James did not reply to Riley's words and instead grinned widely. The next second, the young man who had hair slightly covering his eyes turned the tables by slamming Riley with unexpected speed.Riley was wide-eyed in shock but when James intended to use his right elbow to hold Riley, Riley managed to roll over and get up quickly.James stared with a surprised expression. "You're ...."James' words could not be finished because he saw Riley jump slightly and then lunged at him, knocking him down. Riley was breathing heavily looking at the young man who had confused him earlier.Blood dripped from James' nose as he looked at Riley, still with an expression that was hard to explain.There was shock, astonishment, awe and confusion all mixed together in James' eyes.But, he was even more surprised when Riley didn't attack him anymore. However, he chuckled, understanding why Riley had stopped attacking him."You beat me," James said in a strange tone while observing the floor where he had
Riley could feel that the bitter tone was also suffused with a deep sense of loneliness. Riley couldn't imagine not having a friend to chat with. He would definitely be very bored."Oh, don't show that pity face! I hate to see it," James said irritably when he saw Riley's expression.Riley shook his head, "But, it's also good that no one wants to be friends with you.""What do you mean?" James replied with a raised right eyebrow."That way of speaking of yours sometimes makes people's ears hurt, so it would be much better if you didn't have any friends around you, right?" Riley said casually.James snorted, but he smiled. He knew Riley was just trying to cheer him up. Uh, how was this? Because of Riley Wood's presence, he felt like having a friend. However, he didn't want to act rashly by asking Riley as his friend openly. He did not want to be seen as needing him too much.After about five minutes of walking, they had reached the palace medical centre. Riley nodded at a few prospec
Rowena was already looking rather weak, so Riley said softly, "Your Highness, please forgive me."After saying an apology which Rowena took as a request for permission to touch her, Riley took hold of Rowena's arm and he immediately brought her to the edge of the pool.It was not too difficult for Riley to lift her up because Rowena's body was quite light. The maids immediately helped and surrounded their princess just as Riley was about to climb up. At the same time, a servant ran over along with a bodyguard. Behind her was a man in a white uniform who was also running in that direction."Quickly, Doctor!" a servant shouted loudly.The young doctor quickly checked on their princess.Riley couldn't see what the doctor was doing. Too many servants surrounded the princess and soon the guards had arrived. Riley looked drenched but no one seemed to care about him. In fact, people seemed to forget that there was an aspiring soldier who had saved the king's daughter.However, Riley didn't
Riley also heard Diego's words but he preferred to drink his hot chocolate and ignore Diego. James who was munching on his fries stopped chewing them in his mouth, "What happened to the king's daughter?" "Princess Rowena almost died by drowning. Near the pond, not far from the palace health clinic," Alen explained enthusiastically but there was a hint of curiosity on his expression as well.Instantly James turned to Riley, "So, that's why so many servants and soldiers were there?"Riley still did not want to respond, while Alen immediately asked, "You know about it? Were you around?"James nodded, "I don't know what happened but I was around there. With Riley."The young man once again turned to Riley who was still concentrating on his hot drink."Wood, you saw it too, right?" James asked."Really? Come on, tell us!" Alen said excitedly.Diego also said, "How did she drown there? Wasn't anyone watching her? And those servants? They-""Stop it! Do you think Wood is a tree that witness
"I'll find out," James said and he stood up immediately.However, as if Alen knew that James would do something against the rules, the young man immediately restrained his arm, "Sit down, please!"James wanted to break free but unfortunately Alen's grip was too strong so he was forced to actually sit back down. His face instantly displayed an expression of annoyance at being restrained."I know what you're going to do," Alen said as both of his hands still held James' right arm.James clucked his tongue, "Huh? If you know, why are you holding me back? Just let me follow them and we'll find out what's going on."Diego threw a French fry at James' face.James scowled, "You ... how dare you!""Of course I dare, why not?" Diego replied as he gave James a challenging look.James said, "If this wasn't a place to eat, I'd have punched you again, Greco."Diego smirked, "You? Punched me? You can't do anything now, Gardner. Look at the state you're in!"James turned to Alen. Alen sighed, "I just
