Chapter7
Tall grass whispered in the wind.
Hidden within it, armored figures crouched low, eyes fixed 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, her voice quiet but sharp.
Princess: Don't you feel it…?
There's a different scent tonight.
Guinevere followed her gaze, fingers already resting near her weapon.
A small smile curved her lips.
Guinevere: Yeah.
I smell it too.
She flicked her fingers in a subtle signal.
Ahead of them, Marco noticed.
He gave the smallest nod.
They understood.
The journey continued.
Days later, Tomasi finally guided them near the mountains of Monesa.
A cliff rose before the convoy like a wall drawn by giants.
The Princess dismounted and looked back at the long road behind them.
Too quiet.
Princess: We stop here tonight.
At once, the soldiers 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 danced between them.
Marco spoke first, his 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 some of the food supplies are missing.
Guinevere lifted a brow, half amused.
Guinevere: Huh.
So they're hungry?
Marco shook his head.
Marco: If they were thieves, they would've run after the first chance.
No…
they're staying close.
Waiting.
Silence stretched.
The Princess stood still, eyes lowered, mind racing faster than any of them.
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.
Marco's expression seriouse.
Marco: Worse than that — their nobles nearly tore the country apart last year.
Brothers fighting brothers.
If they think we are a threat, they won't welcome us kindly.
Again, quiet filled the tent.
Then the Princess finally spoke.
Calm.
Firm.
A ruler.
Princess: Increase the night watch.
No one moves alone.
If our shadows wish to follow us…
let them.
For now, you may rest.
Both Marco and Guinevere bowed their heads slightly.
They understood the order — and the warning inside it.
The soldiers outside had their own discussion — hushed, but with obvious excitement when they saw guinevere leaving
Soldier 1 (whispering): Did you see her? Guinevere… she's so hot!
I mean… really… I can't stop looking.
Soldier 2 (groaning softly): Damn… she's not just pretty, she's deadly and gorgeous.
Look at those arms… and that stance… argh!
Soldier 3 (whispering nervously): Be careful, man… she could crush us in a second.
But… oh… if she wanted to, she could crush us and look sexy doing it!
John crept near the edge of the camp, listening.
The soldiers' whispers about Guinevere's… assets reached his ears.
His patience snapped.
Before anyone could react, he lunged forward and wrapped one soldier in a brutal arm hold, lifting him slightly off the ground.
John (deadpan): You guys… never learn, do you?
The soldier squeaked in terror.
Soldier (struggling): Aaah! John! Just because the Princess has you here doesn't mean we'll go easy on you!
John slowly let him drop, still holding his gaze like a predator.
John (grinning, daring): Oh yeah? And what are you gonna do about it?
Suddenly, his eyes flicked to the tent. Princess was leaving, sword in hand, moving like a storm.
John's expression shifted.
John (muttering to himself): Ah… guess now isn't really the time…
Soldier (confused): Huh?! Wait… what's he doing?!
John (smirking): Should I… tell Miss Guinevere everything you just said about her?
The soldiers froze mid-breath. Eyes wide. Faces pale.
Soldier 1 (panicking): N-no! Anything but that!
Soldier 2 (trembling): Don't… don't let her hear it,
John chuckled softly and stepped back.
John: Thought so. Best keep your thoughts to yourselves next time.
The soldiers slumped to the ground, trembling, muttering apologies.
From the tent, a faint click of Princess sword hitting the ground echoed.
John sighed.
John (muttering): Yeah… definitely time to go.
Next
The night was quiet.
The Princess stood alone near the riverbank, sword in hand, practicing the same precise strike again and again. Her movements were sharp, merciless — the perfect image of a future queen.
Then she stopped.
Tiny lights drifted above the grass.
Fireflies.
Her fingers loosened around the sword.
Slowly, she knelt, reaching toward the glowing insects dancing in the dark. One brushed past her hand, rising again like a falling star returning to the sky.
A small, fragile smile appeared on her lips — one no soldier had ever seen.
Princess (softly):
It's beautiful… I haven't seen them in so long.
Admiration filled her eyes. For a moment, the warrior disappeared, leaving only a lonely girl under the night.
Then—
John suddenly dropped down beside her.
She jumped.
Princess: W–What are you doing here?!
Startled, she lost her balance on the damp grass.
Her foot slipped.
Princess: Ah—?!
She tumbled backward toward the river.
John: Princess!
Without thinking, John lunged after her.
Splash!
Cold water swallowed them both.
John grabbed the Princess's hand, trying to pull her toward the shore.
For a second, it worked.
Then—
His body froze.
The sound of rushing water became distant.
