The Hero's Forsaken Princess
Chapter 119: The Amulet of Protection

Chapter 119: The Amulet of Protection

[ FLASHBACK ]

Eve and Esmeralda were forbidden to leave Lotus Pavilion. For ten years, Esmeralda didn’t break the rule for Eve’s sake.

But tonight, for some unknown reason, Esmeralda snuck out of the palace together with Eve. She was so anxious as she led her daughter out. They ended up entering the Moonshade Grove Forest.

"Mother, what’s wrong?" Eve asked her mother in puzzlement. "Where are we going?"

Esmeralda crouched down, gently stroking Eve’s head. She held her shoulders and looked at her.

"Eve, listen to me. We are no longer safe in the palace. Before, I told you that sometimes... it is best for us to be silent... to keep our safety. That’s why we decided not to fight back despite the maltreatment coming from the queen and her children."

Eve frowned, not understanding the situation. Just this afternoon, her mother had an argument with Annie. She didn’t know what happened. And now, Esmeralda decided to leave the palace.

"Mother, where is Annie? We should have asked her to come with us. She will be punished if she stays in Lotus Pavilion." Eve was worried about Annie. If the Queen finds out they have escaped, Annie will receive the punishment on their behalf.

However, Esmeralda’s expression turned grim at the mention of Annie’s name.

"You don’t have to worry about Annie. She can protect herself. Eve, I’ll explain everything. But for now, we need to leave," Esmeralda said, convincing Eve.

Her mother was in a hurry as they ran deeper into the forest. However, Esmeralda stopped abruptly when she heard the sound of running paws.

Esmeralda waited until a white fox approached them. Eve just stood behind her mother while the fox slowly walked toward them.

"Don’t be afraid, Eve. This fox won’t hurt us." After saying that, Esmeralda reached out to touch the fox’s forehead.

Eve nodded with a smile. She also approached the fox, rubbing its back.

"Are we going to ride this fox, Mother?" Eve asked her with her innocent eyes.

"No, Eve. I have to stay behind. You have to follow the fox. I’ll meet you later. There is something I need to do first." Esmeralda gently caressed Eve’s face.

Eve was very obedient to her mother. She didn’t question her.

"Okay, Mother. You have to be careful. I’ll wait for you."

Esmeralda pulled her into a tight embrace before letting her go.

"Here. If something goes wrong and you need help, you can play this flute so that I can locate your location. I will find you right away." Esmeralda instructed Eve as she handed her the flute along with an amulet.

"Keep this amulet. This will also protect you from harm," Esmeralda added.

Eve could only bob her head as she accepted the flute and the amulet. She didn’t know why but she could see the anxiety in her mother’s eyes. She was scared about something.

She wanted to ask her mother but she didn’t get the chance. She rode the fox and they started to go deeper into the forest. Esmeralda was left behind.

As the fox ran, Eve’s eyes were still fixed on the direction where her mother stood.

"Mother. Please be careful," she softly uttered.

Eve could see the light from the torches. The light spread from different locations and she could hear the voices of men. They were not alone in the forest.

"Go! Find them!"

"We can’t allow them to escape, otherwise, we will be the ones to die!"

"Search every corner of this forest until we find them!"

Eve had a bad feeling after hearing those words. ’Are they going to hurt my mother? No! I need to come back. My mother is alone!’

Without hesitation, Eve suddenly jumped off as she couldn’t stop the fox from running. The White fox seemed to receive a command from her mother and she didn’t know how Esmeralda did it.

"Argh!"

Thud

Eve fell to the ground. Her leg got hurt from the impact. Her right leg hit a big rock when she fell.

She could stand however her leg was in pain whenever she would take a step. In a brief moment, she could hear running footsteps inching closer and closer to her.

"I found her! I found her! She’s here!" An armed man yelled the moment he spotted Eve.

Two men drew their swords and charged in her direction. However, before they could slash her, the white fox returned, leaping forward to defend Eve.

"No!" Eve screamed in horror.

The fox was stabbed by the sword but it continued fighting the two men, biting their arms and wrists to drop the swords. The fox was protecting Eve with his life.

When the two men stumbled back on the ground, the fox looked at her. The fox’s gaze seemed to tell Eve to run away and leave.

