Troubles

  I breathed deeply as I continuously stared at the night sky.

  “Honey?” A sweet voice from behind called out.

  I gnced behind me.

  Her hair, which used to be curly and vermilion, was now stretched out as if it had never been curly, and her hair darkened like a pool of crimson blood dyed it.

  “It seems that something is troubling you,” she said as she stood beside me.

  Both our eyes stared at the beautiful starry night sky.

  The stars continued to dance and lit our path as if they were our guardians watching over us.

  Her pink evening gown swayed with the cold blows of the wind.

  The leaves continue to rustle softly, and the wind sings a hush in the air.

  I wanted to say a word, but not a single one came out.

  I stood there as if I were alone instead.

  “You're still hesitant, you haven’t changed, have you?” I could feel her soft smile.

  Her head turned to me, my eyes still focusing on the sky.

  The wind grew colder and colder, each gust whispering haunting memories, making me feel as though I were wrapped in shadows as the light faded.

  I scrunch my forehead. I breathe again before looking at her.

  “You haven’t changed either.” I gently smiled at her.

  The wind continued to rustle the leaves and her soft breaths could be heard.

  “Have you ever loved me?” she asked, turning to me.

  Her beautiful hazel eyes stared into mine, waiting for an answer.

  I looked down and started to bite my lip, not wanting to make her cry.

  She chuckled softly, as she already knew my answer to her question.

  She gazed at the gleaming stars and said,

  “I also was enamored by him.” She paused to take a breath.

  “He was quite unique, wasn’t he? Always catching our eyes.” She gently chuckled.

  I looked up at her.

  She wore a smile, yet her lips quivered, revealing a trace of bitterness in her eyes.

  “It’s quite te now. I’ll be taking my slumber,” she said, turning to me again before taking a deep breath and walking inside the room.

  Her faint steps started to fade, and I heard the door shut.

  I took in the cold air and breathed it out.

  As I was about to head inside, I heard mellow sobs on the other side of my door.

  My heart sank, and my eyes started to form teardrops.

  Calm down, calm down, I repeated in my head.

  I slowly approached the door, and as I opened it, Josephina was no longer in sight, only the cold emptiness remained.

  . . .

  The door swung open, and a man stepped inside the room.

  “Your Highness!” the man huffed as he quickly walked towards me.

  “What made you run in here that you had to make a scene?” I chuckled.

  “This will be quick.” He said without hesitation.

  I raised my brow.

  “What’s with the hurry, Sir Bronze? We have time for a cup of tea, don’t we?” I smiled and gently shook my teacup, making the porcein clink softly.

  As I continued to gaze at him, awaiting his reply, I took a quick sip from my teacup and returned my gaze at him.

  He was a mess.

  His hair looked as if it had been swept up by a tornado, and his clothes were rumpled and damp with sweat, as though someone had doused him with water when he got out of bed.

  Even his tie was not properly tied.

  My smile vanished as I set my teacup back onto its saucer.

  My gaze fixed on him as he fumbled through his small knapsack.

  He quickly grabbed a brown paper from his knapsack and hurriedly handed it to me.

  “What’s this?” I asked as I took the letter.

  Sir Bronze gulped and started to fumble with his fingers.

  I took a deep breath.

  “Sir Bronze, don’t you think you are wasting a bit of my time? I’m quite a busy man, as I’m sure you know.” I gazed into his brown pupils.

  He straightened up and adjusted his bck windsor gsses.

  He cleared his throat before speaking up,

  “This was a letter from the Commander.” He paused.

  His voice was quivering, as if something had shaken him.

  I looked at the paper in my hand.

  “And?” I asked, taking a slow gnce at him. He took a deep breath before continuing.

  “It seems that the camp has been attacked by the Beastmons,” he quivered.

  I paused, feeling the weight of his bad news settle heavily.

  I slowly unfolded the paper in my hand, revealing a letter that began with the words ‘I apologize,’ followed by ‘we’ve been ambushed.’

  I gritted my teeth.

  Bronze jumped at the sudden thud as I smmed my hand down hard on the study table.

  The echo reverberated through the quiet room, rattling the inkwell.

  “Prepare a horse,” I shouted in command.

  I stood up from my seat in frustration, grabbed my blue coat, and quickly put it on.

  But just as I was about to leave the room, Bronze stepped in front of the door, blocking my way.

  “I can’t do that, Your Highness!” He said, his voice trembling as he struggled to steady himself.

  I frowned.

  “Are you trying to provoke me, Bronze?” I gazed into his eyes. He hugged his knapsack tightly, and averted his gaze from me.

  “I know that I do not have the authority to stop you, but,” He paused, took a quick breath, and finally gazed at me.

  “I will come with you,” he firmly said.

  “I cannot do that,” I replied.

  “But I have to protect you—”

  “You’re a messenger, Bronze, meant to deliver news, not a knight to protect me. Those roles are most different,” I said, gently pushing him aside.

  As I hurried down the empty grand hallway, Bronze’s voice echoed behind me,

  “May the god Caealum watch over thee.”