After Princess Girl had been assigned the task of constructing a new carriage, one that was big enough to accommodate three people, to General Bale, she went ahead to clean the wounded body herself with brewed juniper tea.
Leaving Jenny with the responsibility of sanitising a small space inside and outside the tent with sage incense.
After that, Jenny began to prepare a soft spot where the body was going to be laid.
Princess Lirl, on the other hand, disappeared out of the tent briefly and appeared minutes later alongside General Bale and a box.
"What do you need me to do?"
General Bale asked, dusting his thigh.
Princess Lirl's behaviour had somewhat changed towards him right after he agreed to help her. As to what her motive is, it's just a matter of time before he figures it out.
"I need you to move the body to the bed here"
Princess Lirl answered his question, tucking the strands dangling before her sweaty forehead behind her ears as she opened the box, revealing all sizes of acupuncture needles.
General Bale nodded, doing as he was told.
However, he couldn't help but crutch on his knees and take a meaningful look at the person.
This individual possesses striking features, beginning with his notably long silvery hair, which cascades in an uncommon elegance, and his brows are finely sculpted. Framing the eyes that likely hold an intensity or depth, a well-defined chin lends strength to his facial structure.
While his skin is described as both muscular and fair, suggesting a combination of strength and a delicate complexion, creating a captivating overall appearance, the rest of it lay hidden with a white wool wrapped around it.
He is amazed at how Princess Lirl can strip a man naked and clean his body without any embarrassment.
It seems to him, that there's more to Princess Lirl than he knew.
She's not as innocent as he thought.
No matter how he looks at it, it still feels strange.
This person cannot be human.
Especially the wound in the chest area; no human could survive that.
"Princess, what do you think about him ?"
General Bale rose to his feet, folding his arms on his chest and flexing his muscles.
Princess Lirl stopped what she was doing, turning to face him.
"Well, it turns out that I'm not wrong after all. You can now agree that we've indeed found a treasure...."
General Bale shook his head cutting in.
"You're wrong. This thing could be a beast. Something that brings chaos and disaster once it awakens"
Princess Lirl licked her lower lips and rolled her eyes.
"And how do you know that??"
She queried.
"Don't you see? His features are too striking to be human. Merely looking at him, reminds me of those crazy tales I've heard and read when I was a kid."
General Bale growled.
"Now I see. Your imaginations are running wild General"
With a chuckle and a giggle, she mocked.
Walking past General Bale and settled beside the bed.
Taking the acupuncture needles, she began to insert them into key areas of the body, all the while humming a tune.
"Will you, for once, listen to me, Princess?"
General Bale rasped exasperated.
Princess Lirl paused and rose facing him.
"I know how you feel, Bale; you're trying to say he's too attractive to be human. And yet, he's still human and you can tell by his heart and his crotch"
Princess Lirl answered, avoiding his gaze while she pointed out her facts.
"You shouldn't have been the one to clean him; you could have told me to do that. And talking about the wound on his chest, tell me how a person can survive that."
General Bale turned backing away from her, to lean against the table.
"Is there anything bad in me cleaning him myself?"
She asks in confusion.
"He is a man, Princess, at least you respect him for that"
General Bale argued further.
"So! What? I found him, not you, not my Father. If not for me, he won't be here now."
Princess Lirl raised a brow at him.
General Bale became agitated, pacing around her as he thought about how to phrase his words.
"Look, I'm just trying to protect you..."
He rasped, running the length of his hands into his hair.
"Oh! Really !, thank you. I don't need your help. And don't start acting like you're talking a girlie here. I am full grown Lady okay? And you don't get to tell me what to do."
"That's not what I mean...do you think it's he's human?"
Bale said after a long pause.
"You need to speak to your Father Lirl"
Bale spoke again.
"And what about him"
She questioned.
"He has locked himself up and has refused to see anybody."
General Bale said.
"Well, that's no big deal. He's probably expecting me to beg for his mercy which is something I won't be doing this time around."
She said, glancing up at him and then walking up to the table to fetch a worn book kept inside the leather bag.
"That won't cost a thing you know."
Bale left and stood beside her.
Trying to gauge her reaction.
Awkwardly, she moved away from him, choosing to sit beside the unconscious body, staring at him with tenderness and admiration.
General Bale, on the other hand, chooses to back off to a corner lurking at her from the shadow.
Princess Lirl could not have possibly developed some unrealistic attachments to that body, could she?
He thought, jealously.
If only she could look at him that way.
The door to the entrance opened.
A warrior came in, standing rigidly to face General Bale.
"Sire! Lord Azril summons your presence."
He spoke spoke while crossing his heart.
General Bale nodded, exchanging glances with Lirl before bolting out of the tent.
His countenance was welcomed by the soft, hot desert wind that scratched his face and distorted his hair. Leaving him no one but to use the hood to cover his face.
Kicking against the dusty sand, he stopped at the entrance into Lord Azril's tents, hesitating.
He opened the door and stepped in.
"Lord Azril, you summoned me"
General Bale crouched down on a knee bowing his head.
Lord Azril nods his head, in acknowledgement to Bale's salutation.
Slumping casually on his chair.
"Tell me Lirl didn't go ahead with her decision?"
Lord Azril spoke in a low icy tone, choosing to focus on the wine in his goblet.
General Bale took a deep breath, unsure of how to answer his question at first.
"I'm afraid to say she did, my Lord. And as we speak, the body is already under her intensive care."
General Bale responded by choosing to remain in his position.
"She couldn't have done it without your help, why did you choose to help her?"
Lord Azril asked calmly.
General Bale kept silent.
"Have I become a fool that I don't worth deserving an answer from you?"
Lord Azril growled, dropping his goblet on the table as he stared at Bale.
"No, my Lord, that is not what I mean....."
General Bale took a deep breath, realizing what he had done.
He answers to Lord Azril, not his daughter.
His helping her will make Lord Azril suspicious of him now.
"I have erred, my Lord, and I shall receive my punishment right now."
General Bale abruptly got up, unsheathed his sword and raised it before him.
"No Bale, not this time."
Lord Azril rose from his seat, slowly approaching Bale and taking the sword from him.
He brandishes it severally as he encircles him.
"You know Bale, masculinity is not meant to be defined by the opposite gender.
The moment they're able to, just know there will be a problem. It is no news that You have feelings for my daughter, that I knew for sure."
He paused, studying General Bale from behind.
"The gap between you and my daughter is too great. Take a look at it from this perspective, Lirl will one day be married to a noble or Prince."
"Ah... Bale, what about you? A commoner trained to into a warrior. A warrior who has made his mark to lead an entire army to war."
"Why don't you let go of any feelings you have for her? Remember, emotions and feelings will be passed; only your progress will remain."
Lord Azril stopped before him, glaring at him.
"You may rise."
Avoiding his piercing gazes, General Bale rose to his feet with a complicated expression on his face.
Lord Azril smiled noticing this.
"I'm not asking you to pull back from her because she'll be quick to figure out that any action you make from now on must be from the result of me summoning you here today."
"Keep helping her as you'll always do. But remember, protect your heart. She can never be yours."