As if Eve had understood the fox’s message, she forced herself to move even though her leg was in pain.

She didn’t want to be a burden to the fox. She needed to leave so that the fox wouldn’t get killed by those men. They were chasing after her. She needed to divert their attention.

As Eve continued to run away, she found a hiding spot. The striking pain in her leg made it difficult to move forward. She could no longer endure it.

’I wonder what will happen to my mother and the white fox.’ Eve pondered to herself.

She didn’t know where she was right now. She recalled her mother’s words. Still holding the flute, she decided to use it.

’I hope my mother can find me here.’

Eve played the familiar beautiful melody using her flute. She hoped that someone would come to her rescue.

It did not take long before someone heard the sound of the flute. Eve continued playing until she heard someone’s running footsteps.

Unlike the two men whom she encountered earlier, the person who was approaching her was wearing a knight’s armor.

"Is he a royal knight?" Eve asked herself, wondering whether to reveal herself and come out of her hiding spot.

Eve remained undecided as she silently assessed the knight from her current spot. She already stopped playing her flute so the knight couldn’t pinpoint her location.

"Princess Eve," the knight mumbled.

Eve gasped upon hearing that. ’He knew me.’

"Please help," Eve called his attention.

The knight immediately turned in her direction. In a flash, the knight reached her spot.

"Princess, are you hurt?" The knight asked her worriedly.

Eve didn’t know why but she suddenly felt like crying upon seeing the young knight.

"I hurt my leg," she said as she started to sob.

The knight panicked when he saw her crying. He didn’t know what to do. He darted his gaze at his surroundings.

’She is crying. What should I do?’ Alaric thought to himself. He wanted to ask her why she was in the forest but he couldn’t talk to her while she was crying.

"Princess, don’t cry. Don’t be afraid. I’m here," Alaric tried to comfort her.

Eve rubbed her eyes as she looked at him. She didn’t recognize him because the last time she saw him, Alaric’s face was covered with bruises, and his eyes were swollen.

Eve finally stopped crying. "Did my mother send you here to rescue me? Have you seen her?"

Alaric thought Eve was referring to Queen Amara.

"Yes. She sent me here. Don’t be afraid. I’m here to protect you. I’m Averion Knight," Alaric said, making her feel at ease in his presence.

Eve smiled as soon as she heard that.

Alaric checked her leg. He saw abrasions and bruises on her flesh. It would be difficult for her to walk alone.

"Princess, will you allow me to carry you?" Alaric reluctantly asked her.

He knew he didn’t have the right to touch her. But he needed to rescue the princess and treat her injury as soon as possible. Her leg brought severe discomfort to her.

Eve bobbed her head in agreement, extending her hands to him. "Carry me on your back!"

Alaric was about to carry her when he realized that he was wearing armor. If he carried her on his back, he was worried that she would feel uncomfortable because of her armor.

"Let me remove my armor first."

Alaric removed his armor before carrying her on his back. Eve comfortably anchored her arms around his neck.

They were about to leave when four armed men blocked their path.

"Where do you think you are going? If you don’t want to die, leave the girl behind!" A fat man threatened Alaric.

Alaric’s gaze burned with fury upon hearing that.

"Are you the ones who hurt the princess?" Alaric questioned them in a cold voice, a chilling aura emanating from him.

The four men erupted into peals of laughter.

"Young man, are you trying to be a hero here? Hahaha. Just hand her over to us and we will spare your life."

Alaric clenched his fists tightly, before putting Eve down.

"Princess Eve, can you please close your eyes for a moment? I’ll finish this quickly," he requested her with a reassuring smile.

Eve shook her head while clutching his arm tightly. She didn’t want to let him go. "We should run. Don’t fight them. I don’t want you to get hurt."

Alaric became more enraged when he saw the fear in her eyes. These men scared her.

"Don’t worry, Princess. I will save you. Nothing bad will happen to me. I’m a warrior. I’m an Averion Knight. My duty is to protect you with my life. Please trust me."

Eve nodded, trusting Alaric’s words. However, before she let go, she gave him the amulet. "Take this. It will protect you from harm."

Alaric smiled before accepting the amulet. He hung it on his armor belt. Now, he was ready to fight those men.