Page 156 of The Fifth Life of Alicia
His gaze lingered on our clasped hands for a moment, then he gently laid his hand on top of my head. “I trust you’ll deal with them swiftly, Kalon.”
***
“I see,” I said, pressing my fingertips together. “So, that’s what you were doing so close to the forest.”
We arrived back at the Imperial Villas not long before the mages were done creating the antidote for Rina’s paralysis. She’d come to Allie’s room almost immediately after regaining full use of her arm to give me the report on how they’d come to be near the forest.
Why had Allie followed Lillia that far out?
“Did she know where she was going?” I asked.
Rina shook her head. “I don’t believe so, sir. Honestly, their conversation didn’t seem all that friendly. I kept my distance at her request, but from the little I heard, it was Lady Armand provoking my lady.”
“Provoking her? How so?”
“I believe you were the topic of discussion.”
I sighed, dropping my forehead to my fingers. “I didn’t expect Lady Armand to approach Allie. Had I known, I would have instructed you not to leave them alone.”
“May I ask why, Your Highness?”
“Lady Armand offered me her handkerchief earlier today, and Allie happened upon the scene. I had hoped that Allie’s stern words at the time would have been the end of it.”
“If I may say so, I don’t think Lady Armand has any intention of listening to my lady’s warnings.”
“Do you think she took her there deliberately, Rina?”
Rina paused, looking over at Allie. “I can’t say for certain, but the path they took was one that wasn’t marked as being outside of the rest area. I’m ashamed to say I didn’t realise until it was too late, and I will accept any punishment Your Highness sees fit. I failed to protect my lady.”
I shook my head, letting my hands fall to the table. “You were severely hurt and have to live with the knowledge that you made the wrong choice. You know that a lone knight can’t take on a wraithhusk of that size, Rina. You made a bad call and knowing that is enough of a punishment. Even with that said, nobody could have predicted a wraithhusk would be here. The monsters that were present to be hunted were young, low-level creatures that a trainee knight could easily dispatch. The only people responsible for Allie’s condition are the ones behind the incident.”
“Your grace is more than I deserve.”
“Besides, Allie would never forgive me if I punished you.” I rubbed my hand down my face, laughing hollowly. “Go and rest. You may be healed now, but you’ve been through a lot.”
“Yes, sir.” She stood, bowing her head. “I will return to my duties tomorrow.”
“You will rest for two days at least.”
She sighed, but acquiesced with a deeper bow and left the room. Hayes walked in right after, closing the door after him.
“I’m surprised you let her leave here in one piece,” he quipped.
“She’s hurting herself enough without any further punishment.”
“You’re getting soft, Your Highness.”
“You’re awfully noisy, Hayes,” I said flatly. “Do you have a reason to be here or are you merely trying to get out of work?”
“Yes, yes, I have this report for you. How is Lady Alicia?” he asked, glancing at her as he crossed the room to me.
“There’s nothing we can do but wait for her to wake up.” I took the envelope he handed me. “Did you find out who those children are?”
“Yes. They’re Marquess Wentworth’s twins. It appears they slipped away from their nanny to collect flowers from the forest for their sick mother when they came across the wraithhusk. The blood on Lady Alicia’s dress was from the young lady who hurt her leg while escaping.”
“Is the child all right?”
“Yes. A priest healed her cut, but her father requested that he leave her sprained ankle without treatment to teach them both a lesson.”
