too well, seemed to notice the change of expression Melody showed but he didn't feel offended by it. In fact, Zen made a bet with himself, His brother seemed wanting to rile Melody more and more. It as if he had found a new toy and Zen had to force himself not to show any weird expression even though it was really hard to do that.
"What are you doing here?"
Melody spat at Izana the moment he arrived. Izana smiled sweetly, Zen and his three aides got shivers down their spines seeing such smile on Prince Izana's face. It was so unlike him to give such creepy smile.
"Good Morning, Lady Melody" Izana greeted her "You are looking very beautiful today"
"I am wearing the same outfit as I did yesterday!" Melody barked in anger. "So keep your disgusting flattery to yourself, bastard!"
"Well you still look very beautiful to me even though you didn't wash your self today~" Izana said melodically.
"I washed myself properly, dammit!"
"So that's why you are looking extraordinarily beautiful today~" Izana retorted happily, "Makes me want to embrace you~"
"In your god damn dream, you damn Sissy prince! Go to hell already!"
Melody using curses once again, It made Mitsuhide, Kiki and Obi stared at her with astonishment on their faces. For someone who was born royal, Melody certainly was a unique one. Obi moved closer to Zen who sighed in resignation watching the two of them argued like children.
"Master" Obi said softly, "This princess is one of a kind, huh?"
"Indeed she is" Zen agreed
"You know.. I have a feeling that Prince Izana is having fun riling the princess"
Zen didn't reply to Obi's statement, the one who did was Mitsuhide.
"Because The princess and Prince Izana had met before and since that time, Prince Izana had taken an interest in Princess Melodia"
"You seem to know the detail, Mitsuhide" Kiki spoke.
"Well yeah, because I saw the scene with my own two eyes" Mitsuhide said in mysterious tone and Zen who knew Mitsuhide well, assumed that whatever happened in the past had made Melody disliked, No.. Despised his brother very much.
Kiki and Obi stared at Mitsuhide curiously while Zen sighed before speaking loudly to stop his older brother and Melody.
"Brother, It's time!"
Izana turned his gaze to his younger brother, "Don't forget, you can't dock at the harbor.. You need to dock at remote place so Reinhart's army can't detect you sooner than we expect them to"
"Yes, Brother!" Zen said and walked into the ship with his three aides. Melody followed them soon after.
As the ship started to sail, Izana smiled at them, "Be very careful!" He warned them
"We will, Brother!" Zen said.
"And Princess Melodia!" Izana called her out, Melody turned her head with a scowl on her beautiful face.
"what?!"
A sweet smile painted Izana's face "Please don't cheat on me and return to my embrace soon~"
Melody's face flushed as she shouted at Izana in anger "DROP DEAD, YOU GOD DAMN PRINCE!"
Zen and Mitsuhide had their eyes widened in shock.
Kiki couldn't help but be surprised
Obi covered his laughter with small coughs.
Izana chuckled softly hearing the curses she threw at him, staring at the ship that slowly getting father away. Soon his face turned cold and serious.
"Prepare the army right away" Said Izana to his personal aide as he turned around and headed to the carriage not to far from harbor.
"Yes, Your highness" The aide bowed and followed Izana quietly from behind.
Knowing Reinhart, Izana made a bet with himself that Zen would need the armies soon. Of course Zen didn't know about Izana's hidden plan. After all, Izana wasn't the person who would put all things in one basket.
For Izana, There was always... Hidden Plan...
.
.
Ruthergent Palace, Library..
Shirayuki had spent many hours inside the library. The stack of books on the table was the proof of how many books she had read during the past hours. Still she couldn't find a clue about ancient herb that could rival Demon's blood.
"Working hard?"
A sweet voice spoke and Shirayuki turned her head only to see a younger female with long wavy, henna color hair walked closer to her and sat next to her. Her emerald eyes stared at the stack of books on the table before turning to Shirayuki.
"I hope I am not disturbing you, Lady Shirayuki" said the female princess.
Shirayuki shook her head and smiled "Of course not, your highness" she stared at the beautiful princess.
