Crown Prince Adolphus Pov's.
My councilor, Louise, stopped speaking and I looked at the burning palace because of a girl's loud scream... and the one who screamed was PRINCESS MYRRH CELESTIA, and along with that scream was another strong male voice, and I'm sure that was the Emperor of Vailenor.
I was about to go to enter the burning palace when Louise stopped me again, shook his head forcefully, and looked me in the eye.
" Your Highness, please forgive me, but do not put yourself in danger. . . You are Octavian's successor, and if our emperor discovers what you have done, he will be enraged. . . You should always save yourself. . . " Louise Pleading.
" Louise, let me go. " My councilor refused to let go of me no matter what I said, so I aggressively drew my hand back and pushed him, forcing him to tumble to the ground. I instantly fled, but I could still hear Louise screaming at me. " Your Highness!!!! " When I drew close to Vailenor's Royal Guards, they turned pale because I understood why: their emperor and princess were calling out to them...
" Prepare now, as time is running out! " I yelled at Vailenor's Royal Guards, drawing everyone's attention. The Butler of Vailenor and the Royal Guards both nodded in response. I took a big breath after clicking my tongue.
" I'll count to three and we'll run inside together, DO YOU UNDERSTAND? " I asked loudly.
" Yes!! your Highness. " Royal guards response...
GET READY!!!!!
ONE.....
TWO...
THREE!!!
SHIELD FORMATION!!!!
GONGHHHNN - THRUMMM ( shield blocking )
ENTER!!!!
As I said, the eight of us entered the palace... I signaled the Royal guards to cover their noses, and they did... The smoke inside is too thick and the heat makes my eyes water...
" Your Majesty/ Your Highness, Where are you!! Please shout!! " Shout of the royal guards.
" Princess Myrrh Celestia, shout again so we can find you!!!! " This time, my heart raced as I called her long name. . . I'm not sure why. . . I have no idea why my heart is racing like this.
" Khhhkhh! Hhhkkhh-hhhrrhhk! Hhhghhhkkhh! " Amidst the roar of the fires and thick smoke, a cough erupted like a dying gasp breathed hard and desperately..
I stared at the crumbled pebbles and the scattered enormous wooden door flames. And I saw a small shadow with someone sitting and someone lying down on one side, where I was certain that the wooden staircase had collapsed, where there wasn't much smoke but heavy flames, so I went there without hesitation. And the royal guards followed me.
" We are here!! " A girl's voice shouts..
As I went closer, I was taken aback by their appearance because they were drenched in blood, particularly Princess Myrrh Celestia, whose white nightgown was almost blood red... When Princess Myrrh Celestia spotted me, I swallowed hard because our eyes met; her dark gray eyes, which resembled black diamonds, showed no sadness or fear about what was happening. . . But her eyelids were tired, and her small body was still sitting upright and elegantly on the floor, hand resting on the emperor's waist...
" Hello Dear Princess, " I smiled at her, but she averted her gaze and looked at the emperor, her father, and spoke.
" First, please bring out my father in this place. He is having difficulties breathing, and he has a massive wound on his thigh with sharp wood stuck in it, and his leg has been burned. . . He will have difficulty getting out on his own and must be carried. Don't worry about me; I'll go out on my own. "
Its cold command made me frown... I clicked my tongue and spoke..
" You seven Royal Guards, you heard your Princess's order. Lift your Emperor so he may be treated right away and the wound he sustained does not become infected. . . I will take care of the Princess. . . " As I said in those words, Myrrh Celestia turned to me, but her gaze was sharp and questioning what I had said.
I was waiting for what She would say, but she didn't speak. . . She just looked at me, and the Royal Guards began to support the emperor's body to stand. . . They lifted him up with two people. The emperor's posture was like he was sitting, and the two Royal Guards were behind him to protect the emperor's body. The other three were at their position near his feet to block any potential burns as he exited the burning door where we entered.
" Don't leave your Princess alone here in this burning palace. " Emperor Castillion's command words, but I noticed even more that Myrrh Celestia's smirk became sharper and more bitter at what Emperor Castillion said..
" Don't worry, Father, Your Majesty. . .I have someone left who will get me out. . . So think about yourself. . . Your life is more important than mine. " If for others, that word represents a Young Princess concerned about their father's life, but I know. . . Myrrh Celestia's words were cold and stern.. " Why does Princess Myrrh Celestia seem cold? " Tsk! I've noticed too much, despite the fact that she suffocated me when we first met. She was already cold from the start, and she even choked me just because I held her hand. . . This is their natural behavior; his brother Casimir is no exception. . .
I did not ask Princess Myrrh Celestia for permission and suddenly lifted her up in a wedding-style position. I did this so I could cover her in the wet cloak and prevent her from being burned by the flames. However, due to my actions, she punched me in the chest and said,
" You're very discourteous; you never asked my permission before carrying me. Do you have any etiquette in your own empire? " Princess Myrrh Celestia said those words irritably, so I smiled and ignored her words....
