Chapter 31: Pain of Past

"No…"

"Don't… You cannot do this… Please..'

"Leave them alone.."

Sir Kit heard a small voice coming out of the tent. He could not understand who it was at first. The voice only murmured. It was only after he concentrated that he heard clear words.

"Princess?" Sir Kit murmured as he looked inside. The night was still dark. As the wind blew the cover moved along with it. As Sir Kit looked inside he could see a small figure on the bed moving around. He could see how stressed the Princess was.

Sir Kit sighed as he walked inside the tent. His gaze was focused on Princess Eleanor's face who was moving around. Sir Kit did not know how to make the Princess calm.

It was the first time Sir Kit had seen something like that. Although he had seen many soldiers in pain, this was something new.

Sir Kit was sure that Princess Eleanor was in pain but it was not the pain of today. A drop of tear rolled down her closed eyes.

'A pain of the past…' Sir Kit thought as he moved his hands towards Princess Eleanor but he could not bring himself into wiping her tears off. His extended hand formed a fist as he took a deep breath, taking his hand back.

Sir Kit wanted to comfort Princess Eleanor but he could not do so. There was a little guilt in his gaze as he took a deep breath.

Sir Kit took a step back as he walked out of the tent. The moon was shining in the sky as the stars twinkled. Sir Kit brushed his hair in frustration. His gaze continued to move towards Princess Elanor from time to time.

Sir Kit's eyes narrowed when he heard a small noise coming from the tent. His gaze shook as he walked towards the tent with a heavy heart. There was a feeling that something was not right.

Soon the feeling of uneasiness spread as Sir Kit hurried inside the tent. He could not believe that someone entered there when he was around. The sound of sobbing increased as Sir Kit's heartbeats increased.

As soon as he entered the tent he saw a small figure of Princess Eeanpt crying but her eyes were not open. She must be still asleep. But there was also a figure beside her who patted the Princess's back as she pulled the Princess in her arms and whispered words.

Sir Kit's step paused as he took a deep breath. Princess Eleanor was with her lady in waiting arms, who was trying to calm her down.

Nia looked at Sir Kit as she smiled. Her finger moved over her lips as she indicated to him to not say any word.

Sir Kit followed Princess Eleanor's lady in waiting instruction because he felt like she was trying to make the Princess Calm. And soon Sir Kit could see the result. Princess Eleanor's cry was getting softer as it dried out.

Nia took a deep breath as she covered Princess Eleanor in a blanket and looked at the side. The man in a mask was standing there looking at her with many lingering questions.

Nia swallowed as she got up and walked near the man. For the first time, Nia looked up into Sir Kit's eyes as she blinked. There was no fear or confusion in her gaze as she said in a soft tone. "Can we talk outside?"

Sir Kit's eyes were filled with confusion. He nodded as he followed Nia outside. They stood at a distance from the tent. Although they were not far away, their voices could still not be heard due to the wind.

"Sir Kit must be confused," Nia said as she bit her lips. Her eyes shivered as she turned around to look at the knight whose face was covered with a mask. No one could tell what he was feeling or the emotions lingering on his face but Nia could catch it.

When she was comforting Princess Eleanor she could feel the discomfort in Sir Kit's eyes. It was not the eye's sympathy that Nia saw but care.

"Sir Kit, do you know Princess Eleanor lost her family," Nia asked in a small voice. She wanted to make Sir Kit understand the Princess's situation a little bit. Although Nia did not understand why Princess Eleanor wanted Sir Kit as her escort, Nia also knew that as a loyal Lady in waiting, it was her duty to take care of the Princess.

"I cannot tell you the whole thing, because it is not my story to tell. If Princess Eleanor feels she will share it with you. But I will talk about the well-known facts." Nia took a deep breath as she looked at Sir Kit with dull eyes.

"Princess Eleanor was the only survivor of the attack and it was not easy on her. Although the Princess has forgotten many things she still has nightmares from time to time. Especially when her body is under stress" Nia sighed.

"So this is a common thing?" Sir Kit asked as he looked towards the tent. Although he could not see Princess Eleanor there, knowing that she was sleeping silently now brought a rare satisfaction to his heart.

"It was common at the start but now she is much better. I could see Princess Eleanor was stressed and maybe that brought the nightmares back." Nia bit her lips as she continued, "It feels like this won't end even when we enter the Roulux Empire."

Sir Kit could not refuse the words. He knew the competition at the royal palace would be huge. There will be scheming and plotting. Although Sir Kit knew that Princess Eleanor aspired to return back to the Angevin Kingdom it was going to be hectic.

'Will she be like this during her stay there?' Sir Kit thought. He took a few deep breaths to control his unsteady heart.

"Why are you telling this to me?" Sir Kit asked as he refocused his attention toward Nia.

"Because I might not be there to look after Princess Eleanor all the time. So I hope Sir Kit will take good care of the Princess instead of me."