The road stretched long beneath the pale silver moon, quiet except for the rustle of leaves carried by the wind. Tessa walked beside Alex, the sound of their boots crunching on gravel filling the silence. The night wasn't frightening… not with the faint moon above. Yet, the world felt strangely heavy, as if shadows followed just behind them.
"Keep your cloak tighter," Alex muttered, his eyes scanning the treeline. His hand rested loosely on the hilt of his sword — not nervous, but ready. "Nights on this road don't always stay this calm. The forests are not as deep as the restricted forest but still ."
Tessa tugged the edge of her cloak, glancing up at him. "You've been on this path before?"
"Many times." His voice was quiet, almost indifferent, but she caught the faintest trace of memory in it. "On duty mostly…as bandits here are quite active and once, when I tried to run from home."
That made her tilt her head. "Run away?"
He didn't answer immediately, just let the silence linger between them. Finally, with a dry chuckle, he said, "Family is not always where comfort lies. Sometimes, it's where the chains are...my father was against my dream of becoming a knight... so i sneaked out ... As next day I had the entrance exam in academy. "
Tessa looked ahead, not pushing further. Somehow, she understood without asking. Maybe because her own heart carried the same weight. "Then maybe," she said softly, "we're not so different... Just have different ways of doing the same thing. Well, I thought you were a student in the empire...."
" I was. But the entrance exam is taken in different places each year and it is set by the defence council members consisting 4 kingdoms and 1 empire.."
" Oho .. I see. I'm happy that you ran away that day . "
Alex looked at Tessa but she continued," Because... That's why you fulfilled your dream , gave your mother a peaceful life , got the opportunity to serve his highness and most of all we met 😊😅. "
Alex turned to glance at her, as if surprised she'd caught onto the truth of his words so quickly. His lips twitched into something that wasn't quite a smile, but close. "Perhaps, Lady Tessa... "
The path curved toward a small abandoned mill. Just as they passed the broken wooden wheel, Alex's arm shot out in front of Tessa. "Stay still."
From the other side of the road, a group of figures lurked. "Bandits " , Alex whispered— their mismatched armor and ragged cloaks gave them away. They hadn't noticed Tessa and Alex yet, too busy passing a bottle among themselves.
Tessa's heartbeat quickened. "What do we do?" she whispered.
Alex scanned quickly, then gestured toward the dense brush on their right. "We go around. Quietly."
They crouched low, slipping into the shadows of the trees. The grass dampened their steps, and Tessa tried not to breathe too loudly. One bandit's head snapped toward the sound of a snapping twig, and Tessa froze. Alex's hand rested lightly on her shoulder, steadying her.
The bandit muttered something about foxes and turned back. Relief washed through her chest, though she hadn't realized she'd been holding her breath.
When they were finally far enough, Alex straightened, scanning once more. "That's the thing about trouble," he muttered. "It waits in groups."
Tessa let out a nervous laugh, brushing dirt from her cloak. "And here I thought I was the one who attracted danger."
He gave her a look, calm but serious. "You're not wrong." Their eyes met, and for a fleeting moment, there was something almost brotherly in the way he looked at her — protective, yes, but not suffocating. She felt strangely safe.
" It's a good decision that we left the horse in the the Velmor. Otherwise, they would have attack and chased us . " Alex said . As they walked further, the weight of silence loosened again.
"You've always wanted to learn the sword, haven't you?" Alex asked suddenly, as if reading her mind.
Her eyes widened. "How do you—?"
"I've seen the way you watch the knights' training. That kind of attention isn't just curiosity."
She smiled faintly, embarrassed but also warmed that he'd noticed. "Back in my world, I used to dream of holding one. Not for battle… but for the feeling. Strength. Freedom. I have so many books where strong kings , princes, emperors , queens , and other nobel ladies fought with their amazing skills. I don't like fragile woman who just sits and do nothing except gossip."
Alex's voice grew quieter. "Strength doesn't come only from steel. Sometimes… it comes from surviving the chains long enough to break them. Determination matters the most. "
Her chest tightened at his words. She wanted to reply, but her throat felt too heavy with understanding. Instead, she whispered, "Thank you… for saying that. Now as I have a hope .. I will try my best if given a chance."
And for the first time, Alex smiled properly — not a large one, but enough that it reached his eyes.
"Keep up that smile. You look good with it. " Tessa said as they kept moving towards the destination.
" Enough for today. You have walked quite a bit now lady Tessa. Let's call it a day now. By tomorrow night we will be the capital of Seron. ". Jasper's face was almost covered in the very faint glow of the last bit of moon .
"That's good then . Uhhh... My feet hurts from walking.... But it's fine as I saw a beautiful forest. " Tessa noticed Alex was looking at the moon with a blank face but she could hunch that something was going inside of his head. " Sir Alex , do you like moon? "
" Why suddenly this question my lady? "
" Umm ... I just thought as I saw someone else also looking at the moon so intensely. Well I guess tomorrow it will a sky without moon...."
" You're right lady Tessa. Please rest as we'll venture early in the morning. "
.......
