The knights disembarked from the carriages and settled themselves on the ancient ruins, tired and dehydrated from the scorching summer heat. Some began drinking as soon as they alighted.
"Soldiers, start setting up camps for rest," ordered Grommash, clapping his hands to urge them on.
The exhausted soldiers promptly began erecting the large tents for everyone to rest in.
"Alisteir, take charge from here," commanded Grommash, nodding to the knight.
Alisteir took over and directed the knights to gather wood and fetch water from the nearby river.
Grommash approached the camp where the princess and her maids were resting. Although small, it was adequate for the princess and her two personal attendants.
"My lady, if we rest here today, we will arrive at the Kingdom of Sanctum tomorrow afternoon," Grommash informed the princess, bowing deeply.
"Thank you, Grommash, but Abel has already given me all the details," replied the princess, relaxing in a chair as her maids shaded her with an umbrella.
As soon as his name was mentioned, Abel appeared, grinning at Grommash as if to taunt him.
"Princess, I have ensured that some of the knights went to fetch water from the river and catch fish," Abel reported, leaving Grommash looking surprised.
"We can go hunting. This is a vast forest, and we can…" Grommash trailed off, his internal voice reminding him that hunting was his expertise.
"That sounds like a good idea, but this forest doesn't have an abundance of beasts to hunt. So, I ordered the archer knights to fish," Abel interrupted Grommash and looked at him with a childish yet meaningful expression. "I instructed them to fish in an area where the water moves swiftly, so it can be a training exercise for them."
The Princess smiled, "That's a great idea! This way, we won't harm this beautiful forest, and the knights can still have a meal."
"But if you send all the archers, who will be our watchful eyes in case of an enemy attack?" asked Grommash, looking worried with sweat on his face. In reality, he just wanted to make Abel look foolish.
"You know that only half of your team is here," Abel replied firmly. "The soldier knights can take turns to watch over us. Moreover, this is a small animal zone, so demonic and wild beasts aren't allowed here."
Grommash looked angry, but Abel gave him a cold stare. Grommash nodded reluctantly and left the Princess's tent.
Abel turned to the princess and gave a slight bow.
"I think even you, Princess, should rest a little. I have asked the carriage to be prepared so you can rest and if you need anything, please inform the maids," suggested Abel.
Ruby smiled at him and nodded, then made her way to the carriage with her maids.
*After some hours
The night fell upon the forest, and the fireflies and lanterns on the carriages illuminated the area. The knights began to build fires, and the archers who Abel had sent out on a quest had caught a lot of fish, which they shared with the rest of the group along with the food they had brought.
Grommash had brought a barrel of booze and was eager to drink with the other knights.
"Let's drink, you bastards!" he shouted.
As Grommash raised the bottle to his lips, Abel grabbed his arm, causing him to spill his drink.
"What's your problem, man? We just want to have a good time," Grommash protested.
"You fool, you're trying to disrespect the king," Abel retorted with a cold stare.
"What do you mean?" asked Grommash.
Abel grabbed him tightly by the leather armour, and for a moment it looked like it was going to tear his flesh.
"That's the reason why you're just a shitty knight," Abel retorted. "The moment you get drunk with all the knights, you will be vulnerable. The king entrusted his biggest treasure to us for this meeting. Imagine if she gets attacked and you are unable to protect her."
Abel then released him and instructed the knights to send the barrels to the carriage.
"Those barrels are meant for the king of Sanctum," ordered Abel.
He gave Grommash a look of disgust as the latter tried to catch his breath.
"That girl may be weak, but at least she wasn't dumb enough to leave her knights like this," said Abel with disdain.
As he walked away, he wondered why he became so angry. One thing he hated the most was people who disrespected what they were supposed to protect. Was it because it reminded him of his time as a general, or was it a memory from even before then?
Robin arrived at the princess's camp with a buck full of fish. "My princess, we brought food, thanks to Mr. Abel we caught a lot," Robin said.
"Thank you, my archer, but my maids are currently cooking for the soldiers, so sadly, I'll have to eat what we brought from the kingdom," replied the princess with a smile on her face.
Her plate contained only tasteless sandwiches, cheese, and fresh fruits. She looked at the fish, her stomach growling, but she didn't want to bother her maids; the soldiers were the priority. She could wait for some time.
"I'm sorry, my princess, but even I..." started Robin.
Abel then entered the tent and interrupted Robin. "Is something the matter, Robin?" Abel asked.
"Ah, no sir, but the princess..." replied Robin.
Abel looked at the princess and smirked. "So, the princess cannot cook," he said mockingly.
Even though it was nighttime, and only the lanterns and fireflies illuminated the camp, Ruby's ears turned pink with embarrassment.
"Well, I didn't have a chance to cook...you know," Ruby said, crossing her fingers out of embarrassment.
