Volume 5: The Great Plains Chapter 117: Kidnapping

  Adrian, after trekking with Xilu for over a month, I finally returned to this port city. The city was still bustling, the scenery was still beautiful, but I didn't have the heart to appreciate them and came directly to the base of the Kingdom of Krielan here.

  I brought Xi Lu to the front door, knocked on it, and the door was opened a crack, revealing a somewhat unfamiliar face. The person looked suspicious and asked, "Two people knocking on the door, what's going on?"

  "I said: 'Hello, I'm Terry's friend. Would you mind telling him that one of his friends has come to visit him?'"

  The doorman looked us up and down again and said, "Wait a minute." With a "bang", he closed the door.

  Xī Lù said discontentedly: "How can this person be so impolite, you are also a prince of their kingdom!"

  I shook my head and said, "I'm no longer a prince anyway. Besides, this person looks unfamiliar, probably a newcomer, it's normal that he doesn't recognize me."

  When the big gate opened again, Terry appeared in front of us.

  Terry was taken aback by my arrival, his eyes wide with surprise as he stared at me for half a day before finally saying: "Hello... how did you come? Your Highness the Prince."

  I nodded at Terry and said, "Terry, I've long since said that I'm no longer a prince, just call me Alex... it's not convenient to talk here, let's go inside and talk."

  Terry nodded and led us into a quiet room. Although I was no longer a prince, Terry's respect for me hadn't changed at all. He slightly bowed his waist, glanced at Xilu, and asked with a smile: "Your Excellency Alex, is this lady your companion?"

  I pulled up a chair and sat down, saying: "Right, she's my companion, so go ahead and say what you want to say. It doesn't matter, she's not an outsider." I had already noticed that Terry had several times on the road seemed like he wanted to say something to me but held back.

  Xī lù seems very satisfied with this sentence of mine, smiled at me and sat down beside me.

  Terry still said respectfully: "Your Excellency Alex, I don't know if you are here to see Her Majesty the Queen this time?"

  I nodded and said, "Yes, please help me prepare a boat as quickly as possible. I need to get to Her Majesty the Queen's presence in the shortest time possible. I have extremely urgent matters that require an audience with Her Majesty."

  Terry bowed to me again and said, "Sorry, Your Excellency Alex, Her Majesty the Queen has specifically instructed that if you appear during her wedding, it will be very inconvenient. So, I hope you can understand Her Majesty's good intentions. If there is anything, please talk about it after the wedding."

  I forced a smile and said, "Oh? Is that so? Is Sulina afraid I'll stir up trouble? She's really thorough... But I do have something extremely urgent to discuss with her."

  Terry's face was somewhat awkward, and he said apologetically: "Your Excellency... although I completely don't understand the Queen's command and this marriage, I must fulfill my duty and execute the order, so I can't provide you with the ships you need."

  Xilou, who was standing beside them, had already lost her patience and said angrily: "Alyric, if your queen wants to go die, why are you still bothering so much? Why not just let her go?"

  Terry looked at Xilu with a puzzled expression, then turned to me with an inquiring gaze.

  I patted Seri's shoulder lightly, signaling her to be quiet, and turned my head to Terry: "Her Majesty the Queen and her children are now in danger. This marriage is actually a conspiracy to overthrow the kingdom. I must inform Sulina before the wedding, otherwise Sulina may be attacked during the wedding. So, Terry, you have to help me."

  Terry was taken aback, then said with some hesitation: "As early as a month ago, Her Majesty the Queen ordered that you must not be allowed to approach the Kingdom of Kriel during the wedding ceremony. It seems that she had expected your arrival and I can only carry out her orders. What you say is too astonishing, but without sufficient evidence, I still cannot disobey the queen's order."

  "I said somewhat urgently: 'Believe it or not, Terry, this time I have to hurry up and go.'"

  Terry wanted to say something else, but suddenly a cold light flashed by, and a dagger was already pressed against his throat. Xilu, who had just been sitting beside me, appeared behind him.

  Terry's body stiffened for a moment, then quickly regained its composure. He said to me, "Although this is illegal... Alright, Mr. Alex, I've been hijacked by you, my life has been threatened, and I'll prepare the ship according to your instructions."

  Terry then said to Xilu: "Beautiful lady, please hold this pose for a moment, I'll call my men in."

  Terry finished speaking and didn't wait for Xilu's response. He stretched out his palm and patted it, and immediately a subordinate walked in.

  That subordinate saw Terry being hijacked, greatly shocked and immediately prepared to draw his sword.

  Terry held out a hand to stop his subordinate's rash action and said, "Don't panic, don't act rashly. This is Prince Alick, you've seen him before. He needs a sea ship to go to the Kingdom of Krielan, nothing else. Hurry up and prepare it."

  The subordinate who heard Terry's words gradually loosened his grip on the hilt of his sword, looked at me, suddenly showed a look of realization, bowed to Terry and turned away.

  Terry said to Cheryl behind him, "Alright, miss, you can put down your dagger now."

  Xī Lù shrugged indifferently and put away the dagger, saying: "You just needed an excuse, didn't you?"

  Terry smiled and stroked his beard: "Mr. Alik, your companion is a clever girl."

  Xī Lù snorted and said, "No need to flatter me, I can tell from the look in your eyes just now that you all think that even if Yàlìkè is going to stir up trouble this time, it seems that none of you are very satisfied with this political marriage either."

  "I said sincerely: 'Thank you, Terry.'"

  Terry shook his head and said, "Why say thank you? You are forever the Prince in my heart."

  I hesitated for a moment and asked tentatively: "Terry, tell me honestly, can we still make it?"

  Terry put away his smile and said solemnly, "Time is pressing. If we can set off before noon, with favorable winds all the way, we might make it to Her Majesty's wedding on time. Logically speaking, this season should have favorable winds, but at two places, there may be turbulence. If unfortunately, we encounter both, it will delay us by about a day. If we really encounter headwinds... Your Highness, we might not make it."

  It seems like everything is up to fate now, Sulina, you and the child must be fine...