"Is there anything I can do for you, Princess Katherina?" Shirayuki asked. During her stay in the palace, She rarely saw Reinhart's siblings. She already met the second prince, prince Wayne and the second princess, princess Serine. Both of them were excited to meet her but the excitement died down the moment they saw Reinhart was coming closer. That reaction alone had been gnawing her curiosity.
"I heard you are searching for plants that can counter the demon's blood.. I want to help you, two pairs of eyes are better than one right?" the princess smiled softly, it was such a beautiful smile and it was too bad that Princess Katherina rarely showed it to anyone. However, Shirayuki somehow understood the reason behind it. How could someone smile when their kingdom was in danger?
"Thank you, Princess" Shirayuki responded "I really appreciate the help"
Princess Katherina sat across Shirayuki and took one of the book from the stack. As she started to open and flipped the pages, Katherina smiled.
"You have questions" Her emerald eyes lifted up to meet Shirayuki's.
Shirayuki who was staring at the princess since she sat across her blushed slightly "My apologies"
Giggling to Shirayuki's reaction, princess Katherina shook her head "No need to apologize, I assume you have questions since I know, Ray won't provide you much information about things other than, He thought, you had to know"
"Yes, I have some questions regarding Prince Wayne and Princess Serine" Shirayuki admitted.
"ahh, yes.. I think I know what you're going to ask.." Princess Katherina lowered her gaze to the book, her eyes filled with sadness.
"Yes.. I want to know why Prince Wayne and Princess Serine are so afraid with Ra—, I mean.. Prince Reinhart.."
"It's okay, just call him Ray.. He prefers it that way I bet" Princess Katherina gave a soft smile which turned to a sad one
"It's because Ray closes his heart completely, he pushes us away.. by being cold and cruel.."
"What? But... Why?"
"Because..." Princess Katherina paused slightly before continuing, "Ray thought he can't be forgiven.. for killing his own father.. in front of Wayne and Serine.."
Shirayuki's eyes widened in shock, the room fell into silence, dead silence. It lasted for a few minutes or maybe more before princess Katherina continued.
"By being cruel and cold to Us.. Ray was punishing himself, he thought he can't be forgiven, he thought he carried a heavy sin but.. what he didn't know was.. Neither Wayne and Serine blamed him for killing our father.."
"Eh? What do you mean by that?"
Katherina eyes grew sadder, "... Ray saved both of them from becoming the next subjects of our mother's experiment.."
Shirayuki gasped in horror as Princess Katherina explained all of it to her. Yes.. Katherina still remembered it as if it just happened yesterday. That ill fated day when their father was consumed by madness, consumed by the dark desire of Alchemy.
.
Tap! Tap! Tap! Tap!
The sound of footsteps could be heard heading toward the east wing of Ruthergent Palace. A younger Ray was running and the pace of his footsteps became faster when he heard the screaming sound of his youngest sibling.
"EEEKKK! NOOOO!"
"Serine.." He mumbled and by the time he reached Serine's room, Wayne was trying to protect Serine from three palace guards.
"Serine! Wayne!" Ray said as he unsheathedhis own sword and stared at the guard menacingly.
"What are you doing here?No one shall come to the east wing, I thought I already made my order clear"
"But.. His Majesty ordered us to bring Princess Serine and Prince Wayne to the laboratory.." One of the guard explained.
"What...?" Ray could not believe his ears, "Father won't order something like that.. He won't use his own flesh and blood for experiment..."
Ray walked passing by the guards and stood in front of Serine and Wayne. "..I shall confirm this order to the King, I command you not to touch the princess and the prince.."
"Bu-But your highness..." The guard was struggling, knowing that the order was clear, or else.. "His Majesty will punish us if we don't bring the Princess and Prince to the laboratory"
"What's with the ruckus..."
A voice came from the door, The King of Ruthergent, King Edgebert was standing with two guards at his sides. "Why the first Prince is here? I thought my order was clear.."
"Father! These guards said that you want Serine and Wayne to be taken to the laboratory"
"That is true.."
Serine who was sniffling the whole time inside Wayne's arms started to cry more. "No.. I don't want to.."