However, after the king of Ans De Lou Kingdom conveyed all his offers, he still did not get a response from Riley. That made the king say again, "Oh, or do you have another wish? Don't worry! I can definitely fulfill your request."Riley immediately made a bow as a salute to the king, Keannu was immediately enthusiastic, "Yes, say it! Say what you want!""I beg your forgiveness, Your Majesty. But ... I don't want anything," Riley said in a firm tone.Keannu squinted, looking at the young man probingly, "No way. You want to refuse my generosity?"Steadily, Riley replied, "Yes, Your Majesty.""You can't. You must accept my offer," Keannu suddenly insisted.Riley took a slow breath and let it out before saying, "Your Majesty, I cannot accept anything. However, you don't need to worry. I will keep my mouth shut, I will not tell anything and anyone about the incident at the pond."Keannu still couldn't believe the prospective soldier, but he then heard the young man say again, "If you don'
Andrew turned to the young man, "Just like what happened to the warrior, she was also punished. Only, those who know what kind of punishment is King Keannu and of course Princess Rowena."How horrible! Is freedom that expensive? Riley thought."Oh, never mind. You don't need to think about that matter, all you have to do is keep your mouth shut and focus on your training. Remember, Wood. Only the best can become soldiers here," Andrew walked back as he explained that.Riley was silent and didn't ask any more questions. Andrew did not make another sound until they arrived at dormitory two."Uh, you have a lot of loyal friends!" Andrew commented with a smile.Riley looked towards the front and saw his three room mates standing in front of the main gate of their dormitory."Remember my message, Wood!" Andrew said without waiting for Riley's reply.The war general quickly turned around and walked away.Riley walked towards his friends with a flat expression."What happened?" Alen asked in
Riley was not the only one who was nervous. As he looked around, many of the prospective soldiers had anxious and nervous expressions on their faces.Oh no! How many candidates had lied about their identities? And why did they get away with it? Riley wondered.Then he saw James raise his hand, and Janice said, "Yes?"Has there been a change in the rules here? Wasn't everything checked before we entered the palace?" Alen nodded at James, agreeing with what James was asking.Janice explained, "Last night, the palace inspection department found some people who apparently cheated by falsifying the data of some prospective soldiers.""And those prospective soldiers were also sent home last night. Today, we will continue the investigation, except for the unscrupulous palace employees who have been exposed. So I ask you all to wait for the results of the cross-examination, which will take place in fifteen minutes," Janice added.After hearing Janice's explanation, some of the prospective sol
Dear, Readers This is Zila Aicha who wants to thank all the loyal readers of this novel. I know, season 2 of this book may disappoint some fans of this book. However, believe me I have tried to make this book with all my heart.May I ask your opinion about this book? I will be happy to read your comments. Suggestions and criticisms will also be happily accepted.Next, I will make season 3 of this book, but season 3 will be a book with the main character “James Gardner”. Hope you all will like it.Best wishes, Zila Aicha
People were eager to approach Riley, to help him. However, when they saw James Gardner moving toward Riley, they stayed where they were.James quickly caught Riley's staggering body as if he couldn't bear the weight of his own body.James sighed softly, “What are you doing?”“Preventing you from leaving,” Riley replied weakly.James exhaled roughly and picked up Riley who was still so weak.“You don't have to waste your time and energy,” James said.“Why? You don't have to go, James. You-”“It's my decision,” James cut in quickly.Riley shook his head, staring at the young man who was only one year older than him. “You're not guilty. I'm an asshole for wanting to keep you as my best friend.”“It's nice of you to admit that,” James replied with a faint smile.“If anyone should leave here, it's me, not you,” Riley said.James frowned, “Don't be crazy! You're the general of war in this kingdom. You can't-”“I lied to everyone from the start, not just to you,” Riley cut James off.Riley's
Rowena nodded weakly, while the four soldiers who were also inside the infirmary immediately looked at each other. Riley himself took some time to process the information.However, Reiner immediately asked, "Your Highness, then ... where is the deputy general of war right now?"Rowena turned her head quickly, "I don't know. I ... only heard the news from the palace maid, just now. Perhaps ... he has already returned to the dormitory or-"Thank you, Your Royal Highness," Reiner cut off Rowena's speech quickly due to being too panicked.After that Reiner immediately paid his respects to the king's daughter and quickly left the area together with Diego.Ben also said, "Riley, I'll be there first. Later I ... will be here again."Alen nodded, "Don't worry! We'll let you know when we know what's going on."Riley could only stare at his friends' departure with a look full of confusion.Rowena was the only one left in the room and was accompanied by several staff, soldiers and servants.Row
