"What?!"

"My lady, forgive me for not protecting the Duke and Duchess with my sword, just as I swore to"

"What happened?" Iona asked.

"Erinburgh was under attack when I met it, knights whom I couldn't recognize had broken into our strongest barriers, killing people in the process. The Duke and Duchess not left out.

We couldn't ward off the attack, we had to flee for protection. I say this with a burdened heart, but I forgot my duties that day, I acted a coward and fled for my life. People say it was the hand of Cedric, but we know not what it was. Erinburgh hasn't been the same ever since. I had to return to make sure it wasn't invaded anymore" Sir Willard uttered.

"And those people outside, why haven't you seen to them?" Iona questioned.

"My lady, there's nothing we can do" Willard uttered.

"If we have any contact with them, the disease will be passed on to us" He said.

"And what caused this 'disease'?" Iona asked.

"It's unknown to us" He replied.

"We woke up and saw hundreds of people outside the palace walls, screeching and begging for food. We tried rendering help to them, but the guards who had touched them contacted the disease immediately and passed on a couple weeks later"

"All that's left now is us surviving with what we have"

"Find a healer immediately, I don't care where you go or how long it takes, all I want, is for you to return here with someone who has a remedy for healing those dying people outside"

"It's your duty to protect them, and that you must" Iona commanded.

"My lady, it's dangerous stepping out there" Willard said to her.

"Go, Now!" Iona said to him.

"Your Grace" He bowed, and then turned on his heels, walking away.

As the doors were shut, Iona moved forward, her eyes scanning the throne room, noticing the cobwebs which had appeared everywhere, leaving the entire place messy.

"Go out there, find the children and give them garments to protect their skin from the cold" Iona instructed the guards.

"You do not have to touch their bodies, just drop the clothing for them on the grounds and return back here immediately" She utttered to him.

"At once, my lady" The guard bowed to her.

She turned around to see Kyle exiting the room quietly.

"Where are you going?" She called softly.

He turned around, looking aside.

"I have to leave" He responded

"Why?" She asked him.

"My mission here's done"

"I promised your father that I'd keep you safe, and with the knights and guards around, I can attest that this is the best place for you to remain in" He spoke.

"I have to go now"

He was about walking away, but halted as she called his name, hurrying over to him, and placing her tender hands in his.

Staring into his eyes, she crashed her lips onto his, wrapping her arms around his neck.

The kiss left Kyle in a daze, not at all expecting it, but as soon as he got himself together, he returned the kiss, holding her closer to him.

"Don't go" She whispered to him.

"I've got no business here" He muttered.

"Yes you do, she said immediately"

"Me" She added.

"You promised my father you would protect me. How would you do that if you leave" She asked him.

"Iona-" He started.

"Kyle, I've never ruled a kingdom before. It's now my duty to reshape Erinburgh and make it better than before. The people need my leadership, I need to restore the beauty back in this kingdom, but I can't do that alone"

"I need you" She said to him.

He stared into her eyes, listening as she spoke to him.

"You're a prince. Prince of Brilthor. You know everything about ruling" She uttered.

"I don't think I deserve to be called that. I betrayed my own people. I wouldn't dare put Erinburgh in the same position" He looked away.

"But you brought me safely here. If you were a bad person, you wouldn't that. You kept your promises to my father at the expense of your own life. I see a man with a good heart, Kyle"

"Why not redeem yourself by doing this, cleanse your past and be the best leader" Iona said to him, caressing his face.

He stared at her, lost with words on what to say. In as much as he wanted to leave, he couldn't afford leaving her alone.

Who knows what the days would bring anytime soon. She had lost everything, her parents, the castle and even the sceptre her father handed over to her. Kyle's trust was all she had now.

Was he willing to let her down?

"I am asking you Kyle Brennan, to rule over Erinburgh, with me by your side"

His eyes widened at her request, staring into her eyes and seeing the sincerity which she spoke with.