Asvran returned to the water's edge, resuming what he'd been doing as if I hadn't nearly died by his hand a moment ago. I pushed myself up using the little strength I had left, stumbling forward to confront him, anger tightening my expression.
"You would kill your princess?" I repeated, louder this time.
He didn't answer.
His back rose and fell in one slow, controlled breath… then another. It came to me that this was how he handled his anger. Silence. Stillness. A terrifying sort of calm he wrapped around himself like armour.
Well, good for him. I wasn't calm at all.
I stepped closer. "You—"
He cut me off as he stood abruptly, his full height towering.
"Why are you here, Princess?" he snapped, frustration cracking through his voice. "What business do you have in this place? Perhaps you've forgotten where you are or Keep sho up, this is the Sanctum Knights' ground,its a restricted ward protected by oath, where even high-ranking nobles would require permission to enter. Outsiders aren't allowed near the training waters or the sigil stones, let alone wander freely." His jaw clenched as he narrowed his eyes. "And yet you keep coming back. Why?" he added
He wasn't yelling, but the restraint in his voice was unmistakable. For someone who fought demons for a living, holding himself together clearly took more effort than he ever showed.
"I…" i began
Why was I here again?
He stared at me, waiting. Patiently. Annoyingly patient. And I suppose he had the right to wonder. A Sanctum Knight wasn't meant to entertain the presence of ordinary people, much less a woman, and certainly not a princess. It was practically a cultural offence.
But I didn't care about any of that. I came with good intentions. With a good heart. I think.
I lifted my chin. "I came to… help." i said
The moment the word left my mouth, I regretted it. It sounded ridiculous even to me. He hadn't asked for help. He didn't even look like he needed help. If anything, he looked like he was trying to remember at which point in his life he'd ever implied he needed rescuing.
He stared at me so blankly that I could practically see the question in his eyes.
Then he sighed—just a little. "It's quite clear you don't truly know why you're here."
My mouth fell open, offended.
"I'll simply assume you lost your way," he continued calmly, "and accidentally wandered into a restricted ward." he said
I blinked at him. Speechless.
"I... Are you saying I have lost my senses? That i'm touched in the head?" I demanded.
"I'm saying you should quietly leave," he replied flatly, "and pretend you were never here. And in return, I'll turn a blind eye to your audacity."
I scoffed, planting my hand on my waist. "You think I make up stories just to sneak in here?"
He folded his arms, tilting his head slightly as if examining a particularly troublesome riddle.
"Then what exactly are you here for?"
"I already told you i want to help," I said, lifting my chin. "Do you truly believe I Princess Elowen of Aurelen would lie?"
"You already did before," he said without hesitation.
I blinked, stunned.
"And I believe it certainly is'nt your last."
"Believe me this time," I insisted. I sounded almost desperate, and honestly i quite didn't care. "I'm really here to help."i said
"Help me with what, exactly?" He asked, One brow rose, he looked geniuely confused That was definitely his confused expression—It was the first expression on his face that wasn't flat out annoyance. Progress, I suppose.
"But that thing over there did," I said, pointing past him, at the dark shadow lingering behind, it was always near, yet always further away whenever I got close. Instinctively, I stepped back.
Asvran glanced behind him, then back at me. Conflicting emotion flickered across his face before he shut it down again.
"You think I'm lying again? Then ask it," I said. "How else would I have found my way here without being seen? I bet only you know of this secret path. That's why it led me here safely."
Judging from how Brother Kaius seemed genuinely unaware, it had to be a very secretive route—and the fact that Asvran's demon had guided me here meant only he truly knew it.
I took a breath. "I don't know exactly why it brought me here… but whatever the reason, I think I might be able to help."
His eyes sharpened on me.
"Don't you think you already rendered that help," he said slowly, "the last time you came?"
I stared at him, confused—until the thought hit me like a stone. My gaze darted to the shadow behind him, then back to him. A small gasp escaped me as my eyes widened.
