Chapter 3 Prince's protection.

"Yuzi, make sure to keep the prince safe. No matter what, I'm joining this battle," I said, not forgetting to secure the prince. I handed over the ancestral crystal to protect my son later.

"But, Queen," I disagreed with this reckless decision and tried to object to her command.

"No more buts, just do as I say. The Red Wolves will target my son when our forces are weak. Look at our numbers and strength, we're outmatched. So, I trust you to keep my son safe," before handing him over to Yuzi, I kissed the cheek of my newborn child. He didn't know anything yet, but this painful separation between mother and child felt inevitable. If he stayed, this farewell would be forever. I could only shed tears one last time, looking at my newborn's face.

As a mother, whose heart wouldn't ache when forced to part from their child? But this was for his safety. That's why I asked Yuzi to protect him. I didn't know when fate would reunite us again.

"Take him," I wiped away the tears that had just fallen. I had to remain strong to face what lay ahead.

Hearing the Queen's command, I nodded, taking the young prince from her arms. I cradled him gently and slipped away quietly. I couldn't afford to be seen. As I fled, I glanced back at the fierce battle between the White Wolves and the Red Wolves. We were outnumbered and overpowered. I had to escape quickly before anyone saw me.

"I don't know where I should take the young prince, but I must ensure that wherever I go is safe," I ran faster, making sure no one was following me, and ensuring the prince's safety above all else.

After a long journey, I finally arrived at a place. I placed the prince at the foot of the largest and tallest gate among the houses here, hoping someone would take him in and care for him like a son, even though he wouldn't be raised by his birth mother.

"Goodbye, Prince, stay safe. I will miss you, and I hope you grow into a strong man. Until we meet again," I whispered as I placed the prince down, leaving a bit of my magic on him.

It wouldn't be hard for us to reconnect because the prince bore the same symbol as mine on his neck. After ensuring his safety, I left the place before anyone could notice my presence. I returned to the White Wolf Kingdom to join the battle, but by the time I arrived, the war was over, and we had lost. I couldn't see either the king or queen among the White Wolf soldiers.

"Where are they?" I wondered while helping the injured soldiers.

"Did any of you see the Queen or the King?" I asked the soldiers who had fought in the battle.

"I haven't seen them. I was attacked earlier; the Red Wolves' power was overwhelming."

Many soldiers were injured, some critically, and many had already died.

"Damn it, where are the King and Queen?" I clenched my fists in a mix of anger and frustration.

"I have to find them," I declared.

"Don't act recklessly, or you'll end up dead at the hands of the Red Wolves."

"But what if the Queen and King are in danger, hurt by them?"

"If you go looking now, we'll lose. You'll end up dead."

The soldier was right. I was alone, and the entire army was weak and defenseless. I needed to find a way to save the King and Queen. I couldn't let them suffer or fall into danger.

I entered the palace and saw Nyai Mentri attending to Queen Andewi.

"Queen," I said, approaching her.

"Don't make any noise yet. I'm healing the queen; she's exhausted her powers and has suffered severe injuries," Nyai Mentri said as she transferred healing magic.

"But how did the queen end up here?"

"After the childbirth, I immediately went out to monitor the battle. When they attacked the queen, she was already weakened. I threw some ash powder, but I could only save the queen. The king is still in a critical condition in his chamber," she explained.

"I still have a lot of magic; I'll help the king," I said, about to run to the king's room, but my hand was suddenly held back.

"Don't do that. Save your strength to protect us. The Red Wolves could launch a surprise attack at any time, and you're the only one left with enough energy, Yizu. So please, don't use your magic on the king. We don't know when the kingdom will be attacked again."

"But the king's condition is dire," I said, worried that his state would worsen.

"Calm yourself. I've prepared a potion on the table behind you. Drink it, and your body will feel refreshed again. I'll take care of the king. This healing magic on the queen is almost done, and after that, I'll treat the king."

***

Nyai Bidan quickly stepped into the King's chamber after finishing treating the queen. Seeing the king's dire condition, she paused for a moment, realizing she would lose a lot of energy in order to heal him.

However, she couldn't leave the king in this state.

"Nyai, do you need my strength?" Yuzi asked, offering part of his energy, ready to be absorbed if that was the best course of action.

"No need," replied Nyai Bidan, looking at Yuzi. She just needed to stabilize herself and then transfer magic to the king.

"But it's okay, you'll run out of magic if you keep going like this."

I insisted on sharing my strength with Nyai.

"No need, it's better if you help me tend to the wounded soldiers outside," I suggested, as there were still many who needed help.

I then placed my hand on the king's forehead and gently pressed it, letting the flow stabilize. Slowly, I felt my magic flowing from my palms into the king.

"Good, hang in there, my king," I said calmly, focusing on healing him.