Forgotten Wife Let the traitors kneel Down (by Patricia Maradiaga) novel Chapter 112

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It’s Time to Go Back

Ethan was camping in the Xein forest; he had been searching for Sophia in all the nearby towns for several days, but none gave him any information about her. It was as if she had disappeared. Sometimes he wondered if it had all been an illusion. Was the woman he had seen weeks ago really Sophia, or just someone who resembled her? Had he only confused her in his eagerness to see her again?

It had been 20 years since the last time he saw her, yet he did not lose hope, nor did he want to. He wanted to keep thinking that she was okay. He needed to think that way. When Sophia had left the kingdom of the elves, the queen had entrusted him with bringing her back, yet he still couldn’t find her whereabouts. But as a knight, he couldn’t disobey the order given to him, no matter how long it took to fulfill it. And even if he hadn’t been ordered, he would have gone to search for her because she was someone very dear to him.

Ethan raised his eyes to the sky, the stars shone intensely, and he let out a deep sigh.

“Sophia, where are you?”

Ethan heard someone moving among the trees. He took his dagger and stood on guard. A tall, broad–shouldered man with long brown hair down to his waist emerged from the trees.

“Dantriel, what are you doing here?”

“It’s been a long time, Ethan.”

“You still haven’t answered my question.”

“The queen has sent me to find you. She wants you to come home.”

“I haven’t found Princess Sophia; I can’t return.”

“It’s been 20 years, Ethan. If you haven’t found her yet, it’s because she doesn’t want to be

found.”

“I won’t give up. I won’t go back with you, Dantriel.”

“You’ll have to come with me, Ethan, whether you want to or not.”

“You can’t force me.”

“Of course I can, and you know I will. The queen’s orders are final.”

“A few weeks ago, I saw Princess Sophia. Give me a little more time. I’m sure I’ll find her. I beg you.”

“I’m sorry, Ethan, but your time in the human realm is over. You must return home, to your people.”

“I can’t. I don’t intend to return without Princess Sophia.”

“You’re stubborn.”

“And there’s something else. I recently learned that humans have reawakened the darkness. They’re creating monsters with it.”

Drantriel frowned and asked,

“Is what you’re saying true, or is it just a ploy to buy time to stay in the human realm to keep searching for Princess Sophia?”

“I’m not lying, Dantriel. That’s what a human from the kingdom of Cosset told me.”

“From the kingdom of Cosset?”

“That’s right.”

“Have you verified the information?”

“I haven’t done it yet.”

“Looking for information about the darkness is much more important than searching for the princess. Don’t let your feelings cloud your judgment.”

Ethan didn’t respond. He remained silent for a moment and then said,

“This is not our war. Why should we help them?”

“If they invade the kingdom of Cosset, it will also be our war.”

Dantriel was about to put out the campfire when Ethan stopped him and asked,

“What do you think you’re doing?”

“We must go to the information guild. We need to know more about the darkness, then return to the kingdom and report it to the queen.”

“But…”

“After we do that, I’ll let you stay a little longer searching for Princess Sophia.”

“Do you promise?”

“Yes, I give you my word.”

2/4 It’s Time to Go Back

“Alright, let’s go then.”

Maya was leaning on the balcony railing, looking at the beautiful starry sky. Cassian came out onto the balcony when he saw that there was still light in Maya’s room and asked,

“What are you doing?”

“Nothing.”

“Can’t sleep?”

“Yes, that’s why I came out to enjoy the night. I usually do that whenever I can’t sleep. Tonight the sky looks even more beautiful than usual, don’t you think?”

Cassian looked up at the sky, that night, the stars adorned the immense and vast sky, and he

said,

“Yes, tonight the stars are shining beautifully.”

“It’s so peaceful, I wonder how long we will be able to enjoy this peace.”

“I don’t know.”

“I’ve never been in a war, what’s it like?”

“It’s something you should never see.”

“Is it that bad?”

“Bad is an understatement, in a war, the battlefield is the last place a man should go.”

“Will you go to the battlefield when the war breaks out?”

“Yes, even though I have been away from the soldiers, I am a general, as well as a prince. My duty is to protect my kingdom and encourage our army on the front lines.”

“I thought that being a prince would keep you from having to go to the battlefield.”

Cassian shook his head.

“King Venobich is a man of great power and his army is not something to be underestimated. If the soldiers don’t see someone from the royal family fighting for the kingdom, many would become discouraged and give up.”

“When it happens, I’ll be worried about you.”

“You don’t have to be, I’ll be fine.”

“Even if you say that, I can’t help but be afraid that something might happen to you on the battlefield, or that you might die.”

“I’m not going to die so easily, there are still many things I must do.”