Love & Duty

Chapter 10

WARNING: This chapter contains Death and Blood. You have been warned!

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"I'll escort you to your bedroom." Rowen says as they head on their way. The way back to the castle was quiet at first, but small conversations were picked up since they didn't want the silence to ruin their day.

"Thank you for everything today, Rowen; it really was one of the best days I've had!" Sophia says when she gets to her room.

"It was my pleasure Princess Sophia." he bows slightly, out of courtesy and no obligation.

Sophia fumbles with her fingers; even though she had an early and hectic day, she should be tired. But she didn't feel sleepy at all; she didn't want to end the day here.

"Well, goodnight Princess Sophia." Rowen finally says and turns around to report back to Ren.

Before he gets far, "R-Rowen!" he is called.

"Yes?" he turns around to face her.

"Um, I was wondering..." she didn't know what to ask him or if she even should. Just because she isn't tired doesn't mean he isn't; he did participate in a fight today. She bites her lip and puts a smile on her face, "N-Never-mind." she covers it up and decides to let him go rest.

"Are you sure?" he makes sure; he knows that smile wasn't genuine. He felt Sophia had something to say but didn't know why she wasn't saying it.

"Uh Yeah. Just thank you for the clip again." Sophia touches it as she thanks him.

"I'm glad you like it." he smiles and bids her goodnight again, leaving without stopping.

Sophia goes into her room and flops on her bed. "Why didn't I just ask! Five more minutes wouldn't have hurt. Or maybe ten? Fifteen?" she scolds herself and groans, knowing she would have preferred hours instead of minutes if it was up to her.

Valerie enters the Princess' room and catches her rolling on the bed in frustration. "Um... Princess? Is everything okay?"

Sophia stops and sits straight on her bed. "Valerie!" she looks around the room, "Is Tyler around?" Valerie reassures her that he is already in his room.

She pats the spot next to her, asking her to sit. "You're older than me, so you should know more things, right?" she starts.

Valerie was taken aback by the sudden question. "I'm only a year older than you; I'm not sure it makes much difference."

"Of course! A year is more than enough." she clears her throat, still trying to process how to question Valerie.

"Well then, why don't we call Tyler over. He is a year older than me; that gives you two whole years." she tries to get up, but Sophia grabs her wrist and pulls her back to sit.

"NO! Please don't call him!" now, Valerie was sure something was up.

In Princess Sophia's team, their ages are very close. Tyler is twenty-four, the same age as Crown Prince Eric. Tyler and Eric would have been the best of friends in another world, with Tyler being the slacker and Eric, the friend who always helps him out. Valerie, who is a year younger, still acts older than him. Surprisingly, she is the same age as Rowen. And lastly, Princess Sophia is younger than all of them, at the age of twenty-two. She doesn't see the difference in their age; it is almost as if they are the same age. However, she does actually share the same age as Nikki.

"Sophia, has something happened?" she puts her hand on her shoulder, showing her she is ready to listen and knows it's important.

"What do you mean? I just had a fantastic day at the festival with Rowen. We got drinks and all sorts of food to try, and he showed me all the different flowers and places. He told me the festival's history, which I already knew but forgot. He even won a tournament; he ended it in just one hit! You should have seen it! He also-"