The Hero's Forsaken Princess
Chapter 155: Negotiation with the King

Chapter 155: Negotiation with the King

"Hold your fire! Don’t attack!" Chancellor Gustav shouted with command as he recognized the man riding the horse.

"Brother?" Erika mumbled in surprise.

"Gideon!" Crown Prince Leonard uttered his name. "My friend is back!"

"Lord Gideon! He has returned!" A general blurted out.

The soldiers and knights of Zephyra were glad to see him.

But Chancellor Gustav’s attention was no longer focused on Gideon. He couldn’t believe his eyes when he saw the woman behind him.

’Is that her? Princess Eve?!’ He pondered, his gaze fixed on her.

Gustav was not the only person who was shocked by the turn of events.

"Commander! Gideon brought Princess Eve!" Randolf uttered in disbelief.

"What the hell is he doing?" Caleb cursed. "I told him to take Princess Eve away. Why did he bring her?"

Miles darted his gaze back and forth between Gideon, Princess Eve, and the execution platform. The guard who was supposed to behead Alaric put down their weapon. The royal guards were waiting for Chancellor Gustav’s command.

Meanwhile, Rolando approached Caleb, worry was painted all over his face.

"Why is that man with Princess Eve? He is on the enemy’s side!" Rolando revealed to them.

"Huh? What do you mean?" Caleb asked in confusion.

Randolf and Miles also glanced at Rolando with a questioning gaze.

"Don’t you know? He is Chancellor Gustav’s eldest son!"

On the other hand, King Zaraki stood frozen in his spot. "Esmeralda," he murmured.

Even though Eve was wearing a veiled hat, King Zaraki could see Esmeralda in her persona.

’She finally came. She is here! My beast tamer!’ King Zaraki rejoiced inwardly, unable to look away. His eyes were directed at her.

"Stop the execution! Bring the prisoner back to the carriage! We will return to the palace right now!" King Zaraki gave his command.

The guard covered Alaric’s head as he escorted him back to the carriage. He didn’t see Princess Eve.

"What are we going to do now?" Randolf asked Commander Caleb.

Miles and Randolf were waiting for his command. Then suddenly, Gideon and Eve turned in their direction. They saw them.

Gideon signaled them to retreat. Eve supported him as she put her trust in Gideon.

Before they could change their mind, Rolando immediately pulled Caleb. "We need to leave!"

"Captain Alucard and Commander Kevin are on their way here. We will regroup with them and plan out our next moves. Don’t worry. We will rescue them!" He reassured the three men.

They had no choice but to follow Rolando’s instructions. They retreated, concealing their presence as they blended with the crowd.

Princess Eve heaved a sigh of relief when Caleb’s team stepped back. She didn’t want them to make a reckless move. The royal guards scattered in the area.

"Princess, shall we proceed to the palace now? General Alaric is safe for now."

Eve nodded in agreement. "Yes, Gideon. Let’s go to the palace. I need to talk to my Grand Uncle, King Zaraki."

Riding their own horse, Eve and Gideon followed the royal carriage.

Gideon felt a little bit anxious as they approached the palace. Princess Eve didn’t know about his real identity. She was about to find out the truth. He could no longer hide it.

’I hope she doesn’t hate me after this,’ Gideon prayed silently.

It did not take long before they entered the palace.

"Stay close to me. Don’t be afraid. I got you," Gideon said, comforting Eve as they followed the guards.

"What are they going to do with my husband?" She asked him worriedly.

"In the meantime, Alaric will be sent back to the prison fortress. Let’s go and negotiate with the king." Gideon tightened his grip on Eve’s hand.

They had just entered the palace hall when a woman pounced on Gideon, hugging him tightly.

"Brother! Welcome back! I’ve missed you!" Erika said. She could no longer hold back her yearning for her brother.

Meanwhile, Eve’s eyes widened upon hearing that. She darted her gaze back and forth between Gideon and Erika.

’This noblewoman is Gideon’s sister. Does it mean... he came from Zephyra?’

Eve didn’t know what to feel at that time. Gideon didn’t tell her about his real identity. She just knew him as the Black Hunter who wanted to explore the world, enjoying his freedom.

"Brother, who is she?" Erika asked after breaking the hug.

Gideon just smiled awkwardly and responded, "She’s Princess Eve of Kingdom Averion. She is my friend."

