Chapter 118 – The Runaway Princess (8)

Cyra staggered to her room. She was led by a maidservant who was quite enthusiastic about leading the princess. Along the way, Cyra met her young brother who wore sashes around their torso. Bearing grins and false words that she hated. However their cheeks flushed red and they ran at the sight of the emerald sash given to her.

She had agreed to her father’s request. To serve the nation and to protect everyone that lives on it. It was surprising to her that she agreed to the request. It may seem like it was abrupt but after hearing what her father had to say. How could she dare to refuse? What did she learn? She learned of an Empire on a faraway continent that would be arriving in the continent’s doorsteps for a massive invasion. It was a shocking revelation.

She rested inside her room. She felt awkward using the soft bed. But she got used to it and slept for hours. The next day she went to the courtyard where she met Abel who was looking at the giant pond. The giant pond had an arching bridge. There were odd fishes that swam around. Cyra approached Abel and said.

“So did you know?”

“About?” said “The coming of an Empire.”

“Ah, the Empire far from the Gigantes Sea,” he nodded. “So did the Lord of Demesne tell you everything? You looked like you have been enlightened.”

“He did,” gritted Cyra. “How could I not be enlightened when someone told me that there is a warmongering Empire out there. That could threaten the livelihood of everyone living in this continent? Yes.”

Abel looked at Cyra. “Forgive me, you actually looked like you know what you are talking about,” he admitted. “Or was I fooled by your demeanor when I met you?”

“I was born in the highest class. I was taught properly until I escaped this nation. I am no fool but I can act like one.”

He smiled. He was impressed by Cyra’s masks. “You are the gifted heir of this demesne. Consider me fooled.”

“Bah, spare me that. The emerald brooch masks my appearance as well as suppressed my personality. It has been a long time that I’ve been true. How do you think I’ve escaped from this nation if I was inept and shy?”

Abel grinned. He looked at the pond. “I see. But as you said I’ve known the threat. Why do you think we would steal a maiden forcibly from her beloved so that we can settle an alliance?”

He said with this mocking tone. Cyra caught on that. “I should hang you for hurting him.”

“What?”

“I will not forget what you did. I should have someone shoot you for that. Just be lucky that you didn’t kill him.”

“What if I did?”

The light on Cyra’s eyes disappeared. What remained was the fierce look that Lord Glarus had. It was a look that Abel wouldn’t have thought she would have.

“I would have done in all my power to convince my father to tear the Templars apart. I would have skinned you alive myself and feed your bowels to the wolves. I would have cut your limbs and displayed it as an eternal reminder of what you did. God forgives, but I don’t.”

“Then I am glad that I haven’t done something like that.”

Cyra nodded her head. She then discussed the thing about the Empire that they were facing. She needed the information and Abel knew bits of information about this Empire.

The Empire that the Livia Continent will be facing is situated across the Gigantes Sea. This Empire had an Emperor and owns various states. The Empire had been warring for quite a while now. And only through the discovery of the Progenitors ruins. That this Empire had begun its plan to cross the Gigantes Sea. The Livia Continent is a trap in the middle of the Gigantes Sea. The Empire tried to cross the sea once before. But it proved difficult with sea currents and the dire monsters that are as big as hills and as wide as plains.

The Empire even built an armada of ships once to face these monsters. But it proved fatal and it only made something horrible awaken from the depths. This being turned its sights on the Empire and wreck havoc. And only through five days and five nights of gruesome battle that the Empire subdued it. It was that tragic incident that made the Empire hunt down the leviathans of the Gigantes Sea.

And they found another ruin and these ruins was something that the Maltius La Fende was eyeing on. When the two nations met they have tried discussing peacefully. But it all turned into a bitter argument that then made The Empire want to capture the Livia continent. And make them join the Empire. It was nothing but a right of conquest.

Sooner or later the Maltius La Fende would ally itself to the Templars. But it needed to strengthen its own borders first. The demesne built walls and defensive structures across their hold. That would allow them to hold their land from the invaders. But they cannot defend forever so they made an army of men and women armed with the best thing they could give them. The Demesne didn’t want to waste their men and women when an enemy was just on the other side of the ocean, waiting to strike.

Cyra could only be depressed hearing all of this. Even if she wasn’t taken by force. Then the Templars and the Demesne would ally together. And tame the Bali and Cagan natives who could pose a big problem.

Abel felt rather sorry towards Cyra. She could have lived in that Town peacefully, ignorant of the incoming threat. But she had to be dragged into this kind of a mess.

But now she was suddenly thrown into the role of one the Lord Commissar’s enforcers. Abel doubted first why the Lord Commissar would want some shy bread making girl as his enforcer. But now that Abel had conversed with her without that mask on. He had realized that he was truly fooled. She was called the belladonna and was priced heavily. Bot because of her innate beauty, but because of how she could easily become like her father. Knowing this, Abel can’t help but wonder if bringing in this girl back to the Demesne was the right choice.