Another sound replaced it.
A scream.
Small.
Terrified.
A child sinking beneath dark waves.
John's eyes widened.
Flash—
A tiny hand reaching up.
Bubbles rising.
The feeling of being too late.
Flash—
John (whisper): No… not again…
The river around him felt heavier, colder.
His breathing collapsed.
His strength vanished.
Instead of saving her—
he started sinking.
Princess: John?!
She saw the fear in his eyes. Not clumsiness.
Pain.
Pain.
Memory.
Without hesitation, she grabbed him and pulled with all her might, dragging him back toward the surface.
Princess: Stay with me!
Moonlight shattered across the water as she forced him to shore.
John lay motionless.
The Princess dropped beside him, heart racing.
Princess: John! Wake up!
No response.
Her hands pressed against his chest.
Once.
Twice.
Please.
Her face came closer, shaking.
Just as she leaned down—
John coughed violently, water bursting from his mouth.
Their faces nearly touched.
John: W–What are you doing…?
She froze.
Then her face turned red.
She pushed him back.
Princess (angry, shaken):
Are you an idiot?! You suddenly stopped moving!
John looked away, still breathing hard.
He didn't answer.
Because he couldn't.
Befor Princess could say anything else
Guinevere: Ooooh? What's going on here?
You scared me, Princess.
Water dripped from their clothes.
The river kept flowing as if nothing had happened.
The Princess stood up quickly, trying to regain her usual composure, but the color on her cheeks betrayed her.
Princess: Shut up!
Guinevere raised both hands innocently, though the grin on her face only grew wider.
Guinevere: I didn't say anything yet~
John suddenly sneezed.
Hard.
Guinevere blinked, then laughed.
Guinevere: Wow.
He looks half-dead.
The Princess glanced at John.
Just for a second.
Worried.
But she turned away immediately.
Princess: Dry yourself before you catch a fever.
She walked off before anyone could see her expression.
Guinevere watched her leave, amused.
Then she slowly turned toward John.
Her playful smile remained — but her eyes sharpened.
Dangerous.
Guinevere: So…
what exactly were you doing with my dear Princess by the river?
John froze.
John: N-no! It's not like that!
I just came to practice swordsmanship—
Before he could finish—
Tomasi stepped in, arms crossed.
Tomasi: Or waste time?
John: I told you! I was going to train!
Guinevere leaned a little closer, inspecting him like he was a suspicious animal.
Guinevere: Hmmm…
She smirked.
Guinevere: You have terrible timing, you know that?
John sweat-dropped.
John: It wasn't on purpose!
Guinevere laughed softly.
Guinevere: Relax.
If the Princess was truly angry…
you wouldn't be standing right now.
John gulped.
He wasn't sure if that was comfort—
or a threat.
John rubbed his arms, still shivering.
John: W-well… I'm freezing, so I'll take my leave first.
He laughed awkwardly and quickly escaped.
Guinevere watched him go, a quiet chuckle leaving her lips.
Tomasi glanced at her, amused.
Tomasi: You're surprisingly gentle, Lady Guinevere.
Her smile faded.
Not completely — but enough.
Guinevere: Commander.
I am the head of the military.
Choose your words carefully.
I am not this friendly with everyone.
Tomasi straightened slightly.
Tomasi: My apologies, Commander.
He turned as if to leave.
Tomasi: Then I shall take my leave as well—
Guinevere: Wait.
Her voice cut through the air.
Tomasi stopped.
Guinevere: Why did you come here in the first place?
Tomasi smiled lightly.
Tomasi: I wished to speak with the Princess.
Guinevere's eyes narrowed.
Guinevere: Something so important that only she may hear it?
What could a fool like you possibly offer?
Tomasi laughed.
Not offended.
Almost entertained.
Tomasi: The courage to save humanity.
Something you seem to lack, Commander.
Silence.
The temperature dropped.
Guinevere's expression hardened.
Guinevere: …Say that again.
Tomasi raised both hands innocently.
Tomasi: Easy. It was a joke.
Guinevere clicked her tongue and began to walk past him.
Then she stopped.
Without turning—
Guinevere: If you were not a Chosen Angel…
you would already be dead.
Tomasi's smile didn't disappear.
Tomasi: You could still try.
After all…
you're a Chosen Angel too, aren't you?
Guinevere froze.
Slowly, she turned back toward him.
Her eyes sharpened.
Guinevere: Of course I am.
But I was not chosen by Monesa.
A whisper of steel rang in the night.
Her sword was suddenly at Tomasi's throat.
Guinevere: How do you know that?
…..CHAPTER 7ENDS….