Wayne glared at Edgebert "We are your flesh and blood! How could you?!"
"All is for a new revolution" Edgebert said in cold tone.
Something inside Ray was snapped, he just couldn't take it anymore. A new revolution? Who need something like that if so many innocent people were sacrificed..
Raising his blade, Ray pointed it to Edgebert "...I've had enough..." he said in low and dangerously cold tone.
"Are you defying your own father, Reinhart..? Are you defying ME, the King of Ruthergent?"
"You are no KING... A wise King won't sacrificeinnocent people for the sake of a mere revolution.. No... DELUSION"
"Arrest Him!" Edgebert ordered but when the guards moved closer, Ray shouted.
"ALL OF YOU CHOOSE NOW!" Ray shouted, "DO YOU WANT A MAD MAN AS YOUR KING.. OR DO YOU WANT ME AS THE KING.."
Edgebert's eyes widened "YOU..! HOW DARE YOU SAY SOMETHING LIKE THAT! THE THRONE IS MINE!"
Ray's gazed at her father, eyes meeting eyes "...No Father.. The moment you decided to sacrificeinnocent people and your flesh and blood.. You have lost the right to sit on the throne.."
Ray's gaze became colder, more ruthless "...I am taking the throne from your bloody hands..."
"Arrest Him! Why were you all just standing there?!"
The guards had made their desicion, they moved to Reinhart and stood next to him. The two guards next to Edgebert grabbed his arms tightly, preventing the King to run away.
"What?! Unhand me! You traitors! How dare you defy your King!" Edgebert was struggling and soon...
Whossh!
Splash!
The King's head was flying and fell to the floor, blood splashed to all direction. Ray stood there as Edgebert's dead body dropped to the floor.
"Arrest the Queen.. Find her and Bring her dead or alive..!" Ordered Ray.
"Yes, Your Majesty!" The guards replied, acknowledging Reinhart as the True King of Ruthergent.
Katherina who had seen it all from the shadow clasped her own mouth while crying silently. The heavy burden that her eldest brother took upon himself, the heavy sin he carried for the sake of the kingdom. It tore her heart apart to see the miserable expression that soon turned into a dark and cold one. Since that day, Ray refused to meet his siblings' eyes. He pushed them away, knowing that he had killed their father in front of them. The only one who was close enough to reach him was Yue, Reinhart's best friend.
.
Shirayuki could feel tears streaming down her cheeks as she heard Princess Katherina's story. How could fate be so cruel? Ray had lost his father and soon would lose his mother and the one who did it was Ray, himself. Such heavy burden for a person to carry, too heavy in fact.
"Oh dear me, I apologize for making you cry" Katherina took a silk handkerchief and offered it to Shirayuki.
"No, I am glad to know the story.." Shirayuki wiped the tears, "I really want Ray to open his heart but.." Shirayuki stopped talking,
"But you can't accept his love?" Katherina finished Shirayuki's sentence.
"Princess.."
"Don't look so guilty, I can see my brother's feeling clearly.. His eyes always follow you.. as if the mere sight of you can ease his pain.. But Shirayuki.." Katherina gazed at the red hair pharmacist seriously
"Love is not something you can force to have.. In Love, There will be the one who gets accepted and rejected.. So Don't feel guilty for not loving my brother.."
Shirayuki smiled softly "Thank you, Princess"
"Besides I have my own plan to save my brother" Princess Katherina mumbled softly.
"Eh? Did you say something?"
"Nothing~" Katherina gave out a mysterious smile. "Let's continue our search"
Both of them continued flipping through the pages. Katherina was once again drown in her deep thought. Katherina knew that Ray was still searching for their mother and when he found her, Katherina vowed to kill her with her own hands instead of Ray.
This time... She wanted to save Ray.. She wanted to save his heart by carrying the same sin..
.
.
Few days had passed since the rescue party departed from Clarines. Zen spent his days reviewing the plan to get closer to Ruthergent palace with Mitsuhide, Kiki trained by herself or having a spar with Melody while Obi watched them from the sidelines. During those few days, Zen noticed that Melody used dual swords to fight and her movements were just like a dancer performing on stage.
