Hansel Abbott, a noble baron of the Kingdom of Aldo, was a figure of reverence among the common folk, but today he found himself trudging along a muddy country road, surrounded by a throng of ragged refugees.
"Goddamn traitor," he muttered under his breath, frustration bubbling within him.
Just a week prior, Grand Duke Giles, infamously known as "Greedy Wolf," had launched a rebellion while the king lay in a coma from a serious illness. The princess, the only one capable of quelling the uprising, had taken her knights to the eastern highlands to fend off barbarian invaders. The betrayal was swift and brutal; Sir Hals, the commander of the Royal City Guard, was revealed to be a secret ally of the Grand Duke, shattering the once unshakeable loyalty of the royal family's supporters.
The Abbott family had always been viewed as staunch loyalists, and Hansel, caught outside the city when chaos erupted, had fled in fear. He and his personal servant, Tommen, had made a hasty escape to the highlands, terrified of returning to a city overrun with bandits and traitors.
The order of the Jingyao area seemed to crumble overnight. Bandits surged from the shadows, and city guards, once protectors, became marauders, plundering and pillaging. With the Grand Duke's rising reputation, many loyal civilians and lesser nobles began to flee, their homes abandoned in the face of danger.
As Hansel trudged through the mud, he caught snippets of conversation from the refugees. Reports indicated that the rebel forces had stormed the palace, but the king was nowhere to be found. Just before the rebellion erupted, the royal party had received word and managed to whisk the king and other important figures away, fleeing through the north gate.
Hansel had spotted convoys adorned with the royal insignia on the road. Unlike the desperate refugees clamoring for safety, he had initially clung to the royal banner, feeling a sense of duty. Yet, the growing unease gnawed at him; something felt terribly wrong. Now, he and Tommen were navigating an alternate route, surrounded yet again by those seeking refuge.
Suddenly, their carriage sank into a muddy patch, and despite Tommen's best efforts to coax the horse free, they were stuck. Just as they lamented their misfortune, a band of robbers emerged, swiftly relieving them of their horse and remaining possessions. All Hansel could do was curse the rebels who had wrought this chaos upon their lives.
As they prepared to rest by the roadside, an aristocratic carriage approached from behind. The family emblem had been obscured, but as it drew nearer, Hansel recognized a face he had once found distasteful but now felt a strange kinship toward.
"Hey, isn't that Abbott?" a voice called out, dripping with mockery. Hansel's heart sank, recognizing Matthew Stallman, his former classmate and lifelong rival, whose face now bore a smirk of glee.
"Dear Matthew," Hansel said, forcing a smile through clenched teeth, "we encountered some robbers earlier. For the sake of our old friendship, might you lend us a hand?"
"Ha! What a sight this is! My good friend, Baron Hansel Abbott, consorting with a pack of refugees in the mud. What a scandal that would be for our noble reputation!" Matthew declared loudly, eliciting laughter from the knights accompanying him.
"Thank you, Matthew. I knew you wouldn't abandon an old friend," Hansel replied, biting back his resentment as he climbed into the carriage.
Matthew was a rival throughout their schooling, always ready to undermine Hansel's arguments in debates, his words sharp and cutting. Now, as they both fled for their lives, Hansel found a bitter semblance of camaraderie in their shared plight.
"The world is truly unpredictable," Hansel sighed, silently thanking his mother and sister, who had wisely chosen to visit relatives outside the capital.
"Enough of that. What's your plan, Hansel?" Matthew asked, a hint of genuine curiosity in his tone.
"In such turbulent times, I intend to join the eldest princess. It is our duty as loyal subjects to serve the crown, regardless of our personal safety," Hansel declared, straightening his collar, feeling a flicker of determination.
"Still as noble as ever. My Stallman family has always held allegiance to the royal family," Matthew replied, a hint of pride in his voice.
"Do you think the princess will accept us when we reach her camp? Where were you before you fled?" Hansel inquired, genuinely curious.
"I was at our manor, reviewing accounts when I got word from my father to join the princess in the highlands," Matthew explained. "I didn't follow the royal convoy, though. It was too conspicuous, and I'm no fool to walk into danger blindly."
Their conversation was abruptly interrupted as the carriage jolted to a stop. Tension filled the air; had they encountered rebels?
A voice, thick with a foreign accent, called from outside, "Excuse me, are you from the Stallman family? Would you step out of the carriage?"
Reluctantly, the two barons exited to find an elderly man standing beside the carriage, bowing slightly.
"I am Baron Vackley Ford, steward of Earl Greymans from the northwest coast. On behalf of my lord, I wish to convey my regards to you both," the old man introduced himself.
"Hansel Abbott of the Abbott family, and this is Baron Matthew Stallman. What brings you here?" Hansel asked, intrigued.
"On my way to the royal capital to discuss territorial matters, I encountered many civilians fleeing north, all speaking of a rebellion. I seek to understand the situation better," Ford explained.
"Ah, the rebellion," Matthew interjected. "It's all because of Giles, who betrayed His Majesty."
"The so-called 'Greedy Wolf'?" Ford's brow furrowed in concern.
"Yes. The capital is now in the hands of his accomplices. We advise you not to go there," Hansel warned.
"It's been nearly a decade since I visited the capital. I never expected to encounter such turmoil," Ford lamented. "Giles will pay for this treachery."
"Indeed. We intend to join the eldest princess, who is currently leading forces against the barbarian threat in the highlands," Hansel said, hoping to instill confidence.
"I pray that the king has been rescued. If you'll allow it, I would be honored to accompany you to find the princess. I've heard she is the only one who can restore order," Ford offered.
"Of course. Your company would be most welcome," Matthew replied, relief washing over him.
As they prepared to continue their journey, Hansel felt a mixture of hope and dread. The road ahead was uncertain, but he knew one thing: loyalty would be tested, and survival depended on unity.