Two days later... I didn't return to the cell where the princess was. We were busy working and preparing for the trade. Besides that, part of me was afraid to remember what she had talked about, or to know what my past is. She's leaving anyway, so I don't need to worry about it. I thought that my life would just go back to normal and that I would never see her again.
It was a cold morning, the kind that seeps into your skin and stays there. The camp was already in motion. Soldiers were preparing, weapons were being checked, and horses were being examined.
The trade would soon be finished.
I finally descended into the prison, hearing the familiar creak of the iron door echo through the stone walls.
When I opened the door, she looked up and our eyes met. "What's going on?" she asked quietly. There was something behind her question.
"There's a trade," I said simply. "We're bringing you back."
I saw it immediately, the slight shift in her expression. For the first time, her calm mask cracked. It wasn't relief. It wasn't fear. It was something else.
Sadness? maybe...
My eyes narrowed. "So, you really were happy here," I said, watching her reaction closely.
She didn't answer. She just looked away, her fingers curling slightly in the fabric of her dress.
I stepped forward, pulling the rope to tie her hands. "Stand up."
She did, but before I could react, her fist shot forward, landing straight in my stomach.
It wasn't hard enough to hurt, but it wasn't weak either. More than the force, it was the surprise of it. My body tensed slightly from the unexpected impact.
I exhaled slowly, watching her carefully as I steadied myself. The way she moved, the way she controlled her strike, it wasn't random. This girl... She didn't hit me with all her might.
But before I could say anything, she held out her hands toward me, waiting for me to tie them.
I stared at her. "What was that?" I asked.
She smiled, almost playful. "I just wanted to do that," she said simply.
For a moment, I didn't move. Just watched her.
Then, without a word, I tied her hands and led her out, the sound of boots and shifting armor filling the camp as we prepared for what was coming.
By the time I reached the team, they had already mounted their horses and were waiting for the signal to move out. The princess stood beside me, her hands still tied and her expression unreadable. Without saying a word, I put my hand on her waist and lifted her onto the horse.
She didn't resist or speak; she just looked at me. I met her gaze briefly before stepping back.
I felt Andrew watching me. When I looked at him, he was smiling and nodded slightly, clearly amused. I ignored him.
Yuri stood at the front, looking out at the assembled soldiers. His presence alone commanded attention, but when he spoke, the weight of his words made the air feel heavy.
"We have one mission today," Yuri said in a steady, strong voice. "Complete the mission, get our soldiers back, and return home safely. Drayton will not make this easy. Don't trust their smiles, and don't let your guard down. Keep your members alert and stick together."
His eyes moved across the crowd, stopping at a few of us. "We're not here to start a battle, but if one comes to us, we'll deal with it."
The soldiers nodded, their silence a testament to their concentration. I remained silent, listening.
"Move," Yuri ordered.
When we moved, Stephanie came close to me while riding her horse and started talking in a calm voice. "Roy Celgius, your rank rise was quite impressive. Are you planning to climb to the first rank?"
I stared at her for a moment, thinking. "I don't care about first rank." Then, I decided that now was the perfect time to ask her about it. "What's your problem with Oliver? I saw you attacking him last time."
Stephanie is the calm and composed type. Her sudden attack on Oliver was strange.
She replied, "I challenged him to a duel for the first rank. But instead of refusing, he insulted me and my brother." She looked away. "Maybe it's a childish reason. I don't care about being insulted, but it's disrespectful to bring my brother into it."
I understand now. I don't know what her brother means to her. He might be dead, or maybe he's a strong warrior. I won't ask. I'll just go along with it. "That's totally normal. I have a brother, too, and I respect him. So, I quite understand your feelings."
She smiled and seemed happy to hear someone who understood her. "You're actually the opposite of what I've heard about you," she said.
I tilted my head and asked, "What did you hear about me?"
She chuckled. "That you're an arrogant guy."
I narrowed my eyes. I'm just not a good talker, so I don't know what people even gossip about. Well, I'm getting better, thanks to Andrew pushing me through it.
Hours passed. I was riding with him at the front, leading my own team as he led the entire operation. The cold wind caressed my face as the horses moved forward, the sound of hooves filling the air.
For a while, we travelled in silence. Then Yuri spoke, his voice low now, just between the two of us.
"You've been quiet," he said.
I looked at him. "I don't have much to say."
Yuri let out a light laugh. "That never stopped me."
Yuri glanced at me again, his expression thoughtful. Then, with a small smirk, he said, "You know… I was surprised. The princess actually let you touch her."
I turned my head slightly, meeting his gaze.
"She didn't even look at us the past two days, we kept talking to her and trying to get one word out of her, but nothing." he continued. "Wouldn't let us to even get close. Cold as ice. But you…" He tilted his head, eyes narrowing. "She's different with you."
