Chapter 12 (1/2)
Meanwhile, that night someone entered Tasel’s tent. It was an informant sent by them to the Nobles of the area they were marching through. The agent verbalised his report.
“How are their reactions over there?”
“I think they are reconsidering something. Not long ago, they seemed to co-operate with our side for certain, but I don’t know what sort of condition was put forward by the Rebel Army as they resolutely avoided to give a definite answer.”
Tasel became silent at the words of the informant, but unlike him, the faces of Mikhail and Zeke were being eroded with anger.
“Damn it….”
“Your Highness, I have a very bad feeling about this. It’s the third time the Rebel Army has distorted our carefully cultivated amicable relationship with others; with the same method.”
“You are right. I am aware of it. Don’t you think that the Rebel Army seems to know exactly which parties we approach for co-operation?”
Tasel ascertained from the report this time that their plans were being leaked out.
“When do you think the decisive battle will take place?”
“I feel that it won’t be long. It seems that the Rebel Army is also waiting for the right timing.”
“Then we still have time,” he muttered. “I got it. You worked hard.”
After the informant left, Mikhail could only wait for Tasel to speak out. But even before a minute passed, he began to throw a fit.
“It’s certain that His Majesty is behind all this! Despite his inability to provide us with any help, I really…!”
Mikhail continued to make a fuss, but Tasel and Zeke kept quiet as they fell into deep thought.
“If… if His Highness is killed at this moment, then the Rebel Army will head straight to the Karina Palace. Then why did His Majesty want to stop suppressing the Rebel Army….”
“The only thing I am certain is, that the Rebel’s side and His Majesty’s side, both are hesitating over something. In the meantime, we also need to come up with some plan.”
“Huu… I know. But what I am really curious about is whether His Majesty intended for such a situation or whether he thought I was stupid. It would be better if His Majesty is taking me for a fool. If by any chance all of these are intended by His Majesty, then we are completely caught in his trap. We must thoroughly analyse the situation and prepare ourselves discreetly.”
Both Zeke and Mikhail’s eyes changed as they looked at Tasel. They felt that it won’t be too long before Tasel makes his decision.
“The borderline nobility already pledged their loyalty towards Your Highness. They are only waiting for Your Highness’s orders.”
“.…I understand. Once I confirm my queen mother’s safety, let’s proceed. No news from Karina Palace?”
“Not yet. The palace is under tight security.”
“I understand. Inform me as soon as there is any news. Then let’s wind up here.”
In the now-empty tent, Tasel gritted his teeth. So His Majesty wanted to disgrace him and his queen mother till the end.
Alterion brought Elena, a royalty of Tartanian, a newly conquered land by him, as his third queen. Alterion lost his highly favoured General in the war of conquest with Tartanian. As if taking revenge for the General’s death, Elena didn’t get any affection or at least any warmth from Alterion.
On their first night together, Elena was completely frightened. A memory she doesn’t even want to think about, surfaced. It was said that after that night whenever Alterion visited Elena’s bed-chamber, her cries could be heard even from the outside.
After Tasel was born, Alterion married another queen. Tasel and his mother were completely forgotten after that. Even they didn’t show up in front of the public as a part of the royal family.
Elena thought such a condition was not bad, rather she felt better about it. But they were without any option to attend the party hosted by his Majesty. When Tasel saw his mother dressed plainly, standing at a side all alone, anger roared up in him unwittingly. But whenever Tasel got angry, Elena would plead with her son to just live like this, silently, without entering others eyes.
The royal family of Tartanian got out alive with the price of forsaking their Princess. Still, they couldn’t even provide Elena with any support. Of course, Alterion didn’t leave any room for that. But it was mainly because of themselves, who would lie flat down on their stomach whenever they came across His Majesty.
The Tartanian royalty also came to the party, groomed more fancily than Elena. They didn’t show their perfunctory manners towards her. Because of it, Tasel didn’t have an expectation from his mother’s family, not even any goodwill.
The more he thought, the more he felt his chest tightening because of his pent up anger. Tasel stood up from his seat all of a sudden. He took a towel and hung it on his shoulder and went towards the pond in the hillside. He felt that the cold water could calm him down.
Though the garrison was immersed in the night, the moonlight lit up the surroundings.
With a complex face Tasel went through the hilly roads and before long, he reached the pond. He took off his clothes and put them on a rock nearby. He steadily went into the cold pond and walked to the middle.
The pond was a bit shallow as the water only reached till the pit of his stomach. Tasel held his breath and went into the water. He felt the cold water washing his hot chest and head. He certainly felt a little better.
“Pooh-!”
Tasel came above the water, but only his head. He stood like that, silently, feeling the energy around the hill.
The bright moon, the sound of water dripping, the chirping of beetles – they were always the same, without having any concern about him or his mother. Tasel felt despondent thinking of his lone struggle, doing his utmost to survive.
At that time, he felt like hearing someone nearing the pond. Tasel swam silently towards the rock which held his clothes. Though he speculated that it might be a soldier coming to fish, in truth, these days he felt it won’t be any strange even if he was assassinated. So he hid the body behind the rock and covered up his presence.
“Ha… As expected there was a pond.”