The Grand Duke's Soulmate
Chapter 60: A Princess in Fright

Chapter 60: A Princess in Fright

As time passed, the group continued travelling westward after Anna regained her strength. They left the vacant field and climbed higher into the highlands.

The once smooth road now gave way to rocky and uneven terrain. The path grew narrower and more treacherous as they approached a cliff with a deep ravine below. Alex and Luke were sent ahead to scout the area and assess the situation to ensure everyone’s safety.

After a while, they returned to the rest of the group with their findings.

"Looks like the terrain has altered since our last journey. A huge rock has fallen and obstructed the path. Unfortunately, the carriage won’t be able to pass through," Alex informed Kyren, who stood out of the carriage while Anna waited inside.

"Is there any alternative path?" asked the commander.

"Not from here. According to the map, there’s another way down the valley to escape the terrain. But still, we have to go this way to reach the crossroads of the path. That will be about three days of journey from here," replied the knight.

"Is it safe to pass through the current route?"

"It won’t be any problem if we travel by horse. We’re still on the fastest track. However, if we go down the valley, that would add up to several days more as we will be circling the mountains," Luke told the commander.

"I see... Then, we’ll stick to the current way. There’s no need to go the alternative path and waste our time. Abandon the carriage, and let’s move ahead," ordered Kyren.

The knight bowed and immediately conveyed the order to the rest of the team. Upon receiving the news, Rafe and Ayden came over and expressed their concern about the lady.

"Commander, the lady might not be able to withstand the journey by horse." The healer creased his forehead.

"Mr. Amares is right. She’s not used to riding," supported Ayden.

"I don’t want to force her as well, but we’re at a dead end. You heard what Alex said. We can’t go through with the carriage, and there’s no other way here," Kyren responded.

Anna, who heard the discussion, got out of the carriage and joined them.

"Pardon me for interfering, but I could ride with Kyren. I’m feeling much better after taking the medicines and tonics these days. I should be fine. Don’t worry much about me," she told them.

"My lady, the journey beyond the mountainous area is not as smooth as the previous path. The route is hard, and we’ll hike up the trail and down the steep, uneven terrain. You’ll surely be affected by the time we descend," advised the healer.

"I understand your concern on this, Rafe. But Kyren is right. There’s no other way, and we also need to move fast," she said.

The healer and his assistant stole glances at each other, unsatisfied with the answer.

"I’ll ride slower this time. Also, Anna, if you feel uncomfortable, please inform me quickly, all right?" instructed Kyren.

The princess nodded fervently.

Rafe let out a sigh.

"All right. But remember. Don’t exert yourself too much. If you’re not fine, let us know," said Rafe, finally agreeing.

"I’ll take note of that. Thank you, Rafe and Ayden," said Anna in gratitude.

Abandoning the carriage, the entourage rode the horse and continued their journey up the highlands.

***

After three days of trekking, the team finally reached the mountainous trail’s peak. Their next step was to descend towards the west. Throughout the journey, they had taken refuge in a cave and a sheltered cliff at night.

Their movement had been smooth so far. However, Anna’s body began to take the toll of the arduous journey. Even a slight gust of cold wind at night was enough to make her tremble.

Looking at her condition, Kyren, the healer and his assistant’s concern grew.

"She might not be able to hold on any longer. I told you she couldn’t take the journey by riding," Rafe expressed after examining the commander’s wife during their stop.

They were now resting on a flat mountain path.

The bruises on her legs caused by the constant friction with the saddle’s stirrup leathers were alarming.

Holding Anna’s hand, who was sitting on the ground, leaning her back on the cliff wall, the commander summoned Eric.

"How far away is the crossroads to the alternative path from here?" he asked the knight.

"Not far, commander. We should reach there in a short while. Why?"

"We’re taking that path. Anna’s condition worsened. She could no longer ride the horse," said Kyren.

"We still need to go down the valley by horse to get there before dark. Can the lady endure?" asked Eric.

"I can do it. The bruises don’t hurt. I’m used to it," intervened the princess.

"You always said that. You never complain about anything because you don’t want to trouble anyone," Kyren grunted.

Anna’s eyes darted to her husband’s face, twisted in an intense expression. She bit her lower lip and felt a knot form in her stomach. As she met his gaze, a wave of guilt washed over her, and she couldn’t help but feel a tinge of fear creeping up her spine.

"I’m sorry. I don’t intend to upset you," she said as she looked down with droopy eyes.

Kyren expressed concern, saying, "I’m not upset. I’m just worried about your well-being."

