Remember Me

Chapter 3

                        ~ Chapter 3 ~

                ''How many?''

                Alexander sat on his throne, tired and defeated. He blamed himself for not seeing a obvious danger on the Kingdom's border, but he also assured himself he wasn't the only one to blame. He slumped in his chair, eyes unfocused, begging for sleep.

                ''Two thousand, your Majesty. Caleb is severely hurt, but I heard a healer is with him.''

                ''Who told you that?'', the king demanded, rising his tone.

                ''I do not know his name, he only wanted me to tell you.'' The guard shifted uncomfortably under the cold stare. Alexander lost his temper often, especially when losing many people on the battle field.

                ''Have you heard of his wife, Rosalie?''

                Alex immediately regretted asking the question, he didn't want to get the guard curious, but he desperately wanted to know if something happened to her. Not that he doubted her fighting skills, but was just concerned about the safety in his Kingdom. The unexpected attack brought memories he didn't want to recall, causing him to make a decision that will completely change the whole Kingdom.

                If it was worth the risk or not, he didn't know, but he wanted to try. The only way he could protect his Kingdom was to banish women, leaving only men capable to fight. The only problem was to find someone capable of cleaning, washing clothes, cooking and taking care of the household. Alexander wanted a perfect Kingdom where men would be trained to fight as no one else. He was aware his plan might fail, but his pride wouldn't let him give up hoping.

                The guard lowered his head, responding.

                ''I haven't seen her, but she probably left with other women and children.''

                Children...who would take care of children if women weren't here?, Alex thought.

                ''Search for her and bring her here.''

         ''And if she doesn't want?'' The guard chose his words carefully, but didn't want to do something he'd need to pay for.

             ''It is my word, she has to obey. If you need to throw her over your shoulder, I don't care, just bring her here.''

          Nodding to the main guard, he motioned with his hand to leave. The guard saluted and retreated from the room, closing the door with a loud click. Alex took his dark brown cloak, wincing as he put it on. His muscles were sore from handling the heavy sword and he also got a few cuts and scratches on his back and legs. No one ever returned from a battle without scar, but he was lucky he was alive after such a night.

                The king left his chamber, putting out the light torch next to the heavy wooden doors framed with iron. The castle was eerily quiet, sending shivers down his spine. He sensed something wasn't right and headed straight to Caleb's chamber down the hall to see if Rosalie was still hiding in the secret room. The wood creaked under his feet as he entered the chamber, calling out her name.

                ''Rosalie? You can come out now.''

                No one responded, so he went to check the window. It was wide open, moonlight casting shadow over the inside of the chamber. Things were scattered around the floor, shattered into small pieces. Despite his cold heart, his forehead creased with worry.