A Peacock Husband of Five Princesses by day, a Noble Assassin by Night

The beast lifted its head slightly, then shook it.

No response.

It could feel the connection between them, but that was all. There was no voice, no message. Nothing.

Laura's expression darkened.

She let out a sharp breath. Then, suddenly, she stomped her foot against the ground, her voice rising in frustration. "Damn it!" The sound echoed through the silent mountains.

Another hour dragged by. The tension in the camp thickened like a storm ready to break.

Then, the sound of beating wings cut through the silence.

A shadow loomed over the campsite as a figure descended gracefully from the sky, riding a magnificent flying horse. Its black mane gleamed under the sunlight, its powerful wings folding neatly as it landed.

But it wasn't the elven demigod they were expecting. It was General Celia—one of the Queen's most trusted Supreme-tier warriors. Laura's eyes widened. Without hesitation, she rushed forward, her voice sharp with frustration. "What are you doing here?"

The general dismounted with the ease of a seasoned warrior, her sharp gaze scanning the camp before resting on Laura. She bowed slightly, her tone cool and composed. "I have come on Her Majesty's orders."

Laura's face twisted. "I didn't request you. I asked for Lady Isolde, the imperial preceptor."

Celia's expression remained unreadable. "Lady Searvale is currently deployed to the Information Guild. No one knows where the Clowns of Ark's headquarters is. She is working on gathering intelligence before launching a search."

Laura's jaw clenched. "And you?"

"I am here to take you home," replied the general

A brief silence filled the camp, before Laura laughed—a dry, bitter sound. "Take us home? That's what Mother wants?"

The princess shook her head, stepping back. "No." Her voice was firm. "I'm not leaving until my husband is returned to me."

Celia's sharp gaze flickered between the princesses.

Then, Shiera spoke up. "I'm not going back either." Her voice was quieter but resolute. "I still need to find the Neurotic Herb to save my friend."

At that moment, something inside Laura snapped. Her head jerked toward Shiera, eyes blazing with anger. "Oh, of course," Laura spat. "You worry more about that other man than your own husband."

Shiera's brows furrowed. "Sister, that's not—"

"Shut up!" Laura growled at her.

Shiera flinched.

Laura stepped forward, her voice cutting like a blade. "You never cared about Kael, did you? You always looked down on him. You insulted him, belittled him—no matter what he did, he was never good enough to be a man in your eyes."

Shiera's face darkened. "I—"

"And now that he's gone, I bet you feel relieved, don't you?" Laura's voice trembled with rage. "Are you secretly hoping he's never found? That he stays missing forever? Maybe you should go to Mother right now and ask for an annulment—tell her you love another man and you don't want Kael anymore."

Shiera's lips parted, shouting back at her elder sister. "Hey, now you are crossing the line. Orin was just a friend and nothing—"

But she didn't get to finish.

Laura had already turned away, her expression unreadable. Instead, she locked eyes with General Celia. "Leave." Her voice was cold, firm. She had no patience left.

The general didn't move. Instead, her sharp gaze flickered toward the spectral wolf resting by the tent entrance. Her brows furrowed. "That wolf… Is that Lord Moonstone's beast companion?"

Laura blinked, caught off guard. "Yes."

A flicker of realization crossed Celia's face. "Then we have a way to locate him."

"What?" Laura's breath hitched. Shiera and Leiza both turned to look at the general, suddenly alert. "What do you mean?" Laura asked her.

Celia's lips curved slightly. "No matter the distance, beast companions are connected to their masters' souls, Your Highness. Their bond transcends space itself. If we take this wolf to the palace, Lady Searvale should be able to track Lord Moonstone's exact location."

Laura narrowed her eyes. "Are you messing with me?"

Celia's expression hardened. "I swear on my honor as a warrior of her Majesty—this is the truth."

Laura exhaled sharply, her gaze flickering toward the tent where Nadia lay unconscious. She hesitated for a second. Then, without looking at Shiera, she turned to Leiza instead. "Miss Nadia is the one who you need to find the Neurotic Herb," Laura said. "I'm leaving her in your care."

Leiza met her gaze and nodded solemnly. "I understand, Princess." She glanced at Shiera, who stood frozen, her expression conflicted. But Laura didn't spare her another look.

Without another word, she strode past the general, stopping beside the flying horse.

"Let's go," she ordered.

Just then, a shadow moved beside her. Nyx—the spectral wolf—caught up, pressing against Laura's side. Its golden eyes gleamed with intelligence. "Take a seat," Nyx rumbled. "I will take you faster than that pathetic hoof stomper."

The flying horse trembled, its wings shivering in fear in Nyx's presence.

Laura smirked. "Fine by me."

General Celia turned her gaze toward Shiera. "Your Highness?"

Shiera hesitated. She glanced at Leiza, her teammate. The latter offered a small, reassuring smile. "Go ahead," she urged. "I'll go with Miss Nadia to find the herb. We'll manage."

Shiera swallowed, guilt tightening in her chest. "I'm sorry, Leiza," she murmured.

But Leiza simply shook her head. "Don't be."

Shiera took a deep breath before turning back to Celia. "General, I will go back to the capital city. But I would be grateful if you could go with them, instead of escorting us. Help them find the Neurotic Herb."

Laura's head snapped toward her, mildly surprised, but she didn't say anything.

Celia arched an eyebrow but then smiled. "Understood, Your Highness." She nodded. "My beast companion, Stormwing, will take you to the capital."

Shiera nodded. "Alright."

Celia remained behind as Shiera approached the flying horse. Its powerful wings flared as she mounted it, gripping the reins tightly.

With a mighty leap, the creature soared into the sky, leaving the mountaintop behind.

At the same moment, Nyx, the spectral wolf, charged forward, its sleek form a blur as it raced toward the edge of the mountains, its speed unmatched.

Their journey back to the capital had begun.