I locked myself in my room after coming back from White Forest. Looking at the dried blood all over my cloth and sword made me think about the massacre I caused in my past to make Atticus the Emperor with none to rival. Sliding with my back on the door I started rubbing my hands together.
''It's okay, It was self-defense, the massacre won't happen this time.'' I kept mumbling those words. Even after hours, I couldn't help but think of the massacre and Izaak's power. His eyes looked emotionless and dark just like a monster which is filled with nothing but bloodthirst. I felt shivers in my spine. I won't deny that I wasn't scared, I was scared. Anyone would be scared looking at those shadowy hands choking and killing someone so easily. A tear rolled down from my eyes but I wiped it off immediately. No wonder, the Emperor always treated Izaak as an eyesore because he was scared of the Darkness and Shadow.
I looked at my reflection in the mirror and a bitter chuckle left my mouth.
'' Do I have any right to be scared of Izaak when I am the biggest monster here? Ironic but truth to be told, This Izaak who kills people right ants gave up on his life for me. Why am I scared of him when the one who should be feared is me?'' I told my reflection which looked pathetic. I took a deep breath and stood up. Taking off my clothes I went inside the bathtub filled with rose and lily fragrances. Thankfully, I don't have any maid who follows me around, or else it would be a big problem. The warm water made me relax and loosen my worry instantly.
We, humans, are really interesting. Filled with various emotions yet fails to understand any of them properly. I felt my eyes getting heavy from tiredness. It must be due to me using aura for the second time after coming back in time. I want to rest now, even for a while. But I regretted doing that instantly as memories of my first life started flashing in front of my eyes.
Burning houses, people's bodies piled up here and there, screaming of women and children who were trying to escape from the crazy army, knights killing people indiscriminately, and roaring sky, Vanizu, the western part of the Empire, was called the paradise on earth had turned into the battlefield of two most powerful Empires, Amanso and Yedrish. Amanso was attacked by Yedrish without any warning and I was sent by the Emperor himself to negotiate with Yedrish but they refused to do so and went on an all-out war with us. Fighting side by side with the knights, I went on the rampage. This was the very first time, I fought with Sebastian side by side. He was using the power of Ice Dragon to freeze the sea so that the fighter ship of Yedrish couldn't cross the Baton Sea which connects Vanizu with the capital while I protected his back.
'' HOW LONG?'' I shouted. '' HOLD ON FOR 5 MORE MINUTES! I AM ALMOST DONE!'' Sebastian replied to me. I was tired from using my aura like crazy, my hands were bleeding but it wasn't time to think about that. Enemies were swarming like insects and it was only me and three other knights who were able to fight. Suddenly thunderstorms started making it harder. I looked at Sebastian who was giving his all power to freeze the sea and the warships of Yedrish. But it wasn't enough. If he stops now then it won't be any benefit for us. I took a deep breath, unlashing my all power is the only way.
'' VALENTIARA, DON'T DO ANYTHING STUPID, JUST HOLD THEM BACK USING YOUR SWORD, DON'T UNLASH YOUR POWER,'' Sebastian shouted. He knew my moves better than anyone. Unlashing my power will destroy the enemy side but I might end up dying too. But that didn't matter. They can't go to the capital. I threw my sword on the ground and was about to start the spell of unlashing my mana but I heard a familiar voice coming from another side.
'' TIA!'' I turned my head and saw hundreds of black horses running fastly toward us from my right side. All of them were wearing a pitch-black cloaks with silver armor.
'' WHITE WOLVES ARE HERE!'' The knight next to me shouted. My eyes met a pair of red worried-filled eyes of the man who was leading the troop. Tears started forming in my eyes. He swung his sword and cleaned batched of Yedrish's knights to make his way to us.
'' Izaak, You are back,'' I mumbled. I let my guard down and at that exact moment someone shoot a fire arrow toward my direction, I thought it was my end but in the blink of my eyes, Izaak's sword pierced that arrow in middle, he grabbed my hand and pulled me up on his horse. Hugging me tightly he said, '' If something was to happen to you, I would've burnt down the whole Yedrish.'' I smiled softly and hugged him back. '' I believed you will come before that,'' It was a relief that he came, or else we would've lost and I would've died.
'' I love you, Princess, I just love you too much that the thought of you disappearing makes me go crazy,''
I opened my eyes and looked around my surrounding. It was a dream. I grabbed my head tightly and chuckled bitterly.
'' Why did I have a dream of that bloody war now? And, his worry-filled words, still make me feel weird. But it's okay. I won't be hearing them in this life.'' I told myself but it was more like comforting myself. I am a selfish one till the end.
Getting out of the shower I wore my clothes and burnt down that filthy one. I was busy in cleaning my sword when I heard a knock on my door. Hiding the sword and boots under the bed, I opened the door.
'' Valmud?'' I was shocked to see Valmud standing in front of my door. He smiled nervously and asked, '' Are you busy?'' I nodded. He seemed disappointed but he hide that under his smile. I wanted to ask if he had something important to say but I didn't. Why?
'' Actually, I went out and I heard you go to Sufu almost regularly, so I bought some strawberry cake for you on my way.'' He said while pushing forward a mini box of strawberry cake. I was shocked but at the same time, I felt happy. He knew that I love strawberry cake. But can I take it? His Grace won't like that. I was about to refuse but he took my hand and put that box before running away. I blinked a few times while looking at the box.
'' Eating some sweet won't harm.'' I smiled and went inside the room.