Chapter 81: The third attempt to flee
Loud bells pealed from the centre of the kingdom, and upon hearing them, the other towers swiftly pulled their ropes, ringing their bells in response, calling for attention. The echoes of the bells reverberated throughout the area, putting everyone on high alert.
"Is the kingdom under attack?!" questioned one of the men rushing through the streets, making haste towards his house. "What’s happening?"
"Something bad must have happened!"
As one of the men turned his gaze towards the kingdom’s entrance, he shouted, "The gates are not being closed! Maybe it isn’t an attack!" But the people who turned to look in that direction noticed the guards assuming defensive positions as if to block the path.
"I wonder what happened," a woman questioned her fellow citizens before dragging her children away from the streets, taking them to safety. While most of the folks scurried off the roads to take shelter, a few curious individuals remained standing outside, wanting to know what was happening.
Prince Dante and Prince Aiden were returning from the base camp on their horses when the resonating sound of the tower bells reached their ears. They rode to the front of the kingdom’s gates, but Dante couldn’t see any sign of attack. Not far from them, they caught sight of the Vizier riding on his horse from the main palace, making his way towards them.
"What is going on, Zion?" Dante demanded with a frown.
"Prince Dante. Prince Aiden," the Vizier offered his bows from where he sat on his horse. He informed, "There has been an escape from the palace. The princess’s maid has fled from the palace with a male servant."
Prince Aiden sighed in relief and said, "I thought our kingdom was under attack, and the enemy had breached our defences with the way all the bells were ringing. Isn’t that right, Brother Dante?" He turned to look at his elder brother, whose jaws were clenched. It took him a moment before he realised that it was Anastasia who had fled from the palace. But with a man?
"When was the last time they saw the maid and the male servant?" Dante questioned the Vizier, who was quick to respond,
"It was an hour ago, My Prince," the Vizier answered, adding, "The princess didn’t realise it at first. The maid wasn’t by her side. Both the servants’ clothes and other belongings have been cleared from their rooms."