Knights of The Dauntless Princess

Chapter 5: Challenge

"Good morning," Amara greeted them while supporting herself carefully from walking.

They turned to look at her, their faces showing a mix of surprise and concern, especially Lillian when she saw the young lady. She quickly stood up to help her.

"Why didn't you call us? You shouldn't have gotten up yet. Your wounds are not fully healed," she said.

She simply smiled at the old woman. Amara felt embarrassed because they were taking such good care of her. She had been there for two weeks, and she didn't want to be a burden to them anymore. The young lady got up from bed since she felt better, except for her arm, which she still couldn't move properly. It seemed to have been badly injured when she jumped from the palace.

"I'm really feeling better, Lillian. You don't have to worry about me," she replied to her, and they sat down at the dining table.

"Are you really okay, princess? Would you like me to feed you again?" Dion asked as he scooped the soup into Amara's bowl.

"I'm excellent, I promise. No need to trouble yourself, Dion. Thank you for your kindness," Amara smiled at the gentle little boy.

"Stop calling her that," the cold-hearted man, Dravis, said. Amara didn't know why, but every time she saw him, she felt annoyed even though he was the one who saved her.

"But, Uncle, isn't she the princes—"

"If someone overhears you are calling her that, what do you think will happen?" he casually remarked while eating without any expression on his face.

We fell silent at his words, contemplating. To be honest, the arrogant man had a point. Moreover, if people were to find out that I was the princess, my life would be in danger and theirs.

"But that's a sign of disrespect towards her—"

The young lady immediately spoke up, causing Lillian to stop arguing. "No, it's fine. Besides, I'm not really the princess of this kingdom anymore. There's no reason for you to call me that."

"But, princess—"

"He has a point. If they discover that I am indeed the princess, your peaceful lives might be put in chaos or, worse, in danger. I don't want— I don't want you to be harmed because of me," Amara said to them. Although tears welled in her eyes as she remembered the horrendous event that happened to her family, she still forced herself to smile.

Dravis stood up and turned his back to them. It seemed like he was leaving and going somewhere.

"No one should suspect you, so from now on, forget that you're a princess and act like an ordinary citizen of this town," Dravis said, seemingly indifferent to the girl's feelings. "Forget everything if you want to stay alive."

After saying that, Dravis walked out the door. Amara, Lillian, and Dion were left behind at the dining table with sadness in their eyes.

"Please forgive Dravis for being insensitive. Sometimes, he can be hurtful with his words," Lillian apologized.

Amara immediately shook her head and smiled. "Oh, it's alright. He's right, anyway. I should forget who I am if I want to stay alive and seek justice for my family!"

"S-Seek justice? Amara," Lillian hesitantly called the maiden. "I almost forgot to tell you, I heard that your parents were buried in the Albasta. I'm sorry if you didn't even get to see them before they were laid to rest."

Amara stifled her grief, clenching her fists tightly as she remembered her family's smiles.

She would never see them again. She knew she couldn't go there because the Albasta was close to the palace; she knew they were waiting for her to show up there, which was frustrating.

"Hmm? If I can no longer call you princess, can I just call you 'big sister'?" Dion suddenly asked.

The sadness in Amara's heart was quickly replaced by glee. Her smile widened, and she embraced Dion. "I would be delighted. Please, call me that."

They continued eating, and after they finished, the former princess helped them tidy up a bit. Lillian didn't want to tire herself out, but due to the young woman's insistence, the kind old woman couldn't refuse. Lillian reminded Dion to help Amara and keep the lady from doing heavy chores.

As a former princess, Amara wasn't accustomed to household chores, so she had no idea what needed to be done. Dion became her partner in learning these tasks, and Amara was happy to be able to help them.

Amara sat down on the couch, feeling tired. She looked around the house and pondered; it wasn't a large house like their palace, but she felt exhausted from cleaning, even though she only wiped the dust off of vases and windows.

"Are you okay, prin—I mean, big sis?" Dion asked, concerned though he was the one who did most of the work.

"Yes, I'm fine. How about you?" Amara asked him. "You're so diligent. Aren't you tired?"

Dion shook his head and flexed his arm to show Amara that he was hefty. "I'm strong like Uncle Dravis! This is easy for me!"

Amara chuckled softly, impressed and finding the child cute. "I'm sure you'll grow up to be strong just like him."

