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
Janice Grow paused for a few seconds, which made Riley even more upset."You're all off the hook," Janice said firmly.Off the hook for what? Escaped? Riley opened his eyes immediately, feeling like he had misheard. But then he heard Alen say, "Come on, Riley!"Riley was still stunned and doubted his ears. How could he have escaped? But suddenly James Gardner put his arm around him, "Come on, let's get out of here, Wood!"Huh?So he really didn't hear wrong. He really did get away. But how?Before the young man, who still looked a bit dazed, opened his mouth to ask something, he heard Janice say, "Go ahead, future soldiers. You can all start training at the next level."James suddenly pulled Riley away from the building.As soon as they were outside the building, Riley looked around impatiently, searching for the young girl.James noticed Riley's strange movements and suddenly frowned, "Who are you looking for?""Mary Kesley," Riley replied without thinking.Alen immediately whistl
"Relax, Riley. You should still go there," Riley was determined.Hiding behind a large wall, he immediately folded the paper again and started walking carefully. Not only did he have to avoid the soldiers, but also the security cameras.A quarter of the way in, he gritted his teeth when he was forced to hide behind a large tree because he saw a group of soldiers who seemed to be at home in the area."Why are they just standing there?" Riley muttered.Unfortunately, it turned out that the six soldiers had not left, so Riley had to wait fifteen minutes before he could move on. He immediately racked his brain to find another way."Another way ... through Princess Rowena's residence. Damn it! It's narrower there," Riley muttered again.But he decided to take the risk and quickly turned around. He walked slowly and took another path that did not take him past the princess' residence, but he was surprised when he turned a corner."You ... what are you doing here?" Rowena stared in shock at
Hearing the new war general's question, Xylan Wellington laughed awkwardly.It was a laugh that didn't really come off, in fact, it sounded so strange that it made anyone who heard the viceroy's laughter confused.Reiner also looked at Xylan with a strange gaze while James did not even blink. The look in his eyes showed a demand.A demand for an explanation from Xylan regarding what he had just said.When he saw that urgent questioning look, Xylan finally stopped laughing. He cleared his throat softly before saying, "Hm ... I know from the main soldier.""The main soldier?" James repeated as he frowned.Xylan gulped and smiled clumsily, "The king's court soldiers, General Gardner."Oh, that wasn't really what James meant. He knew without even asking that the main soldiers were the palace soldiers specifically assigned to escort and guard him.There were usually five of them and one of them was required to stay by his side
James Gardner remained silent, giving no clear answer to Reiner's question.An immediate anxiety struck the ground war commander. Not wanting to be ignored by James, Reiner asked again, "James, tell me. Are you going to stay in the palace? You're not going to leave, right?"He looked anxiously at James who was staring out the car window. However, after he waited patiently enough he finally heard James answer, "I don't know."Reiner's heart was like being hit by a rock instantly."So ... are you leaving?" the man asked in a tone that sounded disappointed."It depends."Reiner, who was still staring at James, raised an eyebrow, looking confused, "Depends on what?"James sighed softly, "It depends on King Xylan's answer."Reiner was getting more and more confused. However, he did not have time to ask further as the car they were in had already entered the main gate of the Ans De Lou Royal palace. Even so, Reiner still did not want to give up so easily so he continued to stick to James e
At first Michelle Veren didn't understand what James Gardner was asking. However, when she saw the look on the general's face, she immediately knew he meant the time of the departure of the three people they were looking for.So, the Veren boutique owner replied, "About an hour ago, General Gardner."Hearing that answer, Reiner immediately went limp. But, it was inversely proportional to James who was even full of enthusiasm. This could be seen from James who even said, "Come on, Rei. Let's go after him."Reiner looked sadly at his best friend and replied, "It won't catch up, James. It's been too long."James did not even listen to Reiner's words and ordered some of his men, "Prepare the car, let's go after them!""James," Reiner called softly.James ignored the call and kept saying to his men who were still quietly waiting, "Find out through the CCTV which area they are currently in. They ... should be visible if they take the highway from behind this building."Reiner bit his own
Unfortunately it was all too late for the young girl to realize. All the words of the girl named Alice Porter were clearly heard by Reiner Anderson and James Gardner.With a dark look on his face, James said, "Miss, you-""No, no. I just misspoke, I ... I don't know anything. You heard me wrong," Alice said, whose face paled even more. Especially when she saw the aura of James Gardner, the terrifying war general, she found it even harder to breathe.Reiner also could not help himself so he said in an exasperated tone, "Tell me everything you know or you ... will know how terrible it is when you face the two of us.""I don't care if you are a woman. I can still find a punishment that you deserve," Reiner continued coldly.Alice swallowed harshly. Of course the young girl was very confused. Moreover, no one was trying to help her at all. All the employees in the boutique looked so frightened that no one dared to open their mouths."Say it now! We don't have much time, Miss!" James gro
