The Lost Princess - Chapter 30

Reaching the building where Loraz was he followed behind Vestin closely. He clutched his bag with a firm grip as he walked and his mind raced with how much help they would be.

Vestin opened the door to the room Gidens was in and saw Loraz sitting by his side wiping off sweat and carefully cleaning his wounds.

As Loraz looked up she saw Robert walk up behind Vestin and her eyes got big. She thrusted hand forward and motioned him closer.

“Quickly hand me the bag so I can get started. It’s much worse than I thought.”

Robert pushed pass Vestin and handed her the bag.

“Here…is there anything else I can do to help? I studied a bit the first year at the school.”

“Actually, yes. I’m going to need you to hold him down. He has a broken foot that is healing improperly and unfortunately I don’t have any other choice but to re-break it and set it back into place.”Loraz said.

Robert looked down at the man laying in bed covered in wounds. To have survived the torture he suffered must have seemed like a gift from the Ancestors.

“How is still even breathing? His treatment looks botched. Are all of these wounds the results of the attackers? The unfortunate fellow.”Robert said.

“Gotte saw to his treatment…he’s the best doctor in our village. If not for him Gidens would be dead.”Vestin said.

“The treatment he received was actually very good seeing as you don’t have much of what is needed to give him a chance at a full recovery.” She looked over at Robert then pointed to a clean cloth she had set aside, “Robert you come hold this cloth for him to bit down on. Vestin you can try to hold him down so he doesn’t move much. Just be careful he needs a few stitches around his ċhėst and his rib cage is bruised.”

Robert grabbed the cloth and held in to the lad mouth and looked over at Loraz.

They locked eyes and she could tell he was about to say something.

“You can ask me anything you want after this is done. I need to focus on this young man.”

“Right…then after we finish here.”

After a quick glance between them Loraz began working on the lad and his injuries.

Starting with the antidote for the poison and working her way to broken bones and stitches. One by one she went down the list of ailments the young man had and treated them. Every once in a while having to hear the cries of the young man fill the room.

Several hours passed and finally she had completed everything that she could to ensure a full recovery.

“Alright. The worse part is over with. Now we have to relocate him to a proper bed.”

Vestin looked up at her and shook his head.

Loraz took a damp cloth and cleaned off the blood from her  hands, arms, and face. She  handed the cloth to Robert and picked up her hooded cape.

“Understood. I will call for a transport immediately.”

Vestin grabbed hold of her arm and pulled her back to look at him.

“Wait, what are you talking about? Where do you plan on taking him?”

Loraz sighed as she flipped the cape around her shoulders and looked Vestin in the eyes. She smiled then placed her hand on top of his.

“Unfortunately, I will have to let the school know that I have come off school grounds without the proper protocol.”

Vestin looked at her then grab the bridge of his nose and exhaled heavily. He looked over at Robert then back Loraz.

“What do you mean inform the school? Didn’t they process your ID for entry into the city?”

“ID?” Loraz paused for a moment and looked at Robert then back at Vestin, “Oh, you mean the way they do the servants and military. No the royal students aren’t allowed outside the school. Well, not without the proper  escorts. Robert posed as a soldier and I stored myself away under his clock.”

“Under his clock? How did a plan like that even work?”

Loraz held up her hand as if to dismiss the conversation.

“Its not of importance right now. If your other friends wish to see him they must do so quickly.”

Vestin looked back at Gidens and saw him resting peacefully for the first time in days.

“Are you planning to bring him into the castle?”

“Yes, as my guest. We are allowed to do that. I will have a talk with Madim. For now let us all rest up, it has been a long day.”

Robert stepped forward and placed a hand on Loraz shoulder.

“We should get back to the school, Loraz.”

She placed a hand on his and shook her and smiled.

Vestin nodded his head and walked out of the room.

Loraz turned to Robert as she fixed her cape and fiddled with the buŧŧons.

“Now what is it that you wish to ask me?”

Robert shook his head as he looked upon her face. He could see how exhausted she was and didn’t want to put anymore stress on her.

“We can discuss it later after you are rested.”

Looking him in the eyes she tilted her head to one side and raises an eyebrow.

“No, we can discuss it now. The look in your eyes made it seem like something happened between you and Vestin.”

He chuckled a bit. She always could tell when something bothered him.

“Aside from the fact that he blames me for all your misfortune, nothing in particular has happened. I just wanted to know if your heart was still in the same condition as before.”

“My dear Robert, are you jealous of an old friend?”

He looked down at the cloth in his hand and then back at her. His eyes softened as they met hers and he had to admit to himself that he might have lost her to someone else. Then again he might have never really had her from the start.