Dion nodded and went back to scrubbing the floor. "Uncle is the one I look up to in everything. He's strong and skilled in combat. Grandma said many people were afraid of him because he used to be a general! That's also my dream!"

Amara was taken aback by what the child had said. She couldn't tell if it was true or if he had made it up.

Dravis, a former general? Where? Which kingdom? Was that true?

"Dion, is that true? Your uncle is a former general?"

Lillian arrived with a small basin in her hands full of washed clothes.

"Grandma, Uncle Dravis used to be a general, right?" Dion asked, seeking confirmation from Lillian, who was surprised by the question.

Lillian looked at Amara, who also seemed to be waiting for her response. She hesitated to answer the question but eventually nodded. "Yes, it's true. Why?"

Amara gasped upon hearing that and was suddenly interested in knowing more about it.

"Really? In which kingdom? When?" Amara asked one question after another.

Lillian put down the basket, and a bitter expression crossed her face. "That was almost five years ago, I think, but I'm unsure. Dravis really was a general in Emmett. He followed in the footsteps of his late father. Still, he decided to resign from his duties because of his beloved girlfriend, Eula. However, after the chaos here in the town of Erin, which led to the death of Eula and Dion's parents, darkness enveloped Dravis' life. He changed, he became lifeless. It seemed like he lost his direction."

Amara didn't expect Dravis' past to come up just because of her question. She felt pity for the young man and finally understood why he drank almost every day. It seemed that even during those times, Dravis hadn't entirely accepted the loss of his beloved.

His girlfriend... got killed? And Dion's parents? T-That's terrible! Who did that!?

On the other hand, Amara also contemplated what the grandmother had said. She couldn't recall Dravis in any event where she was with the soldiers of their palace, so she found it difficult to remember and believe. But she couldn't deny that he was skilled in combat because she had witnessed it with her own eyes.

"You're probably wondering if what I said about him being a former general is true, right?" Lillian asked, amused.

Amara's face blushed slightly, and a smile of embarrassment formed on her lips. "Was it that obvious? S-Sorry, I don't remember him at all."

"I knew it," Lillian suppressed her laughter. "I think you've seen him before, but you might not remember because he has changed so much, even his appearance. But did you know... he was the most good-looking among the generals when he still served in the palace!?"

Amara furrowed her brow because she really couldn't decide whether to believe what was being said. Given Dravis' appearance, with his long messy hair that covered most of his face, and his unattractive mustache and beard, she didn't know how she could believe it.

Good-looking? Maybe Lillian is just saying that because he is her child. To be honest, If she didn't mention that Dravis is her son, I would think they were siblings; he looks in his mid-forties e-exceept his body. His physique was a sight to behold, sculpted to perfection with chiseled muscles that rippled beneath his taut skin. Uhm. Sh*t! No! Why did I suddenly remember that!? Tsk!

Seeing Amara's perplexed expression, Lillian burst into laughter again.

"Sorry, I don't have any old pictures of him. He doesn't want to be reminded of his past, so he hides them in the storage room. He kept the key, so I can't show it to you. But if you see Dravis' face, I think you'll recognize his handsomeness," Lillian said, winking at Amara.

I-If... I see his face?

It felt like a challenge to Amara with what Lillian had just said. She wondered how she could make that happen.

Dion tugged at Amara's clothes, causing the young woman to turn and look at him.

"Do you want me to help you see Uncle's face?" the boy asked, smiling widely at Amara.

Amara smiled back at him and nodded, "Yes, please! Thank you, Dion!"

"Don't worry, big sis! You can count on me!"

Lillian watched the two with delight. Ever since the chaos that brought them great misery in Erin, their home had been shrouded in gray clouds. But because of Amara, it seemed to have regained its joy.

"Well, good luck to both of you. I hope you don't fail in your mission, and I also hope that Dravis won't get irritated with you," Lillian chuckled again.

"Lillian watched the two with delight. Ever since the chaos that brought them great misery in Erin, their home had been shrouded in gray clouds. But because of Amara, it seemed to have regained its joy.

"Nah! I don't care if he's furious, as long as I'll make him show his face to me!" Amara said, motivated.

And if he truly is a former general, I will do my best to persuade him to help me reclaim our kingdom and bring justice to my family! I'll make him... my ally!