Love & Duty

Chapter 19

WARNING: This chapter contains acts of Violence. You have been warned!

----------

"You failed. Again!" the Captain yells, breaking a finger from Curtis's left hand.

Curtis lets out a scream out of immense pain. The guys around them wouldn't dare to intervene when their Captain punished someone.

"I-I'm sorry! We were close. We anticipated their move. I'm sure next time we will-" his sentence was interrupted by another scream as his other finger got crushed.

"How many chances am I supposed to give you?" the evil man says, towering over him.

"As many as needed." Curtis boldly says.

That does not pass with the Captain; he grabs him from his shirt and questions his boldness. "I know the identity now. Finding them will be easier, and I think you will do everything possible to get them." he continues.

Not wanting to give Curtis satisfaction, he turns to a guy who was there and asks for the identity. "The girl we were pursuing was with what I'd guessed were aides. One of them called her Princess Sophia; I believe the other one was called-"

"Did you say... Princess Sophia?" the Captain's grin slowly grows bigger and bigger.

"Y-Yes, she was with some guy called Ren. So we concluded that she must be staying with Prince Ren from Greenwind." Curtis continues giving out the information, smirking at how happy his Captain became.

"You little rascal. That is not just any special merchandise; that is something invaluable! If I get my hands on her... Oh!" he lets out a baleful laugh. "The things I can do!"

Everyone in the room lets out a sigh of relief that he is happy; their lives and bones were spared today.

Well, except for Curtis. He had to suffer two broken fingers.

"Curtis, you will prepare the plan and everything. You will get her for me, no matter what. You take whoever and whatever you need to get her." he heads out of the main tent, Curtis following him.

"I will not head back to our headquarters since what we need is close by. I shall await your arrival. I hope you don't make me wait for too long." the Captain smacks him on his back for encouragement, as if he didn't just break two of his fingers a few minutes ago.

Curtis shouts his approval and watches his Captain leave. Somehow feeling relieved, it passed with just two broken fingers and not worse. He finally got permission to do whatever he wanted; he would not fail a third time! His body can't afford it...

And he knows the perfect time and place to make his move.

~~~~~~

A few weeks passed by, fast and calm, thankfully. Sophia and her team are practically done with her assignment, and soon she will have to return home.

She has been trying to keep that thought out of her head. She didn't want to think of separating from Rowen, it felt like they just connected, and it's been perfect.

Ren and everyone else were very accepting and understanding, even though it was never officially announced. They gave the new love birds private time and let them have fun.

Tyler was more protective of her now, which Sophia found very weird. However, he can't erase the smirk and the words Rowen said on the day they got together.

He knew that guy was a wolf in sheep's clothing! He is fooling everyone with his innocent act.

One night, Rowen was dropping Sophia off at her room after their star-gazing date. "You know, Tyler keeps telling me to be vigilant around you." she giggles as she invites him in to continue the conversation.