For some reason, tonight felt unusually long for Sir Cedric. He repeatedly woke up from his slumber, peeking through the window curtains, then shut his eyes again, as the sun hadn't yet risen in the west. He couldn't shake off his thoughts about Aria, a girl who seemed peculiar from the moment she set foot in the place.
His restlessness continued to dominate him. Eventually, unable to keep his eyes shut any longer, he grabbed the night robe given by Lady Elara the previous night and stood on the balcony. Coincidentally, his room was directly across from Aria's, in the special residence for women and princesses.
Sir Cedric vaguely glimpsed the silhouette of two figures in her room, obscured by the dim light. "Who is Aria talking to?"
His curiosity became overwhelming. He left his room immediately, heading towards Aria's quarters.
Unbeknownst to him, Juan observed his actions and silently trailed behind, following Sir Cedric without his knowledge.
As Cedric neared the hallway leading to Aria's chambers, he spotted a figure walking away. He couldn't distinctly identify the person wearing a black robe, quickly moving towards the heart of the Serindah kingdom.
As Sir Cedric attempted to follow, the shadow vanished into a dark corridor with numerous rooms and doors.
When Sir Cedric tried to peer into the corridor, someone called his name, startling him. "Sir Cedric, what are you doing here?" A stern-faced female servant stood before him. "I'm sorry, I was just looking for a friend."
"Do you realize you're not allowed to roam freely within the castle?" The servant redirected his attention, trying to play innocent. Briefly, Sir Cedeic noticed a distinctive symbol in front of one of the doors.
"Let me remind you that you're forbidden from entering the women's castle area, let alone approaching the princess's chamber."
"Okay, I'll leave. But please, allow me a moment to meet my friend." Sir Cedric pleaded earnestly. For some reason, he couldn't shake off thoughts of Aria since earlier.
After careful consideration, the head servant permitted Sir Cedric to meet Aria. "Fine. Follow me." She glanced around, checking the surroundings. "And please, don't cause a scene."
The servant's head knocked on Aria's door several times, receiving no response from within. Sir Cedric felt increasingly uneasy. Eventually, he sought permission from the head servant to break down the door.
Shortly after, a young servant approached them. "Apologies, sir, Miss Dipson, I saw Miss Aria leaving the palace earlier," the servant spoke while bowing their head.
Sir Cedric was surprised by the servant woman's words. He had just seen Aria's silhouette inside the room, albeit strangely with someone else. "Did she leave with someone?" Sir Cedric asked with an intense emotional expression, feeling an unusual surge of emotions within.
The servant woman seemed nervous, twisting the hem of her distinctive servant's dress. "Just tell us what you saw, Mary."
"Um... once again, I'm sorry, sir. Yes, I saw her leaving with a young man. They seemed quite compatible. I caught them chatting briefly at the side gate."
"Alright. You may go now," said the head servant to Mary.
Deeply disappointed, Sir Cedric was forced to leave the castle. Instead of returning to his room, he sat in a gazebo in the garden until sunrish.
A high-ranking official of the kingdom approached him. "Have you been awake all night?" Sir Cedric was startled, turning to see a distinguished man with a nearly whitened beard.
Sir Cedric bowed in respect, "Call me Loco," he introduced himself.
"I'm just thinking about someone," Sir Cedric replied, returning to his previous position, gazing at the expanse of green grass and rows of flowers planted in color-coordinated groups.
Loco stood beside Sir Cedric. "You should focus on our battle preparations first. This matter concerns many lives."
What Loco said might be true, Sir Cedric thought. He couldn't involve a woman in this battle, especially since he had promised Mayada to always protect Aria.
But where did Aria go? With whom did she leave the palace? Isn't it difficult for just anyone to enter and leave this palace? Why was there a stranger who could enter and take Aria away? Perhaps that person was from this kingdom, considering Aria's fondness for adventuring in and out of the forests before they met again.
So many questions flooded Sir Cedric's mind. He felt like leaving this place and finding Aria before settling this war. But it seemed there was no time left, considering the warwolf's actions were becoming more ferocious and claiming many lives.
