The Hero's Forsaken Princess
Chapter 35: Silvester

Chapter 35: Silvester

Just like what he had promised her, Alaric informed King Solomon and Queen Amara about his plan of taking Princess Eve to his estate.

Queen Amara showed objection at first. But King Solomon gave Eve permission to leave the palace with Alaric.

After the morning feast at the royal dining hall, Alaric brought Eve to Sunrise Meadow Valley where Annie’s body was buried.

"I’m an orphan. My parents died amidst the war, so I understand how it feels to lose someone precious. I promise you. I will catch those bandits who took Annie’s life and ensure that justice is served in her name." Alaric spoke, breaking the silence.

Eve was taken aback by his words. She could tell that Alaric said those words to console her. She turned to look at him, smiling faintly.

"I’ll give you a moment to bid your farewell to Annie. I’ll just wait for you in the carriage." Alaric patted her shoulder gently before he left her.

Once they were done visiting Annie’s tombstone, Alaric and Eve would proceed to his estate.

Eve crouched down, placing the flowers she brought for Annie. "Annie, I feel so lonely without you by my side. I miss you so much."

She paused for a moment, wiping the tears in the corner of her eyes.

"I promise to give you justice. May your soul find eternal peace..." Eve softly mumbled, her fingers gently touching Annie’s gravestone.

She closed her eyes and offered a silent prayer. Annie’s smiling face flashed in her mind. She expressed her gratitude to Annie for one last time before she decided to leave.

But to her surprise, a small creature flew toward her, landing on her shoulder.

"Princess! Princess!"

Eve blinked in amusement as she glanced at the small flying creature on her right shoulder.

"A parrot?" She mumbled, her lips curling up into a faint smile.

"Princess! Princess!" The speaking parrot called her again in his squeaky voice.

"Do you know me?" Eve asked the parrot in awe.

The parrot bobbed its head and spoke again. "Come! Come! Master is waiting!"

"Master? Who?" She looked confused and at the same time, very curious.

"My Crazy Master! Crazy Master!" The parrot responded repeatedly before flying in a certain direction.

Compelled to find out who was the parrot’s master, Eve followed the talking parrot until they reached the big old oak tree. It was just a few meters away from Annie’s gravestone.

Eve stopped in her tracks when the flying parrot landed on the head of someone wearing a dark cloak.

"Gideon?" Eve’s eyes lit up the moment she recognized the man.

Gideon’s husky laughter bubbled up. "I’m glad. You recognized me instantly, Little Princess."

Eve pouted her lips as Gideon continued treating her like a little kid.

"Meet my Crazy Master!" The Parrot chimed in.

"Silvester! Hold your tongue before I cut it! How dare you call your master CRAZY?!" Gideon snarled at his naughty pet.

The parrot whose name was Silvester immediately flew toward Eve, seeking protection.

A soft giggle escaped Eve’s lips as she watched the playful banter between the parrot and its master.

"So Silvester is his name. He is so adorable! I like him." Eve said cheerfully.

Gideon nodded in response. "Starting today, he is no longer my pet. You can take him with you." He pretended to be upset with his pet.

But Silvester ’The Parrot’ seemed unaffected by his words. He even mimicked Gideon’s laughter. "Hahaha! I have new master. Not Crazy One!"

Gideon arched his eyebrow. He smirked dangerously at his ungrateful pet and grabbed his dagger. The parrot immediately shut his mouth as he saw the murderous glare coming from his master.

Eve immediately intervened. "Stop scaring him away. He is just an adorable bird." She gently petted the parrot’s head.

Gideon could only sigh in defeat. "I’m just trying to discipline him. I’m not going to kill him. Even though he is ungrateful, I still love him."

Eve giggled once more before she asked him. "So, why are you here? Are you following us?"

"Yes. I was supposed to visit you earlier but I saw you leaving the Lotus Pavilion with your husband. Are you going somewhere? Your carriage is full."

"Yes. He is taking me to his manor. I’m finally leaving the palace now!" Eve shared with him the good news in her elated voice.

Gideon watched her in surprise. "Did you reconcile with your husband? You look so happy. And it seems like you and your husband are getting along well. What happened?"

"I’m not sure. But we clear some misunderstandings. He is not the one who sent the bandits to kill me. He also promised me that he would capture them. I decided to give him a chance."

Gideon fell silent for a moment, rubbing his chin. Eve just observed him, wondering what he was thinking.

"Anyway, let’s talk about the reason why I’m here." Gideon decided to change the topic.

"I’m serious when I said that I’m leaving Silvester in your care. He will be our bird messenger... our means of communication." He explained to her.

"If you want to send me a message, just write something on a piece of cloth or paper then roll it inside this wooden capsule. Attach it to his leg and just release him. He will come and find me. I trained him for this."

"Wow. He can do that! Silvester is amazing. He is so smart!" Eve continued praising the parrot.

Hearing the compliment coming from the Princess, Silvester held his head so high, mimicking Gideon’s laughter once more. "Hahaha! Princess loves me!" The parrot seemed to boast at its master, deliberately taunting him.

Gideon narrowed his eyes on Silvester, displeased by the parrot’s teasing. "Just shut up already or else, I roast you!"

"I will take good care of Silvester," Eve said, reassuring Gideon.

Gideon was about to utter a word when they suddenly heard a familiar voice.

"Eve! Where are you?!" Alaric’s deep voice echoed in the valley. He was calling and searching for Eve.

Gideon and Eve exchanged glances with one another as they heard the sound of approaching footsteps.

"Gideon... you should leave now. Don’t let Alaric see you."

Gideon nodded in response before he moved quickly, hiding his presence. Eve just watched his retreating figure, her heart racing with anxiousness.

"Eve!" Alaric’s firm voice was heard from behind. "What are you doing here?" He asked, his expression dark.

Alaric strode toward Eve in a hurry. But before he could grab her hand, Silvester suddenly flew toward him, attacking violently. His sharp beak started pecking at Alaric’s figure as though he was trying to protect Eve from him.

’No! Silvester, Stop!’ Eve wanted to stop Silvester from attacking Alaric, but her words were caught in her throat. She almost forgot that she was still pretending to be mute.

Alaric was annoyed by the bird’s interference. He just wanted to grab his wife and check if she was just fine, but an aggressive parrot suddenly charged in his direction.

In one swift move, Alaric seized Silvester’s feet and hung its body downward, thus stopping the bird from pecking at him.

Though he was restrained by Alaric, Silvester attacked him again with his sharp tongue.

"Ugly Hero! Ugly Hero! Evil Hero! Evil Hero! Stay away from my Princess!" Silvester squeaked repeatedly.

Alaric: "..."

Eve: "..."

Gideon, who was watching the unfolding scene in his hiding spot, tried his best to hold his laughter. Alaric ’the Kingdom’s Hero’ had just gotten the taste of Silvester’s sharp provocative tongue.

’Haha! That’s my bird! I trained him very well.’ Gideon thought, feeling proud of his pet.