“Loraz, he is more than just an old friend to you. He is the one who has had your heart for so long that you don’t know how to love anyone else.”

Loraz walked up to him and wrapped her arms around his waist. Resting her head on his ċhėst she took in his sent and listened to his heart race.

“Does my heart still race when Vestin is near? Yes it does, but I wouldn’t call it love. I am not sure how I feel about either of you as of right now. All that I know is right now the both of you are very important to me.”

Robert pushed her away and stepped back from her. His eyes a bit moist and he clenched his fists at his side.

“You still refuse to admit anything that is in your heart.”

Loraz sighed and placed her hands on her hɨps. She licked her lips a bit and looked up at the ceiling breifly then back at Robert.

“We are not destined to pick our marriage partners, Robert. You of all people should know this and yet you still believe that if we chose to unite that it will be approved and blessings would be given.” She stepped cloer to him and leaned in as if to whisper, “Father isn’t the only blessing we need to approve of us. We also need the blessings of The Council, which we do not receive until the night of The Ritu Banquet.”

Loraz grabbed his arm and pulled him to face her. Tears slowly forming in the corners of her eyes.

“What do you have to hear from me? That I have slowly grown fond for you, but my heart is confused and it still wavers with love for Vestin. If that is what you want to hear than yes. I do have something for you, but I am also still very much in love with Vestin,” She looked down at the floor as the first of her tears fell and she wiped them away, “I asked for thing before we started this partnership between the three of us and that was to put this triangle romance to the side. Not indefinitely, but just until I figured things out with everything else that is happening in my life.”

“So I am to just hold onto your words and pretend like nothing is going on until you feel like thinking about it.”

“For valley sake, Robert, do you not understand that right now my mind has to be focused on regaining my status as princess of  Serenity.” Loraz looked over at Gidens. A young boy who’s life was put on the line to find her, “I have people who are depending on my victory to bring back the peace they once knew, that they wish for, that they pray to Ancestors every night for. The very peace that they so very much deserve. So I apologise if my asking you to wait until I free my people from a darkness worse than death is a bit much, but as of right not I can’t give you what you want.”

“Spoken like a true queen, but my princess be advised that matters of the heart tend to slip away if you leave them unattended for too long.” Gotte said.

Loraz turned around to see Vestin and Gotte standing in the doorway. Her face red she took a deep breath looked ovver at Robert then walked over to Gotte.

“We should discuss the treatment for your friend here. Come you can walk me out to the front door. We have much to talk about,” She looked back at Robert, “We will finish this conversation another time.”

“Should I be at your room for tea or would you prefer to meet in the garden?”

“The garden. Only my brother may enter my room. Apparently I can no longer see you as such,”  she looked back over to Gotte, “Shall we.”

She walked passed Vestin without even making eye contact and he grabbed her by the arm.

“Lo, do you intend to pretend like I didn’t hear what you said?”

She looked up at him and smiled.

“Vestin, I am well aware of the fact that you may have heard everything that was said. Given what your friend over here said, it would be clear to anyone that it is likely that you did. My words go for you as well.”

Gotte place a hand on Vestin shoulder and shook his head at him.  He then extended his hand to Loraz and said,

“Princess come we can talk about the patient as we walk. ”

“Yes.” She looked over at Vestin, “We shall also talk more about this matter later.”

She threw on her cloak hood and walked out of the room.

Both men looked at each. Robert rendered speechless just stared at Vestin.

Vestin inhaled deeply then upon releasing it rushed up to Robert and punched him once across the right cheek.

“Why do always have to push her into a corner?”

Holding his cheek Robert balled up his fist and returned the gesture back to Vestin and knocked him to the ground.

“Because I was admitting defeat. She may love me, but it will never out weigh the love she has for you. I for one will not stick around to watch the two of you.”

Vestin looked up at him from the floor.

“What do you mean by that?”

“My father is I’ll and my presence has been requested. I have to return back to Massca. I haven’t told Loraz about it and I don’t plan on it. Once I leave it will be easier for you to make your move.”

“So you’re just giving upon her? You’re just a coward.”

“Maybe you’re right, but as long as she is happy. Just don’t waste this chance that I gave you.”

“Like I needed  your help with this.”

“Goodbye, Vestin. Don’t you ever make her cry.”

Robert walked passed Vestin and Vestin grabbed hold oh his leg as he passed.

“I will not take such a cheap shot. We will fight for her heart fairly. So take care of your father and return. We are not finished here.”

Robert smiled and reached a hand down to Vestin.

Vestin grabbed it after a short pause and he was pulled to his feet.

“I will hold you to that.” Robert said then left Vestin standing there rubbing his chin.