THE PRISONER AND THE KING
Fritz has been with Sapt’s party whole night. Johann does not let them into the new castle as planned because Johann has been wounded in the fight between Rupert and Michael. They eventually broke in and found Michael dead. Sapt and Fritz make their way to the old castle, found the bodies of Bersonin, De Gautet and the doctor, and the king unconscious but likely to live. Sapt sends Fritz in search of Rassendyll and put out a story, which will explain the events of the night without disclosing the fact that Rassendyll has been posing as the king since the day of the coronation. The story put out is that Michael was confining at Zenda unnamed friend of the king and that Michael was killed and the king gravely wounded, the king wants to rescue his friend from his illegal detention. However, Princess Flavia insists on seeing the wounded king at once. She is riding to the castle just when Rassendyll supported by Fritz, has reached the edge of the forest by the road to the castle. The farm girl sees Rassendyll and says to the Princess,
“Madame, the king is here — in the bushes! May I guide you to him Madame?”
Princess Flavia with Sapt walks up to the wounded Rassendyll he and Sapt now have to tell her that Rassendyll is not the real king but she denies saying,
“It is the king’s face — the king’s ring — my ring! It is my love. Look at m, why do you let them torments me.”
She does not believe that Rassendyll is not the real king.
CHAPTER 21 IF LOVE WERE ALL
Princess talks with Sapt for hours discussing about the king. Marshall returns to Strelsau and the rumor takes place outside the castle,
“The prisoner of Zenda has been killed or escaped but he was the friend of king and saved the life of king. He was an adventurer from England and reveled the plans of Michael so he was made the prisoner.”
Rassendyll is met with Rudolf Elphberg. He gives him the ring. The king says,
“I want to take you to Strelsau and keep you with me, and tell everyone what you have done, and you will be my best and nearest friend, cousin Rudolf.”
After a short meeting with Rudolf Rassendyll is met with Princess Flavia and this proves his last meeting with Princess. She says,
“If love were the only thing, I could follow you — in rags, if need to the world’s end; for you hold my heart in the hollow of your hand! But is love the only thing?”
Though she loves him with heart and soul but for the sake of her country and people she has to leave him as she says,
“Honour binds a woman too, Rudolf, My Honour lies in being true to my country and my House, I don’t know why God had let me love you; but I know that I must stay! Your ring will always be on my finger, your heart in my heart but you must go and I must stay. Perhaps I must do what it kills me to think of doing.”
After the meeting he leaves for station with Sapt and Fritz.
