Chapter 21: Worried
1684 Words
As desired by Dravis, they privately discussed the matters they had exchanged in the letter. Dravis and Ranz's grandfather, General Emery, said they couldn't meet him for a while because he was hiding in Bronwen. They learned that the loyal and best generals of the former king, Lord Lennox, were also being sought and eliminated.
General Emery wrote a letter to Dravis and sent it through a bird. Emery thought Dravis was still free to act and gather possible alliances, since it seemed the kingdom had forgotten that Dravis was also a former general. On the other hand, General Emery will keep finding potential allies too in his area.
So, that's the reason why Dravis decided to help me? It's because General Emery wrote to him!
"That old man has never changed! My grandfather is always fond of giving orders! He wants to be the one leading the decisions about other people's lives," said Ranz as he leaned on his chair. "He was always like that!"
"He wants me to find the other generals, but he made you a priority. Besides the fact that Erin and Priya are close together, you are his grandson, and he is certain that you'll help us," Dravis added.
"What makes him think I'll do that!? Huh!?" Ranz grumbled, "I have no intention of helping you guys. If it weren't for the princess, I'd just leave you two bastards!"
"Correction. I defeated you! Blame your weakness for being unable to win against me! That's the reason why you couldn't do anything," Dravis smirked at him.
"Shut up!" Ranz said irritably.
"W-Wait, please stop that nonsense," Amara said with a forced smile while trying to calm them down. If before she only had to hold back Cyrus and Dravis from getting into an argument, now she had to deal with all three of them, since Ranz had also joined in. Amara sighed, "We're here to make plans, right?"
"Right! Right!" Cyrus agreed with Amara, pulling her closer into his arms.
The fiery gazes of Dravis and Ranz quickly turned toward him, and they both threatened Cyrus in unison, "Stay away from the princess, you perverted creature!"
Amara let out another sigh at their behavior. She felt a headache coming on.
Their conversation continued for a while.
"Can we also send some of your men to Priya? I want to know how Dion and Lillian are doing," Amara said, her eyes filled with sadness.
"We can send some of our men to each town to gather information about what's happening there," Ranz suggested as he took Amara's hand and kissed it. "Don't worry, my beloved princess, I'll take care of it."
Dravis and Cyrus exchanged dark glares at him, "Stay away from the princess, you impertinent bandit!"
Amara just sighed again and massaged her temples. This is going to be a long day!
After bantering and mocking each other, they finally discussed several steps and made decisions. For the time being, Amara, Dravis, and Cyrus would stop by Ranz's hideout to assess the situation and plan further. With Ranz's men, they would discreetly observe and gather information about the princess's whereabouts.
"In any case, that's it for now. It seems we won't be able to confront your grandfather until we have more information," Dravis said seriously.
"I'm not even interested in seeing him, so it's okay," Ranz replied, as if he didn't care.
"Still, I would prefer if none of your men knew about our plans," Dravis said. "They might be loyal to you, but we can't be certain about their trustworthiness."
"Dravis is right!" Cyrus chimed in.
"We should ensure your grandfather's whereabouts and the princess's safety. They shouldn't know about this. Is it clear?" Dravis added.
"Ugh! Don't talk to me like you are my commander. I'm the leader here!" Ranz grumbled.
"Just make sure you understand what I said because if anything happens to the princess, I'll hold you responsible," Dravis warned.
Ranz grinned, "Want another duel? You were just lucky last time, but if we do it again, I'll surely win!"
"Don't kid yourself; no matter how many times we duel, you'll always be the one shedding tears," Dravis retorted.
Dravis and Ranz locked eyes, sparks of electricity seemingly crackling between them.
"Enough, please?" Amara interrupted again. "We're on the same side, not enemies!"
"Right! Right!" Cyrus repeated what he had done earlier. He was immediately glared at by the two hot-headed young men and received simultaneous blows to his head. "Ouch!!!"
"Stay away from the princess, you bastard!"
****
True to his word, Ranz immediately ordered some of his men to keep an eye on each town. They gathered information about the people they were looking for and also monitored the kingdom's activities.
"Nina?" Amara asked her friend when she saw her covering herself with her hood, seemingly ready to leave. "Where are you going?"
Nina turned to her with a smile, "To the central town. I'll join Orson's group for surveillance."
Amara frowned slightly with a tinge of worry. "You're going with them? Isn't it dangerous for you?"
