CHAPTER 548: A TIMELY RESCUE

Alex tore through the corridors like a madman, his boots pounding against the stone floor as if the rhythm could drown out the dread clawing at his chest.

His lungs burned, but he didn’t stop, not when every breath carried one desperate thought - Meredith.

The air reeked of smoke. Shouts and alarm bells filled the fortress, echoing through the hallways.

Panic erupted everywhere; servants running with buckets, knights shouting orders, and the orange glow of flames licking the ceiling ahead. Heat pressed against his skin as he reached the burning site.

The main entrance towards the married couples’ quarters was ablaze. Fire roared like a living beast, devouring wood and stone alike. The view was painted red and grey, contrasting with the pale winter landscape.

"No—Mer!" Alex’s cry tore from his throat as he stumbled forward, seeing the first wall collapse.

A few paces away, Noah was already there, struggling against two to four guards who held him back. His face was streaked with soot and tears, his voice hoarse from shouting.

"Emily’s still inside!" the knight bellowed, thrashing against their grip. "Let me go! That’s my wife in there!"

"You can’t!" one of the guards shouted back. "The beams have collapsed! The flames will kill you before you even reach the door! We don’t even know what the situation inside is!"

"I don’t care!" Noah roared. "She’s carrying our child!"

The words struck Alex like a knife. Meredith was in her chamber, resting, also with their first baby.

He could see her in his mind’s eye, smiling softly, one hand on her belly as he left her this morning. The thought of her trapped inside the flame sent a wave of terror so strong it almost paralysed him.

He rushed ahead, but a wave of heat made him cover his face. The air was heavy and suffocating, filled with ash and the crackling of burning timber.

Screams echoed from inside—he couldn’t tell if they were real or if his imagination was tormenting him.

Alex didn’t care anymore. Even if the fire devoured him whole, he would charge in for his beloved.

Just as he steeled himself to rush through the flames, a voice called out behind him.

"Sir Jarr!"

He turned sharply toward the familiar sound and saw Callis sprinting toward him, her breath ragged from the run.

"I know what you’re thinking! Don’t do anything reckless!" the Mederian Princess shouted as she reached him.

The knight trembled, panic twisting across his face.

"Meredith... she’s still in her chamber!"

"I know!" Callis replied firmly. "You’ll come with me! We’ll save her!"

Hope flared within Alex’s chest. He had expected her to stop him like the others, but instead, she already had a plan in place.

Together, they dashed toward the front, where Noah was being restrained by the guards—shouting, thrashing, and cursing as the fire climbed higher into the sky.

"Let him go!" Callis commanded, amidst the chaos.

The guards froze, startled by the sudden authority in her tone. Even Noah stopped struggling for a moment, wide-eyed at her appearance.

"But... Mrs Amares—" one of the guards began.

"Do it!" she barked, her glare sharp as steel.

Though the Mederian Princess no longer bore her royal title, the weight of her lineage and presence was enough to silence hesitation. The guards immediately released their hold.

"You’re coming with me and Sir Jarr," Callis ordered to Noah before he could utter further. "I’ll raise the shield to protect us from the flames and debris, but you must stay within the dome. That’s the only way we can go in and reach your wives safely."

Noah nodded without hesitation.

"Understood."

There was no time to ask how or when the Mederian Princess returned. The guards cleared the way for the trio to stand before the blazing entrance to begin the rescue.

Callis raised her hands toward the sky, her voice steady as she chanted the spell.

A surge of white light burst from her palms, spiralling upward before expanding into a dome of radiant mana. The barrier shimmered in the hazy air; its glow pierced through the hazard like a beacon of hope.

"Stay close behind me!" she commanded the two knights as the shield was ready.

Noah and Alex immediately fell in step, gathering under the protective shield as the astonished guards looked on.

The dome glowed brighter with each gust of heat, deflecting falling embers and shielding against the roaring flames that reached towards them.

The air crackled, thick with smoke and chaos, yet inside the shimmering barrier, they pressed forward—undaunted and driven by a single purpose: to reach the burning quarters where their loved ones were trapped.

***

Inside the quarters, chaos had erupted.

Thick smoke choked the air, and the once-familiar hallways were now coloured in orange and black. The flames devoured every surface it could reach, while the ceiling above groaned and splintered under the heat.

In one of the inner chambers, Meredith huddled with Emily, Mary, and several servants. The group had gathered in the widest space of the room, away from collapsing beams, but there was nowhere else to run—the fire had surrounded them on all sides.

"Block the door with the wet drapes!" Mary shouted over the roar, her voice hoarse from coughing.

Two servants scrambled to obey, yanking down the curtains and soaking them with what little water remained in the wash basin.

They pressed the dripping fabric against the doorframe to slow the smoke, though it barely helped.

