Chapter 57

"Your Majesty, it is I, Vernon. We have an emergency situation."

"Come in."

Vernon walked into Roven's office and noticed heaps of papers on his desk. Roven sighed and massaged his temple, "Haa... What is more urgent than these papers?"

"It's about the young princess" Roven put down his hands and glared at their butler.

"What happened to Nash?" Roven asked, his forehead creased as a dark aura surrounds him.

"The young princess is with Serio now, she was badly injured and Serio is treating her."

Roven stood up from his seat and threw down the files he was reading, "Lead the way."

"As you wish, your majesty."

They walked towards Serio's room and pushed the door wide open.

"Knock!" Serio yelled.

"It's me," .

"Your Majesty, I don't care whoever a person is as long as he knows how to knock," Serio shook his head and sighed. He continues treating Nash's wound.

Roven ignored Serio's words and walked close to Nash. As he looked at her, he saw a toddler kid in pain.

He remembers when Nash was breaking cold sweats as a small kid. Nash was in so much pain during those times.

"What happened?"

"They fought a Kapre. Nash was captured and this happened."

"Elaborate," Roven glared at Serio.

"They said that the Kapre's hand were rough and scaly. They said the Kapre got triggered causing the kapre to grip Nash tightly and the scale in the Kapre's hand punctured Nash's leg."

"How deep is it?"

"Almost near her bones. If she was a normal kid, she wouldn't be able to stand anymore. Thanks to the demon's blood rushing through her body, the wound will close on its own in a few days. It won't leave a scar as long as it's clean."

"Near her bones?!" Vernon exclaimed and looked at Roven, "Should I call for the Empress?"

"Let her sleep, she won't be able to sleep after hearing this news."

"I understand,"

Roven stayed with her daughter until the following morning.

...

"Your Majesty, you have an appointment with the Duke of Isra"

"Cancel it,"

"We can't, your majesty! It's about the forest of Isra!"

Roven tugged his hair in frustration.

"You should also sleep, your majesty. You have lots of appointments for this week."

"Cancel it!"

"You ca--"

"I'm the emperor. I can do things I want to do! There's nothing more important than my daughter's life!" He shouted in anger, "If it's about the creatures then assign it to Lawrence for the meantime."

"But your Ma--" Roven's shadow transformed into a sword, pointing at Vernon's neck.

"As you wish, your Majesty," he bowed and left the room.

Vernon grabbed his chest, "I think I'm going to die soon..."

As Vernon walked towards Roven's office, Ivelisse was about to pass by him.

"Vernon, have you seen Roven? He's not in his office. He didn't sleep at all. Do you know where he is?"

"The Emperor is staying in Serio's room, your majesty."

"Eh? Why?"

"I think you should see it for yourself, Your Majesty. I don't think I'm in the position to tell what was happening."

Ivelisse eyebrows were pulled together. "I see, then."

Ivelisse passed by Vernon and walked towards Serio's room.

"Mother! Where are you going?" Celeste suddenly arrives and clings to her mother.

"To Serio. Your father was said to be there."

"I see. I'll go with you"

As Ivelisse approached Serio's chamber, she felt as if something was trapped in her heart, causing her to breathe heavily. As a result, she walked quicker and swung the door open.

"Argh! Why is the door even there?!" Serio muttered, trying not to yell.

"Roven, why are you he..." She covered her mouth as soon as she saw Nash looking pale as the dead. "What happened to my baby?! W..What is this?! It's bleeding! Treat it!"

Ivelisse shook Serio's body while tears streamed down her cheeks. "My poor child..."

"What happened?" Celeste asked. Serio explained what happened and Ivelisse's cry worsened to the point that her cry was heard outside.

"I heard crying!" The door swung open once again and there entered Daniel followed by Vincenzo.

"Argh! This Imperial Family mastered all manners and etiquettes but had forgotten how to knock!" Serio muttered angrily.

"What happened?" Vincenzo asked as he looked at her sister.

Celeste explained what happened...

"Near the bone?!" Daniel exclaimed.

Serio sighed and looked at Nash, "Your family are talking too loud and you're not yet awake..."

...

Nash stayed unconscious for three days straight. While Ivelisse and Roven can't help but be busy, the three siblings take turns guarding Nash.

Nash's face has returned to normal after two days of rest, her fever has subsided, and her cold sweats have stopped.

"The knights have arrived," Daniel said as soon as he went inside the room.

"Stay here, I'll go there," Vincenzo said and left.

"Sister, you should sleep. Your eyes are swollen and you look so ugly."

Celeste just looked at her twin and continued to brush Nash's hair. She was the reason why Nash loves it when someone plays with her hair.

Celeste went close to Nash and whispered, "Aren't you hungry? You've been sleeping for 3 days."

"I'm thirsty," Celeste flinched back, almost falling off the chair.

"You're awake!" Celeste's tears fell as she hugged her sister.

"I'm thirsty..." Nash's voice was weak.

Celeste immediately gave her water, "Inform father that she has regained consciousness."

Daniel nodded and dashed into the Emperor's office.

"Father, it's me."

"Come in."

Inside are senior knights who went with Squad 15. Daniel went close to his father and whispered that Nash had already gained consciousness.

"Vincenzo will tell you the rest," Roven exited his office and went straight to Nash.

The knights got flustered at the sudden attitude of the Emperor.

Vincenzo already realized the situation and proceeded to discuss things with the squad.

...

"Can you feel your legs?" Serio asked.

"I do, it feels a little numb."

The door swung open which caused Nash to flinch, "That surprised me! Father! Knock!"

She shouts but her voice sounds weak.

Serio felt relieved as she looked at Nash, 'Finally... someone who understands what I feel.'

"Serio, did you examine her?" Roven asked,

"I did. She only has a slight fever. She said she could feel a bit of her legs but mostly numb. I already looked at her wound and it closed a bit but is still deep so she might have a hard time walking for a few days."

"I'm hungry."

"I'll get you some food, young princess," Vernon said and bowed.

"Lots of food!"

Vernon chuckled, "As the princess wishes."

"How long have I been unconscious?"

"Three days," Serio answered.

"Not a week?"

"You are supposed to be unconscious for weeks, but since you have the blood of a demon, your injury will heal fast."

"I see,"

"When can I be discharged, then?"

"You just woke up! You should rest more!" Celeste pushed her down on the bed.

"How about my squad mates?"

"We haven't heard anything about them."

"They must be worried," Nash whispered.

...

Nash stayed at the Imperial Palace for two weeks to receive treatment from Serio. The wound is still there, but Nash has already managed to walk.

"Stay for another weak," Ivelisse said,

"I can't do that, mom. I'm fine already, I promise this won't happen again."

"You said before that you won't let yourself be harmed"

"That's unavoidable, mother."

They are in the dining hall eating lunch.

"I had already asked Serio, and he had given me an ointment for my wound. Please..."

'I'm not yet done preparing the empire...'

Ivelisse sighed, "Fine. Send me 3 letters every week."

"3? Isn't that a lot for a week?"

"3 or stay here."

"Fine, I'll send you three letters."

Nash will leave the palace the day after tomorrow to meet her squad, whom she hasn't seen in two weeks.