" GUARDS FORMATION!!! " I shouted to alert the Royal guards. And I could hear the voices outside, so I tightened my grip on Princess Myrrh Celestia, and so did the royal guards...
" Hold your emperor tightly because we will let you leave first because there are a lot of you, and we will follow you from behind. . . You should hurry to leave when the shield formation begins . . . " I said.
" Yes, your Highness./ We will, your Highness " royal guard response.
GONGHHHNN - THRUMMM ( shield blocking )
NOW!!!!!
The royal guards yelled at the same time, and water was poured on them. As soon as they were able to get out completely, I started to run until we were completely out, when we ran out of the burning palace the servants poured water on us. And I heard the Butler of the emperor shout.
" Put our emperor in the carriage right now. And the Princess... "
I lowered Princess Myrrh Celestia from my arms, and as she stood, the first thing she saw was her palace, which was on fire. Her face, however, remained expressionless, with no trace of emotion. So, when I spotted the wooden bucket, I grabbed it and poured out the water over her head. I did this because she had been in that palace for far too long and was sweating profusely and she was too hot. She turned to look at me with her piercing gaze.
" Thank you, " that's what you should say, Princess Myrrh Celestia, not give me that sharp look... You're so arrogant, you know that, tsk.. " She grinned at what I said..
She moistened her lips with her tongue, caressed her Platinum straight or wavy black and long hair, then allowed it to flow into her palm, removed her hand, bent slightly, and spoke.
" You're welcome, Crown Prince Adolphus Alexander Octavian. . . " My eyes widened and my mouth rounded in surprise at what she just said.
". . . This arrogant is leaving your presence now. . . You should rest too. . . It's bad for the Vailenor's guests to neglect the Royal guest of another empire. You've been disturbed too much. " Unbelievable! After saying those words, she fixed her posture and turned her back at me, but before she left, she stopped and spoke again.
" It is an honor that our emperor will be indebted to you for your heroism, as you saved our lives. . . Instead of his own heir saving us and commanding our own guards, it was you who came, you who are the heir of another empire, and the funny thing is, the Octavian Empire, is the enemy of the Vailenor Empire... So don't think I'm being disgraceful nor arrogant to you; because you deserve to be a hero in the eyes of the people here. . . Your Highness, The Crown Prince of Octavian. . . " I just stared at her as she said those words.
" Your Royal Highness, Princess. . . Please place this fur cloak behind you to help lessen the chill in your body. . ." My attention was drawn to a female servant who appeared unexpectedly, noticed me, bowed, and quietly walked away. Princess Myrrh Celestia, on the other hand, avoided making eye contact with people.
When I approached Princess Myrrh Celestia, she did not glance at me and instead fixed her gaze on my chest. I took Her right hand, even though it was dirty and bloodied, kissed the back of her hand, gazed into Her eyes, which still showed no emotion, and i smiled at her.
" You're right, our empires are enemies, and I'll get paid for saving your lives..." Those are the words I wanted to say to her.
" Now go and rest so that your royal physician can treat you too. . . It is very important for you to get some rest. . . I am quite sure there's another palace that has been reserved for you. " After I said that, she bowed to me, turned his back on me again, and started walking toward the carriage for her. But before she could get on, her useless guard who was appointed to her, approached her...
" Psh! Despite failing in his duties, he had the courage to face the Princess... Useless... " After I said those words, I shook my head and saw my counselor, Louise, heading toward me.
" Your Highness, I beg you, let's go back... You got what you wanted, and the Holy Emperor of Vailenor and the Princess were saved, of course because of you, so, let's go back so you can change your clothes because you might get sick... Look at you... Things will only get worse if you let yourself get sick. " Louise pleaded with me, full of concern in his voice...
" Tsss... You're so loud, Louise; just shut your mouth... Let's go back. " I said, and we began walking. When I shifted my gaze to Princess Myrrh's carriage, it was already gone....
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Princess Myrrh Celestia Pov's.
" We're here!/please help us get out! " My wonderful father and I shouted together... My father and I both fell because he was incapable of walking further, and we could barely walk due to the horrific injuries he had. My father ended up lying down, but he fell face down trying to keep the sharp wood embedded in the back of his thigh from moving and digging in further. And now I'm feeling miserable. I just closed my eyes and put my right palm to my father's back, despite my desire not to...
" M-my D-dear D-daugh- " My father called me, despite his faltering voice. He didn't show it, but my dear father was groaning with pain... To be honest, seeing him struggle is quite pleasant, indeed Myrrh Celestia it's satisfying.. I'm curious if he and my siblings feel the same way that I feel right now. . . Are they pleased to see that I am also struggling before? Ahhh, that's right, they like seeing me struggle every day, and I'm subjected to their brutality day after day... Maybe they got tired of mistreating me and just sentenced me to death. . . The most awful thing is that I became a traitor at the age of eighteen, and you imprisoned me on the day I just turned thirteenth...
