Novel Full Chapter 443: Alaric’s Determination
Chapter 443: Alaric’s Determination
Alaric watched his baby sister’s innocent little face with a gentle smile. He reached out his hand, but he stopped midway, afraid that he might wake her up with a slight touch.
“I heard from your father that you will be leaving soon.” Maria’s worried voice suddenly drifted into his ears.
Turning his head, Alaric’s expression turned serious as he replied. “We will march to Harune in a few days.”
Maria’s eyes shook as she spoke in a trembling voice. “Do you really have to go? You don’t need to endanger yourself, son.”
“The empire has plenty of powerful warriors. The imperial family can send someone to replace you.”
Alaric shook his head firmly.
“Harune attacked the western region in retaliation for going against their imperial family!”
“Their crown prince desires my mother and they killed thousands of our people just because of his selfish interests! He must be punished! And I want him to die by my own hands!”
Alaric’s voice was filled with suppressed rage.
Maria grabbed his hands and whispered. “Please don’t go, son. Harune has already suffered disastrous losses during the war in Aklan Pass. I don’t think they will attack us again.”
Alaric sighed and shook his head. “For how long will this peace last? We can’t say for certain that they won’t attack us again.”
“The only way to prevent Harune from occupying our lands and killing our people is to take the initiative to fight them!”
Staring deeply at his mother, Alaric said in a cold, determined voice. “Mom, this is a battle that I must fight.”
Tears slid down Maria’s cheeks. She could see the firm determination in his eyes and she knew for sure that she couldn’t change his mind anymore.
Alaric took his mother in his embrace and gently patted her back without saying anything.
Dudu watched their interaction with a baffled look.
She was still too young to understand what they were talking about, but she instinctively knew that she shouldn’t say anything.
A moment later, Maria wiped off her tears and lifted her head.
“Just promise me that you will always prioritize your safety. If things get bad, you must retreat immediately.”
Alaric nodded and responded with a faint smile. “I promise…”
It was an emotional moment for the mother and son, but Alaric felt more relaxed now that he had told Maria about the situation.
Unlike his birth mother, Jade Kristine, Maria was more emotional. The latter had also just given birth so she was prone to mental distress and anxiety.
“You should talk with your mother about this. She might look calm on the surface, but I’m sure that she is also worried about you.” Maria suggested.
Alaric was already thinking of visiting his birth mother to discuss this matter so he nodded. “I will…”
The two chatted for some time before Alaric left. He didn’t take Dudu with him since the little girl wanted to wait for Gwenaelle to wake up.
On their way to Jade Kristine’s room, Alaric paused his steps.
He turned his head and looked at Celine who had her head lowered the entire time seemingly in deep thought.
“Do you hate me for planning this invasion on your empire?”
Celine looked startled, her eyes shaking.
Sensing the tension, Mathilda stood between them, looking incredibly worried. “Your Highness…”
Alaric ignored her and kept his eyes on Celine.
“Your crown prince covets my mother and I’m pretty sure that he had a hand in the attack in the western region. Yes, we killed your warriors, but you must remember that we were only defending our lands.”
Celine clenched her fists, her eyes flashed with complicated emotions.
After losing the war and becoming a slave, she hated everyone in Astania. However, her feelings gradually changed after interacting more with their people.
She was conflicted.
“You are free to return to your nation, but if I see you on the battlefield, I will not hesitate to-”
“I know that it was Harune’s mistake to attack your country, but our citizens are innocent!”
“Most of them don’t even know what’s going on.”
“If you attack our land, those innocent people will be implicated!”
Oh no! What should I do?
Mathilda didn’t know what to do and she could only hug Celine, hoping that she would stop provoking Alaric.
Alaric’s eyes remained cold as he responded. “Harune must pay for what they did! You can call me a demon or a devil, but you can’t stop me.”
He turned around and added.
“You can return and flee with your family. That is my last mercy as your lord.”
After saying those words, Alaric walked away without looking back.
Celine wanted to say something, but Mathilda immediately covered her mouth.
“Please don’t say anything more, Celine. His Highness is already merciful enough to spare you. If you had said those words to someone else, you might be…”
She didn’t finish her words, but Celine knew what she meant.
“What should I do, Mathilda? I understand His Highness’s fury, but I don’t want to see my country suffer. I don’t know what to do…”
This was the first time Celine showed her fragile side.
Mathilda wanted to console her, but no words came out of her mouth. The only thing she could do was hug Celine.
I’m sorry, Celine. I want to help you, but I’m only a lowly slave.
While the two were getting more emotional, Alaric headed straight to Jade Kristine’s room.
He was aware that his decision would kill thousands of innocent people, but he had already hardened his resolve.
To ensure that Harune wouldn’t attack Astania, he was ready to kill. Even if doing so would make everyone call him a devil.
Not long later, he found himself in front of Jade’s room.
He took a deep breath and sorted his thoughts before he knocked on the door.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
“It’s me.” He announced.
Creak.
A young maidservant opened the door and greeted him with a bow.
“Her Highness is waiting for you.”
Alaric nodded and stepped inside the room.