Emily clutched her flat belly, her breath ragged.

"It’s spreading too fast!" she cried, eyes darting to the window where sparks rained like burning snow.

Meredith held her trembling hands together, forcing herself to stay calm even as sweat trickled down her temples.

"Stay low! Cover your mouths!" she ordered everyone. "We’ll find a way out. The guards must be coming. Alex will come for us!"

A loud crack echoed above them. A burning beam crashed down, scattering embers across the floor.

The servants screamed, Rania pulling Meredith back as Emily snatched a wool blanket and flung it over the flame, stamping it down with her heel. The air grew hotter, thicker—every breath burned.

"Rania, help Meredith sit down!" Emily gasped, her own lungs protesting. "She can’t stand too long—"

Before she could finish, a surge of flame burst through the far wall, sending them reeling backwards.

The servants shrieked and huddled closer together, some crying, others praying. Emily’s heart pounded in terror. The world was blurring from the smoke, her strength waning.

"Noah..." she whispered, tears stinging her eyes. "Please... hurry..."

Just then, a blinding white glow pierced through the smoky haze. The fire recoiled, sputtering as if repelled by some invisible force.

A gust of wind swept across the room, clearing the air momentarily. Through the swirling ash, three silhouettes emerged—Callis in the lead, and behind her, Alex and Noah.

"Meredith!" Alex’s voice cracked as he saw her.

"Alex!" she cried, relief and disbelief flooding her chest.

"Emily!" Noah shouted, his voice breaking as he lunged forward.

"Stay still!" Callis warned sharply. The shield expanded, pushing back the encroaching flames as she led them through the collapsing doorway.

Sparks hissed and scattered harmlessly against the shimmering barrier.

Alex rushed to Meredith’s side, dropping to his knees and wrapping his arms around her trembling frame.

"I’ve got you, love. You’re safe now," he murmured, though his voice trembled with emotion.

Nearby, Noah cradled Emily carefully, tears glistening in his streaked eyes as he checked her over.

"Are you hurt? Can you move?"

"I’m fine," Emily coughed weakly, clinging to him. "The baby’s fine too..."

Callis, breathing heavily from the strain of maintaining the shield, raised her hand again.

The mana dome flickered but held strong.

"We must move now!" she urged. "This place won’t last long! Gather under the shield!"

The group huddled close beneath the glowing barrier as Callis led them through the burning hallway.

The flames retreated with every step, and her magic deflected the collapsing debris.

At last, they burst out into the open courtyard as they exited. Cold air rushed to meet them, stinging their lungs but filling them with a sense of relief.

Guards and servants waiting outside shouted in disbelief and joy as they saw the survivors emerge from the flame, wreathed in light and smoke.

Alex hugged Meredith tightly, tears mingling with soot as he whispered her name over and over. Noah sank Emily’s head to his chest, clutching her hand and pressing it to his lips. This incident had nearly cost the lives of the people dear to them.

And Callis... stood a few steps away, her chest heaving as the last of the white glow faded from her hands. The dome dissolved into thin air. Her knees almost buckled, but she caught herself, exhaling slowly as the adrenaline waned.

"Thank you! Thank you, Mrs Amares! We couldn’t have done this without you!" Noah said, tears welling in his eyes.

Callis shook her head, still catching her breath.

"I would’ve done it even without your plea," she replied. "They’re my friends too. The moment I realised what was happening, I ran here. Thank the lord we made it in time."

Noah wiped his face with his sleeve, trying to steady his trembling hands. His chest still heaved from panic and exhaustion.

Though emotion lingered thick in his throat, he forced himself to regain composure. As the leader of the knights, he couldn’t afford to crumble—not when chaos still surrounded them.

As he was sure that Emily was fine, he drew in a steadying breath and let her go.

Turning to one of the servants who had been rescued from the fire, Noah asked, "Is there anyone still left behind in the quarters?"

"No, Sir Brooks. Everyone is out," the servant replied. "Thankfully, Lady Jarr instructed us to gather the moment the fire spread. All who were on duty in the quarters are accounted for."

Relief washed over Noah, his shoulders lowering slightly. No casualties—thank God. But there was no time to rest yet.

"What about injuries?" he asked again, his voice carrying over the weary crowd.

Several servants answered, reporting only coughing, minor burns and scratches suffered during the chaos.

Luke arrived then, his armour streaked with soot, having momentarily left Drystan, who continued directing the firefighting efforts.

"Those who are hurt, please head to the treatment room," Luke ordered the servants. "Mr Norman is on standby and will attend to you."

He turned to Noah and added, "I asked him to prepare the treatment room as soon as the explosion broke out. He’s already treating some of the injured, with Dame Verns and Mr and Mrs Foster assisting."

Noah nodded, visibly steadier now.