Abel started to laugh at her blushing face, causing Ruby to pout.
"It's okay, Princess. I will cook," Abel said as he started to take the fish from the bucket.
"Really?" the princess asked with amusement.
"Yeah, if you help me with the cooking," Abel replied as he began to cook.
Abel took the huge fish from the pot that was boiling.
"Okay, so we could make a lot of dishes with these three," Abel said as he began to fillet them.
He turned the fish heads, along with some vegetables, into soup, and the bodies of the fish were seasoned and then cooked over the pitfire. Ruby helped him with cutting the vegetables and preparing the soup. A smile could be seen on her face since it was her first-time cooking. The aroma of the food could be smelled, and Ruby and Robin looked surprised, their mouths watering.
Abel sat down on a smooth rock that was close to the pitfire, and Ruby sat in a comfortable chair.
"Then you have to forgive me, Mister Abel. My Princess, I have to go and look after my crew," Robin said, bowing his head slightly to both of them.
After he left, an awkward silence fell between Abel and Ruby. The sound of the spoon hitting the wooden plate could be heard.
"Well, it seems like we are alone now," said Abel, breaking the silence.
Ruby nodded, her cheeks still flushed from earlier. She took a spoonful of soup and savoured the flavour. "Mister Abel, this is delicious! I never knew you were such a good cook."
Abel chuckled. "I've had my fair share of experience. I used to cook for my soldiers when we were out in the field."
"I see," said Ruby, taking another bite. "You must have been a great leader, mister Abel."
Abel smiled, a hint of sadness in his eyes. "I did what I had to do for my men and my country. But let's not talk about that now. Enjoy your meal, my princess."
They continued eating in silence, the warmth of the fire and the delicious food creating a comfortable atmosphere. After they finished, Abel cleaned up the dishes and utensils, and Ruby helped him.
As they finished, Abel turned to Ruby. "My princess, I hope the meal was to your liking."
Ruby smiled, her eyes shining. "It was more than I could have asked for, mister Abel. Thank you."
Abel smiled, the princess had a satisfaction she had before all people who just stayed with her wouldn't allow it to do.
She thought she was a doll that just is used for one thing only and loved to enjoy what is far away from the castle walls.
They stayed at the pitfire again because of the cold water. The princess' hands were cold and needed warmth.
Abel smiled, noticing the satisfaction on the princess's face that she never experienced with anyone who just stayed by her side. She thought she was just a doll used for one thing only and couldn't enjoy what was beyond the castle walls.
They returned to the pitfire due to the cold water, and the princess's hands were freezing and needed warmth.
"Thank you, Abel. To be honest, this is my first time experiencing something like this. You made me enjoy it. I wish my sister could be here," murmured Ruby with a sad sigh.
"It's okay," replied Abel, fixing his dark hair.
Ruby looked at him with curiosity and asked, "I noticed something strange. When Crystal Dragon arrived, everyone bowed except for you."
Abel opened his eyes in response to the question. "Ah, that's because I don't believe in him," he replied.
"Sir Abel, that's blasphemy. You can't say that," voiced Ruby in a serious tone.
Abel made a wicked smile. "How scary. It seems like you take your priestess role very seriously," he said.
"I'm his priestess and shocks me to hear that you don't believe the good deeds that he has made" continued princess.
"Hahaha, good deeds," Abel stood up. "That's true, princess, but I have lived for hundreds of years, and I have seen him for what he is – nothing but a dragon."
"But," said Ruby.
"Princess, believe what you want, but one thing I'll tell you is to be careful of what you follow because one day he will betray you. Good night," Abel warned with a serious tone.
As soon as Abel finished speaking, the maids arrived and informed the princess that they had finished their tasks, and she went to the carriage to sleep.
*Next Day
Everyone woke up as soon as the sun began to rise, gathered their belongings, and set off towards the Kingdom of Sanctum.
The princess gazed out of the window, taking in the breathtaking view, without knowing that many things were going to change.
*Kingdom of Sanctum
"Milord! Milord!" a female knight screamed through the halls. She hurried towards his chambers, and quickly burst through the door. There lay the king of Sanctum, sprawled across a giant bed with several naked women around him.
"Wake up, milord, wake up!" said blushed the female knight.
"What is all this noise?" the king asked, stirring from his slumber. He was naked, and the knight closed her eyes in discomfort.
"Milord, the ambassador of the Kingdom of Benevento will soon reach our castle. Our scouts have detected them," she informed him.
"Very well. It seems I need to prepare. But why do you close your eyes, my beauty? It's not like you haven't enjoyed it," teased the king as he stood before her.
"Milord, I have to do my work," the knight replied sternly.
"I'm only joking," he chuckled. "Prepare for a feast, for they will need it."