Memories: My Kingdom

Chapter 45: To the Capital

“I’m sorry…” Dan apologized to his wife who was crying.

“You i***t! Stupid!” Marie said and wanted to hit Dan, but then she remembered that her husband is still recuperating. More tears fell from her eyes.

Leui smiled as he watched them. Suddenly, he felt his arm hurt and he cried out in pain. “Mhir!” he exclaimed when he saw that Mhir was pinching his arm.

“Hmph!” Mhir scoffed and pushed the bowl of porridge to him. “You should’ve told me where you are going…!” she said. “Look! You are now sick!” she looked at the damp towel on Leui’s forehead.

Leui smiled. “Have the knights arrived?” he asked.

Today is the day they will leave for the Capital. Fedrich and Melton said they will give them one more day to recuperate, but Leui and Dan insisted on leaving today. Analiese’s condition is worsening with each day that passes.

As soon as his voice fell, they heard a knock on the door. It’s none other than Fedrich and Melton. “Good morning.” Both of them greeted each other after Marie opened the door.

“Good morning. We…” Marie turned and looked at Dan inside who was sitting on the couch. The light in her eyes dimmed.

Dan turned and noticed it. He smiled and called his wife. “I am willing to commit a crime, so I should also be willing to pay for my crime.” He told her.

Marie burst into tears.

Dan comforted her. “I’m very grateful that they are willing to find our daughter, and even take us to the Capital for her to be treated. And – “ he looked at Fedrich and Melton with reddened eyes that were filled with gratitude.

“We won’t immediately place your husband in jail. We will wait until your daughter is treated.” Melton spoke. “When that time arrives, we will then take him away. We will find you work so you can provide for your family while your husband is in jail. Meanwhile, your daughter will look after her younger siblings and your house.” He explained.

This is already the best arrangement for the family of a criminal. Even though Marie isn’t sick, even if she is sick, she would still be willing to work. Not only for her family, but to show her gratitude to those who helped them by not letting them down.

“Thank you… thank you very much!” Marie cried and was about to kneel when Melton stopped her.

Dan’s eyes reddened and, finally, his tears fell. Although he committed a crime for his daughter’s sake, he knows it doesn’t justify it. A crime is a crime. Law exists to preserve order. If law excuses someone, order won’t be preserved forever since if it happened once, then there will definitely be a second, third, fourth time. It is just like a dam that broke. The water won’t stop once it starts to flow.

It’s not like Dan wanted to be pardoned. As long as his wife and children will be fine in the future, then he can rest his worries in prison. He looked at Leui and Mhir who were the first ones to help him. Words can’t describe how grateful he is to them. He is happy that it was him who picked them up and befriended them. Or else, he doesn’t know if he might still be stealing at this hour.

Fedrich saw that everyone had already packed. “Let’s go.” He said.

Everyone inside immediately stood. Leui was assisted by Mhir because he still feels sick. Dan was helped by his wife with his crutch while Analiese, although weak, still can walk. Their luggage was carried by the knights and placed inside Dan’s wagon. Although Dan lost a leg, he is using his hands to hold the reins.

Dan’s wagon where his family, Leui and Mhir are inside, followed after the knights with the thieves tied up.

Forbidden Forest.

A Black-Scaled Lion watched as a group of wagons passed by the road.

“Are you sure it is him?” his friend asked as they looked at the last in the group, which was Dan's wagon.

“Yes.” It nodded. “Didn’t you see the scythe?” it asked.

Its friend paused to ponder for a moment. “Then, why does he look like he doesn’t remember anything?”

The Black-Scaled Lion didn’t answer and just watched as the group disappeared in the sea of flowers with myriad colors.

…

“Because the Rainbow Village is the farthest village from the Capital, the thieves chose it so that they are away from the eyes of the knights.” Fedrich spoke when their wagons were side by side after they had reached a wider road. “Because of the distance, they think that the knights won’t immediately come to the rescue when things go downhill.” He smirked.

“But, you were there.” Leui spoke as he wiped the sweat off of his forehead after his body became warm. He doesn’t feel that much dizzy anymore. Fortunately, he also isn’t carsick.

“What the thieves are thinking is right. But, unfortunately for them, I chose to serve in the rural areas.” Fedrich said.

“Why choose the rural area?” Leui asked.

“It’s quieter.” Fedrich just said.

Leui didn’t ask any questions about the topic and chose to change it. “About the doctor for Analiese…” he said.

“You don’t need to worry. He’s the best doctor in the kingdom.” Fedrich said.

Leui nodded. “Thank you. I’ll pay for the medical expenses.” He said.

Fedrich shrugged and didn’t insist. He isn’t that close with the patient, and Dan is also a criminal. He has no reason to be too good towards the family. Having sympathy towards them is already enough.

Marie’s and Dan’s eyes reddened while Analiese’s eyes were filled with gratitude as she looked at Leui. She didn’t complain during the ride and endured it since she knows that her family has bothered not only Leui and Mhir, but also the knights, too much. She felt that her family felt blessed to meet Leui and Mhir.

Last night, she had heard Mhir talking to Leui. Dan almost died had it not been for the two Black-Scaled Lion beasts saving Dan instead of eating him. It was really fortunate for Dan to manage to survive, and the Black-Scaled Lions even seemed to be friends with Leui, this man who is surrounded by mystery, but you can’t help but feel to get close to him.

“Are you alright?” Marie asked when she saw Analiese.

“Yes, mother.” Analiese answered in a weak voice.

Marie felt heartache, but she lowered her gaze to hide her tears. She looked at her two other children who were curiously watching the scenery outside that they were passing by. Although they were an average family, because their wealth all went to Analiese’s medicines, they didn’t even have the opportunity to leave the Rainbow Village, much less go to the Capital. That’s why her two younger children are very excited. But, even though they are, they suppressed it as they don’t want to disturb their sick elder sister, nor the valiant knights.

“When the night falls, we will reach the nearest station. Be sure to cover yourselves up to not get cold.” Fedrich spoke as he turned to them. “If you want to buy something, then buy it already since the next station is a day away.” He told them.

Leui was surprised. “Do you have any recommendations?” he asked.

“Because this is a rural area, of course the common goods are subpar compared to the Capital’s.” Fedrich said. “What’s special about the rural areas are their local food specialties, as well as their original crafts.” He answered.

Mhir’s eyes sparkled. “I wanna see!” she said. She’s the prime example of a tourist.

Because she and Leui came from the Great River’s side, and the thieves were focused on the entrance of the Rainbow Village to ambush the incoming merchants and tourists, the thieves didn’t see them, who are actually wealthy people that should have been their biggest targets. Fortunately, Dan also knows how to return kindness with kindness, as he didn’t tattletale them to the thieves.

When they reached the station, Mhir also bought the children some gifts. Marie and Dan wanted to refuse, feeling very embarrassed, but Mhir is straightforward and told them that those were just trinkets. They wanted to kneel to show their gratitude, but Mhir told them that she wouldn't forgive them if they did. So, Marie and Dan showered Mhir with praises and thanks. Mhir went back to the wagon with a very red face. Although she is straightforward, she is still thin-skinned, figuratively.

The journey to the Capital lasts five days. Analiese, naturally, is having a hard time because of the weather and the shaking of the wagon when they are passing on a rocky road. But, she still didn’t complain since she knows that the more they delay, the more difficult it will be for her. The worst that will happen is that she won’t even make it to the Capital.

Fortunately, after five days, they finally reached the Capital.