Memories: My Kingdom

Chapter 58: Deception

Three hours later.

“Captain!” Melton called when he saw Fedrich arrived together with some knights. “You’re injured!” he exclaimed in shock as he looked at Fedrich’s leg in horror when he saw a deep cut and it was bleeding. He immediately tore his sleeve and wrapped it around Fedrich’s leg before he helped him lie on a rock to rest.

“It was a hard battle, but everything is fine now.” Fedrich spoke as he breathed heavily. “Fortunately, there are only a small number of beasts and we barely killed them all before they retreated back to the mountain.” He said. I already had the knights make a barricade and switch people to watch during the night so we can be alerted if the beasts might come again.” He told them.

The people sighed in relief while Melton is treating Fedrich’s wound with some leaves he found earlier that can prevent the bleeding. Fortunately, he is prepared, or else, he can only watch his captain bleed to death.

Fedrich sighed in relief when he saw that the pain eased and the bleeding stopped. He turned to the knights that followed him while helping him walk. “Send the people back.” He told them.

“Yes, sir!” they answered and saluted before they turned to escort the people to their residences.

Fedrich is the one who only knows the way Melton thinks and guesses where Melton could hide the people to safety, thus the knights can only follow Fedrich to find Melton and the people.

“The old woman said that the beasts would attack humans sometimes… seems like we are unlucky today to be attacked.” Melton said and helplessly smiled as he treated Fedrich’s wound. “Let me carry you back. We had to wash your wounds with water to avoid infection and for it to fester.” He said as he pulled Fedrich up.

“Don’t you think it is strange?” Fedrich asked as they walked back.

“What?” Melton asked as he kicked a rock away for Fedrich not to step on it.

“Each and every word of her coincided with what Gie said.” Fedrich said.

“Isn’t it good, though?” Melton asked, confused. “There is no inconsistency.” He said.

“It is exactly that there is no inconsistency that it is suspicious.” Fedrich said.

“Huh?” Melton looked at him.

“Don’t you think that what she said is like a script?” Fedrich asked.

“… you think so?” Melton looked doubtful.

Fedrich smiled. “Or… it is Gie who is speaking from a script.” He said and stopped.

Melton suddenly froze. “… no way!” he said as his eyes widened in disbelief.

Fedrich laughed. “Gie is really…” he helplessly sighed. His eyes fell on that old woman who was walking in front of them and was talking with a middle-aged woman beside her.

“… I can still remember that my fiancé and I are about to get married, but the beasts attacked. He saved me and died.” She said and cried.

The middle-aged woman beside her comforted her.

Melton was dumbfounded. “… she’s too talkative, or…?” he looked at Fedrich. His eyes are filled with suspicion.

Fedrich grinned. “It is exactly as you think.” He laughed. That old woman is ill.

Gie has heard her story and made it as a reference for his life story.

Melton’s mouth fell open. “Why would he do that?!” he asked.

“He is definitely hiding something.” Fedrich guessed.

Melton fell silent. Suddenly, a thought flashed in his mind and his eyes widened in shock. He was so shocked that his hands holding Fedrich loosened and he almost dropped him.

“What?” Fedrich asked and turned when he felt Melton’s mood changed.

“Cap… tain…” Melton called. “If… if doctor Gie is fake, then… then… then, did he deceive Leui?!” he asked as he turned and looked at Fedrich with both his eyes open wide in disbelief.

Fedrich realized this and he also froze. “… damn it.” He cursed.

Melton is right. If Gie is fake, then he must be deceiving Leui! Although they also felt suspicious towards Leui, they know that Leui’s amnesia is true. Leui must not be working with Gie! Leui forgot his past and Gie used this chance to get close to him and deceive him!

Fedrich almost coughed out blood. “We… we have to… to hurry back… back to the Ca… pi… tal – “ he said and sharply inhaled.

