Kitanna
Chapter 256: EARLY SURPRISE

Chapter 256: EARLY SURPRISE

[MUSIC RECOMMENDATION: BLUE ~ YEOYU & SEOLBIN]

For some reason, the morning sun felt harsh on the skin as it beat down on Morado, casting long shadows on the tall castle walls. Inside one of the rooms, Cortez pushed open the map of Badukeh he had gotten from one of the merchants in Morado.

"The borders are highly secured, but this path is free," Cortez pointed out to Nix, who was standing beside him.

Nix tapped his lips thoughtfully. "What about this path? It looks like it’s only filled with water, but there’s a small path there," the king pointed out as they made plans on how to go to the kingdom unnoticed.

"We should get Axilla out first, then Lady Hash through this path," Cortez suggested.

Lord Hieron, who had been listening to the plan all along, felt his heart grow heavy at the mention of the woman’s name. He stood up and quietly walked out of the room, going somewhere quiet to gather his thoughts.

Kitanna noticed this, so she moved out, following the man. Everyone had noticed how quiet Lord Hieron had been since finding out about Lady Hash’s past. They tried not to engage him in any conversation related to it.

"Lord Hieron, there you are," Kitanna said when she saw the man standing close to the balcony with his body resting on the rail.

Lord Hieron smiled. "You are not in the briefing room?" He asked, pulling out a chair for his granddaughter-in-law to sit.

Kitanna shook her head while getting comfortable on the seat. "I figured you would be needing some company. Are you okay?" She asked.

Lord Hieron sighed, his eyes staring at nothing. "Before I got to know about my likeness towards Hash, I already knew she was a woman with secrets, but I wanted her to confide in me, and I didn’t know the secret would be something this big. I’m okay, just slightly disappointed," the man replied, his voice growing distant.

Kitanna hummed. It was not just Lord Hieron. Everyone was torn between choosing the kindness Lady Hash had shown them or looking at the secrets she kept all along, making her help look like a schemed plan. It was a difficult moment for them all.

"I wish she was here, to explain herself. I too grew fond of her presence. I just hope nothing goes wrong and both she and Axilla make it out alive," Kitanna finally said.

Hieron nodded in agreement. "I’m glad she finally found her child. The guilt of leaving the child behind ate her up for years. That the child had been in front of her all this while and she couldn’t recognize would really terrify her," the older man said, thinking about the woman he had grown fond of in the past few moons. Turning to Kitanna, he asked,

"How would you feel if Nix should keep a big secret from you? Something that could even cost your life?" Hieron asked.

Kitanna smiled. What are the odds, she thought to herself. "Actually, he did keep a secret from me, one that could end my life, but also he thought he was doing it for my sake. It happens, people who care for us try to hide things from us for our safety, but in the end, I feel it’s better they tell it. That’s the only time a solution would be found. More secrets, only end with lies, and with more lies causes lack of trust," the young queen remarked.

Hieron twitched his lips. Maybe he could find a common ground after listening to Lady Hash’s explanation. For now, he needed to help rescue the woman.

"Let’s go back to the briefing room; I’ve gotten enough air," he said, helping Kitanna stand as they walked back to the room.

Meanwhile, in the dusty plains outside Morado, a lone rider sped towards the city, a letter tied to the saddle. It bore the seal of Badukeh, and its message would change the course of their fight, propelling them into a desperate rescue mission with time running out.

Chantal was the one to receive the letter from the envoy. He ran towards the room where the briefing was held and delivered the letter to the king.

Nix read the letter and handed it over to Cortez, who after reading it, slammed his fist on the table, scattering the half-eaten olives.

"Venantius!!," he growled, his voice tight with suppressed anger, as he crumpled the letter. "Axilla tried to escape, but somehow Venantius found her, now he..." He trailed off, as his body shook with anger.

Nix rubbed his temples, the news in the letter was unexpected but he tried to remain calm.

"What does the letter say?" Kitanna who didn’t understand what was going on asked worry marred on her face.

Cortez pushed back his chair, pacing round, the dimly lit room. "Axilla is resting unconscious in the palace, and he said he would only give her the antidote if I come back. Venantius used her as bait! What if she doesn’t survive it..." He slammed his fist on the table again, the silence deafening.

Taking a deep breath, Kitanna rose and placed a hand on Cortez’s shoulder. "We will get them back. You know her strength, Cortez. Axilla won’t give in easily. And Lady Hash is there with her," she paused, a flicker of concern crossing her delicate features.

"Lady Hash may have kept this secret for a long time, but she is a woman of bravery and strength. Everything will go just fine."

Cortez nodded, his jaw clenched. "You’re right. But we don’t know how long they can hold on. I’ll go there first. Don’t worry about me, I’ll try to get Axilla back safely." The young merchant replied, looking at everyone.

"You can’t go alone. We don’t know what else the man has planned. Take Chantal with you," Nix suggested.

Lord Hieron stood up immediately. "I would like to go with you too." He added, but Nix shook his head in refusal.

"Lord Hieron, you know of the bad blood we have with the man. Sending you there would be a death sentence," Nix said, trying to convince his grandfather. Worry marred on his forehead.

Heiron smiled, gripping his grandson’s shoulder. "Don’t worry, boy, we are never afraid of death. Let’s go, quickly."

With this, Cortez, Lord Hieron, and Chantal left for Badukeh. They rode on their separate horses, hoping to reach the kingdom before nightfall because each second that passed Axilla’s life counted on it.

Cortez had hoped, against all reason, Lady Hash would convince the man and get Axilla out safely. But this confirmed his worst fears. Venantius, fueled by vengeance and a twisted sense of family, had crossed a line that couldn’t be ignored.

Meanwhile, back at Morado, Nix stood at the palace entrance watching the departing figures of the horsemen.

A gentle hand rested on his shoulder. Kitanna, her face creased with concern, looked into his troubled eyes. "Are you worried about Hieron?"

Nix turned to meet the face of his wife, reaching to touch her face. "I’m worried about us all. He has Lady Hash and Axilla now, who knows who would be next."

Kitanna wrapped her arms around him, offering silent comfort. "They will be fine, with Lord Hieron with them, everything will be just fine. I know it."

Nix nodded his head. "I just hope so, because if anything should go wrong, I will..." His voice broke off when he felt the grip of Kitanna tighten around his arm, a sudden gasp escaping her lips.

Nix felt a tremor run through his wife, then another. Her hand on his arm clenched tight. "Kitanna? What is it?"

Kitanna tried to get her balance, but just then she felt something liquid escape through her inner thighs. Her eyes widened in realization. "Nix.... it’s coming..." Her body trembled.