Adeline
(sad smile)
"I remember this place"
The rain continued to pour, as they gathered and rejoined with their most famous captain knight.
The prince was guided into the royal litter, he felt uncomfortable seated alone in the litter and grabbed Adeline's hand.
PRINCE KAEL
(soft request)
"Sit by me for today, I don't want to be alone after what happened".
ADELINE
(firmly)
"But it's not appropriate for me to be seated next to you, I do understand your fear but trust me as long as I am here, nothing will happen to you".
She smiled at him and he let go of her hand. She left his side and mounted her horse and took the lead.
As they continued the journey, she stared through the forest and memories came rushing down.
Soaked in the rain, a rain droplet touched her eyelid, blurring her vision, she blinked and rubbed her eyes.
The air surrounded her as he rode on her horse and led them through the forest.
"Yah"…..
Flashback…
Adeline's POV
We had been in the forest for so long that I knew every corner of the forest. We left Damascus years ago due to the exposure.
Many traders pass through the kingdom daily and it would be a problem if my appearance caught their attention.
On my way back to our old tree house, I encountered a strange boy, he was the most handsome boy had ever seen.
I believed his handsomeness surpassed my master, Lucian.
"I didn't ask for his name" I cussed at myself. The old house was located deep within the enchanting forest, hidden away from prying eyes.
It was the safest place to hide from the outside world.
I finally reached my destination and entered, there was a soft candlelight flickering and casting dancing shadows hoon the walls.
The air was filled with a sense of tranquility as if time itself had slowed within this hidden sanctuary.
I smiled as I watched my old wooden sword lying on the floor and old memories flooded my mind.
Something was missing, I glanced through the room, hoping to find the man I call my master.
"Lucian, Master Lucian" I called out but no response and so I panicked and went outside to look for him.
A man, with a furrowed brow and eyes filled with weariness, sat on a wooden chair under a tree staring right back at me and it was none other than my master Lucian.
Lucian
(Annoyed)
"Do you perhaps love getting the attention of others?"
I scoffed and sighed. "And it is impossible for a man to response when he is being called".
Lucian
(indifferent)
"How rude, I remember someone praising and following me around tsk, so full of herself".
As usual nagging and scolding me, was one of the things I had noticed about him which I could amusing.
"You seem upset what is wrong?" I asked him.
Lucian
(unwilling)
"Nothing to concern yourself with"
If there was something suspicious about him, it would be that fact he doesn't grow old. He is still the same beautiful man I met when I was a child.
I dared not to question him, for fear of being scolded or left behind.
"Guess what I met someone more beautiful and handsome than you"
Lucian
(annoyed)
"I told you there is no one in the three realms as beautiful as I am, probably you met my son oh wait I don't have a son, so no…"
I loved it when he gets so worked up, I couldn't stop myself from laughing. Honestly, the strange boy is the most handsome person I had met.
But I preferred not to argue on that matter and closed the issue with a more daring question.
"You have been out of your game for days, are you sure there is nothing"
Lucian
(sighed)
"Looking at spoils my day, I will head in, come back when you are down cutting the big trees, it will help your muscles grow stronger"
I was a little upset by his words, I knew he was in a bad mood but saying such words to me was too much.
"Do I resemble that man that much for you to get upset whenever you see my face"
He paused and turned to me,
Lucian
"Honestly yes, you do, you resemble the man you and I hate so much, do you get it now".
"Is he perhaps the person you love the most, the one who broke your heart?" I touched on something I shouldn't have.
Lucian
(angry)
"Yes, or no, it's not something you should be asking me little one. It's not something you should be asking me, understand"
After saying his last words he ignored me and entered the house. It was the last time we had a peaceful conversation.
We argued about almost everything, he never smiled at me like he used to when I was a child.
He stopped having sword fights with me and watched me train my bones out. Never gave me a moment to rest and after he vanishes and returns late in the night.
Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months, as we lived our lives as strangers in the same house.
One faithful day, I decided to visit the kingdom to get some foodstuffs for us to use for the coming days.
I noticed how the kingdom had grown bigger and more crowded. I struggled to grab what I wanted.
Fortunately, I managed to grab something things and so I left the kingdom in a hurry before anyone could notice me, even though I had my hood on.
It was better to be cautious than to be seen and cause trouble. I got to the old house and for some reason had an uneasy feeling whenever I stepped closer to the door.
The door was half opened, I was startled and dropped the foodstuffs and rushed in, only to meet an empty room.
There was nothing in the house. I searched every corner of the house believing it was bandits who had attacked the house.
"Where was Lucia?" there was no way bandits could escape his wrath. I panicked, my chest was heavy, and I didn't know what to do.
I was confused and scared, "I am I being left behind again?"
I stared at myself in the broken mirror and cried out as I saw my reflection. "I am cursed, why does this always happen to me?, no I shouldn't jump to any conclusion, he will probably come back by nightfall" I convinced myself.
I stayed up all night waiting for him, days turned into weeks and months and finally years without him.
I kept myself busy with my sword fights, wore my hood, and wandered around the Kingdom like a beggar.
I had nothing to live for except my rage and thirst for revenge. I blamed myself and the silver-haired man who took my family away from me.
I started drinking out and getting wasted and those who unfortunately saw my appearance by taking my hood off, ran away calling me cursed and the silver-haired demon.
I didn't care anymore until I saw a poster and written on it was the most anticipated tournament in the history of the kingdom of Amira.
It started as a feeling of proving myself to my master who left me behind that I could make it without him.
But all changed when I met the prince, he praised me wholeheartedly, and there I swore my unwavering oath to protect the prince until my last breath.
Present….
Together with the knight, we escorted the prince to the Kingdom of Damascus.
Our steps carried by the wind echoed our victory against the bandits, but there was more danger ahead, for now, we enjoy our short victory.
Dear Master Lucian "Do you miss me"
******