“Understood. I will try to get everything
Amanda nodded with a satisfied smile at Isaac’s prompt attention to duty. He gave her a pen and paper, and Amanda wrote a message for the Emperor’s nobles allies that Oliver was alive and well. She turned her attention to composing a letter for her family next, but she scrapped it several times. She felt it was not enough to deliver them simple news. In her last life, Luke had destroyed her family and seized the throne. This time, as long as Amanda and Oliver were safe, she would ensure it would never happen, but she always had to consider the worst in mind. Oliver and Amanda could unexpected be killed or injured at any moment.
Amanda finished composing her letter for the noble families instead, then handed it over to Isaac.
“Secretly inform the allies listed here that the Crown Prince is still alive. I’ll
Isaac gave a respectful bow.
soon as you finish writing it. For now, I will deliver your message to the noble families you have indicated.”
“I look ”
Once again Isaac bent at the waist, then hurried away.
Amanda contemplated blank white sheet of paper in front of her for a few moments, before setting pen to paper. The recipient of the letter would be her father, Francis. She wrote of how she and Oliver were safe, and that the troops needed to be moved soon to stop the Empress. Then finally, she wrote her last request.
[For urgently ask that you send Amelia to the Freegrand Kingdom to study abroad. The situation in the Keith Empire may soon turn chaotic.]
Amanda had always intended to help Amelia as much as she could, but now there was no better time to send her sister to a safer place. Her father and brother were in no position to leave the country as part of the Fourth Order of the Imperial Knights. Rather than try to avoid an unfortunate future, Amanda would try to fight back, but her heart could rest easier if she could protect at least one family member. And so, Amanda managed her best.
***
Time flew by swiftly as Amanda made her preparations. She knocked on Oliver’s bedroom door, carrying medicine and bandages, and a voice replied from within.
“Enter.”
Permission given, Amanda carefully inside. Oliver seemed to have already anticipated her appearance. He looked much more relaxed than before, but Amanda was able to see the subtle changes in his emotions.
“You’re seriously injured, and
Oliver undid several buttons without hesitation, then crossed his arms and pulled off his shirt. It was a brazen action, and soon his hard abs and tight torso came into view. Amanda become momentarily dizzy at the sight. His slim waist was still wrapped by the makeshift bandage made from Amanda’s dress.
She lowered unwound the torn cloth.
Seug, seueug.
The wound was finally revealed, and she frowned deeply as she saw the angry red flesh. It was worse than she expected.
“It must hurt a lot.”
Despite his injury, however, Oliver’s expression remained unchanged. Even Amanda had forgotten for a while that he was hurt. His injury was hers too, and her heart throbbed at the sight of her wounded husband.
Sensing her worry, Oliver lifted a hand and stroked her hair in gentle reassurance.
“It’s alright. It would be far more painful to see you get hurt.”
At his warm tone, Amanda looked up at his face. She was touched. Although he must be heavily burdened by Howard’s death, Oliver still felt a deep concern for her. She hurriedly broke eye contact with him and took out the medicine she brought.
on his wound, but he did not flinch. Amanda watched his face carefully for any sign of pain, but he showed no hint of discomfort. Finally, she meticulously wrapped the wound in clean bandages, feeling a little more secure in Oliver’s condition.
“It’s all finished.”
Amanda stood up, and Oliver pulled her into his arms. She was surprised by his unexpected gesture, but she lifted her hand and rested it on his back. Perhaps he needed some warmth and reassurance today.
“Is the wound on your right arm treated?”
“Yes. I had it done before I came here so you wouldn’t worry.”
“Good. I should have paid attention to you first. I’m sorry.”
“Not at all. After hearing the news about your father…it’s natural to be confused.”
Amanda knew from her last life how it was like to lose family members. Of course, she couldn’t read Oliver’s mind, but she could guess at the grief what he was feeling. Before she could say a word of comfort, however, Oliver spoke first in a calm voice.
“You don’t have to worry too much
Although Oliver was Howard’s firstborn, Oliver grew up in the maid’s quarters with his mother until the Dragon’s Orb emerged from him. He had a lowly birth, and if Oliver had not inherited dragon’s blood, Howard would never have recognized him as his son. Oliver understood that very well. He hadn’t had a good memory since he became Crown Prince either. His mother abandoned him and left the palace, and he was sent away to the battlefield after countless assassinations threats.
“My father didn’t like always seeing me. Perhaps it was because I strongly inherited the curse of the dragon’s blood, and my power outstripped almost anyone else’s.”
Amanda listened silently to Oliver. There was some unknown, bitter pain in Oliver’s voice.
“I was never allowed to complain. In my father’s eyes, I had everything. At first, his expectations weighed on me, but soon it became obvious. I began to resent him when I saw him, like a poison eating away at me.”
From the start, the two were not given the time and space share any affection. Oliver was sent away as a child and couldn’t see his father again after he became an adult. Perhaps there was always some resentment in Oliver’s mind against Howard. They had something of a mixed relationship, and the only thing Oliver could do for Howard was to inherit the throne as he intended. And so, Oliver wanted to prove to Howard as much as possible that he could be emperor before he died. It was because of this that Oliver decided to spare Leon’s life, but only as a last resort.
That was all. Oliver’s and Howard’s relationship could not be defined as either hot or cold.
“I didn’t realize until Father was dead that I wanted his praise.”
His eyes were heavy with regret, and he gave a self-mocking laugh.