The next day, Alexander took Genevie to her palace. Genevie looked around, disheartened by the scene before her. The once-grand palace lay in ruins, with walls collapsed and debris scattered everywhere. The destruction was overwhelming, a stark contrast to the last time she had seen it when everything was intact.
"Your Highness, are you all right?" Benjamin's quiet voice broke through Genevie's distress. Startled, she turned to him, having been lost in her thoughts. "What is it?" Genevie asked, her voice heavy with emotion. "Are you all right, Your Highness?" Benjamin repeated. She managed a small smile and nodded.
Alexander noticed Genevie's discomfort with the wreckage and decided to expedite their visit. "So, where's the mining place?" he asked, moving closer to her. Genevie's irritation flared. She stepped forward, but as she did, the ground beneath her began to crack.
"Princess, watch out!" Benjamin called out, but he couldn't reach her in time. Alexander grabbed her arm, pulling her close and shielding her as the ground gave way. They fell into the darkness below.
Benjamin rushed to the edge of the hole, finding Genevie safely in Alexander's arms. Genevie stood up quickly, her concern for Alexander evident. She offered him her hand to help him up, though he smacked it away.
"Are you trying to drag me into your suicidal plans?" Alexander muttered. Genevie rolled her eyes. "Then why did you help me?" she murmured. "What's that?" Alexander asked. "Nothing, thanks," Genevie replied with a strained smile. The guards began descending to assist them. "Your Highness, are you all right?" they inquired. "We're fine," Alexander assured them.
He noticed a cave beneath the castle, filled with mining stones. "Is this?" Alexander asked. Genevie turned away, unable to watch. He ordered the guards to summon the headsman. Genevie climbed out of the hole; her emotions mixed as she took in the destruction around her.
Walking through the ruins with Benjamin, Genevie couldn't help but reflect on the devastation. "Benjamin, do you have a family?" she asked. "Yes, Your Highness," he replied, looking away. "My parents and my two younger siblings... they also perished during the war," Benjamin added, his voice heavy with sorrow. "I'm sorry for your loss," Genevie said, her heart aching.
Narva had fallen completely, every structure reduced to rubble. "When did this all happen?" Genevie asked, struggling to recall anything beyond her family's murder. "It happened after you were taken away. There were simultaneous explosions throughout the kingdom," Benjamin explained. "How did you survive?" Genevie asked, her voice tinged with disbelief.
"I barely survived. We were engaged in battle outside the kingdom, fighting off other enemies. The explosion, however, was so powerful that even we, far from the castle, felt its impact," Benjamin explained. Genevie covered her mouth in shock. "I'm sorry you have to hear this, Your Highness," Benjamin said, bowing. "How cruel..."
As they walked, they heard footsteps. "Who's there?" Benjamin demanded, assuming a defensive stance. A child's head peeked around a corner. "Benjamin, at ease," Genevie said softly, approaching the child. "Hey, don't be afraid," she said, seeing that the child was not alone but part of a larger group hiding behind a wall.
"Princess?" someone recognized her. Genevie's heart shattered at the sight. "Are you Princess Valkyrie?" another voice asked, and tears welled in her eyes. Survivors from the war were still clinging to life. "Our queen, did you come to save us?" they pleaded. Genevie felt helpless, her desire to offer salvation hindered by her current limitations.
Benjamin placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "We must leave, Your Highness," he urged quietly. Genevie nodded; her heart heavy as she prepared to leave. The little girl held onto her dress, and Genevie gently let go, apologizing softly. "Princess, we must go before others find them," Benjamin said urgently, concerned about the potential violence from Dradevows knights.
Returning to Alexander, Genevie was met with his casual demeanor. "Where did you go?" he asked. "I—" "Don't ever leave without informing me first," Alexander said with a forced smile. He leaned closer, whispering, "Or else I might have to take action against those you just encountered." Genevie's eyes widened in shock, realizing Alexander had known about her meeting with the survivors.
"Let's go home," Alexander said, taking her hand and wrapping it around his arm to present a united front to any onlookers.