I didn't answer right away. My grip on the reins tightened slightly as I thought back to my last encounter with her. The way she looked at me, not with fear or hatred, but with something else. Something harder to define. And after what Yuri said, I am now certain that her treatment of me is different from the others, and my feeling of familiarity and strangeness towards her, this girl... may be a part of my lost memory.
Yuri let out a soft chuckle. "I wonder why that is."
I exhaled slowly, keeping my face neutral. "I don't know."
Yuri hummed as if considering my words. "Maybe..." Then, after a pause, he added, "Maybe she sees something in you the rest of us don't... Ehm."
I didn't respond.
Yuri glanced at me after a time again. "You remind me of myself when I was younger," he said. "Always thinking, always carrying the weight alone."
I kept my eyes ahead. "And what did you get from that?"
He laughed softly. "A lot of sleepless nights… and a few regrets."
Well. I knew what he meant.
Yuri continued, his voice steady. "Leadership isn't about knowing all the answers. It's about making choices, even when none of them feel right. And sometimes, you'll make mistakes. Big ones." He paused for a moment, then added with a smile now, "Remember, just because I give you some advice, doesn't mean I'm smarter than you. It means I've made more mistakes ok..."
I thought about his words, letting them settle.
Finally, I gave a small nod. "Then I'll make sure to learn from yours."
Yuri smirked. "That would make you smarter than me already."
The conversation ended there, but his words stayed with me as we rode forward.
The place we came to was vast and were surrounded by a lot of trees and in the middle a large open area, a perfect place for setting traps, I can tell. A cold wind was blowing, whipping up dust. There were some large rocks in the distance, and beyond them a line of faded trees marked the edge of the wilderness. The sky was gray, heavy with clouds, but the sun was still breaking through in places, casting long shadows on the ground.
We waited in silence.
Crimzo and the archers had already taken up positions, hidden but with a perfect line of sight to everything. Andrew stood close to me. Yuri was right in front of me, his presence calm but commanding. The princess was close by as well, standing between Yuri and me, her stance straight, but I could tell she was watching everything carefully.
The wind picked up slightly, and Andrew exhaled. "They're taking their time," he muttered.
Yuri crossed his arms. "It's a tactic. Make us wait, let the tension build."
I didn't say anything, just kept my eyes on the horizon. Then, in the distance, movement.
The Drayton army.
They came slowly, controlled, disciplined. At least 300 soldiers, heavily armed, moving in perfect synchronization. Their armor is made of strong iron, polished but scarred from past battles. A dark black scarf is wrapped around their necks. Their helmets have a T-shaped visor, giving them a mysterious and fearless look, while a thick belt holds small pouches and a dagger for close combat. And among them, the prisoners. Our soldiers, walking with their hands tied, their faces tired but alert.
Yuri straightened, his voice calm but firm. "Everyone, take positions."
I could feel the shift immediately. The soldiers beside me tightened their grips on their weapons, the archers above adjusted their aim, ready to fire at a moment's notice.
The Drayton army continued their steady approach, stopping a safe distance away. Then, one man rode ahead, breaking from their formation and coming toward us.
I knew immediately who he was.
He was tall, with measured movements, his dark hair tied back neatly. His face was unreadable, cold. His gaze across all of us before settling.
He stopped his horse just a short distance away, his posture straight and composed. Then, he spoke.
"I am Kevin, Prince of Drayton."
Yuri stepped forward; his expression neutral. "Yuri, commander of this operation."
Kevin's dark eyes studied us for a moment before he gave a slight nod. Then, with a calm, steady voice, he said, "There are names that carry weight in this era. Yours are among them. I know who you both are...".
Kevin's eyes locked onto me, his gaze steady, analysing. It wasn't just a passing glance; he was weighing every detail.
"Black hair, frowning face, composed, and hard to read.… yeah, there's no doubt," he said, his tone low but sure. "You're Roy Celgius."
Euh... Frowning face? So, this is how they know me... Maybe I should try to smile more often.
Then he adds, looking at Andrew. "I can tell that you're Andrew Celgius"
Andrew nodded, with a serious look on his face. "You're right."
Yuri crossed his arms and studied Kevin with a slight smile. "I know you as well, Prince Drayton."
I remained silent, watching everything unfold. As my eyes moved, I noticed something, Yuri's gloves, he wore them a little while ago. They were combat gloves, thick but flexible, worn as if they had been through years of fighting. A hand-to-hand fighter?... It all makes sense now. His sword wasn't large since it wasn't his main weapon. He relied on his fists as much as the blade.
The discussion moved forward, the trade taking shape.
"We'll begin by you, releasing 100 of our soldiers," Yuri stated firmly. "Once they've crossed over to us, we'll send the princess."
Kevin gave a slow nod, his expression unreadable. "And after that?"
"When we confirm the princess has safely reached your side, you will release the remaining prisoners," Yuri continued. "Then, once we count and confirm, we'll return the rest of your soldiers to you."
Kevin's eyes didn't move from Yuri's. "That's acceptable."
The tension was high, but the terms were set.
