CHAPTER - 13

• Prince Edward's POV •

The atmosphere in the palace was tense and chaotic. Laughter and screams shattered the silence of the dark twilight, signalling that something serious was unfolding within the palace walls.

The battle between the knights and Prince Edward had begun. The knights, determined to prevent Edward and Mary Windsor from escaping, acted swiftly. However, Edward effortlessly overpowered them with his extraordinary strength and agility.

"Stop! Prince Edward, you must not go any further!" one of the knights shouted, trying to block Edward and Mary from fleeing.

Without hesitation, Edward parried the knight’s attack and slammed him to the ground with astonishing force, rendering him unconscious instantly. Other knights attempted to subdue Edward, but they too were swiftly defeated by his combat prowess.

"Tch! Do you all take me for a fool?!" Edward roared in burning rage, looking down at the unconscious knights with satisfaction.

However, his expression changed abruptly when he saw a knight appearing behind Mary, ready to strike. Edward quickly warned her, but Mary deftly handled the situation with her magic.

"Drop your weapon!" Mary commanded, her voice cold and authoritative. Instantly, the knight dropped his weapon, succumbing to Mary's magical influence.

"This place is no longer safe…" Edward muttered, his voice filled with frustration and fury.

"Let’s escape together, Edward-sama," Mary said with a sweet smile, extending her hand to him.

Edward grasped her hand with gratitude, and together they ran towards the royal family’s emergency escape route. However, luck was not on their side, for when they arrived, a group of knights had already been stationed there, waiting for them.

"Tch! These pests are so irritating. I’m running out of energy… At this rate, I might actually get caught," Edward muttered, panting heavily as he prepared for another battle.

Before the knights could advance, Mary stepped forward, speaking to Edward with a firm and confident tone. "Leave this to me, Edward-sama."

Without waiting for his response, Mary unleashed her Dark Magic, swiftly dealing with the knights blocking their way. With overwhelming magical prowess, she forced the knights to turn on each other.

Once the path was cleared, Mary and Edward resumed their escape, desperately fleeing from the perilous and chaotic palace.

Under the cover of night, Prince Edward and Mary Windsor evaded the relentless pursuit of the royal knights. They ran through the empty streets towards a carriage waiting just outside the palace gates. The cold night breeze sliced through the silence, their hurried footsteps echoing against the deserted roads.

As soon as they climbed into the carriage, they spurred the horses into a rapid gallop, leaving the palace far behind. Their eyes gleamed with excitement and uncertainty, uncertain of what awaited them next.

Edward, his face twisted with fury and hatred, gripped the reins tightly. "Hahaha… Just you wait, Angelica! I will kill you!" he bellowed, his voice dripping with venom, his burning eyes revealing his murderous intent.

Meanwhile, Mary Windsor sat beside him with a satisfied smile, as if everything was going exactly as she had planned.

"Ahh~ Edward-sama…" Mary Windsor whispered, her voice laced with twisted delight.

Edward gave no response, his gaze fixed on the road ahead, focused solely on his destination—Count Orian’s territory.

After travelling for an hour by carriage, they had put a considerable distance between themselves and the capital.

Once they were confident they had shaken off their pursuers, Edward and Mary decided to stop by a tranquil lakeside. The lush green grass and serene surroundings brought them a brief sense of relief, though they remained wary of potential threats.

Edward surveyed the area and determined it was a suitable place to rest. "Mary, wake up," he said gently, attempting to rouse Mary, who was dozing against the carriage.

Mary stirred slightly, exhaustion evident on her face. "Ughh~" she murmured, trying to shake off her drowsiness. She blinked at Edward, still half-asleep, trying to process his words.

"We’ll rest here for a while," Edward said, his voice tinged with concern. Seeing Mary’s fatigue, he wanted to give her a moment to recover.

He gestured towards the lake nearby, where the moonlight shimmered over its still surface. "I’m going to freshen up there for a bit," he added, intending to cleanse himself after the recent chaos.

Mary, though still groggy, nodded in agreement. She was relieved they could finally take a break in a safe and quiet place.

Before leaving, Edward gently brushed Mary’s cheek, offering a brief moment of comfort. Even in her drowsy state, Mary found solace in his warmth.

Ensuring that Mary was secure, Edward made his way towards the lake. The moonlight illuminated his path, casting long shadows over the serene water. The beauty of the scenery gave him a fleeting sense of peace, and he silently hoped that everything would go smoothly for them from now on.

Reaching the water’s edge, Edward allowed the cool liquid to wash over him, cleansing away the sweat and grime of battle. He relished the refreshing sensation, feeling reinvigorated. He hoped Mary would feel the same after some rest.

Once satisfied, Edward returned to Mary’s side, finding her still sound asleep against the carriage. This time, she seemed more at ease.

Edward smiled slightly at the sight of her peaceful expression, relieved that she could finally rest. He sat beside her, keeping watch as she slept.

The tranquil lakeside granted him a brief respite from the madness that had unfolded earlier.

However, the stillness was soon disturbed by a rustling sound from a nearby bush. Edward immediately reached for the sword he had stolen from a defeated knight, ready to face whatever emerged.

"Who’s there?!" Edward barked, his voice commanding and sharp, hoping to scare off the intruder. Silence followed, deepening his suspicion.

Suddenly, a creature emerged from the underbrush—Edward recognised it instantly as a Rabbit Horn. A rank-E monster, normally easy to defeat when alone, but far more dangerous in a pack due to its agility and razor-sharp horns, capable of piercing armour with ease.

Seeing the Rabbit Horn, Edward felt a momentary relief, assuming it was just a minor nuisance. Without wasting time, he swiftly engaged the two Rabbit Horns that had appeared.

With his honed combat skills, Edward dispatched the creatures effortlessly, his swordsmanship precise and deadly. After eliminating them, he decided they would serve as a meal. He knew they needed sustenance for their journey, and Rabbit Horn meat was a decent food source.

After confirming the meat was safe to eat, Edward gathered wood and cast a small spell, "[Fire Ball]," summoning a flickering flame from the void to ignite the firewood and begin cooking the meat.

As he waited for the meat to cook, Edward resumed his position beside Mary, letting her rest undisturbed while he kept watch.

Once the meat was done, he divided it into two portions, setting aside a share for Mary, who was still fast asleep.