"I drove the darkness out" I looked at him "I freedom you from its hold" I said.
For a brief moment, joy bubbled in my chest, My first miracle. A real one. I had pulled the corruption off him, and had given him a moment of peace...
As I rejoiced inwardly, I noticed Asvran was not sharing even a sliver of my enthusiasm. He only stared at me—stern, unreadable, impossibly calm.
I thought he should be happier. He's the one who's been saved, I sulked inwardly.
…Or perhaps that is his happy look, I taught dryly.
He quietly pulled his sword from the ground, turned, and began walking away.
"No gratitude?" I called after him.
He paused for half a heartbeat.
Without turning, he answered coolly,
"If you wished for praise, you should've saved someone who asked for saving."
He said and with that he walked off.
---
I walked out of the woods with my thoughts twisting into knots, disappointment sitting heavy in my chest. I kept replaying his face—hoping, foolishly, that somewhere beneath that cold stare was a spark of excitement, of gratitude, of anything. But no… even I couldn't lie to myself that much.
He didn't just look unthankful.
He looked annoyed. Almost… offended that I'd dared to help him at all.
Why did he look like that?
Why did he look like I was the problem?
The way his eyes hardened, the way he answered me so flatly… everything about it sank a tiny thorn in me. At this point, I had quietly decided... no, sworn, never to go to him again. It was ridiculous enough that I, the princess, kept showing up like some unwanted guest… or worse, like someone who needed to chase him.
I had my pride and grace
Or I used to.
Whatever was left of it had surely died somewhere between his silence and that last annoyed look.
I walked in a daze for so long I didn't even realize where my feet had taken me until I looked up and found myself standing near the side cloister of the cathedral, the quiet stone passage where priests often passed between prayer halls.
Just then, a familiar voice called out.
"Elowen."
I snapped out of my thoughts and turned to see Berevreth, approaching briskly from a distance. She was dressed unusually well, her long red gown traced with silver thread, her cloak pinned neatly at her shoulder,
"Berevreth," I breathed, still taking her in, confused as to why she looked so formally prepared.
"Where have you been? I've been searching everywhere for you," she said, a little breathless.
"I was… helping Brother Aldous carry the hymn tablets," I lied smoothly—well, smooth enough for someone who was not prepared to explain anything involving demons, knights, or bruised pride.
Before she could question further, I asked, "Why? Did something happen?"
She hesitated, her expression tightening. My gaze slid over her again, this time slower.
"Does it have something to do with why you're dressed like this?" I asked.
She stepped closer and nodded.
With a deep sigh she said "I will be leaving."
My expression darkened immediately. I stared at her, silent, waiting for the explanation that would follow.
She lowered her gaze briefly before continuing.
"I received a letter from my grandmother."
"A letter about what?" I asked almost instantly.
Berevreth let out a slow breath, gathering the right words.
"Your kingdom is under plague."
A sharp gasp escaped me before I even realized it.
"It's not as dire as it sounds," she added quickly, stepping closer. "Only a few have been afflicted so far, and they are already taking measures. Truly—you need not panic."
Her voice was calm enough to steady me, but the unease had already settled in my chest like cold water. I swallowed, nodding, then looked back at her.
"So?" I prompted softly.
Berevreth clasped her hands together. "My grandmother believes remaining in the kingdom is unsafe for her—and unwise besides. Her plan was to seek aid from your father, the king." She hesitated. "But… things are clearly not easy for him either."
She drew a small breath. "So she has called for me. We are to depart together and seek help elsewhere—help that might save our home."
Her explanation faded into the background as my thoughts spiraled elsewhere.
Why now…? Why all at once? First the demon attacks, now plague? None of this has ever happened before. What changed? What have we done—or awakened?
My mind churned, questions piling over one another. I forced myself to look back at her.
"What about Genevieve?" I asked quietly.
Berevreth's face fell. "Nothing yet," she said, disappointment dulling her voice.
I looked down, the weight of everything pressing hard against my ribs.