"Thank you for acting so quickly. I... wasn’t myself when I realised the fire had reached the quarters."

Luke gave a slight shake of his head.

"Don’t apologise. Anyone would’ve done the same in your place." His gaze shifted toward Emily, who sat trembling in Mary’s embrace. "Especially if their loved ones were inside."

Then he turned to Callis.

"Did His Highness the Grand Duke and your husband return with you, Mrs Amares?"

Callis shook her head lightly.

"No. They’re still at the royal infirmary. The tribesmen haven’t awakened yet after the healing, so they stayed behind."

Luke nodded in understanding.

Noah then turned to Alex and instructed firmly, "Get your wife checked by Mr Norman. We’ll take care of the rest."

Though the fire was mostly contained, it hadn’t been thoroughly subdued. Sparks still leapt along the rooftops, and stubborn tongues of flame continued to devour the damaged structures.

"Can you walk, my dear?" Alex asked in worry as he looked at Meredith.

The noble lady nodded, her face pale but resolute.

"Don’t worry about me. Rania can take me to the treatment room. You should go. Your comrades need you," she said softly.

Her composure eased his heart. Alex nodded, then turned to Rania.

"Please, take good care of her," he said before reluctantly releasing Meredith’s hand.

Rania, along with Emily, Mary, and the other servants, departed under guard escort, leaving the courtyard clear for the firefighting efforts still underway.

Only Callis remained among the knights, lending her strength where magic could aid the exhausted men.

Shouts of command echoed through the smoky air as knights, guards, and servants formed chains to pass buckets of water and snow.

Others hacked away at charred beams, preventing them from collapsing under the protection of the Mederian Princess’s barrier.

At last, after relentless effort and coordination, the flames began to die. Eli, who had been assisting on the tower side, rushed over with a soot-streaked face.

"The fire’s down! The tower’s clear!" he reported.

The knights gathered together, their faces blackened with dirt and sweat, relief finally breaking through their exhaustion.

Callis sank to the ground and drew in deep breaths. In that moment, the formality expected of a lady meant nothing to her. She had acted as a saviour, driven by instinct and duty.

"Are you all right, Mrs Amares? You didn’t overuse your mana, did you?" Eli asked, concern etched across his face as he knelt beside her.

"I’m fine," the Mederian Princess assured him, lifting a weary hand. "Just need a moment... and some water."

Without hesitation, the young knight offered his waterskin. She accepted it gratefully, taking a few deep gulps before wiping her lips with her sleeve.

"Thank you, Sir Henderson," said Callis.

"You’re welcome," Eli replied.

His blue eyes then drifted toward the main building, worry flickering in them.

"Athillia is with Sylvia in the drawing room, if that’s what you’re thinking," Callis said, noticing his glance. "The main building isn’t affected. She should be fine."

Eli exhaled in relief quietly, and Drystan did the same.

"Thank you for telling me. I was worried she might come over."

"Don’t worry," Callis said. "I’ve already told them both to stay inside until the situation is under control."

The young knight smiled, visibly reassured. Then his expression turned thoughtful.

"The explosion... it began at the temporary armoury where the royal guards stored their weapons," he said, frowning. "Probably, the firestones were exposed to fire, causing the ignition."

Callis’s brow furrowed. Such recklessness would be so unusual for trained guards, who were expected to implement safety measures for weapons using that material.

"They should have taken proper precautions when handling volatile items. Since the armoury was lent to the royal guards, let their leader conduct a full investigation and report the findings to us," Noah interjected, stepping closer.

"Yes, Sir Brooks," Eli responded with a sharp nod.

A few minutes of quiet followed as the Knights of Gerhard surveyed the aftermath.

Smoke still curled faintly from the charred remains of the eastern quarters, but the worst had passed. Then Noah’s voice cut through the stillness.

"Where’s Sir McQuinn?" he asked, scanning the faces around him. "Why hasn’t he come over?"

The question drew uneasy glances among the group. In the chaos of the fire, no one had noticed his absence.

"When I arrived, Sylvia said he’d taken Rhen out for a walk with Jessy," Callis replied, frowning. "But I haven’t seen them since."

"He must’ve heard the bell," Drystan muttered, his expression tightening. "He wouldn’t ignore his duty unless something happened."

Before anyone could answer, a desperate cry pierced the air.

"Sir Brooks!!"

All heads turned. Rosalie came sprinting across the courtyard, her face streaked with tears. She stumbled as she approached, clutching at her skirts and gasping for air.

"Rosalie?" Callis called, immediately rising to meet her. "Calm down... breathe... What has happened?"

The chief maid’s whole body trembled as she grabbed the Mederian Princess’s hands. Her eyes were wide with terror.

"Lady Raychard and Miss Reed... they’re gone!!" she cried.