Far away, in the hollow ruins of a chapel, shadows gathered. Hunters cloaked in black huddled around a table littered with maps. Their leader traced a finger across the drawing of Seron's outer streets.
"Kael, What's now ? "
"We can't go forever like this . The border areas guards are increased. It's bad for us . From last 3 days we are unable to collect any sacrifice."
" The weapon strengths are being low... We need to do the strengthening ritual soon. We can't displease master."
"I have a plan ... Tomorrow is No moon. The veil of darkness will hide us. Let's take a large amount this time at once."
"But How .. aiming at a large quantity will be risky right?" one of them asked.
"Don't have any other choice guys. We'll target the orphanage of Duke Devon's territory. Most of the guards are in the borders. 5 will distract the soldiers by a false attack at the Duke's mansion while on the other side we capture sacrifices. The ritual requires many. By the time the imperial guards return from the border patrols, it will be too late. Seron will bleed under our mark."
" We will follow your orders Kael. MAY HELL FOLLOWS WHERE HE WALKS!" A chilling laugh echoed through the chamber. No one noticed the small crow perched on the cracked window, its eyes reflecting the glow of their cursed knives.
..........
By the time Tessa and Alex reached Seron's gates, night had deepened. Lanterns flickered along the stone walls, guards patrolling in pairs.
Tessa let out a sigh of relief. "We made it."
Alex nodded but stayed sharp, scanning the shadows. " Yes , for your good co operation.."
The city felt alive, even at night. Merchants packed away stalls, stray cats darted across alleys, and distant music floated from a tavern. But beneath it all, there was a strange stillness, as if Seron itself was waiting for something to happen. They found lodging in a modest inn near the outer quarter. Tessa washed the dust from her face, her thoughts restless. She wanted to see Jasper. She wanted to know if he was safe. Yet something inside her whispered that peace would not last long.
" Sir Alex , where is the palace? Jasper must be there. "
" Just in 10 minutes walking distance. I hope your highness is in the palace. Let me get some bread . We will go after that. "
They walked towards the palace while taking look at different shops. " Sir Alex, you seem off minded.. is everything ok?"
" I assume so .. it's just while buying the breads .. I saw people talking about something... But couldn't find out what it is.."
" Maybe something related to hunters ... Anyways let's complete our mission first. "
They both stopped at the palace gate saw soldiers going hastily somewhere. Alex looked at the situation. " Something has definitely happened. Come this way lady. "
Alex came in front of the palace gate and showed his batch to the guards. The guard bowed down a little and opened the gate. The situation was unrest .
" Alex? " A man called him from behind.
" Claude! I was about to call you ... What happened... Everyone seems in hurry.."
" Suddenly a big disaster took place. The orphanage in the Duke Devon's territory is attacked by hunters. A lot of children lives there.... Those scrumburgs successfully distracted the patrolling guards by a false attack at the Duke's mansion.. most of the palace guards and other area guards are at the borders... I guess they are aiming for a big amount of sacrifice this time as after his highness took control over the guard management, they barely got chance to abduct anyone....."
" Where is his highness? "
" Well .... He went there with 5 guards with the help of his teleportation power."
" What?! " Alex's eyes widened. He looked at the man in front of him with utter shock and his face has a sign of fear.
" I need a horse right now . I must go to His highness.! " He desparetly ran and grabbed a horse from a nearby soldier " Claude , until I come back this lady is in your care. " and left the place without any further notice.
Tessa was trying to figure out what happened. Alex always bragged about Jasper's sword skills .... But it's true that hunters are dangerous. But that expression of his face was mystery to her.
" Sir Claude .... I'm Tessa Malven... A guest and friend of His highness... Do you know why Sir Alex left in such a hurry... "
" No idea lady Tessa.... I'm in the same position like you . Even the king was also acted in the same way . Anyways I also have to leave as the king has ordered me to take the reinforcement soon ... So ... "
" Sir Claude, please take me with you . I can distinguish hunters even if they are under of black magic charm.... I can help Jas... I mean his highness and you all ."
" How can you .."
" Sir Claude! There is no time to waste. Please.... I swear my responsibility is in my own hands. Whatever happens to me will not had anything to do .."
" Why haven't you left ! Commander Ven! That reckless brat already ignored me..."
Tessa saw a man a slightly older than Jasper walking towards them .
" Your highness! " Claude bowed down. " I'm about to venture out. Alex already departed."
" Alex? Jasper's guard knight? What is he doi... Who is this lady ? "
Tessa understood he is the king aka Jasper's older brother. His face cutting has a slight similarity with Jasper.
" Your highness, the king .. I pardon my intrusion but I'm Te.."
" Tessa Malven? What are you doing here. "
" That's not the point right now your highness.. i believe..please give me permission to go with sir Claude as I can identify hunters ..." Before she could speak further, he placed his hand on Tessa's shoulder and in some seconds he said ," commander take this lady with you . I'm sure she can help. We will discuss other things later. "
Claude nodded. Then, without another word, he rode the horse with Tessa sprinted toward the orphanage . " Jasper... I don't know how are you right now .... But I will find you ... For sure. " In the darkness of the moonless night , their horse with other soldiers galloped towards the destination.