Chapter 15

"Is that everyone?" Rika huffed, looking around the room for more injured knights or civilians. Her vision blurred, and she cringed, shaking her head. No, I have to keep going. I have to make sure everyone's okay before resting.

"You've done enough, little bunny." Dryden rested a hand on her shoulder. "It's time for you to head back to your room and rest."

Her eyes swept across the room once again, and she stumbled, but Dryden caught her.

"Dryden is right," Alric said. "You've done more than enough for today."

The knights that she helped heal lined up on the sides, giving her space to move as they bowed and gave her their thanks. Their voices resonated through the room.

Oh, that was unexpected.

A hand wrapped around her shoulder and pulled her close. She looked over, and her eyes widened. It wasn't Dryden like she expected, but Alric.

"I'll escort you to your room. Dryden, follow along. I have to have a word with you after," Alric said.

"Yes, Your Highness," Dryden sighed, knowing Alric was going to scold him and possibly worse.

Afraid fatigue would win over her with how much her legs were shaking, Rika leaned into Alric as he escorted her out.

They reached the staircase leading to her bedroom and stopped.

"Shall I carry you?" Alric offered. "I'm worried you won't make it the rest of the way."

"I can do that," Dryden offered.

"Stand down, Dryden."

"Sir..." Dryden's shoulders slouched as he stepped back.

"Thanks, but I can make it to my room." She gripped the railing and took a shaky step up, her legs feeling like she just did a few hundred squats. Or not. Geez, why are my legs this bad if I was using magic? "See, I'll be fine. Oh!" Rika gasped as he swooped her up into his arms.

"There's no need to push yourself so much. We're here to help, so rely on us, especially after what you did for my men."

"But..." Rika swallowed her words. "I don't think the nobles would like to see their crown prince carrying the saint like this."

Alric chuckled, his laughter vibrating through her. "I'm not so sure about that. If anything, it'd be a source of gossip for both those who know your identity and those that don't."

"Oh no." Her eyes widened. "With what I did back there... won't they figure out who I am?"

"I've left Wolfe to deal with that, and it's not a problem; you'll be introduced to the kingdom tomorrow, anyway. If anything, you've gained quite a few admirers with the magical feat back there," Alric said as he carried her upstairs.

"Definitely wasn't my intention." Rika yawned and leaned towards him, her eyes growing heavy.

"I imagine the little bunny will capture many hearts and break many of them, one day," Dryden said as he followed Alric to her room, with Celeste waiting outside.

"Saint Rika!" Celeste rushed up to them. "Is she alright?"

"Yes, just tired," Alric replied. "She needs her rest before tomorrow."

Celeste opened her bedroom door for them and stood off to the side, waiting while Alric placed her in bed, slid her shoes off, and tucked her in.

"Thank you for all you've done for us. You've saved several lives today, despite how much it was draining you," Alric said, the white rose above his head glowing. "Celeste, please take care of her."

Did his rose glow? I guess he truly cares about his knights.

"Of course, Your Highness." Celeste bowed to him.

"Come with me to my office, Dryden," Alric said, his voice full of ice.

"Will do, but first, I want a moment with Rika." Dryden gestured towards her with a worried smile.

"Fine. You have one minute." Alric left her bedroom with Celeste to talk to her for a moment.

Dryden brushed her hair back and kissed her forehead. "Thank you, Rika, for everything today, and I'm sorry I was a bit rough with you."

"It's okay," she mumbled, her eyes barely open.

"It may not have ended well, but I had a great time on our date. You've proven yourself to be a magnificent woman and saint, and I hope we can have another date down the line, though I'm not sure His Highness will allow it. Get some rest. You deserve it." He kissed her cheek.

Click.

The red rose above Dryden's head glowed.

A screen popped up. 'Quest Completed: Learn to Dance and Proper Etiquette.'

'Reward: Reputation Up, All Suitors' Affection Up.'

