"You all can go ahead, I would have to slow down my pace. I want the street cleared when I get to the Royal Palace. No one must see me riding a horse with her, " he instructed. His voice sounded so cold and most of the men thought he just felt irritated because he was riding with the princess.

" One, I want you to lead the princess's new maid to our quarter, " prince Sébastien hinted that one should keep his eyes on her.

"Yes, your highness," One bowed before mounting his horse. Although One was surprised by the prince's request. He knew better than to ask any questions. What surprised him the most was the prince's reaction. The princess did not seem to have him wrapped around her finger with her charms as he has suspected.

"Could it be that I was wrong?" one asked himself.

"You," the prince turned to her maid. ask her maid to prepare her favorite food and her bath," the prince instructed Biel so she would be clueless of the fact that she was found out.

They all rid off soon after at the best speed they could muster. If one did not know, he might think they were in a competition of who had the fastest horse.

"Why did you not drink the water?" prince Sébastien asked. When they were both seated in the horse. Ellen was surprised by his question. She was sure that she had acted her role of drinking the water properly.

She bites her lower lips not knowing how to answer the prince." would he believe me if I tell him it because I perceive something different in the water?" she asked herself as she tried to think of a believable excuse.

" Why are you still here Jeffrey, " the prince snapped when he noticed that Jeffery was riding quietly behind them.

"Your highness asked me to protect the princess till you returned. Besides this is a dangerous time. I could not leave you alone when the princess is sick. Someone needs to watch your back, " Jeffery replied and the prince rolled his eyes.

He did not mind Jeffrey's present since he was the only one the prince could blindly trust with his life. The others were under an oath and it would not affect them if they spoke or betrayal the princess.

"And the food this morning. Was it not to your liking?" the prince asked. He was was no longer cold. He almost sounded to Ellen as if he cared.

"I don't know, something about the taste feels wrong and the same goes for the water. I am not sure what it is but I could not take the risk," princess Ellen replied.

Prince Sébastien nodded his head at her response. It had been just like he suspected. "thirsty?" the prince asked and Ellen nodded her head. Even if she was seated behind the prince and she knew he could not see her.

Prince Sébastien stopped the horse and climb down helping her do the same.

He handed her his bottle of water and Ellen collected it happily because her throat felt dry and she needed to drink water.

Ellen took a big gulp and felt refreshed just drinking the water. Then the prince hands her bread. Ellen was surprised by his gesture but said nothing as she collected the bread and took a bite.

The prince did not pay attention to what she was doing since he did not want to make her feel uncomfortable.

"Any news about the force behind the three kingdom's attack?" the prince asked Jeffery.

Jeffery looked at the prince, then at the princess who had walked a few feet away to seat on a small stone.

Prince Sébastien followed his gaze and he knew why Jeffery was hesitant to speak but the prince did not mind. He does not know why but he just knew deep in his heart that he could trust her.

"speak," he commands, and Jeffery nodded his head.

"the three kingdoms predicted that Avalo will bring war to them, just like they took to other kingdoms. So they decided to join forces and attack Avalo first. They believe they have better chances of winning together.

" There is also a rumor that they will be going into the kingdoms that we have conure and try to make them revolt and joined side with them.

It is like the king said, they put funds together and bought soldiers from across the sea. To the north, to be specific. So if we can ensure that they can get more men then all will be fine, " Jeffery explained.

" Are you sure about the news?" the prince asked.

"Yes, it is the same rumor in the three kingdoms. So yes I think it is true. They are not out to fight Avalo but to ensure your death. They believe that once you die Avalo would be nothing, " Jeffery dropped the news.

Ellen felt her heart beating very fast when she heard the news from Jeffrey. She suddenly felt scared for the prince.

" Do we know anything about the people on the north part of the sea?" the prince asked.

" no, your highness. We never paid attention to them. Since we had no business with them," Jeffery replied.

"There are a few books about the people across the sea and their language in the royal library of Bozoa," Ellen said. She was not sure why she just blabbed that but she just felt the need to be useful at that time.

The prince and Jeffery looked at her curiously. They both had the same question in their mind.

Prince Ellen felt their gaze on her so she turned in their direction.

"What I mean is I have seen a book once in the royal library of Bozoa. I have read it. There is no much information. Apart from the fact that only the people in the northern part of the sea speak the same language as us. They also do not sell out their Amies. Since they believe a great war was coming and they want to have as many men as possible.

It's in the book of prophecy, " Ellen said. She lied when she said there was not much information. Those books contain a lot of details about the people across the see but she lied to the prince since she was scared that he may attack her kingdom because of those books. So she lied realizing her mistake in speaking in the first place.

"Okay," the prince nodded his head knowing that she said less than what she knew. "we should be on our way," he said exchanging a meaningful glance with Jeffrey.

Ellen walked over and sat behind the prince on the horse with the help of Jeffrey.

"hold on tight," prince Sébastien said as he started to ride the horse. Princess Ellen obeys by wrapping her hands around his waist. This closeness made the prince happy.