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A few servants were loading the carriage with the belongings of the Crown Prince, and also a few gifts that Anastasia had prepared for her parents in such a short duration of time.

Five of the soldiers who were assigned as the guards for the Crown Prince of Orsenia were also in a standby position nearby.

Caspian looked at his wife when he didn’t hear her speak for quite a while now. He was saddened to see her gloomy face. Her eyes looked as though they were barely holding in all the tears.

Caspian gave a side hug to his wife and pulled her close. He consolingly rubbed her arm and then said while looking at her, “Anna, don’t be so sad. We can invite your brother once more when all the matters are settled down.”

Anastasia rested her head on Caspian’s chest and then held his palm that was rubbing her arm. She wanted to agree with what her husband was saying.

However, she couldn’t even open her mouth because she knew that the moment she would open them, she would break down into tears. And right now, she didn’t want to cry and look weak before even bidding goodbye to her brother.

Caspian didn’t force his wife to speak, and also didn’t say anything after that. He simply gave her his shoulders to lean on and kept on comforting her.

After a few minutes, Alexander came out of the castle while being followed by Percy, the head servant of the Kilerth Castle. Percy was guiding the Crown Prince after he finished getting ready for the long journey ahead of him.

.....

When Anastasia heard the sounds of the footsteps approaching her, she looked over her shoulder to see her brother.

Caspian quickly let go of his hold on Anastasia, allowing her to walk toward her brother.

Alexander took big steps and stood in front of his sister in no time. Before he could open his arms for his sister, Anastasia came and hugged him since there was no one around who would judge her for breaking the protocol and hugging her own brother.

Alexander also wrapped his sister in his arms, and almost instantly, his eyes filled with tears.

“I’m going to miss you, Anna,” he said in a soft whisper while trying his best to control his voice from breaking down.

Anastasia hugged her brother even more tightly and whispered back in her cracked voice, “I’m going to miss you too, brother. I wish you could have stayed here with me for a few more days. I didn’t even get to hear your interesting stories from Lavinya.”

Alexander smiled through his tears and caressed Anastasia’s hair. He pulled away from the hug and said while looking into her innocent eyes, “I wished that too. I wanted to spend some more time with you. But the situation didn’t allow it.”

No matter how strong and understanding Anastasia wanted to be, she couldn’t help but shed tears when the time for her brother’s departure was closing in.

Alexander felt his heart breaking when he saw the streams of tears rolling down from his sister’s eyes. He gulped and then wiped her tears. And he said to his sister in a melancholic voice, “Don’t cry. We will meet again.”

“When?” Anastasia instantly asked while giving a questioning gaze to Alexander.

Alexander went silent because he couldn’t promise when they would see each other again. There were a lot of uncertainties ahead of them.

Anastasia sniffled and then wiped her eyes. She didn’t want to send her brother off while looking so sad. And she answered her own question, “Let’s meet after you sort out everything.”

“I will eagerly look forward to that day,” Alexander said as he lovingly stroked Anastasia’s hair.

And as a final piece of advice, he said with a serious look on his face, “Stay healthy and happy. Don’t run around like a wild child. And stay warm. Your body isn’t that used to extreme cold, so make sure you take care of your health.”

Anastasia pulled a smile on her face and gave a nod. “I will take care of myself. And you should do the same.” She turned to gaze at the guards who were on standby and then looked back at Alexander to say, “And don’t go anywhere without them. You never know who the enemy might be or what they are planning next. Stay alert at all times.”

“Okay, I will.” Alexander proudly looked at his sister. His sister, who he always saw as a na?ve little girl, was now a cautious and knowledgeable Queen.

Caspian, who had been watching and listening to the siblings, finally joined them. He shook his hand with Alexander and then said, “I too hope that we will meet soon. I will stay in contact with you via letters.”

“And so will I. I will write to you if I make any progress on my side,” Alexander replied while firmly shaking Caspian’s cold hand.

Caspian then pointed at the soldiers and then said, “They will be traveling together with you. And they will stay with you until you dismiss them. But don’t send them back before the dangers around you are identified and taken care of.”

“Thank you for going out of your way to ensure my safety. I owe you a favor in return for your help,” Alexander said as he gently bowed to Caspian.

Caspian smiled and said, “Please, Prince Alexander… You don’t need to think that you owe me any favor. I am just performing my duty as your brother-in-law. I have capable manpower, so I am lending their service to you. It’s as simple as that.”

Alexander smiled brightly and then looked at his sister again. He was glad that she was with someone who was so considerate and powerful. Also, not to mention how devoted Caspian was to his sister.

‘My heart can rest easy,’ Alexander thought to himself as he patted Anastasia’s head.

He then bowed to both the King and the Queen of Sorvando, and said to them, “I will take my leave for now.” He glanced at Caspian and further added, “Thank you for accepting my sister and looking after her.”

After exchanging a few more words, Alexander got inside the carriage. The vampire guards mounted their horses and got ready to leave for Orsenia. Soon, they all started their long journey.

“I will see you again,” Alexander shouted from the carriage as he looked back and waved his hand at his sister.

Anastasia also waved back and smiled while her eyes glistened under the warm sunlight.