The journey through the tunnel was rather boring. There was the occasional patrol of soldiers. In front of them was a few merchants and travellers. The crown prince followed behind with a sour expression, staring at the coach every now and then.

The passageways were lit with lanterns every twenty meters or so. It was relatively dark and quiet, except for the noise of footsteps and squeaks from carriages. The opposing streams of traffic didn’t interact with each other and tacitly went their own ways.

After what seems like days, their little convoy came out the other side of the tunnel. The scenery on the other side made Vanessa pause her breath and Kaylee jumping around and looking out from within the carriage.

It was not the first time for Alex and Amelia, hence there was no change of expression on their faces. Alex quietly looked at his brother in law, who seemed unfazed by the view.

The land around them was deep red. Very little vegetation grew and it was noticeably hotter than the north side of the mountain range.

There was another encampment of soldiers manning the exit of the tunnel. A variety of stalls were set up near the encampment.

“There’s no settlements along the way. We have to go straight to the joint city. Do you want to take a break here?” Kyle asked Vanessa’s opinion.

Alex replied instead.

“Let’s keep going, brother in law. The stalls are very expensive compared to the city. There’s nothing to see here anyways.”

Kyle glanced back at the crown prince’s group, who were now talking to the merchants heading to the city to purchase their extra food and water.

The city was five days ride away and it would be hard pressed to find any supplies on the way.

“Are you sure we shouldn’t wait for them?” Vanessa also noticed and spoke up. Alex had a troubled look. He didn’t want the crown prince to follow them along. But he didn’t want to completely offend the other party either.

“No, don’t wait for them! Let’s go. Sister Ruby, lead the way!” Amelia was rather fed up with Quin. She intruded on Alex’s family holiday party due to the fact that Quin would be bothering her everyday if she remained in the capital.

The silent guard leader took up the lead once more and the convoy resumed their journey.

The crown prince saw all of this yet he was unable to do anything. He needed food and water for the journey. Amelia definitely wasn’t going to share any with him!

Truly, he did not know why he kept up his pursuit of the girl. He knew deep down that Amelia disliked him and if he were to push on, it would turn to hatred.

Quin chased after them in a hurry after having bought sufficient supplies, albeit at a premium. His group numbered only thirteen and it was by no means large enough to avoid the attention of certain bandit groups.

With a little regret in his heart, he followed the Duke’s guards and the two carriages.

“Uncle Alex, why are those people following us?” Kaylee cutely asked Alex.

“Ignore them Kaylee. Just some bystanders! Hmph!” Amelia puffed her cheeks in response. Kaylee tried to copy her expression, causing Vanessa to laugh.

Vanessa opened the sliding door and said to Kyle.

“Dear, how about we have lunch soon?”

Kyle was seemingly in thought as he replied somewhat absentmindedly. “Alright, I’ll ask the guard leader.”

Kyle saw a small grove of trees, a few kilometres down the road. It was a refreshing shade of green, bringing much needed change to the desolate land around them.

“Miss Ruby, is there a good area to stop by and take a meal break?” Kyle asked the stern guard leader, causing her to look back at him.

“Yes, there’s a rest area up ahead. We can stop there.”

Kyle nodded in affirmation and informed the occupants in the coach.

“There’s a patch of trees and a small clearing up ahead. I was told that it was created by the elves’ nature magic.”

Alex was explaining to Vanessa, Kaylee and Liz. Liz was excitedly looking around ever since they arrived at the tunnel. But her excitement had seemingly died down due to the unchanging scenery that seems to go on endlessly.

““Elves?!””

“Uncle Alex, have you seen elves before?”

The sudden mention of the legendary race perked up the ears of the two young women. Amelia smugly said in place of Alex, whose face turned sour each time he was interrupted by Amelia. He didn’t have the guts to reprimand her, however.

“Of course! You can sometimes spot them in the joint city! I’ve met some of their mages before. They’re very strong!”

“What do they look like? Are they as beautiful as they say in the books?” Sparkles could be seen in Vanessa and Liz’s eyes.

Amelia also had a dreamy look in her eyes, adding much to Alex’s annoyance.

“They’re all very pretty and handsome. The males are tall, good looking and strong!” Amelia ignored Alex’s black face and went on at some length to describe the characteristics of the elven race to Vanessa and Liz.

Kyle had heard all the discussion behind him. “What’s all the fuss anyways…I can get an elf girl to be a maid any time I want. Hmph!” He muttered under his breath.

The group stopped at the clearing in front of the trees. Kyle let the horses free and gave them water.

Vanessa, together with Liz, started preparation for lunch. Kaylee was drawn by Amelia and Alex to play in the surroundings.

The soldiers also started to unpack food and water from the wagon. Only the guard leader shadowed the three playing in the surroundings.

The crown prince and his guards settled a distance away from Kyle’s camp. Quin approached the playing Amelia and Kaylee. Ignoring Alex, who was next to the two females, the crown prince shouted out.

“Amelia!”

Amelia looked rather disgruntled but ultimately replied., albeit in a cold tone.

“What do you want?”

“Would you like to have your meal with me?” The crown prince said after some hesitation.

“No, thank you. Could you please stop bothering me?”

Quin stood still, clenching his fists and gritting his teeth. He knew she’d reply like that, yet he had to try.

“Is it because of him?”

“Would you believe me if I said no?” Amelia quipped sarcastically. At the same time, she gave Alex an apologetic look, aware that she was placing the position of a ‘shield’ on him.

Quin naturally noticed this exchange. However, he saw it as Alex and Amelia flirting in front of him! His anger and reason that he had been holding back for many years exploded in that one moment.

“You!!!”

“ALEX!! I CHALLENGE YOU TO A LIFE AND DEATH DUEL!!!”

Quin’s yell drew the attention of the everyone else on the scene.

Amelia was the first to react.

“What do you mean, Quin Strand?!”

Alex was quiet but he looked at the crown prince with a complicated gaze. Vanessa came over and took Kaylee in her arms. Kyle also came up and stood next to his wife.

The royal guards came ahead of the prince and confronted the Duke’s guards who did the same for Amelia.

Alex sighed. “I refuse.”

“What?” Quin blankly looked at Alex.

“I have no reason to accept your challenge. You are stronger than me anyways. And even if I was by some chance to win, do you really think I’d be able to kill you?”

“Hahaha, are you afraid?! Do you see, Amelia? The man you chose is a coward!”

Amelia wanted to reply back but she was held back by the guard leader. Her job was to protect the Duke’s daughter and she did not care for anyone else.

“Sister Ruby! You can’t let this happen. This is unfair!”

Amelia kept struggling against the guard leader, who swiftly proceeded to knock her out. Kyle looked at the soldiers retreating with a passed-out Amelia.

“Wife, take Kaylee and wait in the carriage with Liz. Close the windows.”

Vanessa was somewhat worried but calmed down after remembering how powerful Kyle was. She obediently went into the carriage, pulling along a confused Liz.

Quin pushed aside the guards standing in front him. He slowly walked over towards Alex while looking at him with a jeer.

“Prepare to die!!” Shouting a cheesy line, he leapt towards Alex, brandishing his sword!