Poloria's POV
"We're back ahead of schedule." I say as I pat Imperial's side. We were in a trot just outside the city gates. "I'm sure the young masters and young ladies will be happy to see you so soon, Master." Ruby said. I nod.
"Of course, and I'm just as- Is that Manager?" My eyes narrowed as he ran towards me frantically. Like his life depended on getting to me. "Master!" He yelled. In public, yelling out to me in such a way. Something was wrong, otherwise he wouldn't have risked his life by speaking my identity when it wasn't disclosed.
I rode forward to meet him. "Master! Quick! Young Master Kai!" I didn't ask anything more, grabbed his hand and pulled him onto the horse before speeding through the streets. "Get out of the way!" I shouted. My voice echoed over the busy streets, and everyone moved aside quickly.
Stopping in front of the mansion, I jump off the horse and rush into the house. "Greetings Princess." The servants greeted as I rushed towards Kai's courtyard. "Mother!" I hear one of the children yell after me but I didn't stop.
The smell of blood was only getting stronger and stronger the closer I got to his courtyard. "Master." Bira greeted me as I enter the courtyard. "I'll settle things with you later." I tell her as I walk past her and open the doors. "I JUST SAID TO LEAVE!" Kai shouted as I stepped in.
I walk up to the bed and move the curtain aside. "Kai." His entire upper body was covered in bandages. "Mother." I sit on the edge of the bed and reach out; my hands were trembling. Kai grabbed my hand. "It's okay." He whispered.
The tears made my eyes blurry. "Who did it?" I asked. "Don't blame Bira. She tried to stop it." I pulled away from him. "I asked you, who did it." He grabbed my hand. "Promise me that you won't blame her. Okay?" He tried to get up. "Okay, I won't. Lay down."
A knock sounded before the door opened. Bira walked in with my bag filled with my medicinal herbs, pills and bandages. I took it from her, wiped my tears and began to deal with Kai's injuries.
Kai had fallen asleep by the time I'd finished stitching his wound. He'd gotten a pill that numbs pain before I started so he didn't feel a thing. I gently rebandaged the wound and quietly left the room.
I stepped out of his courtyard. "The rest of the children?" I asked Bira who followed. "Second young master and first miss were injured getting the fifth young master to safety and were covered in wounds but no major damage. Fourth lady had her hand broken and a bruised eye while the fifth young master was unharmed."
"Explain yourself." I turn to her. She dropped to her knees. "I stepped away to gather water nearby, but I wasn't near the water source when I heard a scream. When I rushed back, the prince was already swinging his sword down. I tried to stop it, but I was too far. Once I had everyone checked out, I was told that the prince brought forty men on purpose. Twenty of them were peak high-level martial artists while the others were entry high-level martial artists."
"Alive?" She shook her head. "All dead." I look down at her. "Kai made me promise to not blame you. Which means that your life is saved but your punishment isn't lifted. Once I'm done, I'll personally deal with you."
She kowtowed three times. "Thank you, Master." I look away from her. "Where is he?" She stood up. "In the palace."
"Your highness." A servant rushed over. "The Queen Mother is at the gate, but Miss Ruby isn't allowing the gates to be opened." He informed me quickly. "Tell her that we aren't accepting visitors and to return." The servant bowed and left quickly.
"Where's Kana?" I asked Bira. "On her way back." I narrow my eyes at her. "Until she gets back, I don't even want a fly in this house, or you can forget how to breathe on your own." I walk away from her, heading towards Lion's courtyard.
His study door was open, and he was sitting behind his desk, lightly bandaged and trying to draw. I step in silently. His eyebrows furrowed as his hands shook slightly. His hands didn't flow as naturally as they normally would but that much was expected.
He looked up at me as I stopped in front of the table. I smiled. "Hello darling." Tears filled his eyes. "Is older brother still alive?" I chuckle and wipe his tears away. "There isn't anyone that I can't pull from the jaws of death. Unless I don't want them to."
I walk around the table and check his wounds. "I know you can't help it but try not to paint until these bandages come off." He nodded. "I'll have my own battle scars." I smile. "Wounds hurt then heal into scars. Scar fade but turn into aches." I kiss his forehead. "Sometimes, certain glorious things aren't the best things."
"I understand." I stand up. "Go to bed. I'll go check on your siblings and then I'll go back to Kai's courtyard. I have to monitor him myself to feel certain." I kiss his forehead once more before leaving.
I check on the other three children, and their situation was around the same as reported but Jailin was in Lia's room. He was holding onto her like she would disappear if he let go. I checked him first and it was obvious he was frightened but he was okay otherwise.
"He just looks like father but that isn't him. Right?" Jailin suddenly asked as I was rebandaging Lia's wounds, it made me pause for half a second. I look at him. "Follow your instincts." I said simply and he nodded. "I understand."
Heri was already sleeping and I still checked her over, but I took Jailin with me back to Kai's courtyard. A bed was set up near the bed. "Let's go to sleep." Jailin yawned and laid down in the bed, holding onto my hand. I sit looking at the steady rise and fall of Kai's chest.