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49
CHAPTER FORTY – NINE
Edward’s POV
One day, as I was training, Andrew walked into the room. He had been gone for weeks, and I was filled with a mixture of hope and fear. Had he found her? Was she safe? I stopped mid-swing and turned to face him, waiting for an answer.
Andrew looked at me and let out a deep sigh. “Edward, you need to stop beating yourself up. You couldn’t have saved her. You were outnumbered and outmatched. It’s not your fault.”
I let out a bitter laugh, the anger and frustration evident in my voice. “How can you say that? I love her, Andrew. I should have been able to protect her. And now she’s captured and in danger, and it’s all my fault.”
Andrew placed a hand on my shoulder, and I could see the concern in his eyes. “Listen to me, Edward. I’ve been to the lost kingdom. I’ve seen her. And she’s not in danger. She’s being held captive, yes, but she’s not in any immediate danger. And I have a plan to get her out.”
I felt a flicker of hope in my chest, and I couldn’t help but smile. Andrew had always been there for me, always had my back. And now, he was going to help me save Alice. “What’s the plan?” I asked, eager to hear more.
Andrew pulled out a map from his satchel and spread it out on the ground. “I’ve been speaking with the rebels in the lost kingdom. They’re planning a rebellion against Alice’s uncle, and they’re willing to help us rescue her. We’ll have to
move quickly and discreetly, but I believe we can do it.”
My heart raced as he looked over the map, plotting out the best route and strategizing how they would rescue Alice. “Thank you, Andrew,” I said, looking up at his brother with grateful eyes. “I couldn’t have done this without your help.”
Andrew smiled and clapped a hand on my shoulder. “That’s what brothers are for, right?”
I nodded, feeling a glimmer of hope for the first time in weeks. “What do we need to do?” I asked, leaning in closer to the map.
“We’ll need to gather a team,” Andrew replied, tracing his finger over the roads and rivers on the map. “The rebels have already agreed to help us sneak into the kingdom, but we’ll need to bring a group of soldiers with us to make sure we’re able to fight our way out if necessary. I have a few people in mind, but I’ll need your help to gather the rest.”
I nodded, already thinking of the best warriors in the kingdom who would be willing to join us on this mission. “What about supplies?” I asked. “We’ll need weapons, food, horses… the list goes on.”
“I’ve taken care of it,” Andrew said with a confident smile. “I’ve been stockpiling supplies for weeks now, just in case. We’ll be able to leave within the next few days, as soon as we have our team together.”
“When do we leave?” I asked
“Not we. Me and the team, Edward.” He said and I felt defeated.
“No, I have to be there. Please Andrew.” I begged “I have to be there please, I’ll do anything.” I continued. He wanted to speak but a servant entered.
He was in all black, instantly I knew he was one of Andrew’s spies in the most kingdom. Andrew nodded to whatever he was saying and the spy left.
“She has been rescued, Edward. And knowing her, she will be planning to take the throne. Our plans are useless now.” Andrew said to me and he left me all alone.
I sighed in relief, at least she was safe for now. I woke up the next day and I was about to leave my room but I was stopped.
I was surprised until my dad came and told me that Andrew left again to go help Alice regain her throne and he specifically told my dad not to let me out.
I screamed out in frustration, I may know the reason as to why he would have done that but it still hurts because I wanted to be there with him.
I walked around the castle and just like that the day blended together. I had no purpose just eating and training all day long. I knew that my mother was worried about me but she knew that I was hurting, and I made sure to spend my time in the castle’s training room
The training room in the castle was a vast and magnificent space. Located in the basement of the castle, it was specifically designed for the training and development of the castle’s soldiers and knights. The room was illuminated by the sun that shone through the large stained-glass windows, making it a bright and welcoming space. The walls were adorned with banners and paintings of famous battles and knights, giving the room a sense of history and tradition.
The center of the room was dominated by a large sand-filled arena, surrounded by wooden bleachers that provided seating for spectators. The arena was used for mock battles and sparring matches, where knights could practice their combat skills and refine their techniques. Along the walls of the room, there were numerous training stations where soldiers could practice with swords, axes, maces, and other weapons. There were also archery targets, jousting posts, and horseback riding tracks.
