The Realm of Roses

11

"Not being heard is no reason for silence."― Victor Hugo
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"I can explain," Eliza suddenly intervened, her eyes wandering between Arthur to Lien and Alfred. Why did she find herself in such a mess?

The cursed Prince did not let go of Sakura's arm – he even drew her closer to him, demonstrating that he could hurt her if no one would give him a logical explanation of the situation.

"Indeed. I would like to hear your excuses for setting a trap!?" the blonde beast roared, his voice shaking with anger. "And to think I could have trusted the both of you."

"There was never a trustful bound," Sakura commented, defending Eliza. Despite her calm being, the huntress was becoming upset by the beast's behaviour. "She notified my sister the moment I was abducted by your men!"

The pressure on her arm increased for a few seconds, before it lessened. Arthur was trying to compose himself in front of everyone, ignoring the huntress' previous words.

"So how many people did your dear friend call to help you? One? Ten? An army?" The beast snarled, trying to sound as dangerous as possible.

"Only Lien," Sakura stated. Arthur was towering over her and she knew how powerful he was. He could end her in a second with his magic or hurt her beloved sister.

"She did not know what to do. And everyone would have done the same if they were in her place . . .," the petite huntress added, silencing the entire room.

"But she had threatened Alfred," the Prince exclaimed before his voice stilled immediately – indeed, his younger brother had been attacked but did nothing to fight against the woman. Very uncommon for the light-hearted man.

Arthur had made certain that his family member received the most effective training he could afford – resulting that Alfred was stronger than most men of his former kingdom's army. Lifting an eyebrow, the cursed Prince observed his brother.

"She jumped from a tree and surprised me," his younger brother explained, shrugging his shoulders

"Does anyone else know about your adventure?" The beast inquired, addressing Lien who was still baffled over the use of magic in this area. Never before had she witnessed such a phenomena – no wonder her sister had been caught, she had not expected something of this kind.

"No," Lien replied, watching the cursed Prince holding her sister in a strong grip, although it the hold seemed less strong.

"Still . . . You have accepted the deal knowing that she will come for you." Now Arthur's green eyes glared at Sakura again.

But instead of the small huntress, Eliza raised her voice. "Then she will be included in the deal . . . You have magic, you can defend everyone that will attack your mansion –"

"You don't know what you are talking about! No one is supposed to know!"

"But you can't hold everyone prison, some will notice," Sakura spoke. Her face was stoic, but her thoughts were focused on the questions that were left unanswered: What was the beast's reason?

The room quietened again. Without considering the matter, Arthur worded the order that the three invaders should return to their chamber. They did not protest, seeing it as a chance of talking privately to each other.

"Gilbert and Ludwig will take you back to your room!" The cursed Prince commanded and made certain that the huntress at his side would reach her destination safely. At first that thought seemed ridiculous; she had compromised the deal after all – not to mention the other things she had done the last few days. But Arthur could not prevent his magic, as it flew around her leg to support it – as if the powerful energy had his own mind.