Is it sad that I find myself planning more books that I can actually write at one time?
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       Add had just found Ara's hairpin when she had been ripped away from him. He also thought it to be highly annoying that he and Ara were even in their current situation. They couldn't afford to get caught by the Hamel military. Once they were in their custody, they'd be stuck there until a party of Red Knights came by to transport them to Velder where most of the Red Knight's prisoners were and they wouldn't be escaping from there very easily.

        Not only that but it would take forever and there was a high possibility that the two of them would be separated, likely not seeing each other again. Ara wouldn't make it on her own. Add couldn't let her be sent to foreign places without him there to keep her safe. Ryu Jin had tasked him with that responsibility and Add had taken it seriously especially since Ara's own mother had disowned her. He had to get them both safely out of Hamel even if it meant taking risks.

        He had to make a very dangerous bet and according to his calculations and judgement, his plan had a fifty percent chance of succeeding, leaving him with a fifty percent chance of failing and losing Ara to a cannon. "I won't be repeating myself," Helputt warned as he reminded Add of the threat on Ara's life by pulling her towards the cannon again. She was visibly frightened and stared at Add with fear. Eun was likely unsure of how to help Ara out of the situation too which was something Add was counting on.

        Add slowly stood up with Ara's hairpin in hand and nasod weapons rising. Helputt's expression remained hidden by the helmet that he wore so Add couldn't guess what his thoughts were on Add's homemade weapon or his failure to comply. "Let her go," Add said as he carefully watched Helputt, purposefully avoiding Ara's gaze just in case he were to fail. He didn't exactly want his last image of her to be a fearful and blaming gaze of worry.

        "If you continue to resist, I'm sure you know what will happen. You and your accomplice have violated Hamel's law and attempted to murder a general. You two are also suspected to be enemies. If you are truly innocent then I suggest you simply surrender so that matters can be set strait," Helputt said. Add didn't believe him even for a second. He knew the process that those accused of crimes had to go through and if there was even one witness, no matter how crooked they were, belonging to the Hamel military, Add and Ara's words would be overruled.

        It wasn't as if they'd have been willing to listen anyway. Their story wasn't exactly believable. "I know what you're planning to do...but you wouldn't actually do that now would you? Killing really isn't your thing," Add said, attempting to keep what he figured was Helputt's gaze. Ara's fear changed into shock and her look clearly said "are you crazy?!" but Add didn't pay her any mind. He didn't want her reactions to his actions to change his mind since they surely had the power to do so if even for a moment.

        "Child, this is not a game. If you truly care what happens to your comrade, you will comply," Helputt said, adding aggression to his voice. "I know this isn't a game and I do care what happens to her which is why I'm telling you to let her go. Just hear me out. You've got things mixed up here and harming an innocent like her would likely haunt your conscious," Add reasoned more to convince them both rather than just Helputt.

        Helputt's grip on the cannon shifted causing Ara to yelp and for a moment, Add really did think about stopping his little plan. Despite Ara's yelp though, he remained still and showed no sign of weakness. "Just let her go," Add said as he held out his hand intending for Ara to take it once she was freed. There was silence for a bit and the sound of the mages making their way to them almost made Add panic but he managed to keep himself composed.

        "You assume me to be a righteous man don't you," Helputt said and his cannon made a very unpleasant sound that almost made Add's heart stop until he realized that the cannon hadn't fired. He had instead let Ara go but she hadn't noticed since she had snapped her eyes shut. Helputt nudged her forward and once Ara opened her eyes and realized she wasn't in danger, she ran to Add with tears lining her eyes but not falling.

        She took his outstretched hand without hesitation had he pulled Ara into a tight hug. Her buried his face into her hair and ran on of his hands through it to calm his racing heartbeat. He had never been so releaved to have Ara near him. She practically trembled in his hold, still shaken by the near death experience. Add looked back to Helputt just in time to see him putting up some sort of hand sign that signaled the mages behind him to stop.

       "You are correct. I am a righteous man but if I ever find out that you've betrayed my trust, I won't hesitate to finish what I started. Now, I held up my part of our little deal. It is your turn to hold up your end. I believe you owe Hamel an explanation. You'll be my guests in the palace for now so don't worry about being attacked. I'll handle everything for you," Helputt said and he took off his helmet revealing his identity.

         Add gave a slight nod of gratitude, still not letting Ara go. He didn't know why other than that Ara was his best and only true friend, but the thought of her dying, especially at his fault, didn't settle well with him at all. "Tell the king that I've requested to speak with him. It's an urgent matter," Helputt said to one of the mages behind him. The mage nodded and left to relay the message.

        "I will handle these two from here on out. They haven't been entirely cleared of their crimes but for now, they are to be treated as our guests. I will not have any of you disrespecting them and they are to be given a room with two service maids," Helputt said to the rest of the mages. They gave a nod and said nothing more as they put away their weapons or just undid their magic. "Come, I'll lead you two back to the palace," Helputt said to Add and Ara.

        Add, however reluctant he was, released Ara from his embrace and they both followed after him after retrieving Ara's bag. Add even handed Ara back her hairpin to which she gladly took. As they made their way back to the palace, Add noticed that there were several residents that looked at them curiously or with disdain. Hamel had always been like that to Add. The rich disliked newcomers whereas the poor welcomed them. When they finally got back to the still open palace doors, Astrin was nowhere to be found which Add was grateful for. He didn't want that vile man trying to ruin his life any further.

        Helputt guided them into the palace, the mages having stayed behind at the door or gone off to get Add and Ara's preparations ready. Despite having lived in Hamel for a little over half a year of his life, Add had never really been inside of the palace before. The farthest Astrin could ever convinced his mother to go was literally the door. For this reason, Add was amazed by the sea blue walls that were outlined in the pearly white rock that the city was built out of. There were chandeliers hanging ever so often from the ceilings of crossed halls that seemed to be made of sapphire or simply reflected the sea blue coloring of the walls.

        Other things like paintings and intricate decorations were located throughout the hallways. As Helputt led them past various areas, every now an then, he would explain the different areas of the palace and tell them which places they were allowed to go to without any special clearance. Add wondered why he was treating them in such away so shortly after trying to kill or capture them but he didn't dare question it even if he was sure that his words hadn't really had such an affect on Helputt. Soon enough, Helputt stopped at what Add assumed would be where he was leaving them and he was right.

        "This is where the two of you will be staying until further notice. Now since you two are still considered criminals by the Hamel law, you can't go anywhere without supervision but don't let that keep you from being put at ease. I suggest you two think long and hard about how your going to tell the king your story. Whatever it is, I'm sure it will be quite the tale. It's not very often that kids like you survive like you did in a cold winter like this one."

       "Besides, I'm sure the king would like to meet the one who single handedly took down several of his guards and one of his best generals. I'll return in time to take you two to the dinning hall. Be ready before then," Helputt said as he opened the door to the room that was practically Add's whole house. Helputt was just about to leave but Ara stopped him.

       "W-wait....um, Mr. Helputt. I appreciate you not blowing my head off and all but...why are you helping us? Everyone else seems to suspicious of us but you're doing all of these nice things for us," Ara said. Add really did want to know as well. Helputt looked didn't look at them when he answered. "If you two really are innocent, then I would like to know that I did the right thing. Besides, you two reminded me of someone I know," he answered. He left before Ara could ask him anything more.
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And so I find myself wanting to do more chapters of this book but I really do need to get back into Elrios High Too before I lose my train of thought so until next time you outstanding readers!