Chapter 151
Chapter 151
Facing Garbisch’s uncertain, worried gaze, Jessica only gave a faint smile, offering no explanation
“You’ll understand after the Autumn Hunt,” she said calmly.
Then she swung onto her horse, voice crisp and decisive. “There’s no time to waste. Move out
From Capitalia to Kabury County, it would take less than two days if they pushed through without rest.
Jessica led the Imperial Army herself, riding day and night, pressing forward under the stars. The soldiers dared not slacken their pace for after all, they were being sent to rescue Waldo
Had it been any o
any other general, the Imperial Army would never have cared so much. But Waldo was the King’s son,
If they failed to bring him back, the commander of the Imperial Army wouldn’t just lose his position he could very well lose his head.
Markus, the current commander, understood this painfully well. So even though his men were bone–tired, they pushed on without a word of complaint,
In less than two days, they reached Kabury County. Yet to everyone’s shock, Jessica didn’t lead them straight into Vrahmont Mount to save Waldo Instead, she ordered them to halt just outside Kabury City–and immediately set up camp.
That night, she even sent people into the city to recruit cooks, letting the soldiers feast, drink, and rest.
Markus nearly lost his mind. Unable to bear it any longer, he rushed to Garbisch’s tent and flung aside the flap.
Jessica was there too, seated calmly as if the world weren’t burning outside.
“General Garbisch, Miss Yates, Markus blurted out, barely managing to hold onto protocol, “we’ve come so far, why aren’t we heading straight into Vrahmont Mount to rescue His Highness!”
Every minute lost increased the danger Waldo’s troops faced.
If they moved quickly enough, they might still have a chance.
But Waldo’s forces had disappeared without a word–no messengers, no signals. No one knew if they were alive or dead. Markus was sick with worry how could anyone think about feasting and resting at a time like this?
Jessica’s voice was calm and unhurried. “Tomorrow, there may be a bloody battle. Tonight, the men must eat well, drink well, and sleep well Otherwise, they won’t survive what’s coming
“But His Highness–Markus tried again, his anxiety rising.
Jessica cut him off smoothly, pointing toward the distant mountains. “Markus, did you see any signs of battle from the city walls?”
Markus had climbed the tower himself. True enough–no smoke, no signal lines.
But the mountains were far away. Anything could be happening out there, and they would never know.
“Miss Yates,” Markus said urgently, “just because we can’t see it doesn’t mean there’s no fighting. They could be bleeding and dying right now!”
Jessica nodded slightly, her expression unchanged. “So you admit the distance is great?”
Markus froze, realizing too late she wasn’t asking to argue–she was leading him somewhere.
Jessica continued, “How many troops do we havel
“Five thousand,” Markus answered stiftly. “And how many did His Highness lead into the mountains?”
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13:32 Wed, 4 Jun »
Chapter 151
Markus stiffened further, “Fifteen thousand, he muttered,
Jessica’s voice sharpened, “Tifteen thousand and they still got trapped. If even they couldn’t break free, do you think our five thousand charging in blindly would fare any better? We wouldn’t be rescuing anyone. We’d be marching straight to our deaths”
Markus had no answer,
Jessica looked at him steadily and said, “We came to save them, Markus. Not to join them in a mass
“But if anything happens to His Highness-“Markus gritted his teeth, his lear plain. Jessica, of course, understood. If Waldo died, Markus’s career–and Likely his life–would end with him.
She said softly, “if you truly want to save him, then rest tonight. Get some sleep. Tomorrow, you’ll need every ounce of strength you have to bring His Highness home.”
Markus stared at her, tom between desperation and reluctant admiration. Outside, the rumors said Jessica had loved Waldo with blind devotion for years–that their broken engagement was only because Waldo had cast her aside for another woman.
If that were true, why could she stand here now, calm as still water, when Waldo’s very life hung in the balance?
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