The Kings Mistress Chapter 184

[ … words ]

Sierra whistled to her horses as she took to the sky. They followed the route she took, galloping off into the nearby forest. The guards who were assigned to stand guard were too stunned to move. When they saw the smoke that was slowly spreading towards the main estate, they started to panic too.

Orders were yelled as the guards tried to keep a lid on the situation. Ida successfully slipped out of the estate and headed into the forest. There, she found Midnight and Macadamia waiting for her.

Together, they made their way off the castle grounds through a prearranged route, with Roxine’s help. When they were successfully out of Vargos Castle, Sierra met up with Ida and her horses at the agreed-upon location.

Even from where they were, Sierra could see the smoke billowing in the air. She knew this was not the best way to do so, but Alistair had left her without many choices.

’He’s going to hate me, isn’t he,’ Sierra lamented to Opal.

The little snake was coiled on her wrist. She looked up at Sierra and hissed empathetically.

’Perhaps he won’t. He’s proven well in the past,’ Opal replied with a little glimmer of hope.

After one last look at the castle, Sierra turned her back and got up on Macadamia. Pulling on the reins, with Ida beside her, they took off towards their destination. Cair. Going home felt bitter-sweet.

She didn’t even know if she would have a place to call home. But either way, she did not regret her decisions. She had to see it through. Above in the sky, Bunty flew overhead, following Sierra as she and Ida made their way out of the capital city and onto the road.

Back at Vargos Castle, Alistair caught wind of the commotion at Vinedra Estate soon enough. By the time he reached, he was stunned to see the amount of smoke that shrouded the estate.

Shortly after his arrival, Queen Roxine, along with Cassandra and Agnes arrived too. The two consorts looked on in shock at the smoke, unable to believe their eyes.

“My King,” Roxine stepped forward to speak with him, tugging on his arm.

It was clear that he was distraught by the situation. Alistair did not seem to have heard her, as he was about to move forward towards the estate but Roxine pulled him back.

“Alistair,” she called out to him more urgently, “I need a word with you, in private.”

“That can wait, Sierra…”

“Your Majesty, we’ve searched the entire building. There was no sign of Paramount SIerra or her maid, Miss Ida,” a royal guard came forward to report in the nick of time.

“What? What do you mean there’s no sign of Sierra?!” In a fit of rage, Alistair grabbed the guard by the collar of his armor.

Everyone felt a shiver run down their spines. It had been a while since they last saw this side of their king. The side some had foolishly already forgotten. Seeing as the situation was about to get out of hand, Roxine stepped forward.

She placed her hand on Alistair’s shoulder.

“Alistair, put him down,” she said calmly, trying not to let her voice quiver.

He turned to look at her. His eyes were swirling with a myriad of emotions. Despite that, she was still able to get through to him and Alistair put the guard down. Roxine guided him to the side, away from everyone else.

In the distance, she could see Cassandra and Agnes looking over at them, wondering what was going on. Roxine didn’t even need to shoot Marionne a glance. Her maid knew what to do immediately. She made sure Alistair and Roxine had the privacy they needed.

From her pocket, Roxine produced a letter. It was addressed to Alistair.

“She wanted you to have this,” Roxine said as he took the envelope from her hand.

She could tell from the look on his face, that he was thinking of the worst. Though he didn’t say them out loud, she could read him like a book. They had known each other since they were young.

How could she not know what was going through his mind?

“Alistair,” she got his attention.

“She’s not leaving you, do you understand?” Roxine continued as she placed her hand on his reassuringly.

“This sure as hell looks like she is,” he said coldly as he looked over to the Vinedra Estate.

Out of all three estates, he picked and planned Sierra’s with the greatest amount of detail. He had hoped this was where they would spend their lives together, in each other’s company away from the world.

“Read the letter and you’ll understand,” Roxine reminded him as she pushed the letter towards him.

The look of uncertainty was written all over his face. Roxine furrowed her eyebrows, when had her childhood friend become so unassured? He had always known what he wanted, chased after what he wanted.

Yet now, he looked so lost.

“Why do you look like a lost sheep?” She blurted out loud as she folded her arms.

At first, she could not believe she dared ask him that. But subsequently, she was glad she did. It had been a while since they’d spoken to one another candidly. Perhaps it was about time.

“Me? A lost sheep?” Alistair echoed her words in confusion.

“Where’s the bold confident young man I once knew? The one who made decisions in split seconds, commanded an army to fight a war that others said could not be fought?”

“What are you talking about, I am all those things!” He defended himself.

“Then why are you doubting Sierra? Do you really not know where you went wrong?” Roxine added, bolder than before.

Alistair looked at her with wide eyes for a moment, before averting his gaze. He knew exactly what she was referring to. In truth, he knew he shouldn’t have done that. But everything happened so quickly.

He had become so afraid of losing her forever, that he desperately wanted to hold her close. Almost hold her hostage.