In one corner of the room was a wooden structure that looked like a miniature castle. It was used for siege training and simulated attacks, where soldiers could practice their strategy and tactics for storming a castle. The structure was designed to be as realistic as possible, with walls and towers that could be scaled, a drawbridge that could be lowered, and a gate that could be breached. The soldiers were given various scenarios to overcome and had to work together to take the castle.
Another area of the room was dedicated to hand-to-hand combat and grappling. There were mats on the floor for grappling and wrestling, and wooden dummies for striking and kicking. The soldiers would practice different techniques, including throws, holds, and escapes.
In the opposite corner of the room, there was a large wooden platform for jousting. The platform was surrounded by railings and had a large dirt area where the horses could get up to speed before colliding with each other. The jousting platform was used for training and demonstrations, and it was always a popular event when it was open to the public.
At the front of the room, there was a large wooden stage where the knights and soldiers would receive their training. The stage was equipped with a lectern, where the instructor could stand and give lessons. There were also blackboards and maps, where they could draw diagrams and explain tactics. The stage was surrounded by benches, where the soldiers could sit and listen to the lessons.
The training room was not only a place of physical training, but it was also a place where soldiers learned discipline, honor, and camaraderie. The room was bustling with activity, as soldiers trained and worked together to improve their skills. It was a place where they could push their limits and test their mettle, and where they could bond and form strong relationships. The training room was an integral part of the castle and played a vital role in the development of the soldiers and knights that protected the kingdom.
A month later Andrew walked into the room, his face lit up with excitement. “Edward, I have good news! The rebels in the lost kingdom have succeeded in overthrowing Alice’s uncle. And, Alice is set to be crowned as the new queen in just a few weeks’ time.”
I felt my heart swell with pride. “Really? That’s fantastic! How is she doing?”
“She’s doing well, considering everything she’s been through,” Andrew replied. “The rebels have been protecting her, and they’re all behind her as their new leader.”
“I’m so glad to hear that,” I said, smiling. “I can’t wait to see her again and offer her my support as her ally.”
“About that.” I looked up and I saw my brother with a sad look on her face. “She told me to tell you goodbye.” I fell down on a chair as soon as those words dropped.
“Why?” I asked, my voice a whisper.
“She still thinks that Father killed her parents.” He responded.Content rights by NôvelDr//ama.Org.
“Why didn’t you tell her?” I asked him angrily.
“She never gave me the chance to before she sent me away from the battlefield and out of her kingdom.” He spoke looking at me. “I’m so sorry Edward. Maybe you will get another chance in the future.” He said and he left the room for me
A month later I was standing in a new and different room. My room had undergone a complete transformation after he destroyed the previous one in a fit of rage. I had been going through a lot at the time and the destruction of his room had been a manifestation of my inner turmoil. I felt like I needed a change, a fresh start and so he set about overhauling the room.
The first thing I did was to get rid of the old furniture. I had the bed, the dresser, the nightstands and the armoire taken away and disposed of. I didn’t want anything in the room that reminded me of my old life with Alice because I missed her so much…
I then went to the local market and bought all new furniture. I picked out a large, four-poster bed with dark, wooden posts and a matching dresser. The dresser was tall and had intricate carvings on the front. The nightstands were small and had matching carvings. I remembered how shocked my mother was when I told her I wanted to get my own things for my room
I then picked out a large, wooden armoire with a rich, dark finish. It was tall and had a carved design on the doors. The armoire was to serve as both a closet and a storage space. He also bought a large, plush rug for the floor, which had a rich, warm color that complemented the furniture.
Next, I set about decorating the walls. I picked out a deep, forest green paint and had the walls painted. I even had then picked out a large, gold-framed mirror and hung it over the dresser. I also bought several paintings, which I hung on the walls. They were mostly landscapes, with rolling hills and forests. I likewise bought a large, gold-framed oil painting of a knight on horseback, which I hung over the bed.
I had also picked out a large, dark wooden bookshelf, which he filled with all of his favorite books. I loved to read or rather I used to when Alice was around and the bookshelf was one of his favorite features of the room. I also bought a large, comfortable armchair and a small, wooden table. The armchair was perfect for relaxing and reading, while the table was perfect for writing.
The room was finished off with several lamps, which provided soft, warm light. The lamps were made of brass and had intricate designs. They were placed on the nightstands and on the table. The room was now warm, cozy, and inviting, a complete contrast to what it had been before.