Frederick's POV
Running has never been harder than it is now. Maybe it's because I was dragging a half-conscious Dein along with me, who was beaten by the remaining calixtens in our kingdom who were left behind, before I could block the attack earlier.
Glancing behind I could still see the pursuers. What the hell was wrong with them? Our side has clearly won, but still some of the cowards who hid like rats when real battle was happening came out of their holes and targeted us! Everyone is aware of the fact that warriors shouldn't harm helpless people, but these people don't have any shame or morals.
"Frederick, how long do we have to flee? Can't we stop and hide somewhere for the time being? My legs are about to fall off!" exclaimed Dein.
As much as I care for my best friend, right now I just wanted to leave him with the ones who were chasing us, just so he can learn his lesson and be grateful for my effort.
Doesn't he notice I am exhausted too?
I gritted my teeth and yelled back "Dein, it is all your fault so shut up! It is not like I am running on purpose! I am trying to shake them off, but those bastards aren't falling behind".
I was out of breath because of running for who knows how long and since I am aggressive on daily basis this situation only raised my temper. But I am sure Dein wouldn't mind. After all he knows me the best and he realizes that I don't really hold grudges even though his decision threatened both of our lives.
•°•Flashback 2 days ago•°•
"....Please take what you must and prepare for the evacuation. On king's orders there shouldn't be a single civilian in the capital...". On the large handmade stage stood the king's messenger giving out orders. The crowd looked alarmed by news that Calixtens managed to pass the main gates and now were coming this way. Several women started crying while others looked at them with pity knowing that their relatives were the soldiers who were guarding the gates.
If the enemy troops are nearing the civilization it only means that those soldiers are no more.
"What do you think, Frederick, do you think my father would be willing to leave the farm? Because he loves it so much. You know, sometimes I wonder if he likes the farm more than me. He works there all day and only comes in at night!" said Dein making me annoyed before I could even start a day normally.
I flicked his forehead and said "You do realize he works like that to give us a good life right? So why the hell are you complaining? Anyways, please focus on the point. It doesn't matter if he doesn't wanna come the king's soldiers are gonna force him to move one way or another".
He rubbed the spot and pouted trying to guilt trip me "Oh, does it hurt?" I asked feigning concern. He immediately nodded like child "Well, let me heal it for you" I got closer and flicked his head again, but this time harder.
"You really only know how to complain! What happened to your common sense? Right now we have unreturned soldiers who sacrificed themselves for our sake and you are thinking about your relationship with father!".
"You are right...I am sorry. I shouldn't have been so..."he said nervously. I sighed and ran my fingers through my hair then said "It's alright. Just next time be careful with how you speak". He looked happy to be on my good side and started walking to my workshop with me.
"Freddie!" someone yelled my stupid nickname. Before I could turn around I was tackled in a hug by the famous blonde in the neighborhood.
"What the hell, Venie?! How many times do I have to tell you? Stop calling me with that name and don't hug me!" I said pushing her away.
"But I thought you liked it! Everyone knows that I love you, so can't you just return my feelings?!" she said in a very whiney voice while acted like she was genuinely upset.
I looked at the girl before me with a face that screamed murder. Who on earth would like her? She dated almost all the guys near where we live and dumped them all before it could even be one week! She even had guts to play with Dein's feelings. Because of that he was heartbroken and he didn't eat or drink for several days making father worried. If she wasn't the daughter of a noble family I would have finished her a long ago for how she treats people. She is the only person I want to hurt really bad in the whole neighborhood.
It was clear as the water that I was her next target. But even if her stupid guards pointed their swords at me I would have still rejected her. So I quickly grabbed Dein and went into the workshop locking the door. He seemed dazed seeing his ex girlfriend openly flirting with me, but before he could collect his thoughts or maybe even tears I asked him to prepare for the journey.
°Time skip°
After getting everything ready I flopped down on the wornout armchair. Dein went out some time ago to buy something for dinner. Just as I was about to take a nap I heard suspicious sounds coming from the cupboard and decided to investigate it. The workshop was neither spacey nor new, so every footstep of mine made a creaking sound. Heart pounding in anticipation I got closer and closer to the creepy cupboard that looked older than our neighbor Jane who will turn eighty this year. I grabbed the poker and carefully opened the door and in the next moment something black jumped straight to my chest scaring me in the process. I stumbled back as I tried to shake the thing off, but angry snarl made me realize that this wasn't an intruder.
"Hey, Cloudy! How are you? Did you find any mice in there" I asked joyfully petting my cat that I named after the weather on the day I found her. She seemed to have calmed down as she purred gently, nuzzling her head against my palm.
"You should collect all of your mice that you hid around the garden. We are moving to another place tomorrow at the crack of dawn". She hissed as she heard me mention the morning since it's the second thing that she hates while first thing being people who are not me. I don't blame her though since she was almost killed twice because of them. First when I found her she was in a critical state as local hooligans thought it would be funny to see a kitten getting mauled by the aggressive dogs. Second time that stupid Venie kidnapped her and threatened me with Cloudy's life to become her partner in a dance that happened last year in the Square of Peace.
But lucky for me my munchkin escaped from the maids that served Venie, when I was about to give in to her threat. Ever since that happened she attacks anyone who bursts her personal bubble like she did today. Sighing I put her on the ground after giving her a kiss and left the workshop with my important tools, knowing that Cloudy would get out of her hole that she made and find me until we left...