chapter 7
The Road to Monesa
Tall grass whispered under the wind.
Hidden within it, armored figures crouched low, eyes locked on the royal convoy.
Every wheel turn. Every hoofstep. Counted.
The Princess suddenly slowed her horse.
Something in the air felt wrong.
She glanced toward Guinevere, voice quiet but sharp.
Princess: Don't you feel it…?
There's a different scent tonight.
Guinevere followed her gaze, fingers already near her weapon. A faint smile curved her lips.
Guinevere: Yeah… I smell it too.
She subtly flicked her fingers.
Ahead, Marco noticed.
A single nod passed between them.
They understood.
And the journey continued.
---
Days Later
Tomasi finally guided them near the mountains of Monesa.
A cliff rose before them like a wall carved by giants.
The Princess dismounted, turning back toward the long road behind them.
Too quiet.
Princess: We stop here tonight.
At once, the camp moved.
Tents rose. Fires sparked. Armor clinked as night swallowed the land.
---
Inside the command tent, only three remained.
The Princess.
Marco.
Guinevere.
A lantern flame flickered between them.
Marco spoke first, voice low.
Marco: We still haven't seen them… but I'm certain we're being followed. I found footprints near the rear watch… and missing food supplies.
Guinevere lifted a brow, half amused.
Guinevere: Huh. So they're hungry?
Marco shook his head.
Marco: If they were thieves, they would've fled already.
No… they're staying close. Waiting.
Silence stretched.
The Princess stood still, eyes lowered—thinking faster than anyone else.
Marco continued.
Marco: Beyond this mountain lies the kingdom of Ruba.
Guinevere clicked her tongue.
Guinevere: The land of rivers… marching through there will slow us down.
Marco's expression darkened.
Marco: Worse than that. Their nobles nearly tore the country apart last year—brother against brother.
If they see us as a threat… they won't welcome us kindly.
---
Silence returned.
Then the Princess spoke.
Calm. Firm. Absolute.
Princess: Increase the night watch. No one moves alone.
If our shadows wish to follow us… let them.
A pause.
Princess: For now… you may rest.
Marco and Guinevere bowed slightly. They understood both the order—and the warning beneath it.
---
Outside the Camp
The soldiers had their own hushed discussion.
Especially when Guinevere passed by.
Soldier 1 (whispering): Did you see her? Guinevere… she's insane… and gorgeous.
Soldier 2: Dangerous too… but damn…
Soldier 3 (nervous): She could kill us in a blink…
…still—
if she did, I wouldn't complain…
---
John, passing nearby, froze.
Something snapped.
Before anyone reacted, he grabbed one soldier and lifted him slightly in a tight hold.
John (deadpan): You guys… never learn, do you?
Soldier: AAH—JOHN! JUST BECAUSE YOU'RE CLOSE TO THE PRINCESS DOESN'T MEAN—
John dropped him.
John (grinning): Oh yeah? What are you gonna do about it?
The soldiers froze.
Then John glanced toward the Princess's tent—she was already moving, sword in hand.
His expression changed.
John (muttering): …Bad timing.
Then, softly:
John: Should I tell Miss Guinevere everything you just said?
Dead silence.
Soldier 1: N-no—anything but that!
John chuckled and stepped back.
John: Thought so. Keep your thoughts to yourselves next time.
The soldiers collapsed in relief.
From the tent—
click.
A sword being set down.
John sighed.
John: Yeah… definitely time to go.
---
By the River
Night settled.
The Princess stood alone at the riverbank, sword in hand, repeating precise strikes into the air.
Again.
And again.
Then she stopped.
Fireflies drifted above the grass.
She lowered her blade.
For once—
she wasn't a warrior.
Just a girl.
She knelt slowly, reaching toward the glowing lights.
A faint smile formed.
Princess (softly): It's beautiful… I haven't seen them in so long.
One firefly brushed her fingers, rising again like a fallen star returning to the sky.
