Two days after... I did not go to the cell again where the princess is, there was something that prevented me, as if I was afraid to remember what she's talked about.
The morning was cold, the kind that seeps into the skin and stays there. The camp was already moving, soldiers were being prepared, weapons were being checked, horses were being readied.
The trade would soon be done.
I finally descended into the prison, the familiar creak of the iron door echoing through the stone walls.
When I opened the door, she looked up, and her blue eyes met mine. "What's going on?" she asked quietly, but there was something behind it.
"There's a trade," I said simply. "We're bringing you back."
I saw it immediately, the slight shift in her expression. For the first time, her calm mask cracked. It wasn't relief. It wasn't fear. It was something else.
Sadness.
My eyes narrowed. "So, you really were happy here," I said, watching her reaction closely.
She didn't answer. She just looked away, her fingers curling slightly in the fabric of her dress.
I stepped forward, pulling the rope to tie her hands. "Stand up."
She did, but before I could react, her fist shot forward, landing straight in my stomach.
It wasn't hard enough to hurt, but it wasn't weak either. More than the force, it was the surprise of it. My body tensed slightly from the unexpected impact. I hadn't thought that she can throw a punch at all.
I exhaled slowly, watching her carefully as I steadied myself. That wasn't a careless punch... she's strong. The way she moved, the way she controlled her strike, and it wasn't random. She's trained.
But before I could say anything, she held out her hands toward me, waiting for me to tie them.
I stared at her. "Why?" I asked, my voice cold, unreadable.
She smiled, almost playful. "I just wanted to do that," she said simply.
For a moment, I didn't move. Just watched her.
Then, without a word, I tied her hands and led her out, the sound of boots and shifting armor filling the camp as we prepared for what was coming.
When I reached the team, everyone had already mounted their horses, waiting for the signal to move. The princess stood beside me, her hands still tied, her expression unreadable. Without a word, I put my hand on her waist and lifted her onto the horse
She didn't resist, didn't speak, just looked at me with those sharp blue eyes, as if studying me. I met her gaze briefly before stepping back.
I felt Andrew watching me. When I looked at him, he had a smile on his face, and he nodded slightly, clearly amused. I ignored him.
Yuri stood at the front, looking out at the assembled soldiers. His presence alone commanded attention, but when he spoke, the weight of his words made the air feel heavy.
"We have one mission today," Yuri said in a steady, strong voice. "Complete the mission, get our soldiers back, and return home safely. Drayton will not make this easy. Don't trust their smiles, and don't let your guard down. Keep your members alert and stick together."
His eyes moved across the crowd, stopping at a few of us. "We're not here to start a war, but if one comes to us, we'll end it."
The soldiers nodded, their silence a testament to their concentration. I remained silent, listening.
"Move," Yuri ordered.
I was riding with him at the front, leading my own team as he led the entire operation. The cold wind caressed my face as the horses moved forward, the sound of hooves filling the air.
For a while, we travelled in silence. Then Yuri spoke, his voice low now, just between the two of us.
"You've been quiet," he said, his tone unreadable.
I looked at him. "I don't have much to say."
Yuri let out a light laugh. "That never stopped me."
Yuri glanced at me again, his expression thoughtful. Then, with a small smirk, he said, "You know… I was surprised. The princess actually let you touch her."
I turned my head slightly, meeting his gaze.
"She didn't even look at us the past two days," he continued. "Wouldn't let us get close. Cold as ice. But you…" He tilted his head, eyes narrowing. "She's different with you."
I didn't answer right away. My grip on the reins tightened slightly as I thought back to my last encounter with her. The way she looked at me, not with fear or hatred, but with something else. Something harder to define.
Yuri let out a soft chuckle. "I wonder why that is."
I exhaled slowly, keeping my face neutral. "I don't know."
Yuri hummed as if considering my words. "Maybe..." Then, after a pause, he added, "Maybe she sees something in you the rest of us don't."
I didn't respond.
Yuri glanced at me after a time again. "You remind me of myself when I was younger," he said. "Always thinking, always carrying the weight alone."
I kept my eyes ahead. "And what did you get from that?"
He laughed softly. "A lot of sleepless nights… and a few regrets."
