Two men and a little girl walk along the corridors of a house. The white-haired girl was a princess walking with her father, the king, and the king's personal bodyguard.
Ren (The bodyguard): "It's always an honor to be graced with your presence at my village, your majesty."
Hazai: "It's my pleasure."
Vena: "Hey! I'm here too! Acknowledge me, Uncle Ren!"
Ren: "Oh, my dearest apologies. How could I forget the most beautiful princess of all? I hope you can forgive me."
Vena: "Hehe! You're forgiven." She smiled.
Hazai: "Now back on topic, Ren."
Ren: "Right, as you may know, King Hazai, my clan has been serving the throne for generations. It's a true thrill."
Hazai: "Ren, your clan hasn't been serving the throne at all. They've been protecting it. Never forget that. Without your clan, this kingdom would have faltered by now."
Ren: "Thank you, your grace. What I fail to understand, sir, is — forgive me for asking — my son? He is powerful but still raw and young. Why would you ask for his protection so early? I can still offer so much more."
Hazai: "You've got it all wrong. He's not the one protecting me. He'll be protecting Vena, my daughter."
Ren: "Vena, huh? With that being said, it makes much more sense that way." He punched the column right next to him, and a boy with black hair fell to the ground. "Hope you heard all of that, Renzo."
Renzo: "That was totally uncalled for. Huh?" From the ground, he looked up at Vena's face, who stared back at him smiling.
Hazai: "From this day forward, young Renzo, you'll be protecting my daughter, the princess of this kingdom, with your life, my boy."
The scene transitioned to the present. Vena was in a room surrounded by maids as she stood before a mirror.
Maid: "How do you feel about this dress, Princess?"
Maid #2: "You look so gorgeous."
Vena: "I like it. It's so beautiful."
Maid #3: "Princess, you seem a bit troubled."
Vena: "I'm not troubled at all, I promise. I'm just annoyed."
Maid #2: "Why is that, Princess?"
Vena: "Stupid Renzo. He knows it's my wedding day, but he's nowhere to be found! He is my bodyguard, you know! And also, where's Ashia!?"
The following week after Renzo became Vena's bodyguard, she also got another. His name was Ashia.
Maid #3: "Ashia seeks an audience with the King at this time, your majesty."
Vena pouted.
The scene panned to Renzo leaning against a column sleeping when a silver-haired male walked up to him.
Ashia: "I knew I'd find you here, you lazy devil. What are you doing!?"
Renzo: "Sleeping. Now go away."
Ashia: "You impudent buffoon! Today is Vena's wedding day. The preparations are already underway, and you're here sleeping! Get up and make yourself useful, scoundrel!"
Renzo: "Sleeping! Can't hear you!" Snores.
Ashia: "Sigh, why do I even bother? Renzo, the King summoned me for a private conversation. It was pertaining to Vena."
Renzo: "Okay? Isn't that ordinary?"
Ashia: "He's worried about her. She's the first member of the royal family who doesn't have the ability to contact the spirit realm. All the kings and queens before her can. That's why the capital is so fruitful and prosperous. The spirit's direct blessings are the foundation of this Kingdom."
Renzo: "So the noise the elders were making was because of that, then I assume. Those old farts could rot in hell for all I care."
Ashia: "Exactly. So this arranged wedding is for Vena to give birth to a boy, and he shall be groomed to become the next King of Ashgar. But she's still young; he's worried about the stress she'll be placed under."
Renzo: "I don't think she'll be placed under any stress. She'll be marrying Shira, after all."
The scene panned to Vena smiling as she looked at the bracelet on her hand, which was given to her by Shira.
Vena: "Oh Shira, all those times we spent as kids together. I loved you then. Who would've thought we'd end up marrying each other, spending the rest of our lives together? It's just so perfect."
A maid ran into her room.
Maid: "Princess, Lord Shira has arrived."
Vena: "Shira's here?"
The scene panned to a man riding on a horse surrounded by guards as he headed to the palace. The citizens looked on in awe.
Ashia: "He's here."
Renzo: "Hhm."
Shira was a tall, beautiful man with blue eyes and gracious, long blonde hair. He was met by the King.
Hazai: "Welcome back from your journey, Shira. I do hope all is well."