'Yapragi Dans'
Melody said when Zen questioned her about the blade movements. It was Yuvenlia ancient language, Melody explained, it meant 'Dance of Blades'. Mitsuhide and Kiki were interested in learning the movements but Melody said she could only teach the basic since both of them only used one blade and if they learned more of it, it would only disrupt their current skills instead of gaining a new one.
However, Zen also noticed that Melody didn't explain all about the Dance of Blades. It was just his gut talking but somehow there was more than meets the eye about this Dance of Blades and it was something that Melody hid.
Zen didn't mind it all that much though, he knew Melody must have a very good reason to hide the details of her skills. His mind rather weighing about Shirayuki and Ryu's safety. He missed her so much, he wanted to see that beautiful hair, that beautiful smile, that beautiful face of hers. His three aides might notice his feelings and Zen assumed that they were considerate enough not to mention it. Zen was grateful of their consideration because if they talked to him about Shirayuki, Zen was afraid he would show his uncool side by revealing his feelings.
No..
There would be time for such thing and now was not the time..
He had to carry the plan carefully...
"Zen! I can see the land!"
Mitsuhide's voice pulled Zen out of his reverie. Zen who was sitting inside his own cabin, stood up from his seat and walked out. He moved closer to Mitsuhide who stood at the forecastle deck pointed his finger.
Zen could see the land slowly getting visible, somewhere in that island Ruthergent Palace was there and so were Shirayuki and Ryu. Zen took a small breath before shouting order.
"Prepare yourself! We are closing in to the island!"
"Yes, Sir!" His three aides replied readily at the same time.
Light steps were heard, closing in to where Zen stood and soon Melody stood next to his side. "Well Well Well" She said, Zen could see excitement in that beautiful face.
"Looks like the party will soon begin" Melody said while kept staring at the faraway land.
"Are you scared?" Asked Zen even though he knew the answer already.
A cool smirk appeared on her face "Am I?"
Zen smirked as well "No, You're not"
Melody gave a soft chuckle "I am a traveling swordsman and THIS.. is only a part of my journey"
"Just please be careful" Zen warned her, "Otherwise My brother will scold me for it"
Melody's expression changed from excited to an expression of annoyance, "UGH.. don't spoil the mood by mentioning that damn man.."
Zen had to bit his tongue lightly so he wouldn't question Melody about the reason why she disliked his brother very much. However, Zen made a mental note to ask Mitsuhide for details later.
Slowly but sure, the land was getting closer and the ship had to make a small round to avoid getting spotted from the harbor. Soon they managed to find a small place to hide their ship and landed safely.
"..Our next path is going through that forest huh..?" Zen glanced at the path that led to the forest not too far from where they landed.
"Master, should I scout the path ahead?" Suggested Obi.
"Hmm, that is probably a good idea.. Make sure to stay alert and- ..!" Zen's words were cut when a shadow walked closer from the deep forest. All of them took out their weapons at the same time, glaring warily at the shadow.
'Was it the guard?' Zen mused, 'Or...'
Izana's words came to his mind.
"Be at your most guard.. The disease turns human to a demon"
Demon..
Zen would have never thought that someday he would deal with something like that, as the shadow getting clearer and revealed it's true form, Zen found himself feeling anxious and excited at the same time...
.
.
Author's Note : Okay! Finally after so many days I can post this chapter! =_=;;
So sorry for the delay, I am busy with work and life so It's really hard to find time to write and when I have time to write, My Mind is not in the condition to write T_T
Yep, Depression and stress.. Come to us all.. =_=;;
Anyway, I in the middle of writing.. well more like, building plots for Melodia X Izana story ~ :D The title is...
*Drum roll*
"CAPTIVATED BY THE CRIMSON GODDESS" ! XDDD
LOL Okay, Sorry for the bad pun u_u
Okay That's it for me and As usual, I ask for your review about my story, Any building opinion to become a better writer, or how is the plot story so far! :D
thank you for all the followers who still follow this story so far, I hope all of you still stick until the end of the story and Thank you for giving review as well! :D
We shall meet again in the next chapter! :D
Love and Peace! n_n)v