As we parted ways with the Eldorian and Astorian envoys in Braedon, the air around us seemed to grow heavier with the weight of what lay ahead. The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows across the cobbled streets as our small troop prepared to leave the town behind. The path ahead was uncertain, and the burden of responsibility felt heavier with each passing moment.Mount Verdura loomed in the distance, its peak veiled in a thin mist hinting at the unknown dangers within its forests. The chill in the air had become more pronounced as we ventured further from the warmth of Braedon's hearths.I had decided to don the Astorian armor, a set of simple yet elegant black and white gear that offered a measure of protection without the cumbersome weight of full battle armor.The soft clink of armor echoed in the air as I adjusted the black and white Astorian chest plate, securing it snugly over my tunic. The metal was surprisingly light, yet it offered a sense of protection. It was a simple set—far from the heavy battle armor I'd seen worn by knights. The chest plate was adorned with intricate silver engravings that reflected the Astorian royal crest, a phoenix rising from the ashes, symbolizing rebirth and resilience. The knee and elbow plates matched in design, fitting seamlessly over the dark, durable fabric that made up the rest of the ensemble. My boots were sturdy, reinforced with metal to protect against the harsh terrain, and my gloves were fashioned from fine leather, with armored plates covering my fingers and knuckles. The entire look was functional yet elegant—befitting a princess who had chosen to walk the warrior's path. However, I had chosen not to wear a helm, preferring to keep my head unburdened.Thanks to my thoughtful cousin for bringing the armor at my convenience.As I secured the last strap, I caught sight of Alexander watching me from across the camp. His gaze was unreadable, his brow slightly furrowed. We had just parted ways with the Astorian and Eldorian envoys, leaving Braedon behind as we journeyed toward Mount Verdura. The mountain loomed in the distance, its peak hidden behind a veil of clouds, a silent reminder of the trials that awaited us.The night air was crisp, a gentle breeze rustling the leaves of the nearby trees. The camp was quiet, save for the crackling of the fire and the occasional sound of the horses shifting in their sleep.But I couldn't sleep. My mind was restless, filled with thoughts of the impending meeting with the King of Monsters. Despite Alexander's assurances, I couldn't shake the feeling that we were marching into a more complex and dangerous situation than anticipated. And that's when the thought struck me—Ariella.The Heavenly Princess, a being of light and power. If anyone could be my partner-in-crime, it would be her. The idea was as ridiculous as daring, but I couldn't dismiss it. I needed to try.Taking a deep breath, I approached Alexander, who was still standing near the fire, his arms crossed as he stared into the flames."Alexander," I began, hesitating only slightly as his gaze met mine, "there's something I need to discuss with you."He raised an eyebrow, his expression curious but cautious. "What is it?""I want to meet Ariella."His reaction was immediate. Alexander's eyes widened, and he took a step back as if the mere mention of her name had struck him physically. "Ariella? What are you talking about, Elysia?"I held my ground, determined. "I want to speak with her. If we're going to negotiate with the King of Monsters, we need all the help we can get. And who better to help than the Heavenly Princess herself?"Alexander shook his head, his expression shifting from surprise to something akin to panic. "No, absolutely not. That's out of the question.""Why not?" I challenged, taking a step closer. "You've mentioned her before, told me about her powers, her connection to this world. She could be the key to ending this without bloodshed."Alexander ran a hand through his hair, his frustration evident. "Elysia, you don't understand. Ariella is... complicated. She's not someone you can just summon for a chat. And even if you could, she wouldn't take kindly to being dragged into mortal affairs.""But this isn't just a 'mortal affair,'" I argued, my voice rising. "This is about the balance of power in this world. If the King of Monsters isn't stopped, countless lives will be at risk—human and magical creatures alike. Ariella is the guardian of this world, isn't she? She has a stake in this, too." I was trying to be convincing, masking my true intention. In other words, I was mildly gaslighting him. Although I feel bad, I must meet Ariella.Alexander's expression hardened, his jaw set in a stubborn line. "I said no, Elysia. We'll handle this ourselves. Involving Ariella would only complicate things further.""Or it could be exactly what we need," I countered. "Look, I'm not asking for much. Just one meeting, one conversation. Let me speak with her. Maybe I can convince her to help us."Alexander turned away from me, his hand clenched into a fist at his side. I could see the tension in his shoulders, the internal battle he was fighting. Clearly, he was hiding something about his relationship with Ariella that he didn't want me to know. But I couldn't back down now."Please, Alexander," I said softly, taking a step closer and placing a hand on his arm. "I know this is asking a lot, but I believe it could make all the difference. I wouldn't ask if I didn't think it was important."He was silent for a long moment, the crackling of the fire the only sound between us. Finally, he sighed, his shoulders slumping in defeat."This is a bad idea," he muttered, more to himself than to me. "But I can see you won't let it go."I felt a spark of hope. "Does that mean you'll let me meet her?"Alexander turned to face me, his expression a mixture of reluctance and resignation. "Fine. I'll arrange a meeting with Ariella. But on one condition—you don't go alone. I'll be there with you."I frowned, sensing there was more to his insistence. "Why? You've already said she won't take kindly to being involved. Wouldn't it be better if I approached her alone?""No," Alexander said firmly. "Ariella... she's not someone to be taken lightly. If you're going to meet her, I need to be there. For your safety."I narrowed my eyes at him, still suspicious, but I could see that this was as far as I could push him for now. "All right. You can come with me. But we do this on my terms."Alexander gave a curt nod, his expression unreadable. "We leave at dawn."As I turned to head back to my tent, I couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to Alexander's reluctance than he was letting on. But for now, I had what I needed. Ariella was my best chance at saving the King of Monsters. I would do whatever it took to secure her help—even if it meant defying Alexander's wishes.As I settled into my bedroll, staring up at the canopy of stars overhead, I felt a strange mix of anticipation and dread. The road ahead was fraught with uncertainty, but I was determined to see this through. The fate of both our worlds depended on it.And I just realized something too late. Why the heck am I familiar with Alexander? I call him by his name casually, as if we're old acquaintances! I must stop being familiar with him!