Love & Duty

Chapter 33

"We don't go after her..?" Tyler questions the orders he just received from the King.

Everyone was gathered in the Throne Room, trying to devise a plan to look for the runaway Princess. However, it seems the King has other plans.

"Father! We can't just leave Sophia out there. Even if you are mad, this is her home. She has to return." Eric was shocked his father didn't already send a search party after his precious daughter.

"Eric, let's calm down." the Queen says; she turns towards her husband. "What are you thinking, honey?"

"I know where she went; I want to see what will come out of this." he says, bottling his anger. "You all said I was being dramatic about this issue; I will settle it with the results of this event."

"What does that mean?" Eric asks. He can see his father is not happy with this, but he can't seem to read his thoughts or plans. Eric was worried.

"I will make my final judgment depending on the results of this." King Winston dismisses the soldiers that were gathered for the search.

"What if... she doesn't come back?" Tyler decides to share his worries.

"Then that will be the result, and I will deal with it personally. No one else." the King answers him.

Everyone remains silent. The King was giving off a dangerous vibe. The Queen could see deep down that he was worried for his daughter. However, he was giving her a chance to prove herself to him. He took in his wife's words about letting her go and finding her own happiness.

At the same time, if his daughter was too blinded by this love to know right from wrong. He wants to see that guy's way of thinking; what would his decision be about the runaway Princess.

~~~~~~

Sophia arrives at Greenwind this morning, wearing her Lillian Canvas Coat to hide. She told the guards to keep her arrival a secret as she wanted to surprise Prince Ren.

In reality, she didn't want to raise suspicion. She didn't want to let anyone know that she was there. She moves around the castle while hiding behind corners and shadows, searching for her target.

Knowing the time and his schedule, she makes a rough estimate of where he could be. He should be training with the soldiers, which gets her excited.

Not only does she get to see him again, but she gets to see him training.

Sophia hides behind a wall and watches the training. She remembers the first time she watched him train. It was the first time she felt fascinated by someone during training. There is just something about the way he moves and handles his weapons that captivates her.

"Alright, everyone. We are done for today." Rowen wipes the sweat off his forehead, making Sophia feel hot just watching him. "Get washed up and changed, and get back to your posts." he gives the orders and leaves the training grounds.

Sophia runs off in the other direction, hiding behind a corner. She knows he will have to pass through here to get to his next destination, and she is ready to catch him.

A few minutes pass, and she hears his footsteps. She hides deeper into the shadows and lets him pass her. Only to quietly sneak up behind him, putting her hand on his mouth and dragging him back to the corner.

On the other hand, Rowen wasn't about to let someone attack him from the back. He switches their positions swiftly and slams their body to the wall. When he comes to question them, he recognizes them.

"Sophie...?" he questions, feeling very lost.

She opens her eyes after squeezing them shut from the impact of the slam and smiles mischievously up at him. "Shh." she puts her finger on her lips and looks around to be sure they weren't spotted.