Sir Cedric had numerous plans in mind. He also felt that Aria's power weakened when she was near him. "Perhaps this has something to do with the black pendant Mayada gave me. As it turned out, half of that black pendant was worn by Aria. According to Aria's story, the gemstone pendant was actually a twin and held some secret power that Aria hadn't explained yet."
A gentle tap on his shoulder snapped Sir Cedric out of his reverie. "Enough. You don't need to worry about your friend. She surely knows what's best for herself."
Whether true or not, Loco's words made Sir Cedric somewhat assured and inclined to believe that Aria was indeed fine.
***
The vast expanse of fields became the arena for knight training, skilled archers, and sorcerers practicing their spells. Cheers of joy and the clash of swords echoed around Sir Cedric's castle, signifying intense preparation for the impending battle.
Sir Cedric, dressed in gleaming armor with his sword at his side, stood atop the hill, observing his diligent troops practicing. As the sun set in the western horizon, he contemplated the battle plan etched in his mind.
Suddenly, a courier appeared, approaching with crucial news from the eastern border. "Sir Cedric, the Warwolf troops are approaching our borders! They're getting closer!"
Sir Cedric nodded solemnly. "Our preparations must be flawless. Inform all the commanders to gather in the war room. Emphasize that we must prepare to face the impending darkness that will descend upon our land."
While the tumult of preparation echoed from all corners, the journey towards the inevitable epic battle had commenced.
That night, in the quiet, well-lit library, Sir Cedric sat amidst orderly ancient books on old wooden shelves. In solitude, the soft glow of the lantern illuminated his pensive face.
Lady Elara, a wise woman skilled in the art of magic, entered the room with graceful steps. Clad in an elegant dark blue dress, she greeted Sir Cedric with a warm smile.
"Sir Cedric, allow me to assist you in preparing for this battle with a bit of magic," Lady Elara said as she sat beside him.
Sir Cedric looked at her attentively. "Just call me 'Cedric'," he paused, "Is that possible? I'm a knight, not a wizard," the muscular man continued.
Lady Elara smiled gently. "But magic can be a useful ally in war. Let me show you a few things that can help us."
She took a sheet of paper and, with delicate movements, began inscribing shimmering ancient symbols. She explained each symbol and its meaning to Sir Cedric, who carefully tried to follow her every hand gesture.
As the lantern hung nearby, the room felt filled with an aura of enchantment. Sir Cedric sensed a new strength flowing within him, fostering a stronger belief in facing the forthcoming challenges.
"Thank you, Lady Elara. This knowledge of magic will be a valuable additional weapon in battle," Sir Cedric expressed his gratitude.
They sat together, sharing knowledge, uniting their strengths, carving a path toward deeper and more magical preparations for the impending battle.
"What made you decide to teach me magic?" Sir Cedric inquired.
Lady Elara murmured for a while. "I like people who get straight to the point. No beating around the bush." For a moment, Lady Elara observed Sir Cedric's striking face. He had a firm jawline, a prominent nose, thick and neatly arranged eyebrows, and a pair of captivating eagle-like eyes. Not to forget, Lady Elara glanced at his luscious lips, slightly parted at the bottom, radiating sweetness and allure. "It's really a shame, I already have a boyfriend." Lady Elara whispered.
"Um, what did you say just now? Is something wrong with my face?" Sir Cedric asked, noticing Lady Elara's gaze.
Lady Elara was taken aback. "Oh, no. It's just that I indeed need your help."
"Alright. Because you've been kind to me, I can't refuse your request," Sir Cedric said with a serious tone.
Lady Elara took a deep breath, offering a small smile. "But, it's already night. I'll tell you my request tomorrow."
***
The following night, in the quiet darkness, Sir Cedric sat alone in the training room, holding his sword with an unusual sense of unease. Shadows of the village of Minerva and Aria, hidden in his subconscious, haunted him. Confused and burdened by the secret he kept, Sir Cedric was trapped in a mental struggle.
