Capítulo 18: Journey to the Capital

"My dear Niece, be careful in your travels. Always listen to your knights and to the young lord. And even after arriving inside the empire, you must be still careful."

Grand Prince Alexander VIII reminds his niece who is now going to leave the eighth legion camp for the capital. It has been a few days since the duel happened and the Nors haven't returned back to the camp after. The camp has been peaceful ever since and the rest of the eighth legion has arrived in the camp, adding more men in the ranks for the campaign.

Now in the middle of the night, where most of the men are already sleeping and resting inside their tents, is the time when Constance and Princess Tessia would leave the camp. It is much safer to travel in small numbers as it is more discreet and is much faster to move around.

All of them are covered in hood so that no one would know their identities immediately.

"Young Arignon, I hope that you will protect my niece properly. Even in the empire, there are still a lot of enemies and dangers lurking for us."

"Yes, Your Imperial Highness."

Grand Prince Alexander VIII looks to Constance and puts one of his hands on his shoulder. He trusts that the young lord of Arignon would do everything in his power to protect the princess, the travel is long and arduous, and they would only be with a small group, two female knights with the princess and four Arignon knights with Constance.

"Also, the princess would sometimes recklessly charge into something, you must stop her before she can cause some problems."

"Uncle!"

Grand Prince Alexander VIII added more statements that had made Princess Tessia look bad to Constance, making her burst into anger at his uncle.

Grand Prince Alexander VIII and Constance only laugh at the princess, who looks like a red tomato who is fuming in anger and annoyance.

For the past few days, the relationship between Constance and Princess Tessia has become closer as they both know more about each other. Every time Constance and his knights are training and having bouts with each other, the Princess and her knights watch and sometimes join.

Their training has become a spectacle in the camp as Constance and his knights have received challenges and light spar with the imperial knights and some of the eighth legion's best fighters.

"Don't worry Your Imperial Highness, I know that the princess would not that be that reckless anymore if our lord would always be with her."

Emile enters the conversation, as a former knight order commander of the Kingdom of Frankias, he has a close friendship and relationship with the Grand Prince and can speak informally with him in private conversations.

Everyone laughs after hearing Emile's words except Princess Tessia who is now blushing and embarrassed after she becomes the focus of the group. She is the youngest in the group, even younger than Constance by five years, who is already a young adult of the age of twenty-one. For the past few days, everyone has treated her like a child, and now it is no different.

Grand Prince Alexander VIII then gives Princess Tessia a little bag which she receives.

"Tessia... when you arrive at the capital, please give these letters to my wife and children and tell them how I miss them... Especially to your cousin Elizabeth, tell her that I would be home before this year's end."

The rasped voice of Grand Prince Alexander VIII made the group sad and pity the Crown Prince, the longing and sadness can be seen in his eyes. They know that a lot of men in the camp including the Grand Prince wants to go home and see their families, but it is their duty as soldiers to fight the empire's battles and campaigns.

"Do not worry uncle. I would surely give it to them. You are already like a father to us Alexio, so don't worry we would be there for your family uncle."

Princess Tessia assures Grand Prince Alexander VIII; she hugs him as tears fall from her eyes. After the death of their father ten years ago, Grand Prince Alexander VIII is the one who becomes her and her older brother, Prince Alexios, father figure.

"Thank you." Grand Prince Alexander VIII smiles sincerely, he also sees Princess Tessia and Prince Alexios as his children, he looks back to Constance. "Take care of her."

"Yes, Your Imperial Highness."

Constance, Princess Tessia and their companions mount to their horses and prepare to leave the camp. Each of them holds the rein of their mounted horses and another rein from another horse who is bringing their things and supplies.

"We will go now Your Imperial Highness."

All of them slightly bow their head to the Grand Prince aside from Princess Tessia who is looking far away so that she will not cry. The Grand Prince nods and signals them to leave the camp, they all turn and trudge their horses towards the southern camp gate.

They look around the camp and sees only few men patrolling and guarding the camp. Only few of the tents have lights as most of them have turn off their lights for the men to rest and sleep. Only a few know that they are leaving, and it is better that way.

There would be no grand farewell for them as they leave in the middle of the night.

"The night is very cold and silent...

The trees are dark and distant...

The hills are large and far...

Only the moon and stars give light..."

Sir Emile and Sir Markus sing softly as they are getting out of the camp. The song they are singing is a song for those who are travelling at night. The song is fitting as they are now leaving the camp in the middle of the night for a cold and dark place.

The two female knights with the princess, Eliza and Sasha, also joins singing, adding a soft melodic voice aside from the rough and masculine voices of the Sir Emile and Sir Markus. Sir Roderick and Sir John can only mutter the tone of the song as they have not memorized the entire song.

Princess Tessia while listening to the singing of the knights, looks back to the camp that is already a hundred paces from them. Constance then looks to the princess who shows a sorrowful and freezing expression and gives the princess his waterskin that is filled with warm water.

"Princess, here."

Constance smiles at the princess and when the princess tries to say something, Constance strides his horse to travel faster so that he would be in the lead, giving no chance for the princess to speak to him. Eliza and Sasha then approach the princess, noticing her sad and lonely expression.

Constance thinks that it is better if it is her female companions would be the ones to comfort her, he had already done his part by giving the princess the warm water he had. The only thing he needs to do now is to look forward and keep the princess safe.

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Hi! Sorry for no new chapters for the past few days. I went to the province during the holy week for vacation. I hope that you everyone would still continue to support this. Thank you!