Chapter 57 (2/2)

“Yes, your Highness,” said Anderson in a solemn voice. He placed his right hand on his heart. “I will rally up the militia in River Cove Town immediately.”

“Good. You may go now. The sooner the matter is settled, the better.” Annie maintained a cool and haughty facade as she talked to Anderson.

Anderson bowed one more time and walked out of the sitting room in long strides.

Once the door was closed, Annie and Link were alone in the room.

Link’s mind was filled with thoughts about the Syndicate, so he felt antsy sitting still in the room doing nothing.

“Princess—” he began after a few silent minutes had passed.

“Just call me Annie, the way you did in Gladstone,” Annie interjected.

“Alright, Annie, then,” said Link, “The Syndicate’s message could arrive anytime now, should we move to the hall and wait for it there?”

Jacker and Gildern were both in the hall, but those two had been scared stiff by the thought of facing such an opponent as the Syndicate. Link thought it best for him to be there with them.

“Alright, let’s go,” replied Annie.

They both stood up and headed for the door, but just as Link’s hand was about to reach the doorknob, he heard Annie’s soft voice coming from behind him.

“Is Lucy pretty?” she asked.

What kind of a question is that? Link wondered. He stood there in confused silence for a few seconds.

“She’s alright,” Link finally replied.

“Oh, prettier than me?” asked Annie again.

“You’re both… uh… no, not as pretty as you are, of course,” said Link. He finally caught the meaning behind the strange tone in Annie’s voice. Could it be that Annie had fallen for him? But that’s impossible, they’ve seen each other for the total of two hours, what kind of feelings could develop that fast?

To be frank, Link thought of Annie as a friend and nothing more. She might be a Princess, and a pretty one at that, but she was just not his type. He had to be careful with what he said, though, lest he hurt her feelings. He didn’t want to risk that, for fear that it might influence her decision to help him fight against the Syndicate.

“Lucy is my follower,” said Link, as he quickly turned around to face Annie, “We had fought together in battles, so if something happened to her, or even to Jacker or Gildern, I would do anything in my power to help them. Lucy’s looks have nothing to do with any of this. It is what I must do to fulfill my obligations as their lord,” explained Link in earnest.

Both lord and follower had their own responsibilities and duties to uphold. Once they were sworn to each other, the followers must be loyal to their lord, and in turn, the lord had the duty to protect his followers’ interests. If a follower died fighting for him, then the lord must arrange proper funeral rites for the follower so that his other followers won’t lose their faith in him.

As expected, Annie brightened up the moment she heard Link’s explanation. Her footsteps quickened and she caught up behind Link. Her attitude was noticeable more positive too.

“If you have trouble entering the academy, I can write you a recommendation letter. My father has a friend who’s a powerful Level-6 Magician. He’s also a tutor at the East Cove Magic Academy. He will take you under his wing as soon as my father orders it. With your talents, he would be more than happy to accept you as his student. I’ll let it pass this time, but you must let me help you if you’re ever in trouble next time,” said Annie.

“I’ll remember that,” replied Link.

And so Link opened the door and the two exited the room. But before they went any further, they bumped into Jacker at the stairs.

“My Lord, there was a letter from the Syndicate,” he said.

“What did it say?” asked Link, his face stony.

“They demanded us to meet them at the Red Leaves Cove, south of River Cove Town, before three o’clock in the afternoon, bringing… gold coins in exchange for Lucy’s safety,” said Jacker. He saw Annie there and thought it unwise to mention the crystal in front of an outsider, so he changed it to ‘gold coins’ instead.

Annie didn’t catch anything suspicious in Jacker’s tone, she only frowned in anger and said, “Has the Syndicate’s power grown to such an extent in the Girvent Forest? It seems that I’ve arrived at the right time!”

Jacker didn’t quite understand what Annie meant, so he looked to Link for an explanation.

“Princess Annie will help us rescue Lucy. General Anderson has gone to town to rally up the militia on her orders,” said Link.

Jacker perked up instantly. With the help of the royal family, the Syndicate’s threats now appeared much less terrifying. It seemed that there was a chance that Lucy could be saved. Still, he was amazed to learn that his Lord was acquainted with a royal Princess and was on such good terms with her too!

Link turned to Annie and said, “Annie, the most important thing right now is to save Lucy, we can think of destroying the Syndicate later. We can’t make too much commotion right now, lest they might uncover our plans. I’m planning to go there with Gildern and Jacker, then you and the rest can quietly follow along later—”

“No, I’ll go with you now, Anderson will wait here to make further plans and follow us later. And don’t try to stop me, it’s too dangerous for you to fight alone. You saved my life in Gladstone once, so let me help you now,” said Annie, looking resolute.

“All right.” Link knew there was no point in arguing the matter, so he only nodded.

And so, Annie quickly wrote a letter, and told her servant to send it to Anderson.

“Let’s get going,” she said, “We’ll ride my horses!”