Shira: "Your majesty, thank you for the welcome. It means a lot. As for my journey, I'm grateful for that. Every waking second was a pleasure for me."
Hazai: "I'm glad to hear. The maids will take you to your room."
Maid: "Right this way, Master."
Renzo and Ashia watched on.
The scene panned to Shira walking from his room, where he saw Vena walking in his direction.
Vena: "Shira."
Shira: "Vena, it's you. You look so beautiful."
Vena: "And you're as handsome as ever. Oh Shira, I couldn't wait to see you again." She ran and hugged him.
Shira: "I understand the feeling, my love. When we get married, you'll see me every day for the rest of our lives, right here, with you."
Vena: "Shira."
The scene transitioned. The day of the wedding, Vena got married to Shira, and a feast was held. Ashia stood beside Vena.
King Hazai: "Drink and be merry, everybody!"
Shira: "Ashia, my friend, you should sit down and enjoy the meal at hand before it's gone."
Ashia: "That would be quite the delicacy to enjoy all this treat, but my job as Vena's protector still stands."
Shira: "Loyal as always." He smiled before looking at Vena, who was pouting. "My dear, is something wrong?"
Vena: "No, it's nothing, Shira. Would you give me a second? I'll be right back." She got up from around the table.
Ashia: "I shall accompany you!"
Vena: "You may not. I order you to sit and eat. I won't be going far; I'll be back."
Ashia: "Princess."
Shira: "You know how she gets, Ashia. You should really eat something. You need that strength to protect her."
Ashia: "Well, I suppose."
The scene then panned to Renzo sitting behind a tree, keeping watch as Vena walked up with food.
Vena: "There you are! I've been looking everywhere for you."
Renzo: "Vena? What are you doing here?"
Vena: "I could ask you the same thing, you moron! Hmph! I'm not sure if you've eaten. I've hardly seen you today. But I've brought some food for you if you need any."
Renzo: "You came by yourself, why?"
Vena: "As your princess, I order you to not ask any more questions and just eat already. I'm already mad at you as it is. At my ceremony, you weren't there, and I was looking out for you. I always want you and Ashia by my side. Today's the happiest day of my life, and you weren't there. I'll be mad at you later. I've got to go back; I don't need Ashia scolding me." She turned around to walk off. "Oh, and Renzo, I'll still be needing you."
Renzo: "Uh? So cringe."
Vena: "Shut up!" She pouted and walked off.
Renzo: "Sigh, the same as always." He smiled.
The scene transitioned to Shira and Vena in the bedroom. Vena lay in bed as Shira was reading.
Vena: "Aren't you coming to bed, dear?"
Shira: "I will in just a minute. I'll be heading for some water."
Vena: "Oh, okay. Don't stay too long."
Shira walked from the room. A few moments passed, and Vena realized Shira was taking longer than she'd anticipated. She went to look for him.
Walking along the corridors, she heard some noises. Vena quickly ran to see the commotion when she witnessed guards slaughtering each other. She stood in pure disbelief; a guard looked at her, and she ran straight towards her father's room with her eyes shut.
She collided with someone and opened her eyes. It was Shira.
Vena: "Shira! Thank goodness. Something's going on; the guards are fighting, and... Ugh!" She looked up at his face and saw blood. She stumbled backwards. "There's blood on your face!" She immediately saw that he was holding a katana that was bloodstained. A slight glance behind him. The look of utter fear, shock, and disbelief flashed across her face. Her father was seen bleeding to his death. "Father!" she yelled as she was about to run to him.
Shira grabbed her hair and threw her from the room outside.
She landed on the ground. Instantly, she was surrounded by guards.
Vena: "Shira…"
Shira walked from the room towards her and picked her up by the hair.
Shira: "I told you I'd be back, didn't I? Why didn't you just wait for me like a good wife? Now you've seen this; I can't make you live now, can I?"
Vena: "What's happening, Shira? Why are you talking like this? What's going on?"
Shira: "Revolution. You'll be sitting on the throne until you're ready to give birth to my seed. But having you around the throne would lead to this kingdom's demise. You can't form a contract with the spirit realm; you can't even communicate with them. You're already failing."
Vena: "Shira."
