THE Knight's Hidden Princess
Chapter 127: The Condition

Chapter 127: The Condition

REAGAN POV

I stared at Dahlia who wasn’t looking at me but instead she was looking at the door where Lady Ivana went out too. I stared at her for a moment but she wasn’t looking at me. She seems fixated on that door, almost like she wanted to get out of here. Funny how I woke up beside the woman but even now I can’t seem to figure out what she is thinking.

I know Dahlia didn’t attack Celeste and I knew she fought for her but there was just something that she was holding back. The moment she confessed to actually dong the crime, I knew right then that she was up to something and when I had asked her if she saw the attacker’s face, she had denied it which had given me the confirmation to what I was thinking.

She was protecting the assassin, but the question was why?

"Dahlia." I called and she immediately turned to look at me.

A smile appeared on her face as she stared up at me. "Well, that went well."

"Right." I said as I stared at her, "Are you okay?"

Her brows furrowed together as she stared at me. "Of course, the question is are you?"

It was my own turn to look confused. "I have no idea what you mean."

"You wanted me to stay behind?" Dahlia asked and I could hear the uncertainty in her tone as she stared up at me. "Do you not believe my innocence?"

"What? No!" I said in disbelief wondering how she could even think about such a thing.

I do believe her, I believe everything but I wanted to hear the truth she was hiding. For some reason she didn’t want to tell me whoever it was she saw that night and she can deny it all she want but I knew she saw the person and whoever it is she was protecting them.

I stared at her carefully, watching the way her fingers curled into the fabric of her dress. It was a small movement, one I wouldn’t have noticed if I wasn’t staring at her. She was nervous and something tells me she didn’t want to stay here, she wanted to get out of this place probably go find the attacker.

"Dahlia." I called softly as I leaned just a fraction, "What are you hiding?"

Dahlia shook her head at me, her dark curls moving along with the movement. "I am not hiding..."

"Then who? Who are you protecting Dahlia?" I rephrased the question.

Dahlia stiffened for a moment before she heaved out a weary sigh. She massaged her temples lightly and I can see how much this was taking a toll on her. Whoever it was must have really meant a great deal to her but as of right now, I needed to know. It’s the only way I can help her.

"Please Dahlia," I tried again as I reached out to grab her face. "You need to tell me, so we can face whatever it is together, it’s the only way I can help you and besides, we promised each other Dahlia. No more secrets!"

Dahlia’s face fell at that and she heaved out another sigh before she nodded her head in agreement. I immediately relaxed as I prepared myself for what she was about to tell me.

"I know and I am going to tell you." She said with a smile on her face, "But I can’t tell you now and please before you say anything, I need to go to speak with my father. It is of utter importance, I need to speak with him. Please."

So I was right after all, this had something to do with her family! I thought to myself as I stared at her face looking for any sign of hesitation but all I was met with was nothing but a look of determination. She wanted me to let her go and trust that she would return back to me. But after knowing what her father asked her to do and the fact that he had threatened her, I didn’t feel completely okay with releasing her to that monster.

"Dahlia, I think I should..." I started but I cut her off.

"No, no, you do not have to come with me. I need to do this alone, just me, please." She whispered squeezing my hands. "When I get back, I promise to tell you everything but just let me speak to him."

"But still..."

"He won’t hurt me." Dahlia quickly assured me, "I went against his orders but I know he won’t hurt me. My father might be an evil bastard but he won’t risk killing me now because he is no fool. After the affection you declared for me publicly, he knows exactly what I am to you and he wouldn’t risk your wrath."

Everything in me rebelled against the idea of letting her go alone, but she was also right. Sigurd wouldn’t want to risk me being against him. That doesn’t mean I was going to let her go alone. I trust her that she could handle herself but I would feel better knowing that someone was with her.

"Fine but I’m asking Nikolai and Eddie to go with you!" I said.

Dahlia’s face immediately frowned in disapproval, "No, I don’t want anyone following me to my..."

"That is my condition Dahlia, he either comes with you or you don’t go at all." I shut her up before she could protest.

Her eyes narrowed into slit as she glared at me. "I do not like this!"

"And what you think I like the idea of you rushing off to your father who wants to kill you?" I countered before heaving out a sigh, "Look sweetness, I trust you but it’s myself I do not trust. I need to know that you are safe, I know you can take care of yourself and hells you’ve proven yourself countless times. But I still need to know you are safe because if anything happens to you, I will kill anyone and everyone and I won’t care if they are family or not!"

Dahlia must have seen something in my gaze because she rolled her eyes. "I better start sending prayer to the gods not to let it come to that." She mumbled before she looked at me, "Fine, they can come."

"That’s my girl." I praised and I watched her face transform into full blown happiness.

Unable to resist myself, I drew her in for a kiss, holding her close to me as I deepened it because I needed it. The thought of being away from her even for a day was already doing something to me. I pulled away from the kiss, leaning my forehead to hers. "I love you."

"And I you." Dahlia said as she leaned forward and pressed a chaste kiss to my lips, "Alright, I better go pack."

I nodded her head and watched with a smile as she went out of the room. I waited for a minute before I walked out of the room in search of Nikolai. I didn’t need to look anywhere else because I already knew where to find Nikolai.

Making my way towards the training grounds, I found Nikolai training with Eddie. Both men were shirtless, dressed in only trousers as they both battled with a wooden swords. Their bodies were covered with sweat as they blocked and parried each other’s blow. It was clear who was winning in this case though it was clear who was winning the fight and who was apparently losing.

Eddie’s muscles were shaking as they struggled to block Nikolai’s attacks that were more calculated and strong, each blow precise and with one aim which was to get his opponent to yield. Nikolai was big but Eddie was a kid with a small stature which he could use to his advantage but all he seemed to be focused about was staying on the field. All he did was defense and while it was good, he needed to start fighting offensive or he was going to get tired quickly.

Nikolai leapt in the air and brought his sword down, Eddie already tired, left himself open and though he was quick to use his shield to protect himself but he was already down on the ground and before he could get back up, Nikolai already had the wooden sword pointed at his throat.

"If this was the battle ground, you’d already be dead!" I said making presence known.

Both men turned to look at me, Eddie scrambled to pick himself up from the ground. Breathing heavily he bowed his head at me. "Sire."

"He tried though, seemed to do better than the last time." Nikolai praised and Eddie’s face shone with excitement at the praise.

"Yeah, except I don’t need better, I need best, so if you aren’t cut out of it, you best go back to what you do best." I said fixing him with a leveled stare.

Eddie’s face fell as he bowed his head. I know he knew what I was talking about. I had found him on the street when he was pickpocketing, tried to steal my gold coins and it didn’t end well for him. So I brought him here to make an honest living because I believe the kid could still be useful to me sometime in the future.

"Alright hellhound," Nikolai said with an eye roll, "Mind telling me what crawled up your ass!"

I stared at Nikolai. "I need your help." I said and Nikolai stared at me with a look of seriousness on his face.

"What do you need, brother?"