{Music Recommendation: I’m Gonna Be(500 miles) ~ Covered by Gilles Muylle}

.... Meanwhile Outside The Palace....

~~~~~

The men of Avon fought with the last of their strength, with blood staining the palace grounds and seeping into the soil.

Rowan’s voice was heard above the clamor, "Don’t let anyone leave these grounds alive!" His words echoed through the courtyard, bolstering the morale of the other men. His own blade had tasted more blood than any other soldier’s that night. Glancing around, he noticed Louis nervously rubbing his hands together.

Understanding the man’s worry for his daughter, Rowan swiftly killed the guard he was holding with a single slash, blood splattering across his face as he walked toward Louis.

"Let’s go find Freya," Rowan said, with a calm voice.

Louis was taken aback. He hadn’t expected anyone to care about his daughter, not until Adric had fully taken over the palace. "B-but..."

"Now!" Rowan commanded, shoving his dagger into the neck of another attacker who had tried to ambush him from the side.

Louis nodded, filled with gratitude for the soldier who had not only saved him and his daughter more than once but has also risked his life for them.

"Thank you so-"

"You can thank me later," Rowan cut him off, already heading towards the palace.

Madame Rosalie, who had been standing by the corner while the battle raged on, saw Louis leave and decided to follow. She was desperate to check on Oriana and Freya.

As she hurried through the chaos, unaware of the danger behind her, one of Nicholas’s men attempted to stab her. The attack was swiftly deflected by Malcolm, who had kept a watchful eye on her since they returned.

"Careful there, Rosalie," Malcolm warned with a deep frown forming on his face, pushing the attacker away before slashing him down with one clean cut.

Madame Rosalie exhaled, her breath shaky. "I’m sorry... I didn’t realize..."

"Go on, I’ll cover you," Malcolm said, gesturing for her to move. Together, they made their way inside the palace.

Inside, Louis was at a loss. He had no idea where to look for his daughter and was paralyzed with fear. If only he had known the palace wouldn’t be safe, he would never have left her alone. His heart ached at the thought of Freya being scared and all alone.

"Where could she be?" he murmured, biting his lip in anxiety. He would never forgive himself if something happened to his daughter.

Rowan noticed how the man was trembling and he clicked his tongue in frustration. Spotting a palace maid, Rowan grabbed her arm and asked,

"Have you seen a tiny girl with black hair? She’s the maid to Queen Oriana."

The terrified maid, shaking, pointed down the corridor. "T-they were all locked in the dungeon."

Rowan released her with a curt nod and headed straight for the dungeon.

At the dungeon four guards stood watch, and upon seeing Rowan covered in blood, they drew their swords.

"Stand ba-"

Before one could finish, Rowan deftly stabbed him with his dagger and seized his sword.

"Now I have two," he grinned, a dangerous gleam in his eyes.

When Madame Rosalie and Malcolm arrived at the scene, they found Louis standing aside, while Rowan, had his face and body covered with blood as he searched the body of the dead soldiers for the dungeon key.

"I guess we’re late," Malcolm remarked, surveying the carnage Rowan had left on the marble floor.

Rowan found the key and dangled it from his bloodied fingers. "You’re not. I just get impatient when I’m hungry." He unlocked the dungeon door and stepped aside for Louis to enter.

"Freya!" Louis cried out as he spotted his daughter huddled in a corner, covered in blood. The sight shattered the man’s heart.

Freya slowly opened her eyes. "Pa..." she whispered, her voice breaking at the end.

"Uncle Rowan!" Walter called out, leaving his mother’s side to rush into Rowan’s arms.

Rowan cursed under his breath when he saw that the children had also been imprisoned. He bent down and picked Walter up.

"Walter," Rowan said softly, ruffling the boy’s hair, "Kai." He stretched his hand forward to hold the other prince.

Fidelis opened his weary eyes at the sound of Rowan’s voice. The man who was too weak to speak, heaved a sigh of relief. 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

"King Fidelis," Rowan greeted with a bow, still holding Walter. "I’m sorry we’re late."

Fidelis managed a tired smile. "All that matters is that you’re here now... and my son? I’m guessing he’s with his wife." Rowan nodded in reply.

"I’ll escort you, King Fidelis," Malcolm offered, helping the old man stand before guiding him out of the dungeon.

Madame Rosalie approached Rowan. "Let me carry the child," she said, taking Walter into her arms and covering his eyes to shield him from the gruesome sight outside.

Jasmine, standing shakily, walked over to Rowan with tears streaming down her face. "I was so scared, Rowan."

Rowan nodded, his attention still on the girl covered in blood in the corner. "I know, everyone was..."

Jasmine noticed Rowan’s gaze was not on her but someone else. She frowned. "That man is her father. I heard they’re just mere servants."

Rowan’s focus returned to Jasmine. "You can walk, right?"

"I can try, but maybe if you could carry-" Jasmine began, biting her lip hopefully.

Rowan gently touched Kai’s hair. "Good. Now go back to your room with Kai." Without waiting for a reply, he walked over to where Freya lay beside her father.

Louis was struggling to lift his daughter but failed each time.

"Let me," Rowan offered, his voice soft and eyes calm despite the blood covering his body.

Louis stepped aside, and with ease, Rowan scooped Freya up in a bridal style. Too weak to speak or retort, Freya rested her head on Rowan’s chest, closing her eyes. All she wanted was to rest.

"Rowan!" Jasmine called out, frustrated. "I can’t carry Kai!" The princess whined, clearly unhappy that a mere servant was receiving better treatment than her.

Rowan paused, still holding Freya carefully to avoid her wounds. He walked back to Kai, thinking of how to carry the boy too.

"Uncle Rowan, I can walk by myself. Take care of Auntie Freya," Kai said with a small, reassuring smile.

Rowan smiled proudly at the boy and turned to Louis. "Cover his eyes when we reach the door."

Louis nodded, holding Kai’s hand as they made their way out of the dungeon.

"What about me?!" Jasmine shouted, now left alone inside the dungeon. Her voice echoed off the walls, and with a frightened yelp, the princess sprinted after others.