BLOOD OF KHARIS

CHAPTER 48: PLAN

"A few days later, I got married to a man named Wilkin. It was my marriage to him that opened my eyes to what I had done to Pascal. I was taken over and over again, night after night like an animal. I was beaten, insulted, spat on, and degraded; I wanted to die, but I didn't. I deserved all that was given to me. I deserved a broken and contrite heart. I put Pascal through hell, so I had to accept it with open arms. Wilkin made it his duty to tell me how hideous my body looked after I had birthed you. But I conceived again, bearing my second child, and daughter, Annora. My father had not stopped looking for you, and Mary. Mary wrote to me in secret. She assured me you were safe, and that you were doing just fine.

I wanted you to live in peace, and never wanted to appear in your life and cause you pain. But then I heard wearhs raided the village. I regretted not being able to lay eyes on you, hold your hand, or call you by your name; I felt dead again. That was until I saw a young woman who resembled Pascal so much at King Oleander's ball. I had to make sure the feelings I still harbored for him had not clouded my vision but I felt it. When I called you by your name, and you responded, words could not explain the joy that filled my heart."

"That does not explain why you kidnapped me."

"The war has been going on for years, Kharis. Are you not tired of this bloodshed?"

"..."

"I can never forgive myself for what I did to Pascal, but the least I can do before I pass is help build the world he always wanted."

"What has kidnapping me achieved? You could have relayed all this information if you visited me in Bethillore-"

"King Oleander is after you Kharis. Leonidas is fighting a war, and I cannot protect you if you are out of my reach."

"If you had explained this to me I would-"

"Would you, Kharis? Would you have willingly come with me?"

Kharis does not answer; Freya is right. Kharis would not foolishly leave Denaizen because an elf who claims to be her real mother believes she can help end the war.

"You are part elf Kharis. Your child has elven, wearhan, and human blood."

"That's why I was able to conceive..."

"Yes, because you are not fully human."

"What about my friends?"

"Trust me, when I say that they were not harmed."

"..."

"I believe trust must go both ways. We are in Salviste, and you were not able to leave the room until I had said my peace. Now that you know my mission, I will allow you to roam around the building and outside freely, but you should not leave the gates, this is only for your safety. If anyone finds out you are my daughter, you will be a target for both elves and wearhs. To give you my complete trust, no one will stop you if you try to leave."

This was too much to swallow. "Give me a minute," Kharis says, standing up, and walking to the balcony, looking outside.

All this time, she thought Mary was her mother, but it turns out she is a product of sexual misconduct? And she's part elf? Not just any elven blood, but royal elven blood? The only reason Kharis can believe this is because she is with child.

Her child...

The woman gently places her hand on her growing belly. Princess Freya said she had to take her away from Denaizen because King Oleander is after her. She should not be persecuted solely because she loves someone who is wearhan. Neither does she want her child to grow up in a society that will hate him or her because of the blood that runs through their veins. A child growing up in a time of war and bloodshed...she does not want that. But can she trust Freya? She will have to see.

Kharis turns around walking back to the woman, "I will not do this without Kieran."

"I know that. We need his help."

"Then what is the plan?"

"You need to be Princess Kharis of Garvania and not Lady Kharis of house Bethillore."

***

Leonidas arrives at the King's castle deep in thought. As he dismounts his horse, he concocts a plan. In any other circumstance, he would have had no doubts that King Oleander was behind Kharis' disappearance, but the situation surrounding the ordeal does not add up. 

King Oleander is not the type to leave survivors, and worst, put them to sleep? That is something the elves would do since they believe they are one with earth. But why would the elves want Kharis? He could have sworn everything went well during the ball. No matter how he thinks about it, Kharis is the least of their problems since she is a human living in Bethillore. On top of that, word has spread that she belongs to him. Would they willingly provoke him?

"They are not that stupid," he mutters to himself. 

Then humans? As much as the mode of attack is not their style, Prince Callan made it very clear that he wanted Kharis. Would he go the extra mile to kidnap her? She doesn't even want him!

Scoffing to himself, he realizes he is underestimating the humans, especially men. They would always find a way to get what they want whether it is by negotiation, or by force. Either way, he cannot rule Oleander off his list, he would need to direct the conversation, and tread carefully.

"Ah Leonidas, you're here," Oleander says with an uninviting smile on his face; typical.

The wearh nods seeing that none of his advisors are currently with him.

"Just you and I, Leonidas. You didn't inform me that the Eastern border was secure."

"It is secure."

"...You could have sent a raven like you always do."

"Kharis is missing."

Oleander's countenance does not change as he slowly crosses his legs. "Who is that?"

"My wife"

"I never knew you were married."

Leonidas has no time to play these games with him.

"Commander! Don't tell me you married someone and did not invite the king to-"

"I will be taking some of my men to find her," he says, before turning to head out.

"Silas was right."

The wearh stops, turning back around.

"The battle at the Eastern border was a mere distraction. Word from the spies is that they plan to attack Poenaria and invade Bethillore in two days."

"Then I better leave and quickly find her."

"You think you will get to her and come back to defend Bethillore before Poenaria is raided?"

"That is the least of my concerns"

"You are the Supreme Commander of my army," Oleander grits out, getting agitated.

"Who has a wife that is missing. The Princess of Nyland was killed because your wife was gone. How is this any different?"

"You would abandon your own kingdom, your own home, for a mere human?"

"She is my home," he retorts, as they glare at each other.

Oleander does not have her...

"You will not be granted any men to find her"

"I will do it myself."

Oleander breaks eye contact chuckling. "I thought getting you to fight another battle would save you."

Save him?

The king's dark expression turns smug, "I received interesting news. I didn't want to tell you, but it seems I have no choice."

"..."

"The elves plan to announce your beloved human as The Princess of Garvania"

What?! 

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