Erika gasped upon hearing that. "Oh my god?! Is that true? Are you friends with this beautiful princess? You are so lucky, Bro!"

Their conversation was interrupted when a royal servant called their attention.

"King Zaraki and others are waiting. Please follow me."

Eve and Gideon were escorted to the center hall. Everyone’s attention was focused on them.

King Zaraki sat on his throne together with Queen Natalie. Standing on the right side of the throne was Chancellor Gustav.

The four generals also stood near the throne together with Crown Prince Leonard.

"Leave us!" King Zaraki dismissed the servants and the other royal guards.

Only Fifteen people were left in the palace hall. King Zaraki wanted to talk to Eve without worrying about other people in their surroundings.

"Are you Princess Eve? The wife of General Alaric?" King Zaraki asked in his authoritative voice. A dangerous smirk flashed across his face.

"Yes. I’m his wife. The third princess of Kingdom Averion," Eve replied with confidence.

Chancellor Gustav gazed at his son, wondering why he was with Princess Eve. Did they just happen to meet each other while Gideon was on his way back to the palace?

As Chancellor Gustav continued to observe Eve and his son, King Zaraki continued interrogating the princess.

"Are you Princess Esmeralda’s daughter?" King Zaraki threw another direct question.

Eve nodded. "Yes. I’m her daughter."

King Zaraki’s eyes lit up when he heard that. Princess Eve was not hiding anything. She was answering all his questions. He didn’t expect her to be this obedient.

"I’m here now. Please allow my husband to be treated. His wounds are severe. He might die from loss of blood!" Eve expressed her request in the middle of her conversation with King Zaraki.

"Gustav, send the royal physician to the prison fortress now!" King Zaraki didn’t hesitate to fulfill Eve’s request.

Gustav momentarily left the palace hall to summon the royal physician. When he returned, King Zaraki had begun asking Gideon.

"How did you meet Princess Eve? Are you close acquaintances?"

Gideon glanced at Eve before answering the king. "I saved her once. And yes, we are close."

King Zaraki was satisfied with Gideon’s response. It seemed that he could use their relationship to make Eve obey him.

"Where is your mother now, Princess Eve? Is she still in Kingdom Averion? Did she marry a member of the royal family in that kingdom?" King Zaraki was curious about Esmeralda’s whereabouts.

Eve clenched her fists, lowering her gaze. "My mother is gone. She is no longer with us. She died ten years ago."

King Zaraki, Chancellor Gustav, and the four generals were shocked upon hearing that.

’No way! Princess Esmeralda is gone! I wonder if Eve inherited her power.’ King Zaraki began to worry.

"Your Majesty... I’m here to negotiate. Please release my husband."

King Zaraki laughed sarcastically. He didn’t expect Eve to be this fierce.

"I will let him live... but on one condition, you have to stay here in kingdom Zephyra to serve and obey me." King Zaraki declared to her with a menacing aura.

"Are you willing to do this deal with me, Princess Eve?" He asked her.

Eve didn’t hesitate. "Yes. I’m accepting this deal."

"Good. Then that’s settled. You go and take a rest first. I will summon you tomorrow. Gideon, tour her around the palace." King Zaraki instructed them.

"Your Majesty, please allow me to enter the prison fortress. I want to see my husband!" Princess Eve begged him.

"Fine. I will permit you to see him."

King Zaraki ordered Gideon to accompany Eve to the Prison Fortress.

Eve didn’t waste her time. She was dying to see Alaric.

"Shall we go, Princess? Let’s visit your husband." Gideon grabbed her hand.

Eve just nodded as she followed Gideon behind. They were heading to the prison fortress.

While they were on their way to the Prison Fortress, Gideon decided to come clean and reveal his identity to her.

"Eve... the truth is... I’m the eldest son of Chancellor Gustav... King Zaraki’s advisor and strategist."

Princess Eve stopped on her track as soon as she heard that. She immediately let go of Gideon’s hand.

"You are our enemy?! Did you betray us, Gideon?" Eve questioned him with an accusing look in her eyes.

Gideon shook his head. "No. I didn’t betray you, Eve... or Alaric’s team. I swore to protect you and support you. Remember? Don’t you trust me?"

Eve fell silent for a moment as she met his gaze, searching the sincerity in his eyes.

"I believe you..."

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