Entering the war room, Lady Elara noticed the distress weighing upon Sir Cedric. Sensing his tension, she approached, eager to help. "Sir Cedric, you seem worried. Something is troubling your mind. Can I help?"
Sir Cedric raised his face, confusion evident in his eyes. "I promised someone not to reveal a secret, but the curiosity and confusion about why Aria suddenly left without a word almost make me forget my promise."
Lady Elara nodded understandingly. "Promises are to be honored with utmost respect. But why did your friend leave so abruptly without an explanation?"
Sir Cedric shook his head, his face filled with perplexity. "That's what adds to my confusion. Aria has always been a mysterious figure, but this time, her disappearance without a trace truly leaves me wondering."
In the midst of escalating perplexity, Sir Cedric felt squeezed between two puzzles in need of resolution. Gazing into the distance, he pondered his next steps while still considering the crucial promise he made.
Sir Cedric turned, his eyes filled with doubt. "Lady Elara, I have a secret I've never told anyone. It's about the village of Minerva."
Surprised by Sir Cedric's sudden honesty, Lady Elara looked at him intently. "Village of Minerva? You mean the village that's a bedtime story for kids? What happened there?"
Sir Cedric bit his lip, almost losing control over the meticulously guarded secret. However, somehow, he seemed unable to control his lips. While his mind and heart continued to battle, trying to restrain his lips from revealing anything about the village.
Finally, he fabricated a story that, to him, seemed utterly absurd. "The village... That village is indeed a bedtime story. But it seems the village is real. Minerva holds an untold dark tale. Someone in the past once warned that the village was cursed."
Lady Elara's curiosity peaked. In her heart, she didn't entirely trust Sir Cedric's words. She was sure Cedric held a lot of knowledge about the village, not just a mere fairy-tale land. "Why didn't you ever share this before?" Lady Elara began to forget her intention to state her request from the previous night.
She found herself more interested in digging into the stories about the village that her father and the people in the kingdom had recently talked about.
"Because the secret burdens my mind, making me hesitant to bring that story to anyone. Moreover, the village's reality remains uncertain, whether it's genuinely real or merely a fairy tale," Sir Cedric uttered hesitantly.
Lady Elara gently placed her hand on his shoulder. "Valiant Sir Cedric, don't worry, your secret is safe with me. I won't share this story with anyone. Your burden must be heavy. We can find a solution together. You are not alone."
Sir Cedric thought maybe Lady Elara saw him as delusional, too stressed about the impending war against the Warwolf. He felt relieved by her understanding ears. In that moment, he felt aided by Lady Elara's presence, as if a heavy burden had been lifted from his shoulders.
They gazed at each other, hidden desires flowing through their veins, igniting passions long dormant, preparing for the ongoing epic battle in the dark of the night. They exchanged warmth in the cold of the night, a fiery encounter between two souls filled with emotions and desires.
"I apologize, my lady," Sir Cedric said, straightening his attire while turning away from Lady Elara.
For quite a while, Lady Elara stayed silent. Sir Cedric began to feel anxious, not receiving a positive response from the beautiful girl he had just engaged with. "I forgive you," Lady Elara approached Sir Cedric, who was still stunned in place. She was truly confused and felt immensely guilty. How could she defile a royal princess so deeply? They had just gotten close. What if King Edward disapproved of their relationship later?
Or, even worse, how would Aria feel?
Ah, who knows? It's such a headache to think about unexpected things. Although she truly didn't want that to happen. But her mind was hard to control. Not just because of desire, but something seemed to control her thoughts. Who knows? Hopefully, this won't add new problems.
Unexpectedly, Lady Elara grasped Sir Cedric's hand. Their eyes met. "I have a request for you," Lady Elara said, her face pleading.
Sir Cedric was utterly perplexed. 'What important matter leads a princess to surrender herself to a man she just met?'
"I want you to—" Before Lady Elara could express her request, from a distance, the thundering sound of footsteps drawing closer was heard. Before Lady Elara could leave the spot, Juan and several soldiers stood before them, their gazes piercingly sharp.