---
Then—
John dropped beside her.
Princess: W-What are you doing here?!
She startled, losing balance.
Princess: Ah—!
She slipped backward toward the river.
John: Princess!
He lunged.
Splash.
Cold water swallowed them.
---
John grabbed her hand, pulling her upward.
For a moment—it worked.
Then—
his body froze.
The sound of water faded.
Something else rose.
A scream.
Small.
Drowning.
A child.
---
Flash—
A tiny hand reaching up.
Bubbles rising.
Too late.
---
John (whisper): No… not again…
His strength vanished.
He began sinking.
---
Princess: John?!
She saw it instantly—this wasn't fear of water.
It was something deeper.
Without hesitation, she grabbed him and pulled with all her strength.
Princess: Stay with me!
She dragged him upward.
Moonlight shattered across the surface as they broke through.
---
John collapsed on the shore, motionless.
Princess: John! Wake up!
She pressed her hands against his chest.
Once.
Twice.
Her face tightened.
She leaned closer—
---
John suddenly coughed violently, water spilling from his mouth.
Their faces nearly collided.
John: W-What are you doing…?
The Princess froze.
Then—
her face turned bright red.
She shoved him away.
Princess (angry, flustered): Are you an idiot?! You just stopped moving!
John looked away, breathing hard. Silent.
Because he couldn't answer.
---
Guinevere (from behind): Ooooh? What's going on here?
The Princess jumped up immediately.
Princess: Shut up!
Guinevere raised her hands innocently, grin widening.
Guinevere: I didn't say anything yet~
John sneezed loudly.
Guinevere blinked.
Then laughed.
Guinevere: Wow… he looks half-dead.
The Princess glanced at John—just once.
Worried.
Then quickly looked away.
Princess: Dry yourself before you catch a fever.
She walked off before anyone could read her expression.
---
Guinevere watched her go.
Then turned to John.
Her smile remained playful—but her eyes sharpened.
Dangerous.
Guinevere: So… what exactly were you doing with my dear Princess?
John panicked.
John: N-no! It's not like that!
Before he could finish—
---
Tomasi appeared.
Tomasi: Or just bad timing?
John: I told you—I was training!
Guinevere leaned closer, studying him.
Guinevere: Hmmm…
Guinevere (smirking): You really have terrible timing.
John sighed, defeated.
---
Guinevere laughed softly.
Guinevere: Relax.
If she were truly angry… you wouldn't still be breathing.
John swallowed.
Not sure if that was comfort—
or a warning.
---
He rubbed his arms, shivering.
John: I'll… go before I freeze.
He left quickly.
---
Tomasi watched him go.
Tomasi: You're surprisingly gentle, Commander.
Guinevere's smile faded slightly.
Guinevere: Choose your words carefully. I'm not this friendly with everyone.
Tomasi nodded.
Tomasi: My apologies.
He turned.
Tomasi: Then I'll take my leave—
Guinevere: Wait.
He stopped.
Guinevere: Why are you really here?
Tomasi smiled.
Tomasi: To speak with the Princess.
Guinevere narrowed her eyes.
Guinevere: About something only she should hear?
Tomasi chuckled.
Tomasi: The courage to save humanity. Something you seem to lack.
Silence.
Cold.
Guinevere: …Say that again.
Tomasi raised his hands lightly.
Tomasi: Easy. A joke.
She turned to leave—
then stopped.
Without looking back:
Guinevere: If you weren't a Chosen Angel… you'd already be dead.
Tomasi smiled faintly.
Tomasi: You could still try.
He tilted his head.
Tomasi: After all… you're a Chosen Angel too, aren't you?
Guinevere froze.
Slowly, she turned.
Her eyes sharpened like drawn steel.
Guinevere: Of course I am.
A pause.
Guinevere: But I was not chosen by Monesa.
A blade whispered in the night.
Her sword was at his throat.
Guinevere: How do you know that?
…..CHAPTER 7ENDS….