Chapter 5 The release of Elsie

Madriod's POV

As I hastened down to the village center, my thoughts flew in different directions on what she had encountered and I blamed myself for leaving her when I knew she was in a strange land.

Approaching a strange-looking man in a guard-like dress with swords in his hands. Madriod asked nervously "Excuse me, Sir, did you happen to see a young lady brought in with some men"

"Ohhh, if you mean the timid girl who kept screaming 'I am innocent', well she was taken to the King's palace. You might head to the palace to figure out what transpired there as I have no information, the guard replied".

Madriod in a troubled mood set out to the palace, he wondered what to do as he knew Rosa was a stranger to the land.

With a hurried pace, he went up to the king's courtroom, where seated the king, some chiefs and guards at every angle. Bowing his head as a sign of respect to the elders.

He rose up but with his face still facing the earth, he spoke up "Your Highness I come to seek out a young lady who I believe was brought into your custody".

"What is the name of this young lady whom you seek of Madriod? The king said.

"Concerning you Sir, she goes by the name Rosa which I chose for her, as he is clueless of her name or origin caused by the fall she encountered before I found her by the sea" Madriod stated.

"Yes, Rosa you speak of is being held in the dungeon, I had her held in there, till you arrive to state why a stranger was found around your campsite."

"Your Highness, I rescued her from drowning during my hunting escapade and had no idea of who she was," Madriod spoke effortlessly. "I hoped for her to recover fully and gain back her memory to disclose her origin, that is why I didn't speak of her existence to anyone," he continued.

Well Madriod, the king said, "What you did was remarkable as you saved a life but you could also endanger your life as well as the safety of the village". "You could have reported to the chiefs or come to me directly to speak of this new encounter, but you acted selflessly with no idea of what you were going into."

Madriod stood silently as he listened to the roaring voice of the king even though the man spoke at his lowest tone, his voice rang through the courtroom. "She might be a spy to infiltrate the village and report back to her people, but you think she is harmless."

"So I charge you with the responsibility of seeing to her well-being till she gains her memory, you must report back to me. Hope I'm understood?", the king said amidst much deliberation.

Madriod cried out, "Thank you, your Majesty".

Elsie's POV

Elsie thinks about her fate lately and decides it's better to go through this than get married forcefully to a strange man with no best interest in her.

She sits on the floor, holding the rails of the wooden door. She hopes that Madriod will know of her abduction and come to rescue her.

With thoughts driving her to mind of various frightful events since her parents passed on, she weeps silently and wonders what will become of her fate.

"Hey, young lad, stand up, wipe your tears and come out," a guard shouted. Rosa, still lost in thought, didn't know that the door had been opened upon the arrival of the guard.

"Me, me Sire", her voice trembles as she points to herself and struggles to her feet, conscious of the guard's words. "Yes, you come out, you have been released and a young man spoke on your aid and he is in the courtroom, I will take you to him".

Rosa was surprised at the same time grateful for the turn of events and luck. She walked beside the guard into the courtroom and leaped into a tight hug around his waist as soon as he saw him.

She wailed out loudly, speaking of the events that transpired since her abduction while holding him. With the sudden closeness, Madriod caught a whim of her perfume and her scent on her body.

Cut off guard he quietly patted her head while assuring her she was fine right now. With a quick bow to the King and chief, he took her hand and worked out of the palace.

Arriving at his campsite, he gave her a bowl of water to wash her face and water to drink.

She sat still quietly, playing with the hedge of dress, not knowing what to say to him.

Madriod walked up to her, squatting to her level, he said "He said sorry for what you went through."

"I should have known better than leaving you out here all alone. I thought no one would find you in this area. I'm so sorry, I hope you weren't hurt. Rosa was on the verge of breaking down and she got hold of herself."

Glancing at him, she said, "Thank you for rescuing me. This is the second time you have saved my life and I don't know what would have become of me if you hadn't shown up".

"I would do it over and over again if I'm given an opportunity and would do it to any other, Madriod grinned.

****At Alpha's Mansion****

Back at the mansion, the palace was decorated beautifully for the marriage alliance between Elsie and Ethan.

Alpha Knight, eager to conclude the marriage for his benefit, sat down on the throne awaiting the arrival of his guests, unaware of the impending disaster following the escape of his niece, Elsie.

Mia walked into the ballroom where the wedding was scheduled to take place, excuse me, she said to a waiter, "May I get a drink please". As a werewolf, their primary choice of drink often ends up being red wine, serving as a substitute for blood. However, some still give in to their primal instincts and hunt, risking their lives if discovered, as it's considered a punishable crime.