The Worth (Rebellious Heroes 4)

6

The tribe took me to their place, with Aunt Ina walking beside me. I told her the reason why I'm in Gomorrah. Though she already expected that it's Ylode I'm after, something else surprised her.

"Did Ylode knew you were coming?"

I shook my head and that was one thing that surprised her. Usually, when I visit Ylode alone in Gomorrah, I would notify her that I'm coming. Sometimes, I would notify her parents. This is the first time I came in surprise.

"I'm really sorry Aunt Ina if I wasn't able to notify Ylode or you. What happened was really sudden."

"I know, dear." Aunt Ina looked at me with sadness in her eyes, feeling sorry for me. News reaches fast in Pangaea. I'm pretty sure everyone in Pangaea knew that Tern is at war.

Moments later, we reached the tribe place. Like before, the tribal place is still surrounded by nature. Despite the tribal huts and nature-like paths in the area, it's nice that the tribe caught on to modern times, obvious with electricity posts, TV antennas and internet signal posts that are present. I then heard Aunt Ina calling Ylode in their royal hut.

"Mama." Ylode replied from the inside of the hut.

"Holy Mae is here."

All of a sudden, Ylode went out of the hut, her eyes wide upon seeing me. Seconds after, she sighed, sadness clear in her eyes as she rushed to me, hugging me tight.

"I've heard what happened. I'm so sorry." She said as tears rolled down my cheeks and hugging her back. I've been trying to conceal my tears for quite a while. At least for now, with my best friend, I can finally release them.

Moments later, we were inside Ylode's home, bread and soft drinks in the table. Ylode and Aunt Ina sat down beside each other while I sat across from them.

"I'm sorry if Uncle Ome is not here dear." Aunt Ina smiled as I nodded, "He's very busy in the city."

"I understand." I mumbled as I sipped from the soft drink.

"What's the news on Battalion 86?" Ylode asked.

"Battalion 86?"

"Quentin's battalion, mama." Ylode replied.

"Well... Quentin's ship surrendered to Cech soldiers." I mumbled as Ylode and Aunt Ina's jaws slacked open with shock.

"Oh my God." Ylode whispered, "Did Tern soldiers have made any action?"

"Their planning on it. And I'm sure it'll take a long time."

"Of course." Ylode replied, "They'll still do intel stuff on Cech."

"I can't wait it out, Ylode. My brother will die before he'll be rescued."

"What do you plan to do?" Aunt Ina asked.

"Go to Cech, kill the king and set my brother free."

"What?" Ylode asked, shocked, "That's a crazy move, Holy Mae. If they found out you're from Tern, they'll kill you. Do you understand that?"

"That's why I came here to you." I said, "You know about countries. At least you can tell me an appropriate plan."

Ylode tried to think for a while. However, she shook her head in frustration, indicating that she has no idea or plan, "I can't think of-"

"How about The Worth?" Aunt Ina said as Ylode and I looked at her.

"The Worth?" Ylode asked.

"It's a game, for the ladies ages 18 to 30." Aunt Ina replied, "When the new king of Cech is unmarried, The Worth happens in summer. It is when 16 ladies from all places around the world compete in 10 challenges and impress the king. If one lady is successful in both, then she'll have the Ring of Worth that signifies her winning The Worth, marry the king, and become the Queen of Cech. That is, if the king is unmarried."

"So if the king is married, I have no other options then."

"Sadly." Ylode said softly. I was about to bow my head in frustration when I saw the sudden shift of emotions in Ylode. I saw how her eyes lit up and widen, like she just had an idea in mind. Even I was excited on what idea she might have, "Unless..."

Then Ylode got up and ran to her room, hearing shuffling sounds soon after. "Ylode?" I called as she came back with a newspaper article.

"Thank God for Second Semester Current Events." She grinned as she showed to me and Aunt Ina a news from Cech, "This was the main news 5 months ago. King John of Cech died of unknown causes. But that's not just the detail." She said as she started reading a part of the news, "Prince Anton of Cech, King John's only son, will be crowned the new King of Cech, succeeding his late father. King Anton is a 26 year old bachelor. Which means, Cech will hold the historical The Worth again this coming summer."

"So if this news was 5 months ago, it means The Worth will be held this summer." Aunt Ina concluded, then looked at me, "You should join, Holy Mae."

"Yeah, you should." Ylode said, "You're beautiful, intelligent, and you're 20 years old, which makes you suitable. If you complete the challenges and impress King Anton, he'll marry you. Then, you'll kill him and set Quentin free."

I scoffed, "I can't. I'm from Tern. You said so yourself: If they find out I'm from Tern, they'll kill me."

"You can pretend to be someone else." Aunt Ina said, "You can pretend that you're an elite from Pangaea."

"Why elite?" I asked.

"So that you'll be prioritized there. That way, you'll have higher chances of being one of the 16 ladies because you have a lot of money." Aunt Ina smiled.

"Pangaea and the other countries work differently than Tern." I replied, "When you're a female elite in Pangaea, you have a maid with you-"

"I can pretend to be your maid." Ylode cut me off.

"But that means you'll come with me to Cech."

"Which is a good idea." Aunt Ina replied, "At least there's someone who'll help you and guide you on what to do." Then I saw Ylode smiling and nodding at me, making me smile back. She really had my back at everything. I really love her as my best friend.

"Okay. I'll inform papa and some neighbors to help us in creating fake IDs and documents and in letting us have new wardrobes to really look like an elite."

I then wasted no time in rushing to her and hugging her tight, "Oh, Ylode. What will I do without you?"

We then let go of each other, "You'll always have me, sis." She said as she left to be with the neighbors that she's talking about.

"For the meantime, you stay here with us." Aunt Ina said as I hugged her tight.

"Thank you very much, Aunt Ina. I owe you a lot."

"You don't owe us anything, my dear." She smiled, "Quentin, like you, your mom and your dad, is very valuable to us. And we'll fight to get him back."

I can't help but be teary eyed to her response. Turns out, I'm not alone in this fight.

We're all fighting for you, Quentin.