Blood King

Chapter Twenty Nine

Chapter Twenty Nine

            Celina didn’t know what to think, her brother was not hurt thankfully. Yet there was something off about her brother. William and Samson were both concerned about the King’s body and any possible injury from being struck by the arrow that had pierced his armor. But there were no signs that the poison had actually marred his flesh, in fact he looked downright happy about all of this which was very out of character.

            “Brother why in the world are you smiling? You were just shot with an arrow but you act as if what happened was nothing at all.”

            He stopped, turning he placed both of his hands on her thin shoulders. “Celina, I do not mean to act so pleased with this. Whoever hit me was probably aiming for you and not me; it’s something I would never take lightly.”

            She frowned. “I don’t know why then.”

            His smile seemed to soften. “It’s alright if you don’t, for now let us just deal with issue at hand. The one who caused this will be dealt with properly.” 

            “Do you intend to kill this person?” she asked with a wary tone, over the years many people would be put to death for attempting to kill someone of royal blood no matter what the reason may have been. She understood the reason to an extent but part of her just did not agree with it. Violence only sparked more violence.

            Xavier let out a sigh as they kept walking not elaborating anything to his sister, which only seemed to increase her worry.

            Once they returned to where the other nobles were, Celina heard an increase of whispers, wondering what in the world happened, some with genuine concern, while others mocked. It was very common place, even when harm was afflicted.

            “Princess Celina, are you alright?” Radu asked with worried concern. “Your dress, what happened?”

            Celina went to speak only Eleanor cut in before she could say anything at all.

            “It looks to me as if she could not stay on that horse after all.” She mocked with a smirk on her face. “Perhaps she should learn from scratch.”

            “She would not have fallen, My Lady, if someone was not trying to take away her life.”

            All the mockery and whispers quickly died to silence once hearing Xavier’s tone, he looked at the Princess with a look of hatred.

            Her smirk vanished, the look of fear etched into her features. “Per-perhaps it was just some careless hunter; it’s been known to happen before.”

            “Yes,” he stated coolly. “That may be true, however this careless hunter, missed her and hit me instead.” He pulled the cloak back and revealed the hole in his armor to them, many gasped in horror and whispered amongst them once more. “This hunter you speak of Eleanor was no mere hunter, a hunter would not aim at a child, or her brother the King. In fact I know what kind of man this was.”

            Kayle frowned. “What do you speak of my Lord?”

            Xavier glanced to William before responding to Kayle. “I was given word of what might transpire, I spoke of this to my knights they wanted I to act, however considering who had done this, who ordered the hit I needed proof. And it looks as if my source was right.”