THE Knight's Hidden Princess
Chapter 144: Damn Hawnthornes

Chapter 144: Damn Hawnthornes

Mount Callum was no journey for the weak, neither was it a small journey for pregnant women. The sisters of the earth live on that mountain, dedicating their lives to helping women get their lives back together. They also say they follow Natuks, the great mother of nature and earth, the one who restores life and can choose to take one if she so wishes.

It wasn’t that I didn’t know about the sisters of the earth, it just that I didn’t care much for them since they were nothing more than an old midwife’s tale, mother to daughter whispers. So when Marian had told me I had spent the entire day in the library reading up on what I can on the sisters of the earth.

The sisters of the earth duties extended far beyond normal healing practices and midwifery work. Their mission was to protect an origin beyond the royal power and kingdom, powerful natural forces beyond war and governmental influence.

In the book I was reading, there were some pictorial art of Mount Callum and the artist had done quite a very good job on it, it looked almost realistic. Mount Callum stood as an immense shadow covered by mist which carried hidden mysteries. The steps that were drawn in the picture showed higher cliffs that required special caution and I will assume the paths became dangerous even in good weather conditions while the altitude caused breathlessness.

The sisters of the earth were also very shy people and as a result only limited people were allowed to visit them. Though I did find out that most of the women that visited them came from the long line of house Hawthorne. They believed it was thanks to the sisters that they managed to have save deliveries and also able to give birth to healthy heir that sustained the bloodline.

I would have claimed it was superstitious had I not read many stories about the sisters of the earth in some of the records hidden deep inside the archives of the library which contained details of their extraordinary accomplishments. The records contained stories of women who had near death experience but their health suddenly restored after they went to the mountain. They also had powers in their bodies and enlightenment in their minds. Another record also stated that women had been childless started having babies after spending time with the sisters of the earth. Another stated that the barren women found new vitality by recovering from death before returning to perform ancient songs that had faded into history.

Marina had also told me I needed to be humble during my trip. Nothing fancy, just a horse some food stuff for the journey and three companions to go along with. Marina had assured me the journey was safe since it was said Natuks watch over those who came to seek sanctuary in her abode.

Honestly the whole thing if I had my way, I’d rather just stay in and just deliver my baby the old fashioned way instead of being locked in the mountains with a bunch of nuns but of course nothing ever goes the way I want it to.

Besides Marina had given me with a long speech about how it’s very important I do not break this tradition so I didn’t have much of a choice in the matter.

I snapped the book I was reading shut and decided it was time for me to get out of the library. I could also tell Reagan about it, just let him know about my plans and I already decided who was going to be following me to the mountains, which meant I had to make a quick stop to Lady Ivana’s place.

I stepped out of the library with a yawn on my lips as I walked across the hallway nodding to servants who greeted me. My stomach grumbled loudly then and I decided I needed to eat something, but not food exactly. I had a craving for chocolate cake that was covered in frosting. I suspected that they would still have some in the kitchen so I made a quick detour down the stairs and walked through the corridor that led to the kitchen.

The scent hit me hit me just as I was halfway to the kitchen. I could almost taste it in the air, warm sugar, cocoa butter and something buttery? I swear ever since I got pregnant it was like my nose became more sensitive to smell and was always quick to find things, especially when it came to dessert.

I reached the kitchen, slamming the door open, the sound startling the three cooks in the kitchen. Each one of them had a task they were doing. Two were busy grasping dough while the other one stood nearby with a tray in her hands. They all seemed startled to see me here.

"My lady, are you alright?" One of them gasped out loud.

"Don’t mind me, do continue with whatever it is you are doing!" I replied waving them off as I spot the thing I had come here for. A big chocolate cake resting on a wood of tray by the cooling shelf.

My lips widened into a smile as I shuffled toward the cake and grabbed a plate for it. Fork in hand, I took a huge bite then moaned at the taste. I swear it felt like I had been kissed at the heavens at that moment.

"Oh I see it was that kind of emergency!" The oldest among the servant remarked while the rest laughed out loud.

"Yeah, the very urgent kind!" I said to her as I took in another bite, savoring the taste. "All right, you all can go back to what it is you are doing!" I said before I decided to head out the kitchen.

I continued to walk down the corridor, heading outside when I suddenly came across a group of carriage rolling inside the manor. I squinted when I saw the flag and a smile lit up at my face even as the carriage rolled into a stop in front of me.

I already knew who it was before the footman came to open the carriage. A pair of dark boots came out of the carriage first then the lean tall figure of a man dressed in black and silver stepped outside and I didn’t even need to see his face to see it was him, my friend.

"Killian!" I breathed out smiling in awe.

Killian’s gaze snapped up to mine in a blink of an eye and he grinned widely at me, as he appraised me with warm brown eyes. "Well hello my fair lady!"

Cake forgotten, I ran towards Killian and hugged him close to me as much as my belly would allow. Killian hugged me and I sighed in his embrace, realizing just how much I have missed him.

Killian eased away from me as he stared at me with an half amused and half tired expression on his face. "You look well!" He said, his gaze dropping down to my stomach, "Rounder but well!"

I laughed heartily, "Say it again and I’ll shove your ass to the stables!" I said with a tight smile.

Killian snorted in response. "You wouldn’t." He informed me with a smile on his face but that slowly vanished and in its place was a frown. "Okay, you are serious!"

"Deadly!" I responded still smiling.

Killian released a soft laugh as he closed the space between us. "Gods, I have missed you Dahlia!" He said and there was a certain vulnerability in his tone but he quickly covered it by pulling me for another hug, one armed one with his hand lying on back lightly.

I stiffened for a moment before I relaxed breathing in his deep reassuring familiar scent. "Hey Killian are you okay?" I couldn’t stop myself from asking.

Killian nodded against my cheek, "Yeah, it’s just...it’s just so good to see you again." He said while I held on to him.

"Step away from my wife!"

Killian and I both groaned as we stepped away from each other and I looked up only to find Reagan glaring at us from where he stood on the staircase, right beside Nikolai.

"Good to see you too Reagan!" Killian said with a smile on my face, "Nikolai!" Killian said as a form of greeting.

Reagan stepped down from the stairs and then he pulled me right to the side keeping a firm hand on my waist.

I rolled my eyes as I tried to remove myself but Reagan wasn’t having it. "Can you please let me go, I actually have somewhere to be!"

Reagan stared down at me, "Where are you going?"

"Yeah well I have to start getting ready to go on a journey to mount Callum!" I announced and everyone turned to look at me.

"What?" Reagan asked me and I shot him a glare.

"Don’t give me that look you are the one who didn’t tell me about the tradition about the women of this house and I got blindsided by your mother, so now if you will excuse me gentlemen! I’ve got to go!" I snapped before I turned on my heels and left!

Damn Hawthornes!