I didn't respond, but I knew what he meant.
Yuri continued, his voice steady. "Leadership isn't about knowing all the answers. It's about making choices, even when none of them feel right. And sometimes, you'll make mistakes. Big ones." He paused for a moment, then added, "Remember, just because I give you advice, doesn't mean I'm smarter than you. It means I've made more mistakes..."
I thought about his words, letting them settle.
Finally, I gave a small nod. "Then I'll make sure to learn from yours."
Yuri smirked. "That would make you smarter than me already."
The conversation ended there, but his words stayed with me as we rode forward.
The place we came to was vast and open, a dry, uneven expanse of land with patches of dead grass scattered across the cracked earth. A cold wind was blowing, whipping up dust. There were some large rocks in the distance, and beyond them a line of faded trees marked the edge of the wilderness. The sky was gray, heavy with clouds, but the sun was still breaking through in places, casting long shadows on the ground.
We waited in silence.
Crimzo and the archers had already taken up positions, hidden but with a perfect line of sight to everything. Andrew stood close to me, his sword gripped tightly, his eyes sharp with focus. Yuri was right in front of me, his presence calm but commanding. The princess was close by as well, standing between Yuri and me, her stance straight, but I could tell she was watching everything carefully.
The wind picked up slightly, and Andrew exhaled. "They're taking their time," he muttered.
Yuri crossed his arms. "It's a tactic. Make us wait, let the tension build."
I didn't say anything, just kept my eyes on the horizon. Then, in the distance, movement.
The Drayton army.
They came slowly, controlled, disciplined. At least 300 soldiers, heavily armed, moving in perfect synchronization. Their armor is made of strong iron, polished but scarred from past battles. A dark red scarf is wrapped around their necks, symbolizing loyalty and courage. Their helmets have a T-shaped visor, giving them a mysterious and fearless look, while a thick belt holds small pouches and a dagger for close combat. And among them, the prisoners. Our soldiers, walking with their hands tied, their faces tired but alert.
Yuri straightened, his voice calm but firm. "Everyone, take positions."
I could feel the shift immediately. The soldiers beside me tightened their grips on their weapons, the archers above adjusted their aim, ready to fire at a moment's notice.
The Drayton army continued their steady approach, stopping a safe distance away. Then, one man rode ahead, breaking from their formation and coming toward us.
I knew immediately who he was.
He was tall, with sharp, measured movements, his dark hair tied back neatly. His face was unreadable, cold. His gaze across all of us before settling.
He stopped his horse just a short distance away, his posture straight and composed. Then, he spoke.
"I am Keven, Prince of Drayton."
Yuri stepped forward; his expression neutral. "Yuri, commander of this operation."
Keven's dark eyes studied us for a moment before he gave a slight nod. Then, with a calm, steady voice, he said, "There are names that carry weight in this era. Yours are among them. I know who you both are...".
Keven's eyes locked onto me, his gaze steady, analysing. It wasn't just a passing glance; he was weighing every detail.
"Black hair, sharp, composed, and hard to read.… yeah, there's no doubt," he said, his tone low but sure. "You're Roy Celgius."
Then he adds, looking at Andrew. "I can tell that you're Andrew Celgius"
Andrew nodded, with a serious look on his face. "You're right."
Yuri crossed his arms and studied Kevin with a slight smile. "I know you as well, Prince Drayton."
I remained silent, watching everything unfold. As my eyes moved, I noticed something, Yuri's gloves. They were combat gloves, thick but flexible, worn as if they had been through years of fighting. A hand-to-hand fighter?... It all makes sense now. His sword wasn't large since it wasn't his main weapon. He relied on his fists as much as the blade.
The discussion moved forward, the trade taking shape.
"We'll begin by you, releasing 100 of our soldiers," Yuri stated firmly. "Once they've crossed over to us, we'll send the princess."
Keven gave a slow nod, his expression unreadable. "And after that?"
"When we confirm the princess has safely reached your side, you will release the remaining prisoners," Yuri continued. "Then, once we count and confirm, we'll return the rest of your soldiers to you."
Keven's eyes didn't move from Yuri's. "That's acceptable."
The tension was high, but the terms were set.