At first Riley was eager to force James to answer him, but he stopped doing so when he finally understood that James might need some time alone.He sighed softly, “I'll talk to him later.”Meanwhile, outside Riley's room, all the people who were good friends of the two young people who were having complicated problems were staring at James with questioning eyes.While Alen and Ben were silent because they didn't dare to ask, Diego casually asked, “Did you ... talk to Riley?”James nodded.“Then ... how?” Reiner asked in an anxious tone.James did not answer Reiner's question and only said, “I'm going back to the dorm first.”Shin, who heard that, bit his lip and replied, “I'll accompany you.”James did not refuse and let Shin come with him, while Diego and Reiner remained there.After James and Shin were no longer there, Alen decided to go inside with Ben.Not long after, Diego and Reiner also entered Riley's hospital room area.“He already knew about it,” Ben said when he first looke
James laughed disappointedly when he saw Riley's silence.Riley suddenly stared at him wordlessly.“Why, did you ... did you never even have the intention of telling me about it?” James said in a sharp tone.Riley opened his mouth but not a single word came out of it.James was getting annoyed at him, “Uh, I see. I see now.”James nodded and stepped back, making Riley surprised.“James, it's not like what you're thinking,” Riley finally managed to reply to James.James shook his head.“Do you really know what I'm thinking, Riley?” James said in a sarcastic tone.The young man could no longer hide his immense disappointment, “You don't know, Riley. But ... I can tell what you're thinking.”“James, I ... know I've wronged you. But, please understand, my position is very difficult. I don't want you to ... hate me, James. I don't have-”“It must have been a lot of fun for you, huh?” James cut off Riley's words quickly.Riley who was originally leaning back immediately leaned her body, fac
Shin and Reiner glanced at each other, as if they were both confused about whether or not to leave the area as James had requested.However, the reason they hesitated was certainly not because they were both worried that James would hurt Riley. Instead, both of them were more worried about James.Unfortunately, James, who did not get an answer from his two friends, turned his head with a furrowed brow, “Why? Don't you two trust me?”“You guys ... think I would do anything ... to hurt Riley? Is it like that?” James added with a sad look on his face.Shin quickly turned to James, “Of course not. I am sure you wouldn't do anything that bad.”“Don't get me wrong, James! We're ... just very worried about you,” Reiner said quietly.James was startled and when he looked at his two friends in turn, he instantly knew that they were not lying at all.The young man closed his eyes and instantly realized his mistake, “I'm sorry, senior. I ... I ....”“No problem, we'll leave you so you can be alo
Ben suddenly bowed his head.James immediately closed his eyes, completely unable to believe the painful reality that had slapped him.Meanwhile, Shin looked at his friend with a look of disappointment.He touched Ben's shoulder and asked, “You knew about this big secret and you ... did nothing? What have you done?”Ben was silent.Shin took a deep breath and watched the expressions of all the soldiers who were his best friends. The man sighed softly, “Aren't we ... all friends? How could you ... and you hide this important thing?”Ben raised his head, “Then, what do you expect me to do?”“What did you say?” Shin retorted fiercely.“You think it's easy? Hiding a secret of this magnitude? You think ... what happens if I tell you and the others? Especially James. He ... would definitely fight with Riley. They'll-”“Damn it!” James cursed because he couldn't stand it anymore.The young man said, “Don't act like you know about me and can guess what I might do or happen. You think you can
Meanwhile, William also began to be confused to calm his wife who was crying more and more.However, Cassandra's crying finally stopped when she saw the operating room door open.Everyone also immediately stared at the door, waiting anxiously.As several people from the medical team came out, William and Cassandra walked over.“Doctor, how is my son?” William asked.The elderly doctor looked up at the middle-aged man who was staring at him anxiously.“General Mackenzie,” the doctor greeted after he noticed William's face.William nodded, “Yes, Doctor Sigmund. It's me.”Sigmund was surprised, “Riley Wood, I mean General Wood is ... your son, General?”“Yes, Doctor,” William replied.James just stared blankly ahead, as if he was ready to hear that statement. Meanwhile, Reiner and the other soldiers could only squeal in shock as an important fact had j
It didn't take long for James Gardner to understand everything. In fact, afterward he saw Alen Smith greeting the woman and middle-aged man who were obviously a married couple. “Alen, Alen. You're … a medical staff, aren't you?” Cassandra asked the young man she had already met.“Riley will be fine. Isn't he?” Cassandra said frantically.Alen nodded, “You don't need to worry, Mrs. Mackenzie. We will do our best to save Riley.”James was still silent where he stood. Alen's words had explained everything. Alen, one of his best friends, also knew everything that happened. James closed his eyes for a few seconds and chose to hold himself still.The young man took hold of the edge of Riley's bed and helped him to push again. He then said softly, “Alen, hurry up a bit!”Alen was immediately surprised and looked guiltily at James as if he already knew what James was feeling. However, he did not have time to say anything and quickly went about his duties while asking people not to come