Another screen popped up. 'Special Quest: Date with Dryden.'

'Reward: Dryden's Affection Up.'

A third screen popped up. 'Dryden's Route Unlocked.'

Rika couldn't keep her eyes open enough to read them and drifted off to sleep.

"What did you do this time?" Celeste muttered as Dryden left her room.

"Nothing you need to worry about." He ruffled her hair, and she shoved his hand away.

"Don't do that." She combed her hair back perfectly into place.

"Take care of her."

"Of course." Celeste closed Rika's door behind her and checked right away for any fever, her palm on Rika's forehead. She sighed and sat down. "Don't worry us too much."

Alric slammed his hand against his desk, making Dryden flinch. "What in the world were you thinking? How could you take her out of the palace? And without guards?! Are you insane?"

"No, Your Highness, I'm not insane." Dryden cleared his throat as he thought about how to respond. "Rika wanted to see the town, and I figured as long as I was with her, she'd be safe. We stayed close to the palace—"

"And we had a demon find its way in! What if something happened to her?"

"I wouldn't let that happen."

"Let it happen? Like you have a choice? You're one man. What makes you think you can protect her on your own?"

Dryden swallowed hard. "Because I'd prioritize her safety above all, like I did. Your Highness, please understand that she needed a break. Can you imagine being torn away from your life to a foreign land, surrounded by strangers, and being told you're their only hope? And to be trapped in the palace after that—"

"I understand it better than you think. My mother..." Alric took a deep breath to calm himself. "Told me about her life before being summoned here. And I myself spent much of my childhood trapped within these walls. It's all for safety. I've heard stories about people knowing who my mother was while she was in town, and they'd surround her, asking to be healed. It takes a toll to help people, which I'm sure Rika is learning about now. Did anything else happen while you were out there? Anything I should know about?"

Dryden thought about how she had healed the dog and shook his head. "No, nothing worth mentioning. We had fun together while outside, and I took her to a cafe because she loves sweets."

Alric nodded, a small smile playing on his face. "Good. I'm glad nothing else happened."

Dryden stood. "I guess—"

"That isn't all. You need a punishment for your reckless behaviour, no matter your intentions."

"I understand, Your Highness." Dryden's jaw tightened.

Alric tapped his fingers on his desk as he stared at Dryden, deep in thought. "I think for now you shouldn't be alone with Rika."

"What?!" Dryden's eyes widened. "But I'm meant to be her tutor—"

"And for now you shall busy yourself helping Ferran clean up and fix the town."

"He has mages for that."

"Ahem." Alric cleared his throat, and Dryden shut his mouth. "You've proven you can use magic too, but there're plenty of jobs that need to be done that don't require magic. This is your punishment, Dryden; remember that."

"Your Highness." Dryden bowed to him.

"You're dismissed." He waved him away.

Dryden was about to head downstairs to his room when he stopped and held onto the gift hiding in his inside coat pocket. He headed to Rika's room, where Celeste was outside talking to the guard who had shown up.

"I'm surprised to see you back so fast." Celeste crossed her arms and glared up at him. "I thought he'd be biting your head off."

"He did, and he doled out my punishment, which is why I'm here now. Can you give this to Rika?" He pulled a white teddy with a red bow out from inside his coat pocket and kissed the top of its head.

"A stuffed animal? Are you sure about this? She's not a little girl."

"Doesn't matter. She'll welcome this gift, I assure you."

"If you say so. But why don't you give it to her yourself?"

"His Highness wants us to keep a bit of a distance for now, and I'd rather she have him sooner than later."

Celeste nodded and poked the bear's nose. "Okay."

"Thank you." He nodded to her and headed off, sighing. "Wouldn't she be safer with me around, though?"

Celeste glanced at the guard, who moved aside to let her into Rika's room. "I wonder if she'll know who this is from?" She set the teddy next to Rika. "Guess you'll have to protect Rika's heart in Dryden's stead.