Tale of The Substitute Princess

Chapter XI

11: WOUNDS AFTER THE DANGER

"Kio, let's change position. You sit with the coachman and I'll sit inside with the Princess."

As the carriage was taken from its place, Aiden approached Kio and instructed him. Kio was curious because of the sudden instruction of Aiden since Kio has been sitting with Princess Dahlia since then. Kahit naguguluhan ay hindi kinuwestiyon o nagtanong si Kio dahil alam niyang may rason si Aiden.

"I understand, Sir Aiden."

"Also, be cautious of your surroundings," he said his last command before aiding Princess Dahlia inside the carriage.

Aiden commanded Kio because he has been having a bad feeling about something. And he trusted his knight instincts. It was better to be safe than sorry.

Prince Caius has been gone for quite a while because of business affairs, that's why no one had reprimanded Princess Dahlia about her going out almost everyday. Kahit si Iris ay wala rin namang masabi sa paglabas-labas niya dahil nakikita niyang nag-eenjoy siya sa town.

Meanwhile, Arrius seemed to be locked up in the tower since even Aiden—his brother—didn't hear much from him. Hindi naman na bago 'yon kay Aiden dahil alam niyang nag-sasave lang ng mana ang kapatid niya. Arrius may seem disrespectful towards Haera but he was also one of those people who could be straightforward and direct with Haera.

Aiden had no choice but to be the one to call out Princess Dahlia's action even though he didn't want to. Nandoon siya nang makita niyang maluha si Haera nang makita niya 'yung lalaki. He saw how there was always a melancholic look on her face as she stared at the man.

From that moment, alam ni Aiden na importante 'yung lalaking 'yon kay Haera. Kung pwede lang ay hahayaan niya lang si Haera sa gusto niya, pero alam niyang delikado kapag nagtuloy-tuloy pa 'yon kaya kinakailangan niyang kausapin si Haera tungkol do'n.

It was hard for Aiden to see the sad and disappointed face of Haera when he explained the reason why she needed to stop going to that restaurant.

Aiden saw that despite Haera being disheartened, she understood the situation. That's why when she asked Aiden for the last time, of wanting to visit that man, he couldn't say no to her.

On the way to the restaurant, Aiden was cautious of his surroundings. He had a bad feeling about it. Even at the restaurant, he still had his guard up. May mga iilan siyang tao na minamatahan. They were being suspicious because they kept giving glances at each other.

Napatingin ulit siya kay Haera na pinapanood ang galaw ni Count Bryson. And that was when, the people he found suspicious, flipped the tables and started to cause a mess. He noticed one of them throw a dagger towards Princess Dahlia's direction—aiming for her neck.

Agad na tumawid si Aiden sa lamesa at hinarang ang braso niya kaya nagsimula 'yong magdugo. He ignored the pain and hurriedly unsheathed his sword. He glanced at Princess Dahlia who looked shock as she froze with her next death experience.

May iilang tao ang nagsimulang sumugod sa direksyon nila. They were obviously aiming for the Princess. Aiden easily overpowered them and started to hit their vital points.

Pagkatapos niyang mapatumba ang mga sumugod sa kanila ay agad siyang lumingon kay Haera. Hinawakan niya ang balikat nito at sinubukang tingnan siya sa mata. "We need to get out of here, your highness."

Pero wala sa kanya o sa mga umatake sa kanila ang atensyon ni Haera. Her gaze was fixed at her father trying to fight off the other attackers and protecting some people.

"No!" Haera screamed when her father was wounded on the side of his stomach. His father screamed in pain but still tried to fight them off. Fortunately, Kio was there to defend him—and just like Aiden, Kio quickly overpowered them.