I remained hidden, watching him move about the forest. My heart was pounding so hard I felt like it might burst from my chest. I waited, my breath held.
He stopped a few meters away from the hosta cluster, concealing himself behind a large tree.
My heart raced even faster, and I was torn about what to do. I wanted to approach him, to ask him why he was here, to find out what was happening. I wanted to know his plans and the king of the 7th region's intentions.
Questions flooded my mind, pushing me to go to him. But fear and uncertainty held me back—what if he was a trap? What if he was here to deceive me?
I sat in tense silence, wrestling with my emotions. I needed to gather my courage before approaching him. I took a deep breath and decided to show myself.
But before I could make a move, another figure emerged from the opposite side of the tree. It was the same woman in black from before—Princess Lanuza of the 2nd region. She was still wearing the same attire.
My eyes narrowed as they drew closer to each other. There was an intimacy in their body language that spoke volumes.
But who was she? Who was this woman?
My question was answered when the woman removed her black shroud. Even in the faint moonlight, I was sure of her identity—Princess Lanuza of the 2nd region. She walked up to Killan, who held her face in his hands. They shared a kiss under the pale moonlight.
My heart sank, heavy with a mixture of emotions. I didn't know what was happening in the arena anymore. How did the two of them end up in Mors? I was representing the 7th region, while Borracho was holding the banner for the 2nd region.
Jealousy crept in, but I suppressed it. I felt conflicted about my marriage with Killan. Our marriage might not be the typical lifelong commitment, but a small part of me had hoped that we could find happiness together. He had made me feel something the last night before I came here. Maybe he didn't love me, but in my mind, marriage was a sacred promise that should be honored.
But this wasn't a fairytale. Reality was much more complicated, and I was starting to realize that happy endings might not be in the cards for me.
It was all a performance. Maybe, just maybe, I pitied myself for not becoming the most successful bride, as my childhood dreams had wanted.
I felt sick with all the uncovered secrets. It seemed like I was just a tool for the 7th region, a pawn to be used. Why did I feel like the king of House Calore sent me here to die? I carried the power of the queen that cost her life, and to eliminate the gauntlet successfully, the arena was the perfect excuse to both exile me and rid me of this mysterious power.
This bitterness had become my fate, and I was left to taste it—to grow accustomed to it.
I hadn't realized a tear had rolled down my cheek until I felt it, along with the swift appearance of the bow in my hand. I took three arrows from my quiver and quickly nocked them. I knelt behind the hosta plants.
I was torn between shooting them both in the head and letting them feel my pain. The extra arrow was for the extra pain they had caused me.
I'm leaving a mark of pain with these arrows. I pulled the string with the nock, my anger sharpening the arrow's edge.
"Both of you go to the Kabir Ruins. That's hell," I hissed angrily before releasing the three arrows.
The arrows flew toward the two figures. One struck a tree trunk with a resounding thud. The second cut across Killian's left cheek, and the third hit Lanuza's collarbone.
A suppressed scream escaped the princess's lips. That's how pain should sound. I hissed internally, quickly transitioning from the hostas to the grassy ground. Another tear trickled down my cheek as I channeled energy from my gauntlet, preparing to execute my escape plan.
I dashed away from the scene, the sound of the princess's stifled cry lingering in my ears as I swiftly left that place.
I carried a heavy heart, feeling like all the resentment, fear, anxiety, and uncertainty had accumulated within me. I knew I was just a lowly elf, but I also had rights as a sacrifice in this plan that the king hadn't disclosed. I still had dreams, a life, siblings waiting for me. I deserved to know what was happening.
I shouldn't be blindly sent to an arena of death while the person I trusted and the safety of my siblings suddenly appeared. Let's say they were here to secure a victory. Then why didn't they send themselves? I could have been here with Cali and Poras; my life would be peaceful now—or they could have executed me for the alleged assassination of the queen.
I kept running eastward through the forest. My feet moved swiftly due to the power of the gauntlet. As I distanced myself, the faces of my siblings and the hardships I'd faced played in my mind.
How did I deserve all of this? My mind couldn't answer that question. My thoughts were interrupted as I reached the center of Shita Lane, where Kenru was waiting. His face held a surprised expression due to the light radiating from the second Pax tower.
He gazed at me from about two meters away, his eyebrows almost meeting in a puzzled expression, his eyes brimming with tears.
It was too late to hide my soaked face. He had already seen me.
"Idrish," he called my name. His voice conveyed that he could sense the weight in my heart.
Tears continued to stream down my face. I attempted to speak, but all that escaped my lips was a stifled sob. The sobs continued, and eventually, I broke down, my body racked with sobs.
I didn't expect him to comfort me, to pat my back, or to offer a reassuring hug—but he did. To my surprise, he silently approached and pulled me closer to his solid frame. I buried my face in his chest, letting out all the sorrow that had been building inside me. His left arm enveloped me, and his other hand began to gently tap my back.
"Tell me what happened," he said calmly. I hadn't anticipated this kind of compassion from him, but it felt comforting to have someone to lean on, even if he was the last person in Mors that I'd thought would do this.
I couldn't find the words to answer. I didn't know where to begin.
"Is this about your husband from the other camp?" he asked. His words caught me off guard. I had forgotten that he was one of Springgan's top spies, but it was still surprising that he knew about my marriage to the prince of the 7th region and had never mentioned it until now.
My mouth fell open. I needed to gather my strength to ask him, "How long have you known?"
"I know the 7th region was sending you just before we all got here." He loosened his hold on me. Then he continued, "I recently learned that the prince of the 7th hacked his way here. It's within the rules, though. He probably made some kind of agreement with the other five participants from Camp Septen. Even Princess Lanuza might have done the same to follow him. I don't yet know the reasons or why they're here instead of the new recruits I thought the enemies would send."
"But what if it's because of what's in my possession?"
"Most probably. But we can't be sure until we—"
"Idrish!" A familiar voice interrupted Kenru's words. I sensed the intensity in the voice. Emerging from the edge of the forest, he stood there with a serious expression. My prince husband—Killan.