" Father, I'm here, and I believe Brother Casimir will save us with the Royal Guards.."
I said to him while suppressing my hatred for him, and I could hear a man shouting outside, as well as other men's loud screams. I assumed they were the Royal Guards, but the voice I heard speaking to them from outside was not what I was expecting.
" Father, do you hear that?? They're preparing. . . But what I'm hearing isn't Brother Casimir's voice, Father. " I'm sure I didn't hear Casimir's voice. Haha, Father, the heir you're so proud of doesn't care if you die. Your personalities are very similar. So it wouldn't be so horrible if I become like you. If I didn't need you, I could let you die here... I know when that rat almost killed me, I heard you approach and stop, and I saw you hide like a cowardly Lizard in my peripheral vision.
" I-is t-that t-rue? If you aren't hearing C-casimir, it could be P-orter, daughter.. " He said in a weak voice, even tho he was stuttering.
" It could be Butler Porter, father, but it is impossible for a butler to be called " Your Highness.
" However, the name I hear is Crown Prince of Octavian, father. " After I said those words, I took my father's hand and he gazed at me. I showed a sad expression and teary eyes, so i placed his palm on my cheek.
" Father, even if it wasn't Elder Brother Casimir who saved us, I would protect you. . . I'm not going to abandon you, Father. So, Father, please stay alive. . . We need you and the Vailenor Empire. " Ahhh, father, you must survive to the end because I want you to see how the family you built falls apart. . . I'll show you and everyone how to be a traitor.
" Father, promise me that once we're out of here and you're entirely healed, we'll have tea time again, walk in your garden, and I'll come to you every day to say good morning. Okay, promise me. . . Father. " I saw how his eyes widened.
" Father, thank you for coming to me and protecting me, even though it was d-dangerous. . . T-thank you very much. . . Father, I will protect you as well. . . I will not allow anything bad to happen to you. " As I whispered those words, tears streamed down my cheeks, and I could feel my father rubbing his fingers across my teary eyes. I could also see my father's eyes welling up with tears..
" S-shhh... H-hush N-ow My brave Daughter... My child, it is my responsibility as your father to protect you and your siblings. If your siblings find themselves in the same situation, my child, I will follow. . . Stop crying, my child. . . Y-you cry just like your m-mother does. " I nodded.. You made my mother cry every day, yet you never paid her a visit till her death. When she died less than a week later, you appointed Casimir's mother, the lady you had always slept with, as Empress. And instead of my brother, you bestowed the title of Crown Prince to that woman's child, who is now Empress.
" So, how dare you compare my tears to my mother's tears? " If you are also the cause why my mother, the Empress, grew ill and died young, she did not even reach the age of thirty...
" I'll count to three and we'll run inside together, DO YOU UNDERSTAND? " I turned my head when I heard a loud scream.
" F-father. " I called him and he nodded to me and smiled.
" Yes!! your Highness. "
GET READY!!!!!
ONE.....
TWO...
THREE!!!
SHIELD FORMATION!!!!
GONGHHHNN - THRUMMM ( shield blocking )
ENTER!!!!
When I heard someone yell, I heard the loud sound of iron shields colliding, numerous footsteps running inside, and then the footsteps stopped, and the footsteps of the royal guards became slow and careful.
" Your Majesty/ Your Highness, Where are you!! Please shout!! " Shout of the royal guards.
" Princess Myrrh Celestia, shout again so we can find you!!!! "
The royal guards told us to shout so they could find us right away. Even I couldn't see them well; they were just shadows in the dense smoke near the way out. We were in a corner near the collapsed wooden staircase, where there was a big fire but not much smoke. Just as I was going to say something, my father coughed, so I patted his back.
Khhhkhh! Hhhkkhh-hhhrrhhk! Hhhghhhkkhh!
" WE'RE HERE!!! " I yelled loudly as I patted my father's back, who was becoming weaker and having difficulties speaking... shortly, the royal guards spotted us and
" Hello Dear Princess " When he said that, our eyes met. It was Crown Prince Adolphus Alexander Octavian. His eyes are like striking light emerald green, luminous like a calm forest. . . I immediately averted my gaze and looked at my father, and spoke.
" First, please bring out my father in this place. He is having difficulties breathing, and he has a massive wound on his thigh with sharp wood stuck in it, and his leg has been burned. . . He will have difficulty getting out on his own and must be carried. Don't worry about me; I'll go out on my own. " I said without looking at anyone.
