The Enchantress

30.

Prince Chaeyoung.

It's been a week since I've seen her. I wrote to her 3 days ago yet I received no reply.

I was pacing around the room. I'm at the weapons room training. I was also keeping myself busy to get my mind off her for a while.

After training I took a sword and vent out my frustration on the wood.

"Now what did the wood do to my brother?" Momo came in along with Tzuyu.

"We brought you a snack. You didn't join lunch." Tzuyu put down a plate of sandwich and fries while Momo handed me a pitcher of orange juice.

"I should have brought wine or beer that'll be perfect for broken hearts." Momo acted as if he's been struck on the chest.

I nudge him playfully then sat down and took the sandwich.

"Thanks." I said before taking a bite.

"Honestly brother, think of the facts. Her lover came back. She didn't wrote back. The two might be banging all day."

"Shut your perverted mind and mouth." I said after putting some fries in his mouth. While Tzuyu chuckled before he took a bow and arrow.

"He's right. Now that they're back together..." Tzuyu said then aim and took his shot. "Your chances are slim."

The door on the weapons room suddenly threw open. Tzuyu immediately aim his bow at it while me and Momo stood with sword on the ready.

A soldier came in and immediately stopped, shocked to see the three of us on defense mode.

"I'm sorry for the intrusion your highness. An urgent message arrived." He said panting, bowing so low while he held out his shaking hand holding a parchment.

The three of us ease up and Tzuyu went to him and took the parchment.

"Thank you. Dismissed." Tzuyu said then turned to hand me the parchment. I unrolled it and held it so we can all read it.

"Their ships are ready. Will depart tomorrow morning. Get Ready. We're building some ourselves and will soon be completed. We'll depart as soon as we can."

We all looked at each other then scrambled out of the room.

"Momo gather the generals and advisors. Tzuyu ready the conference room. I'll tell father."

We went our separate ways. I ran towards the library.

I opened the door in a hurry it hit the wall. Father was by the shelves looking at a book. He was startled with my entrance. He looked at me and know something's wrong.

"What is it son?" He met me as I walked hurriedly towards him.

"A message from our spy in Tyrian." I said handing him the parchment. His face changed as he read it.

"Did you call for the meeting?" He said as he hurriedly walked out of the library. I followed behind him.

"Yes father. Momo and Tzuyu tends to it as we speak."

We walked along the hallway towards the conference room. The generals and advisors were already there.

Father went to his seat and I seated beside him and Momo.

"News from our brothers in Tyrian came. Their ships are ready and will depart Tiryan tomorrow. Activate Emergency War Procedures. Deploy messenger birds everyone til the farthest kingdom. Tell them the news and request for all able soldiers that are willing to fight. It is time to defend Kyria against Jaryu's advancement. Do as what the protocol entails."

They were all holding the protocol procedure along with each roles.

"I want time to time report from the coastal defense."

Tzuyu handed a parchment to a soldier then he ran out of the room. That's the detailed message given by Father that will be sent to all kingdoms.

"I want reports on any progress. Dismissed."

All went out except me, father and my brothers.

"We did not expect it'll be this soon. Good thing all the kingdoms are now united." Father said while looking at the window.

"It is sooner but we're ready." I went behind him. "We will fight til they kissed the ground."

He looked at me and smiled. "Your mom would scold me for allowing you both to go in battle."

"Both? You're not excluding me again father. You know I could fight with my bow and arrow."

"We have talked about this Tzuyu. I don't doubt your gift in archery but Me and your brothers are capable of fighting. If all of us dies, I need you here to rule the kingdom."

"Please tell me he did not say he'll fight." I said to Momo.

"Yeah, I think I heard he said something crazy. I didn't know reading books everyday could do make you say crazy things."

"I will fight..."

"No you won't father. You're not young anymore. Leave it to your sons..."

"I will not just sit in the throne not defending my country."

"Oh so you want to be a hero again? You've been a hero for 20 years father. You've done enough for the country. We, your sons, will continue your legacy. Just stay..."

"I am the King, you cannot order me..." Father was now angry and went to me poking his fingers on my chest. Momo and Tzuyu came between me and father before I reacted.

"Okay okay father, you're the King. Your word is law, we have to obey."
Momo said facing me. "Face it brother this war would be our death bed."

"What?..." I said unbelievably hearing this from him.

"We'll surely die cause we'll be not just be fighting to save our arses but also look after this old man's stubborn big arse." He said sitting down acting like he lost on a big fight.

"I am not a child to be looked at after..." Father now looking angry.

"Yeah you're not!" Momo suddenly slam his fist on the table then stood facing father. "Just an old fool who happened to be our father. Would you think we'll just let someone lay a sword on you? Let you die at the battle field? Dammit old man, listen to your sons for once. If you don't want us die all at once."

Me and Tzuyu were now holding him, preventing him from advancing to father.

Momo don't get angry often but if he does, he's scary to look at. He's now red in the face and shaking.

"We don't need a hero. We need our father safe, alive and don't add up to our burden. We beg you father, let us fight for you. It is our turn to fight." I said to him calmly.

Father became silent and soon his eyes were filled with tears. "I just don't want to leave you there. I don't want to lose you both. Losing your mom was devastating, I don't think I could go through the same thing."

Our heart broke seeing him cry. We all went to him and hugged him.

"We understand father you're afraid to lose us. But father, this is how it's supposed to be. As what your father did as well, he let you spread your wings and fought the battle for him. We are brought up this way and been training all our life, father. It's in our blood to fight and defend the kingdom. It's now our time to fight." Tzuyu said.

Father cried more and it took a few minutes before he settled down. We made him sit and drink water to calm himself. He then took hold of all our hands and said:

"Like what my father and I did, sacrifice anything we can for The kingdom and country needs it... But I need you all alive. You come home, you all hear me? You come home alive, that's all I ask."