At a signal from Kevin, the first one hundred Drayton prisoners (our soldiers) were released. Our soldiers stepped forward, directing them to our side. Kevin and Yuri stood next to each other, carefully watching the exchange. The princess stood next to Yuri, her hands still bound, ready to be sent to her brother.
I watched her closely. She should have felt relieved, but something was off. She didn't seem eager to return. On the contrary, she seemed...unwilling.
I took off my scarf and threw it into the bag tied to my horse, then walked back beside Yuri.
At that moment, I felt it; her eyes were looking at me.
I turned my head slightly and saw her staring, her blue eyes wide open, fixed on something.
I followed her gaze and saw it.
My necklace.
Her expression changed instantly. She looked shocked and confused, as if she had just seen something unreal.
She frowned. What's wrong with her? I ignored her just as quickly, though. It was none of my business. She was leaving soon, and I had no reason to care anymore. That was what I needed to understand. And that what I convinced myself in the last few days.
As soon as the hundred soldiers reached us, Yuri stepped forward and cut the rope binding the princess's wrists with a sharp, precise movement.
She hesitated for only a second before walking towards her brother. Kevin reached out his hand to her, ready to take her back.
Then… A whistle through the air.
An arrow?!
Straight towards the princess from our side.
Everything went blurry in that second. Before I could react, Yuri raised his hand and grabbed it with his bare hand.
I froze.
The arrow was supposed to go right through him. But it didn't. He just stood there, holding the wooden pole like it was nothing. His hand didn't even tremble. Then he broke it with his hand.
Kevin moved instantly, drawing his sword in a flash and pulling the princess behind him.
Drayton's entire force moved, hands gripping the weapons, ready to strike.
Yuri's voice cut through the chaos. "That arrow wasn't from our side!" He shouted. "Find out who was behind this now!" His order was sharp. Then, he examined the arrowhead and smelled it. "This arrow is poisoned."
Kevin's eyes darkened as he drew his sword. "So, that's it." His tone was grave, as if he had expected it all along. He turned and raised his hand. "Drayton, prepare yourselves!"
The weapons were drawn. The air grew heavier. One wrong move and the ground would be drenched in blood.
Yuri didn't tremble. His voice remained calm yet firm. "Kevin, let's think clearly. It wasn't us. Someone wanted this trade to fail."
Kevin didn't lower his sword. His soldiers didn't move.
The situation was seconds away from disaster.
..
Meanwhile...
From his position, Crimzo could see everything. The moment the arrow was fired, he knew something was wrong.
"Find them," he ordered his team as he scanned the area. The archers spread out, bows ready, scanning every shadow and rock.
Suddenly, a figure moved. A dark figure ran across the field.
"There!" one of the archers shouted.
Crimzo moved before he could think.
His feet hit the ground as he pursued the figure, breathing steadily and keeping his body low. The figure was fast, weaving through the terrain with trained precision.
But Crimzo was faster. As soon as he got close, the figure reached into his coat.
A pill.
Crimzo's eyes widened. "No, no, no!"
The figure swallowed it without hesitation.
Within seconds, his body collapsed, his muscles contracted, and his breathing stopped. He died.
Crimzo cursed under his breath. He grabbed the body and searched it for signs or badges that could tell him who the person was. Nothing.
No time.
He threw the body over his shoulder and ran back toward the others. If he didn't get to them in time, it would be a bloodbath.
..
~Roy
The tension in the air was thick, and every soldier was on edge, his hands gripping his weapon, waiting for the first strike.
I slowly advanced forward; my eyes fixed on Kevin.
Behind him, Lily, who is trying to understand what is happening here.
"We could start a battle here," I said in a calm but firm voice. "We could let all these people die today. Or… we could take a moment to think."
Kevin's sharp eyes didn't leave me, but he didn't speak. He was listening.
"Look at the situation," I continued. "If we wanted to kill her, don't you think we would have done it already? We've had more than a hundred chances. Why now?"
Kevin didn't move, but I saw the slight shift in his stance. He was thinking about it.
I approached. "What if this was a trap? What if someone wanted to kill her and wanted it to look like we did it?"
Kevin's grip on his sword remained tight, his jaw clenched. His soldiers didn't move, still waiting for his order. "Do you think I'm an idiot?"
Then, we heard someone steps.
Crimzo ran toward us, quickly, breathing evenly despite the weight on his shoulder.
He threw the lifeless body to the ground in front of us. "I found him running after the shot was fired," Crimzo said in a calm but urgent voice. "He swallowed a pill before I could get anything out of him. He knew he shouldn't be captured alive."
I looked at the body. Dark clothes. No insignia. Nothing connected him to either side.
Kevin glanced at the body, narrowing his eyes slightly. He still didn't have the full picture, but he wasn't stupid. This didn't look like a planned attack.
Slowly, he lowered his sword.
His soldiers followed suit.
The moment hung heavy in the air as the weight of what had just happened settled in. But it wasn't over yet. Not yet. We should fix this...