" You seven Royal Guards, you heard your Princess's order. Lift your Emperor so he may be treated right away and the wound he sustained does not become infected. . . I will take care of the Princess. . . " I turned to stare into the Crown Prince's eyes after he said those words. This man commands the Vailenor Empire's Royal Guards as if they were his own men..
I shifted my gaze to my father, who was being carefully carried by the royal guards... And as the royal guards carried him, my father spoke... his voice was weak, but he didn't show the people here that he was weak, so I smirked, unnoticed by the people present.
" Don't leave your Princess alone here in this burning palace. " He said.
" Don't worry, Father, Your Majesty. . .I have someone left who will get me out. . . So think about yourself. . . Your life is more important than mine. " After saying those words, I was instantly carried without my permission and covered in the Crown Prince's wet cloak, so I punched his chest with all my strength. You are always discourteous.
" You're very discourteous; you never asked my permission before carrying me. Do you have any etiquette in your own empire? " I stopped pounding him in the chest because he tightened his carried on me, my head was pressed into his chest, and I could hear his heart racing so fast it was deafening. . . Even though I could hear the noise outside of his cloak hidden me, it didn't bother me. . . It was deafening, but it soothed my thoughts. I feel dizzy just hearing his heartbeat. . . I'm not weak or tired because I can feel the movements around me, but it's like a drink that brings peace in a hectic and noisy situation.
I'll admit that I stopped caring about my surroundings and didn't notice things. I just felt Him remove His wet cloak and saw His face looking at me like light, and His glance caused me to swallow my saliva... " Myrrh Celestia, what are you thinking???? " When I returned to reality, I tried to get down, but he still wouldn't let me, so I glared at him, and as a result, he eventually let me down. And my attention shifted to the enormous fire in my palace, the Celestria palace where I was born.
As I looked at my Palace, I felt no emotion, and then cold water poured over me. I turned to gaze at the person who had done nothing but meddle. I wanted to slap him for what he was doing; I was furious.
" Thank you, "that's what you should say, Princess Myrrh Celestia, not give me that sharp look... You're so arrogant, you know that, tsk.. " I smirked at what he said. You want me to say thank you? Okay, your wish is my command, Crown Prince...
" You're welcome, Crown Prince Adolphus Alexander Octavian. . . " As I said, I saw how surprised he was and how his mouth opened wide.
" . . . This arrogant is leaving your presence now. . . You should rest too. . . It's bad for the Vailenor's guests to neglect the Royal guest of another empire. You've been disturbed too much. " I bowed to him, turned my back, took three steps, and stopped to tell him.
" It is an honor that our emperor will be indebted to you for your heroism, as you saved our lives. . . Instead of his own heir saving us and commanding our own guards, it was you who came, you who are the heir of another empire, and the funny thing is, the Octavian Empire, is the enemy of the Vailenor Empire... So don't think I'm being disgraceful nor arrogant to you; because you deserve to be a hero in the eyes of the people here. . . Your Highness, The Crown Prince of Octavian. . . " When I said those words, I felt his gaze on me. . . I realized my words had gone too far. And I saw the maid hurrying toward me, exhausted and smelled like sweat.
" Your Royal Highness, Princess. . . Please place this fur cloak behind you to help lessen the chill in your body. . ." After she gave me the fur cloak. She bowed at me and stepped back immediately..
I heard Him walk, and He turned to me and my gaze is in his chest. He took my hand, bowed, kissed the back of my hand, and looked at me again, smiling...
" Now go and rest so that your royal physician can treat you too. . . It is very important for you to get some rest. . . I am quite sure there's another palace that has been reserved for you. " After He said those words, I bowed again and left him standing alone. . . I don't want to deepen our useless conversation any further. . . I was almost to my carriage where the Maids were waiting, they bowed and greeted me.
" Y-your H-highness, P-princess Myrrh Celestia " When I heard the familiar voice of a man, I halted getting into my carriage.
" Forgive me, Y-your Highness, for not being able to protect you when you needed me. " My brow furrowed at the worthless words I heard.
" Captain of the knights, Lord Ralston Everhart, you have failed me and my father, the holy emperor. You did not fulfilll your duty and the oath you swore before the holy Emperor that you would defend me even if it meant risking your life... You are stripped of your right to be my Personal Guard, Mr. Ralston Everhart. " I said,
" My father, the holy emperor, will look after you once he recovers, as the emperor's life is also in danger. . . Rats entered the Palace to kill me before the fire started, but you were not there. " I said it without looking at him. I don't care about his reaction.
" Rosa, my personal maid, was more useful than you, Lord Ralston Everhart, because she defended me until the very end, even when she was killed by those rats. . . And thank you for teaching me, because I was able to use it to kill one of the rats that had almost killed me. " When I got into the carriage, it began to move and finally left. I'm not sure where this carriage is bringing me or which palace it's headed... I dozed off because I was tired.
" A lion's mane upon a hare's heart. " Useless!!
To be continued...