"Please don’t feel any guilt, my lady. Nobody is blaming you, and you didn’t cause this," Ayden reassured her.

"We knew this was likely to happen, given your condition. Don’t hold onto those guilty feelings, as stress is not beneficial for you," Rafe added.

"All right. Let’s move quickly and descend. Just hold on a bit more, and we’ll find a better way to continue the journey," Kyren decided.

Just then, far from his previous display of ire, the commander assumed a calm state and became eerily silent. With quick movements, he stood up and took out his sword.

"Commander! Wolves have been sighted!" Luke shouted from the front.

"I’ve already sensed it. Be vigilant, men, and ready to strike!" he ordered the knights and then turned to Ayden and Rafe, saying, "Protect her and don’t move from here!"

Without waiting for an answer, the commander leapt with long strides to the front with Eric. In a few moments, cries of wolves began to surround the area. The roaring of the beasts filled the surroundings, mixing with the shouts of the knights battling against the creatures.

"Ayden, I’m scared! Make it stop!" Anna swallowed a sob when she saw a group of wolves begin attacking the team. Her little hands reached the assistant healer’s arm and gripped him hard.

"Don’t worry, my lady! The commander can handle this. It will be over soon. Close your eyes," Ayden persuaded.

In the depths of fear and anxiety, Anna closed her eyes hastily. However, the sound of growling howls kept growing as the number of wolves coming increased.

’Grrrrr...’

Anna heard a snarling sound so close to her.

"Stand back, you st*pid dog!"

As Rafe’s shouting reached her ears, Ayden grasped the princess’s hand tightly.

As curiosity got the better of her, she opened her eyes to find a massive wolf standing before them. The healer rose and bravely faced the creature, armed with a short sword in his right hand.

Anna’s eyes widened as she saw the grey wolf with shimmering black eyes. Rafe charged at the wolf, but in a swift move, the giant animal launched itself at the healer with ferocity.

Its powerful jaws snapped shut inches from the healer’s face, causing him to stumble backwards in a desperate attempt to evade the attack.

Rafe fought again, swinging the short sword in a large arc. But the wolf was too quick and too strong. With a lightning-fast swipe of its massive paw, it avoided the blade by sidestepping, knocking Rafe off his feet, and sending him falling.

Rafe’s head hit a rock with a sickening thud, and he slumped to the ground, unconscious. The wolf continued to snarl and snap at the man’s prone form, its razor-sharp teeth glinting in the sunlight as it prepared to deliver the killing blow.

"Aaaaa!!!" A shrill scream erupted from Anna’s mouth at the panicking scene.

The grey wolf turned to the sound, eyes locked on the two new prey before it.

"Anna!" Kyren’s loud shout echoed when he heard her scream.

As he rushed to protect his wife from the attacking wolves, several beasts turned their attention to him, cutting off his path. But the commander quickly reacted, drawing his sword and cleaving the wolves in half with expert precision.

The once-clear silver blade was now stained a deep crimson, and Kyren’s clothes were drenched in the blood of his fallen foes. Unfortunately, other wolves continuously attacked him, preventing him from reaching the princess.

At that exact moment, the grey wolf, whose attention was drawn to Anna, moved, approaching her with a daunting look.

The commander’s wife and the assistant healer crouched, shaking in fear. The wolf was now only inches from them.

"Nice doggy... Don’t bite!" said Ayden, raising his shivering palms.

However, the wolf didn’t even bother him. Instead, it had his eyes fixed on the princess.

"Don’t.... don’t harm us!" Anna stammered as she yelled at the wolf.

The massive wolf gazed at her with an unwavering stare before abruptly dropping to its feet in submission.

Ayden glanced at Anna with baffled eyes.

"Go... go back to your place! All of you!" she shouted again.

Emitting a whine like a domesticated dog, the wolf slowly backed away. It let out a mourning howl, signalling to its packmates before turning and bolting into the forest.

Heeding the call, the other wolves began retreating, leaving the team bewildered.

Ayden, who looked at the princess, was left speechless.

Kyren immediately rushed to Anna. With a pale face, she stood up. However, when she saw him drenched in blood, her eyes turned into a frightened stare.

The gore dripped from his sword, and dark red spots tainted the ground his feet touched. The commander looked horrible, like a bloodthirsty murderer.

As Anna looked at the commander with widened eyes, his figure began to shake like a hazy dream in her sight and soon became strangely distorted.

A wave of dizziness washed over her, and she felt herself swaying on her feet. Slowly, the sounds around her faded as her vision was consumed by darkness.

The little lady collapsed helplessly to the ground.

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