James' question immediately made Reiner silent for a few moments. He stared at the boutique with a confused look on his face.Meanwhile, James didn't want to waste any more time so he wordlessly walked towards the boutique owned by Michelle Veren, a forty-year-old female designer who was quite famous in the country.Reiner didn't just stand by and do nothing, lamenting his inaccuracy. He followed James with a small trot right behind James without a word.As soon as James was faster than him to reach the door, he immediately saw the two boutique guards who opened the door for them."Can I help you?" one of the boutique guards asked James."I'm looking for Princess Rowena. Where is she now?" James asked back matter-of-factly as he darted his eyes all over the first floor of the boutique.Although there was a suspicion rising in James' mind, the young man put his anxiety ahead of his suspicion."You're looking for Princess Rowena? Who are you? You-""James Gardner. Royal War General Ans
Reiner Anderson did not answer James' question. Instead, he had a facial expression that looked both hesitant and confused.Of course, that made James Gardner even more annoyed. "Come on, tell me quickly! What's so strange about Princess Rowena?" James urged, impatiently.Reiner swallowed and scratched his ears before answering, "Well, I'm not sure if this is strange to you. But ... I think it's very strange, James."James gritted his teeth in growing annoyance and impatience.Luckily, he didn't need to ask anymore as Reiner added, "So, according to reports she went outside the palace."Hearing Reiner's answer, James snorted rudely. "What's so strange about that? I know she often goes outside the palace."Reiner sighed softly, "Indeed. But, this time ... a few hours ago, she left without a bodyguard. And she ... left with their son, Prince Kharel."Instantly James glared in shock, "What? Are you ... sure?""Yes, James. She just-""How is that possible? King Xylan ... didn't forbid he
Gary Davis did not answer Xylan's question. He just wore a pitiable expression. It instantly brought out the guilt in Xylan Wellington.Oh, no. What have I done? Did ... did I go too far in becoming suspicious of my own personal assistant? Xylan thought to himself as he stared at Gary's innocent face.The viceroy sighed softly. He went back to thinking hard. He tried to remember everything about Gary. He had never made a mistake, not once. He also never did anything suspicious all this time. Gosh, am I suspecting the wrong person? Xylan thought.However, he shook his head quickly as he realized something.But, wait a minute. It was James Gardner who suspected him. He couldn't have spoken carelessly. Otherwise, there was no way he could have been selected as the deputy war general. His instincts must be very strong that he has suspicions of Gary Davis, Xylan thought seriously.He then looked at Gary once more and finally nodded his head.He does look very innocent, but he could be h
Ben didn't know how he should respond to his friend's words, but all he could do was go over to James and pat him gently on the back repeatedly in an attempt to calm him down."He's really not coming back, Ben.""No, he's not. It's just-""He wouldn't give that kind of message if he didn't mean what he said," James cut Ben off.Ben sighed softly, "James, what I meant was ... he probably doesn't want to be looked for anymore because he wants to go back to the palace himself."Ben's words made James, who had been so frantic, straighten his back. The war general then turned to Ben and responded, "What do you mean?"Ben wasn't sure what he was thinking but he said it anyway, "I think ... he just wants to go home alone."James paused, trying to digest his friend's words."Tell you what ... how about we just go back to the palace, who knows if Riley might actually be home," Ben explained.Ricky and Steven Drilon were silent as they listened to Ben's words.They also didn't have time to reac
Ricky Drilon could only stare at the question.Oh, he often found himself in a confusing situation. But, he had never once felt depressed.Though he was also very often faced with a difficult choice. However, again, such things could be resolved well without any inner turmoil.However, one question asked by Riley Mackenzie put him in his most difficult phase. "Why are you doing nothing? Who are you going to obey? Me or General Gardner?" Riley repeated his question.Ricky swallowed harshly, getting more and more confused.His forehead was furrowed, clearly showing a great deal of indecision. He repeatedly smoothed his hair in just one minute. That made Riley smile strangely, "So, what? Who are you going to choose to obey?" Ricky bit his own teeth.How is this? What am I supposed to do? And why am I in this situation? Ricky thought.He looked indecisive, full of doubts. Riley himself looked very calm and relaxed at Ricky's confusion."Why aren't you answering me?" Riley asked with a