Nina chuckled softly, "We're bandits! Our lives are always dangerous, so don't worry."
"But—"
"Wait for my return. I'll bring you some clothes and beautiful accessories for your hair," Nina winked, "To make you look even more attractive to your beloved young man! Hmm?"
Amara blushed and quickly responded, "Stop teasing me! I don't want him to notice me! Hmp!"
"Liar!" Nina laughed, waved goodbye, and said, "Let's catch up again tomorrow! Orson might leave me if I'm late; I want to see my siblings too. Bye!"
Siblings? Nina had siblings?
The men under Ranz's command left and went to their respective destinations. Amara returned to their room and saw the two young men sitting quietly, lost in thought.
"What's happening here?" Amara asked as she caught Cyrus and Dravis deep in their thoughts.
"It's nothing, my princess," Cyrus replied.
"Hmm? It doesn't look like 'nothing.' Is something wrong?" Amara noticed the packed bags on the bed. "Are we leaving?"
"We were considering going to the central town for some errands, but we can't take you with us since your pictures are likely circulating there too. They might also be looking for you in that town," Dravis explained.
"Is that so?" Amara weakly uttered, feeling as if the world she walked upon had suddenly become so small.
"We can't decide whether to leave or not because we don't want to leave you here alone," Cyrus added, turning to Dravis. "You can leave, and I'll take care of the princess— ahhh!!!"
"Shut up, you mor0n!" Dravis interrupted, swiftly throwing a book that was resting on a small cabinet at Cyrus. "I can't be at ease knowing there was a perverted i***t around her!"
"Eh?" Amara forced a smile. "Why are you both so concerned? I know how to fight and defend myself. Besides, we are in Ranz's fortress now; they are our allies, so don't worry about me. I'll be fine!"
"Perhaps Ranz is trustworthy, but I'm unsure about his men," Dravis remarked. "I can't be certain if all of them can be trusted."
"Dravis is right, princess," Cyrus agreed. "We just want to make sure no one among them is a spy for the kingdom!"
Amara understood their worries, but it weighed heavily on her; she felt like a burden to them.
"Am I... that weak in your eyes?" Amara asked, her eyes veiled with dark clouds.
Simultaneously, Dravis and Cyrus looked at her, sensing a sudden sadness in the princess.
"We didn't mean that—" Cyrus started, but Amara spoke again.
"That's how I feel," she said, displaying a bitter smile of sorrow. "I know you both worry about me and want to protect me, but I want to trust these people. I want to prove to myself that there are others who believe in me besides you."
"Princess," Cyrus began.
"Even as we travel, I feel like I'm still trapped, as if my world is too small," the princess continued, tears welling up in her eyes, threatening to spill. "It's hard to be happy when you're running out of reasons to be. I don't know if what I'm doing is right, dragging you both into my fight. I don't know if I should continue this."
Dravis stood up and took his belongings. He strolled towards the door where Amara was standing. When he was almost in front of her, Dravis placed his palm on her head. Amara looked up in surprise at his action.
"You don't need a reason to be happy," Dravis said, "Happiness is something that feels spontaneous, not because it's required to have a reason."
"D-Dravis," Amara stammered.
Dravis removed his hand and continued walking out of the room, "Wait for us to return tonight. We won't stay long there."
"Huh? Am I coming with you?" Cyrus asked.
Dravis glanced at Cyrus with a stern look, "I can leave you here, but I'll make sure you're securely tied up and put in a sack!"
Amara covered her mouth and chuckled softly. The two men often amused her with their banter.
Amara bid them farewell, and they finally left. As Amara watched them walk away, she could hear Dravis's words echoing in her mind that she didn't need a reason to be happy. She giggled softly.
You're wrong, Dravis. Everything has a reason. Yes, happiness is felt spontaneously, but people wouldn't laugh or smile without reason. And I think, I know, I'll be happy... as long as I know you're by my side.
Dravis.
***
As Dravis and Cyrus exited Ranz's fortress, their concern for the princess still lingered. It was heavy-hearted for them to leave her alone there.
"We need to make sure she's safe," Dravis said, and Cyrus nodded in agreement.
They glared at the bandit guards watching over the place and issued a threat.
"If anything bad happens to the princess, we'll make sure you and your families taste hell, understand!?" Dravis said, his eyes menacing.
The bandits trembled in fear as they responded, "Yes, sir!!!"
- Writer
