The sweet venom Chapter 38: 37

Read chapter 38 of The sweet venom by aspa201 on NovelPedia.

"Your Highness! You have returned safe and sound!" one of them exclaimed, his relief unmistakable. The other knight immediately lowered his head and gestured for his companion to do the same. "Please forgive us. We heard footsteps and… no one is meant to be in this area besides us. We feared an unwelcome presence." The Prince did not even bother to respond. He merely offered a brief wave of the hand and continued forward, leaving the two soldiers bowing behind him. Helia cast them a glance as she passed, but they did not seem to notice her presence at all. They straightened quickly and escorted them back toward the camp. As they crossed the first lines of the encampment, a palpable wave of relief swept through the troops. Murmurs and exclamations rippled among the knights, the tension visibly dissolving as word spread that their Prince and the Lady had returned unharmed. Sir Aldric was the first to step forward, followed closely by the two other knights. His gaze immediately settled on Helia as he approached her with barely restrained urgency. "Lady Helia!" His voice, firm and commanding, betrayed a trace of worry. He scanned her from head to toe, clearly seeking reassurance with his own eyes that she had not been injured. "Are you well? Are you hurt? We were deeply concerned. We looked for you the entire night!" Slightly taken aback by such attention, she inclined her head calmly. "I am unharmed. Please do not worry." No sooner had she spoken than Sir Aldric turned toward the Prince and dropped to one knee, a gesture that startled her. "Your Highness…" His voice was heavy. "I do not know how to thank you. We have been informed that you rushed to my Lady’s side at the very onset of the attack and escorted her to safety. Thanks to you, she is alive and well. Both I and the entire marquisate are eternally grateful." Helia immediately turned toward the Prince, struck by his words. So that was why he had appeared at her side so suddenly at the most critical moment. He had headed straight for the clearing to protect her, and had followed her to the chimera, likely alerted by her cries. Yet, true to himself, the Prince remained impassive. "Do not thank me. The Emperor entrusted me with her safety as a priority in the event of danger. It is him you should thank." His voice rose, neutral and distant, devoid of any visible emotion. The response did not surprise her. Of course. He had not acted out of gallantry or concern, but simply because it was his duty. A small part of her felt almost affronted… before she corrected herself. After all, he had been there, at the right moment, and had protected her at the risk of his own life. Aldric, still kneeling, bowed his head a little lower. "I remain profoundly grateful, Your Highness." He finally rose to his feet. Helia, however, had a concern weighing heavily on her mind since her return, and she voiced it at last, her tone more subdued. "Sir O’Conel?" Sir O’Conel. The knight who had been caught in the chimera’s jaws during their escape. Silence fell instantly. Aldric held her gaze for a moment before lowering his eyes and gently shaking his head. The weight of that simple answer struck her like a blade. A bitter knot tightened in her throat. She had never been close to him, yet he had died protecting her. The thought unsettled her far more than she would have expected. Noticing her distress, her knight placed a comforting hand upon her shoulder. "This is not your fault, Lady Helia. He died a hero, fulfilling his duty." She nodded slowly, though her heart remained heavy. She was still lost in thought when a familiar voice interrupted her. She turned to see the commander-in-chief, Sir Suannel, approaching with the grave demeanor of a man burdened by dire circumstances. He bowed deeply before the Prince. "Your Highness, Lady Helia, I am relieved to see you both unharmed." Straightening, he added in a more solemn tone, "If you permit me… there are urgent reports I must present," he said, turnin