The Devil's Temptation!

Chapter 12: The Escape

Annalise’s eyes unknowingly dilated after hearing his quick and abrupt suggestion, while his gaze remained fixated on the path he suspects the guard would use to make an entrance.

Run away? How can she?

She abruptly got to her feet, looking into the eyes of the physician like she could actually read them, curiously wondering if he was being serious right now and to her shock, he was, making a quick gasp escape from her lips.

“Run away? What about Adryan and the princess?” She seriously whispered while holding onto the irons, Adryan hadn’t returned yet and it was already dawn. Plus, how can she run without informing the princess about it?

“No time to think about all of that, within a minute those guards would heavily barge in and take you away for the execution, come with me before it’s too late.”

He let his hand out for her, prompting the reluctant Annalise to take them before the guards arrive but to his surprise, she shook her head in refusal while looking away with a stubborn expression.

“I can’t do that, Euphrasia is my home, just cause I’m guiltily blamed for something I have no conspiracy of doesn’t mean I have to run away. It would be a disappointment to the princess and Adryan, what if she thinks I don’t trust their judgements?” She finally turned around to look at him, hoping he understood her point. Even if she plans on running away, she can’t do it without informing the princess at least.

.....

The old physician could only shake his head silently, implying he doesn’t understand. He knew Anna would always be stubborn headed and difficult to convince so he is obviously left with no choice here.”

“Everytime Anna, I have to force you into making the right decision.” He sighed and turned his gaze to the young lady who folded her arms, her gaze looked final, which clearly said she wasn’t going anywhere.

“I guess it’s time then.” He cryptically uttered, causing Annalise to release her folded arm in defiance to his words.

“Time?” Time for what exactly?

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Before she got a chance to ask that question, he placed his hand on her shoulder and before Anna realized exactly what just took place, a white light enveloped the both of them, it’s powerful light immediately encompassed the both of them and right before Anna’s eyes, they were standing right outside the kingdom of Euphrasia when the lights slowly died down.

“Huh?” She impulsively pulled back from the physician while blinking at him in disbelief, the cool morning air hit her skin, causing her to shiver a bit as the natural scent of nature made its way to her nostril.

The sun was slowly making its way out, leaving the sky in a light blue shade while the day looked hazy with dewdrops lingering over flowers.

She’s really outside the kingdom of Euphrasia!

“You...”

“Shhhh.” He silenced her up immediately and at that spur of a moment, Calista hurried towards them while holding unto the rope of the horse. Silently hurrying towards them and was rather surprised to find Anna and the physician outside, how did he get here so fast?

“Well that was quick.” She uttered, finding it surprising that the old physician was able to get Anna out of the dungeon, and so quickly too, something she couldn’t possibly do herself.

“P_princess??” Anna found the situation to be very confusing, first she was in the dungeon, and now she’s outside, then Calista is equally here and with a black horse too, what’s going on?

Calista saw the neverending questions in her eyes, she knew Anna would have so many questions to ask considering what just happened but sadly, she doesn’t have enough time to explain it to her and instead, proceeded to the reason why they’re actually out here.

“Anna, you have to leave Euphrasia right now, you have to run!” Calista immediately handed her the horse, which Anna was hesitant to take. So the princess already knew??

“But...but what about Adryan?”

“We can’t wait for him.” Calista explained, “he’s meant to be here already but I don’t know what’s taking his time. Like they say, desperate time calls for desperate measures, you have to leave.”

Seeing her hands which nervously held unto her dress, Calista grabbed it and gave her the rope of the horse to hold.

“Princess_”

“The guards must have been notified by now that you’re missing, you have to leave now! Come on, get on the horse.”

Calista moved Anna towards the side of the horse, urging her to get on it while Anna exchanged glances between the old physician and Calista. To be honest, she was completely speechless by all of this and barely knew the words to say.

Her heart thumped incredulously as she was about to make a decision she never even thought of. Should she be appreciative? Should she express her thanks and tell them how grateful she really is???

“I’ll miss you guys.” Those were the words which escaped her lips as the same uncontrollable tears sadly rolled down to her cheeks. She found those words suitable to express every emotion she was feeling at the moment.

Calista easily sensed the sadness in Anna’s tone and could tell she didn’t want to leave, but unfortunately she’s left with no option but to follow this particular one, that’s the only way she can be safe from the wrath of sir Arlow.

So instead, she gave her a hug, wanting Anna to know that she’d miss her most of all, she has never hugged her maid before, which makes Calista the first person she ever hugged and with so much emotion too.

The old physician watched as the two ladies expressed genuine affection and couldn’t help but feel sad about everything. At the same time, his expression lightened a bit like he just remembered something.

“Here.”

The old physician let out his hand for her, revealing the Euphrasia badge which he held in his grasp. It was a unique badge made from fine gold that belonged to her father. It was a very precious artifact her father cherished and wished to hand to his daughter himself the moment she was born.

Sadly, he couldn’t fulfill that wish.

“What’s that?” She asked, unwilling to take the badge while looking straight at the physician who instead, gently placed the badge on her fair palm.

“It’s something your father wanted to give you himself, it was a reward from the kingdom but your father was more than happy to give it to his daughter instead, it’s yours.”

Those words of his made more tears escape from Anna’s eyes as she held the unique badge tightly in her grasp, staring at the beautiful artifact before hugging it to her chest while staring appreciatively at the physician.

“Thank you.” She bowed politely, “I’ll cherish this gift with all my heart.” She promised and for the first time as well, a slow smile appeared on the physician’s lips as he nodded to her words.

He was fully aware of her journey, there’s still so much she has to endure and overcome that he questioned if she was really up for it or not. Nevertheless, he will pray daily for her so she becomes strong enough to handle the fights ahead.

“Here, you’ll need this too.” Calista handed Anna a sack and a cloak. “There’s clothes and foodstuffs in it which should last you for about a week, and a few of the headbands in case you plan on hiding the mark.”

She hurriedly explained, opening the bag and bringing out a silver sword. With a smile, she handed it to Anna.

“And you’ll need this too for protection.” She brought the bag closer to show Anna the crossbow which was kept inside.

“It used to be my favorite, but I want you to have it, at least something you can use to remember me by.”

“All of this..” Annalise stared at everything which was handed to her, her mouth was open but there were no words that escaped from them. How on Earth did she get this amount of love from the both of them??

It was too much and it made her journey even harder, she didn’t want to leave them.

The alarm sound of the bell ringing caught their attention, before the words her brain finally processed could escape from her lips.

“Oh no!” Calista’s eyes widened at the sound of the bell and immediately ushered Anna to get on the horse.

“You have to go now! Hurry!”

“You should equally go back princess,” the physician uttered, “so you won’t be suspected since you’re the closest to Anna.” He thoughtfully enunciated.

Calista doubts she’d ever be suspected, she was the king’s daughter so that idea was fairly impossible, but at the same time, he was right. She has to go.

Nodding her head in agreement, she turned to look at Annalise, giving her one last hug as she doesn’t have a clue when she’d see Annalise again. She made her way into the castle, following the secret path she had used in getting out unnoticed.

Annalise immediately got on the horse, turning to look at the physician who gave her a reassuring nod, with that, she rode off after putting the cloak above her head.

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