“But, captain, you have to rest first!” Melton said. Although he cares for Leui, he cares for his captain more. His captain is the most important! “Why did Gie deceive Leui?” he muttered. “What does he want?” he asked.

“Gie… heard that Leui… is from… Other Shore…” Fedrich slowly and weakly spoke before he coughed. “He must know… that Leui has a lot of money… on… him.” He sharply inhaled.

“So, it is for money?” Melton asked.

“Or… must be… other… valuable… items – “ Fedrich spoke.

“Captain, stop speaking now.” Melton said and sighed. He took the flask on his waist and opened it before he had Fedrich drink the water. “You rest tonight while I had sir Fedrey’s subordinates send a letter to the Capital so that our people can secretly observe Gie’s behavior and alert us if something happens.” He said. “When you have recovered, we can go back to the Capital and ask Gie.” He told him.

“Okay.” Fedrich smiled before he closed his eyes. He was really tired, and his whole body was aching.

He fell asleep.

Capital.

“Analiese’s condition is getting better and better!” Leui told Dan when they visited him in the prison.

“Really?!” Dan’s eyes brightened.

“Yes.” Leui nodded. “Your wife is very diligent and her work in the hospital is not that tired, so she can still take care of the twins.” He told him.

Dan brightly smiled. “I am glad…” he said as he sighed in relief. “I am glad… she is doing well… They are doing well.” His eyes reddened with tears.

“Dan. Your twins are becoming more handsome!” Mhir told him.

“I hope they won’t look like me and look like my wife instead.” Dan laughed.

“Your darling Analiese also has some suitors.” Gie slyly smiled at Dan.

Dan’s eyes widened. “What?! No! I’m not ready to give my daughter away yet!” he said. But, there is a smile on his face.

They all laughed as they know that Dan is very concerned with his sick daughter. He thinks that Analiese might become bedridden and spend the rest of her life alone. That is why he felt relieved that Analiese has suitors. Although they are there as her family, it is still different than having a partner by your side, and maybe children. He doesn’t want her to end up single. She deserves to be loved and cherished by someone.

“How did Marie react?” he asked, referring to his wife.

“Hahahaha. She teases her, of course!” Gie said.

“Sister Analiese is really, really beautiful!” Mhir said. “She is becoming more beautiful every day. It must be because of her suitors!” she piped up.

Dan heartily laughed. “Women are the most beautiful during their wedding day!” he told Mhir.

Mhir blushed while Leui glanced at Gie and grinned.

“What?” Dan asked when he saw that Gie fell silent. “Oh? Does he have someone he likes and is planning to marry?” he asked and winked at Gie.

“No, Dan.” Leui spoke. “Gie… the woman who was in love with him married another man!” he told him.

“Leui, you big mouth!” Gie said as he grabbed Leui.

“Oh! Tell me the details!” Dan excitedly said.

They continued talking to Dan. When the time was up, they walked down the main street. Mhir hopped on the side, looking at the flower shops and sometimes buying some toys or pastries while Leui and Gie bantered as they walked. Then, Mhir would follow behind them. This is their daily life in the Capital.

But, their peace is bound to be broken that day because they suddenly felt the ground and the air shaking because of a strong pressure coming from somewhere and they immediately covered their ears when they heard a loud noise. Then, it was followed by a thunderous roar.

“AAAAH!!!” everyone screamed as they all fell on their knees after they heard the roar like raging waves, making their heart palpitate. They all broke out in a cold sweat as they knelt on the ground.

“Mhir! Gie!” Leui called as he pulled Mhir and Gie to the side. Then, he raised his head with much difficulty to look at the sky where the roar came from, only for his breath to stop when he saw what it is.

It has large wings and a long tail…

“Dragon…” he muttered under his breath.

“What?!” Gie exclaimed as his eyes widened. He looked up at the sky and loudly cursed when he also saw it. Fck! Why is there a dragon here?! Wait, it is normal. After all, this is a fantasy world! The problem is, he freaking forgot this is a fantasy world!