FORBIDDEN AFFECTION

Chapter 30: Doctor Isabella

As the remaining knights hastily arrived at the Emerald Palace, their hearts filled with hope and determination, they were met with a scene of utter devastation. Amelia, adorned in a regal manner, sat upon a grand chair, with the king's head at her at her right and Seth standing faithfully by her left.

The once-loyal knights stood in shock, surrounded by the aftermath of the fierce battle that had taken place. Fallen comrades lay scattered throughout the room, their lifeless forms a grim testament to the power that Amelia and Seth wielded. It became evident to the knights that a new leader had emerged, one whose thirst for power was matched only by her ruthlessness.

Amelia's voice reverberated through the silence as she roared with anger and demand, her gaze piercing the knights before her.

"Where is Maxine, and where is my lover!" Amelia's words echoed with fury, her desperation and determination seeping into every syllable. The knights, now faced with the daunting presence of their fallen king and the formidable figure of Amelia, struggled to respond. The palace stood as a grim reminder of the challenge they now faced, with the answers to Amelia's questions remaining elusive for the time being.

Amelia rose from her seat with a sinister determination, her actions and words reflecting her thirst for vengeance and power. With a contemptuous gesture, she kicked the lifeless head of the fallen king towards the gathered knights, a macabre display of her dominance over them.

Her voice laced with both command and disdain, Amelia compelled the knights to take action, leaving them with a stark ultimatum. The urgency in her tone left no room for hesitation as she goaded them to make a choice.

"What are you waiting for? Do you all want to die, or do you want to hunt down that wench?" Amelia's words cut through the air, leaving the knights with a chilling sense of urgency. With a newfound determination, they hurriedly exited the palace.

...

In the midst of the night, as Amelia committed an act of treason, Maxine seized the opportunity to escape with Y/n. Maxine mounted the horse, positioning Y/n in front of her. However, Y/n's restlessness caused them to encounter difficulties.

"Stop moving around!" Maxine muttered with frustration, attempting to maintain a firm grip on Y/n. Despite Maxine's plea, Y/n continued to struggle against her hold, creating a distraction that disrupted Maxine's concentration during their escape.

Finding themselves deep within the woods, Maxine was uncertain of their precise location or the direction they should take.

In the depths of the woods, Maxine and Y/n found themselves far from the capital, venturing into unfamiliar territory. Maxine's knowledge of the area was limited, and she struggled to determine their precise location or decide on a clear path forward.

With Y/n's continued attempts to free herself, Maxine realized that their movements were attracting unwanted attention. The rustling of leaves and snapping of twigs alerted nearby creatures and potentially other pursuers. Maxine knew they needed to find a safe haven, away from prying eyes and potential threats.

Feeling a surge of determination, Maxine made a quick decision. She adjusted her grip on the reins, urging the horse to move deeper into the dense forest, seeking refuge in a hidden glen or secluded spot where they could catch their breath and plan their next move.

As Maxine's ears caught the chilling howl of wolves, panic surged through her veins. Realizing the imminent danger, she urged the horse to increase its speed, desperately attempting to outrun the approaching threat. However, Y/n's continued struggle only added to the chaos.

"I said stop moving-" Maxine's words were interrupted as the horse suddenly came face to face with a snarling wolf blocking their path. Startled, the horse came to an abrupt halt, causing Maxine to lose her balance. In the midst of the chaos, Y/n was thrown off the horse, tumbling and wincing in pain as she rolled down a small cliff.

"Y/n, where are you!?"

As Maxine's nerves heightened, she called out in a mix of fear and desperation, hoping for a miracle to ward off the encircling pack of wolves. The horse, overwhelmed by the commotion and surrounded by predatory eyes, began to jump and panic uncontrollably. Realizing the imminent danger, Maxine had no choice but to make a difficult decision.

With a heavy heart, Maxine summoned every ounce of her strength and forced the horse to gallop away from the menacing wolves. In her haste to escape, Maxine had to leave Y/n behind, unconscious at the bottom of the cliff.

-

Y/n fluttered her eyes open, blinking a few times to adjust to her surroundings. As she attempted to move, a sharp pain shot through her body, causing her to wince involuntarily. A gentle voice broke the silence, urging her not to move.

"Oh, please don't move," the voice pleaded.

Y/n turned her gaze towards the source of the voice, her eyes falling upon a captivating woman. The woman had lustrous brown hair and mesmerizing emerald eyes, radiating warmth and compassion.

"Where... where am I?" Y/n managed to ask, her voice weak.

"You're in Laurentia. I spotted you while I was on my way back home. You were wounded, and I couldn't ignore someone in need. I'm a doctor," the woman explained with a kind smile.

Y/n let out a tired sigh, feeling a mix of gratitude and exhaustion.

"I'm Isabella Hartwell. Please don't worry; I'll take care of you. Just let me put this bandage on your rib area," Isabella said soothingly.

With gentle hands, Isabella lifted Y/n's clothing and carefully wrapped a bandage around her injured ribs.

"There, all done! Just rest now, and I'll prepare dinner for us," Isabella announced, her smile comforting and reassuring.

As Isabella left the room to attend to dinner, Y/n couldn't help but mumble something through her tears.

"Why am I injured..."