Harry
Back in my room, I sat alone, staring at the floor, trying to make sense of everything that had transpired. My thoughts were a tangled mess, and I couldn't escape the feeling that everything was shifting around me. Outside the door, I could hear the soft murmurs of my servants. They treated me as a friend, but I couldn't shake the knowledge that their lives—just like mine—hung in the balance.
"Harry," Sean asked, his voice tentative, "how did it go with Richard and the king?"
I looked up, not meeting his gaze immediately. "I don't know what they've decided. I left the room."
Scott, who had been standing by the window, shook his head in frustration. "What is your problem, Harry? You're risking the lives of our friends."
"I trust the king," I said, though my words felt weak even to me. But it was the truth, at least in part.
Before either of them could respond, a knock came at the door. I didn't need to look to know who it was. Richard.
"Richard," I said, standing up.
He stepped in without a word, but his presence filled the room like a shadow. Scott and Sean quickly moved aside to give him space.
"How are you?" Richard asked, his voice stiff, but there was something underneath it—something that I couldn't quite place.
"I'm fine, thanks," I replied, though the tension in my chest wouldn't ease.
He stared at me for a moment before speaking again. "Tomorrow, I'm taking the Knights to the forest. You should come along."
"I have plans for tomorrow," I said quickly, not even bothering to hide the refusal in my voice.
"Can't it wait?" he pressed, though his tone was unreadable.
"No, it can't. If you wanted me to come with you, you should have informed me earlier."
He stared at me, his eyes narrowing, but then his face softened ever so slightly. "It's for your own good."
I shook my head, frustration bubbling up. "There's no possible war yet, Richard. I'm not coming."
Richard didn't argue further. He simply turned and walked out. I could feel the weight of his unspoken thoughts lingering in the air long after he left.
Scott, who had been silent up until now, spoke up in disbelief. "Where do you get the guts to talk to Prince Richard like that?"
I didn't answer right away, instead focusing on the thoughts swirling in my head. "He is my brother. He can't harm me."
Sean, ever the cautious one, shook his head. "He's so war-minded, hard-hearted, and scary."
I paused, thinking about the boy I once feared—the boy who now, for some strange reason, didn't scare me anymore. "I used to be scared of him, until the day I lost his dagger. I was sure he would kill me. But instead, he was nice. So I don't fear him anymore. I know I'm among the few he still loves."
Scott scoffed. "He loves??"
"Maybe," I murmured, uncertain.
Sean crossed his arms. "What will we do tomorrow? We can't let our friends down."
"We're not going to let them down," I said, the resolve in my voice strong.
Scott glanced nervously between us. "Who will cover for us?"
"Richard will," I said, my voice firm.
Sean looked at me as if I'd lost my mind. "Have you lost it?"
I smiled, though the plan felt dangerous even to me. "I'll tell Father that we're going with Richard to the forest. But then we'll go to the Middle East instead."
Scott looked horrified. "It's risky."
"And our only option," I replied, feeling the weight of the decision settle on my shoulders.
I whispered urgently to my guards as we moved through the narrow corridor at the back of the castle. My pulse was racing, and I could feel the weight of what I was about to do hanging over me. If anyone found out we were leaving, there would be no end to the consequences. But there was no turning back now.
"Be careful and quiet," I muttered, glancing over my shoulder at Scott and Sean. They nodded, though the skepticism was evident in their eyes.
We had to move fast—no more delays. The longer we stayed, the higher the chances someone would catch on to our plan. I wasn't entirely sure why we were risking so much. Maybe it was for the friends we had to protect, or perhaps it was for the thrill of defying the expectations set on us. Either way, we were already in too deep.
I reached the back door, holding my breath as I peeked outside. The coast seemed clear. "Let's go," I whispered, motioning for them to follow. We slipped into the shadows, hoping the cover of night would be enough to keep us hidden.