CHAPTER 23

At Ludveck's camp, one rebel soldier said to Ludveck himself that an estimated number of four thousand Crimean soldiers marched into Felirae lands. Estimating that two thousand men were left in Melior, Castle Crimea, Ludveck suspected that if it was cavalry marching into Felirae. The rebel said that it was mostly cavalry soldiers.

"Sir!" yelled a Crimean Rebel Sword Knight, "One of the female soldiers retreated back to the palace with a subordinate!"

"I see." said Ludveck. "Suppose they are keeping the palace safe?"

"We don't know at this point, sir." said the rebel sword knight.

"Very well, then." said Ludveck. "I shall give out more instructions to the soldiers." Ludveck said as he walked away to his army.

When the Crimean Royal Knights and the soldiers of Queen Elincia arrived on site at Castle Felirae, Kieran told Geoffrey that all troops were standing ready to assault the castle's troops. Geoffrey, who was suspecting that the castle's troops were nothing but common soldiers, did not see Ludveck or any of his fellow subordinate soldiers. He was thinking that Ludveck was giving out more instructions to the soldiers.

"You know, Geoffrey, these soldiers look like amateurs!" yelled Kieran. "They flop around on their horses like rag dolls."

"They're going to fall off, are they?" asked Heather. "I mean, seriously."

Asha laughed at Kieran.

"Now, now, Asha." said Kieran. "This is no time to laugh at jokes right now. We need to focus."

"Yeah, looks like there's a lot of soldiers on the spot." said Isaac. "Still, Izzy and I can fix this right up."

"Do you think they can outsmart the Crimean Royal Knights?" asked Calill.

"Well, we are perfectly tuned for fighting." said Geoffrey. "I think these amateurs will lose to us."

"But Her Majesty, the Queen!" yelled Marcia. "They are Crimean citizens!"

"Their lives should be spared." said Makalov.

"Yes, you two have a point." said Geoffrey. "Her Majesty, Queen Elincia can surely put some sense into them."

"Then I say we spare as many lives as we can and seize Ludveck!" yelled Kieran.

"Tis' but possible, Kieran." said Geoffrey. "Everyone, to arms!"

Everyone charged for the rebels, wanting to spare as many lives as possible for the Queen.

The sparing of lives took about one to two hours. Most of the rebels managed to escape while other soldiers laid down their weapons. This is what one soldier reported to Geoffrey and Kieran. However, Geoffrey didn;t see any of Felirae's regular soldiers anywhere, Duke Ludveck included. Kieran asked if they were on route to the capital.

"Likely." said Geoffrey.

Kieran, as he panicked, wanted the troops to rally and be sent back to Melior, the capital of Crimea.

"Don't panic!" yelled Geoffrey.

"Do you realize what in the hell is going on here, Geoffrey?!" asked Kieran.

Kieran later galloped away.

"Eesh, Kieran." said Geoffrey.

Geoffery later went to rally up his troops to be ready to go back to Castle Crimea. Geoffrey was, however, growing more and more suspicious of Ludveck.

Meanwhile, with the dragonmaster Haar, he was watching everything unfold from Melior. There, while Haar tired, Lucia knew that the rebels were a decoy. She thanked Haar for his assistance.

"Yaaaaaaaawwwwn…." yawned Haar. "You knew all along?"

"We knew from the getgo that the duke was up to no good." said Lucia. "But have I should've known about the decoys, then we would not have sent our troops to Castle Felirae. I'm just shocked and surprised that that epitome of nobility, Lord Ludveck, would so willingly sacrifice his devoted followers."

"...You play a deep game, woman." said Haar.

"Well, we all do." said Lucia. "Anyways, Her Majesty is at Fort Alpea; we are due to hear from her any moment." said Lucia. "I will go check on that."

"And I shall excuse myself." said Haar.

"I actually want you to wait here a little longer." said Lucia. "There are still more roles I require you to do. If all goes as planned, I will return with your humble payment. Then, you may do as you wish." Lucia stated.

"...Very well, then." said Haar.

Lucia nodded and walked off.

Later that night, Lucia wanted information from a Crimean citizen. But however, the citizen was murdered. Then, Ludveck was there. Could he be the one responsible for the young civilian's murder? It was a possibility.

"You!" yelled Lucia.

"Beautiful as ever, Lucia!" proclaimed Ludveck.

Ludveck later groped Lucia.

"What the hell are you doing?!"

"You have very much manipulated me." said Ludveck as he was rubbing himself against Lucia.

"What are you even doing?!" asked Lucia. "Get the hell off of me, you bastard!"

"Ha ha ha!" laughed Ludveck. "Oh, and by the way, I'm finding out where the Queen is hiding."

"Good luck finding that out, Lord Bastard Ludveck." said Lucia.

"Perhaps it is a little place called Alpea?" asked Ludveck.

"So you've been stalking the queen like she is tiger's prey?!" asked Lucia as Ludveck walked towards her. As Lucia was getting more angrier, Ludveck started to torture Lucia mentally and physically. Lucia was in the house, screaming and hollering. Something was definitely wrong.