Chapter 28: The more the merrier

Chapter 28: The more the merrier The horses started to run faster as more arrows came pouring at them. The carriage ran through the darkest, and the royal guards did their best to protect him, but Cedric didn’t have much hope in them, nor did he panic. This was not the first time he had been targeted like this, and the reason for the elite shadow knights he trained was to handle scenarios like this. If he had left the carriage to hunt down the assassins, this would have been over sooner, but that would endanger his fragile wife, who also wanted his head. "I must be crazy." Cedric snickered as he held Abrielle protectively in his arms as more arrows came pouring inside the carriage but none came close to Cedric before being engulfed by flames. The difference between the threats that other people had after his life and his dear wife was simple. Their attempts were more serious and amusing while his wife was cute and a bit amusing. "How long will this take?" He groaned, already tired of everything. Whoever sent these assassins was funny. "Being sent to the battlefront by barely a teenager that could fight didn’t kill me, but they think a bunch of arrows can." He chuckled. Just at that moment, an arrow came flying straight for Abrielle’s head but turned into ash before grazing her skin. Cedric’s eyes flickered between gold and black. He pulled Abrielle closer to sit on his thighs while leaning on his shoulders as she slept then covered her with his jacket. He knew she was not very friendly with cold. "This position is a bit uncomfortable, but unfortunately, you will have to manage." He said to his wife even though he was fully aware she wasn’t hearing a single thing he was saying. Abrielle shuddered in her sleep because of the cold then snuggled closer to Cedric like a kitten. "Abrielle, you should not learn after this fool; instead, think of more creative ways to kill me. Who knows you might get lucky." He chimed, still talking to his wife in a very deep sleep, who had no idea her husband was giving her advice to kill him. The night was long, and a lot of blood was shed on both sides during the short trip, but Abrielle had no idea of this because she was snuggling in the arms of her husband and fast asleep. By the time they arrived at their destination a good 30 percent of the royal guards were dead, but none of Cedric’s elite knights died. It was very dark and the sun would soon reach the sky. The carriage stopped with the horses neighing loudly; the majority of the wooden structure was damaged from the assassination attempt, and this carriage had to be condemned. The door fell apart and Cedric stepped out with Abrielle in his arms, fast asleep and snuggling close to him. She was like a kitten when she was asleep because her cute snores sounded like purrs. "Sorry, it took so long to take care of the assassins." Elias appeared immediately by Cedric’s side bowing his head as he apologized. Cedric glanced at Elias and clicked his tongue. Elias had a couple of light wounds; he could not believe he got injured from handling a couple of flies, in Cedric’s opinion. He overlooked the fact that even though the assassins were not strong enough to kill him, they were still the top assassins in the kingdom. Cedric Walked past Elias, heading for the castle. "Next time, try to be faster and more quiet. You almost woke my wife from sleep, and she is very sensitive to sounds." Cedric snapped at Elias. "I am sorry, Your Highness, I didn’t take the princess into consideration," Elias said as his eyes were twitching trying his best to keep a straight face. Cedric was oddly concerned about the same wife that had insulted and disrespected him multiple times despite being married for barely a week, and not to forget the fact she wanted to commission assassins to come after his life. The first prince was rumoured to have some loose nuts up there but he never expected it might be true. These were all Elias’s opinions he would dare not voice to his master. "Who do you think is after my head this time around?" Cedric casually asked like he was inquiring about the weather as he took steady steps forward with Elias following behind him. Abrielle mumbled something in her sleep, but he had a good feeling she was probably cursing him while sleeping from how agitated as her face was. "I think it is Her Royal Highness former Princess Karissa. The second wife of the king." Elias informed Casper which made him frown as his brows furrowed. "That’s unexpected; even the second wife wants my head, too. It must be because I haven’t visited my stepmother in a long while." He scoffed. He was expecting it to be the queen or the King’s first aide who loves sending people after his head regularly. "That’s the information we were able to deduce. The assassins are not from Darconia but natives of Princess Karissa’s home kingdom." Elias explained. A long sigh left Cedric’s lips. His wife was not the only new person who wanted him dead, but then again, the more, the merrier. "Send a gift to my stepmother, curtsey demands I return the favour," Cedric informed Elias, who understood the message, then withdrew. A strong breeze carrying the scent of dry grass and blood, which Cedric could still sense from the carnage far away from the castle, hit his nose. "I have to get rid of the aftermath too." Cedric hissed annoyed by the entire situation. The breeze had blown off his jacket on Abrielle, which made her shiver, and she clung tightly to him as her source of warmth. She was very sensitive to cold and loved hugging. It was amusing to find this cute part of his vicious scheming wife. At first, he was wondering, thinking she would not be able to survive within the vicious walls of the palace among several scheming royals, but he had judged her too early. She might be physically weak but she had an expert scheming mind. Abrielle would not only survive in the palace but might succeed at scheming against those jobless people.