Shira yanked her hair and placed his hand on her throat.
Shira: "But don't worry, my precious Vena. I'll save the Capitol of Gants. By doing so, I killed the king, so the throne will be vacant for me."
Vena: ("No, this is not my Shira. This isn't my beloved. It has to be someone else.") "Shira, please, it hurts."
Shira: "You know your father wasn't that good of a king to be ruling. He sacrificed more than half of our military power, more than half of our weaponry, to those outside the walls of the Capitol. He thought spreading the power of the kingdom throughout would prevent war and gain respect. But that hasn't happened. War will be initiated; we're only getting weaker while they grow stronger. It's a matter of time before they look into themselves and realize that they have the power to take control once and for all. When you give a man power, he seeks more; he seeks control. When this war is initiated, this kingdom needs a king who can fight for the capital. This kingdom needs a king whose rule strikes fear into those who doubt us. This kingdom needs me!"
Vena: ("No, who is this man?")
The scene panned to Ashia knocking out numerous guards.
Ashia: "What's going on here? If I didn't know any better, I'd say they were actually trying to kill me." He grabbed a guard. "You mind filling me in on what's going on?"
The scene panned to Renzo, who also took out numerous guards.
Renzo: "If this is a prank, it's pretty lame. (They were aiming for my vitals.) You better give me a damn good reason why you're trying to kill me here! Uh, wait, these guards were with Shira!"
The scene panned back to Shira and Vena.
Shira: "You're the last piece in my way to stop my triumph! I'll have to kill you, Vena."
Vena: "Why, why… you can't! This can't be real, Shira. I love you; why are you doing this!?" She cried.
Shira: "Don't think I'm not grateful; it was because of your love that made all this possible. I truly do love you, Vena." He pulled her in and kissed her before stomping on her stomach and threw her away.
Shira ordered the guards to kill her.
Vena: ("No, this can't be happening, not him, not now.") "Renzo…"
In a flash, an aura of fire came crashing downward from above.
Shira: "Crap, yet another obstacle standing in my way."
Guard #1: "Oh no, Shira, it's him! The Demon of Ashgar!"
Shira: "So you came, Renzo."
Renzo immediately tended to Vena, who was on the ground bleeding.
Renzo: "Princess! Are you alright?"
Vena: "…Re…Renzo…" She started to cry.
Enraged, Renzo quickly stood up.
Shira: "I'm guessing you want to know what I've done, yes?"
Renzo: "Tell me, Shira. Did you hurt Vena?"
Shira: "What if I did!? Guards, kill him!"
The guards immediately rushed Renzo to attack.
Instantly, Renzo stomped his feet and walked. The guards who rushed him were seen with slashes as flames erupted from their bruises.
Shira: "Wait—How did he—"
Renzo: "I'll kill you!" He rushed Shira and swung his blade. Just then, he heard a slight call from Vena.
Renzo's blade stopped right at Shira's throat.
Vena: "Please… Don't."
Renzo: "Tch!" He ran towards the princess and picked her up.
She cried and clung on to him.
Renzo walked off. Shira grabbed a spear and threw it at him. Ashia appeared and kicked away the spear.
Ashia: "Tch! Shira, you fiend!"
Renzo: "Ashia, we should leave, now."
Ashia: "Is the Princess alright?"
Renzo: "Let's just go." He ran off.
Ashia scoffed before running off as well.
Shira: "GUARDS! Make sure they don't escape with their lives. The princess and her bodyguards have escaped."
They escaped through the forest.
The night sky appeared. Vena and the others were in a forest, and she was still clinging to Renzo, crying.
Ashia: "I can't believe it. He killed the king!? Tch, that bastard. Princess, give me the order. I'll go and kill him myself!"
Vena: "No, please don't go! Don't leave me… Ashia… Renzo…"
Renzo: "I'm sorry I wasn't there to protect you in that moment, Princess, but I promise you this… there won't be a next time. I'll die right by your side, I swear."
Ashia: "That goes for me too, Princess."
Vena cried herself to sleep.
Ashia: "Hey, Renzo?"
Renzo: "Yeah, what?"
Ashia: "I think we actually ran away from the capital."
Renzo: "Heh?"
~End of Chapter~