Chapter 22: Chapter 21: |Battles And Conspiracies (1)|
Kaboom!
Yet, Another explosion splattered right before our eyes as we arrive closer to the town. A thick uncomfortable smog surrounded the area. Most the trees of the enchanted forest were already burnt. And, the little huts that were scattered a below as we raced down the slopping hill were slowly collapsing.
"..The animals.. The other creatures of the forest.. They must be.. ?"
"Argh!" The prince gritted his teeth as he mounted the galloping horse we now rode on, after borrowing it from a nearby stable and half yelled..
"I know!! Geez, I never expected something would ever happen like this! The security of the royal capital is pretty strong, after all and there is only one thing that is possible for this,... could it be.. A treason on our side.. Ahh, that's the only possibility.. But, who?? "
"Prince Zenon.. " I mussed clutching my hand over his shoulder and held his waist more firmly.
I can completely understand the tension in the atmosphere. As a normal citizen my only worry would be to get into a safer place along with my loved ones and stay there until the police reinforcements arrives.
But...now that looking at Prince Zenon I realize,.. it is totally different if you are the prince, the supreme authority to lead the confused guards.
My eyes gazed down at the sprinting grass and I felt the gusty wind wash over my face as I looked at the serious expression of Prince Zenon.
The handsome and attractive, young prince of Fairytale.
Many young girls who become so hooked up in the fictional novels fantasies about their dream prince arriving to rescue them from all disasters. The princes do great deeds of valor just to save the heroine and finally marry to live a beautiful happily ever after. That's how their role always ends as and is of nothing more. I bit my lips.
..Bah, Such an unrealistic stereotype..
And, I deeply regret it now since I was one among them too. Because, that was the reason I enjoyed reading interesting tales from My Grim book and spend my leisure time, being a crazy bookworm.
But, now...
I gripped my palms tighter on the prince's shoulder..
Even in the land of Fairytale, I now realize...that there was a life beyond these happy endings, our hearts desire. The princes, brave and valor save their princess but also had a kingdom to run, a country to fight for and ..people to protect. That is the true role of being a prince, being their leader!
And, being a leader isn't an easy task. I never knew, these handsome princes had this much burden to bear beyond those refreshing smiles.
I am right.. Ugh, How could I be so childish and narrow minded?
"Mr Jordan! " Prince Zenon called one of the guards who was trying his best to control the crowd that was running in amok at the distraction inside the town, we had just entered.
"Your highness! Huff.. I am so relieved to see you.. huff..!"
"What is happening here? "
"Someone is attacking the Fairytale capital, your majesty.!"
"What..? "
I knew it..
"Don't worry! We have sent a word to the Royal palace for reinforcements, but are yet to receive any orders from the head quarters. It's very unlikely for them, to be this careless on this serious issue, like this.."
"Jordan, Explain the situation! " Prince Zenon ordered.
"Hai! A bunch of unknown outlanders seems to be attacking our capital city, Fairytale ( named after it's own nation ) We haven't figured out who it is. But, our tracking soldiers have guessed that, they have way too powerful mana. While it seems to be a little misfortune to not know the intruders true identity, we must probably be glad that none of them has officially made an appearance. It would be too difficult if we were to deal with them. So, keeping out the fire from the exploded bombs and controlling the commotion as we look out for more bomb explosions seems to be one of the two major problems we face, for now.. "
I popped my head from behind Prince Zenon's shoulders as the guard shuddered back at my sudden appearance.
Seriously, you haven't noticed my presence yet, and you call yourself a guard!
"So, what is the other problem? "
"A-Ah, That would probably be that.. " said the guard slowly pointing upwards as we awert our line of sights towards the direction.
My jaw literally dropped at what I saw above the broken buildings a few feet away.
A huge toad, about 10 meters tall, now stood before us tarnishing our beautiful city. But, that was not all. Beside it stood, a few other creatures of the same height, a eagle, a centipede, another dragon similar to the one we fought before and if not more worse a large ferocious green snake twirling over it's body and knocking out all the buildings.
"T-Those ..Those.. Aren't they the cloth dolls they kept in display for the coronation!" I cried in alarm as Prince Zenon yanked the horse, to stop it's trembling.
"I-I.." The prince's face looked so pale like a corpse. But, tactfully hiding all those multiple emotions with a straight face, he took in a deep breath and said politely in a low deep, magnetic voice.
"Lady Rottenstein, Get out of the horse immediately."
It wasn't a request but an order.
"B-But, I.. "
"I said get down!" I twitched at the reply. I definitely seemed to have no choice in rejecting it.
"Y-yes!"
As, I slowly got down the horse obeying his order, I noticed the prince held his two hands parallel to each other and clapped, making all the other guards to immediately rush towards him.
"Your majesty! " And, now within a few seconds, I found a big army of 500 soldiers standing beside him waiting for his orders. It was really majestic.
" Every-one form groups according to your own power capabilities -------- Group A, you are the ones who have powerful magic to fight against the enemy and the huge beasts so, stay on the front lines, Group B, you are the ones who can track and lead our soldiers, so join Group A. Group C, you are the ones who are the healers and protect the wounded, so fall back and provide a quick medical aid for the injured soldiers. And.. Group D.."
He looked behind at the other soldiers who had disappointment dyed upon their faces ashamed that they neither belonged to either of those groups and averted their eyes on the floor with embarrassment...
"..You have the most important part of all the others.. Protect the citizens and lead them to the underground reservoirs!"
"Yes, Sir! "
Everyone saluted the resourceful prince and just like that the commotion that was surrounding the atmosphere until them completely vaporized into thin air.
I made a mental fist punch.
Aha-ha, that's Prince Zenon Charming for you.
OK! I clenched my fist and quickly ran along with Group A excited to the core at the intensity of the atmosphere.
Yeah, It's time for the villainess to save the country, baby!
But, before I could even take another step a strong palm abruptly caught my wrist and yanked me back.
"What do you think you are doing, Lady Rottenstein?" The Prince asked sternly.
I tried pulling my arm away from his clutches.
"I-I wanna help too! Let me go Prince Zenon!! Let me go! "
"I don't think it is safe enough, for you! "
"Excuse me, but hello?.." I half chuckled,.. "I just destroyed a giant Dragon.. "
"A real battle is no-where close to that monster's defeat, ANASTASIA!" He yelled as I shuddered back.
Uugh-fu ..Why is he sooo scary!?!.. This is so unfair!!
The prince let out a deep sigh. He abruptly caught my cheeks with his fingers and pressed it, hard.
"Listen, Lady Rottenstein, I do not want to see the people I treasure, die before my eyes again.. "
"B-But.. " I tried mussing from my puckered cheeks.
"I trust you okay!.. I know, you are strong enough on your own..but please promise me that.. You will not involve yourself in this fight.."
"....."
"..I-It would be too unbearable, if I were to lose you.. "
"..." I looked down unable to say more and noticed his earnest blue eyes staring back at me with intensity waiting for my answer.
"I got it. "
I declared softly as the prince smiled and called for his guard.
"Jordan! Take her to a safer place. "
"As your command, your highness". The guard gently bowed down to the prince and took me by my shoulders.
"This way, young lady.."
I looked back at Prince Zenon again, to see the refreshing smile the prince had showed to me slowly disappear off his face as he gazed at the deathly battlefield.
"Prince Zenon.. " I called him for one last time.
"....."
"I swear, I'll kill you if you don't return safe..Okey..?" I said pouting as the prince let out a light chuckle.
"Sure, princess.. "
And, then, He soon disappeared from my line of sight.
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