The Enchantress

32.

Prince Chaeyoung.

I went out towards the castle grounds along with Momo and Tzuyu with father trailing behind us.

"Everything's in order, my Lord." I nodded at him.

I looked at my brothers silently asking if they're ready. With just one look they knew what I want to ask. They both nodded.

Father gave a word of encouragement to the soldiers and us. He ended it in an emotional way.

"...Now I speak as a father... A father who'll send 3 sons to war. If I was not a king and they're not a soldier, I would never send them to war. But it is what it is. I want you to fight for yourselves, fight well so you could come home back to us..."

He then looked at me and my brothers. "It's an honor to stand here in front of 3 brave sons. I'm confident that I will see you all soon. And as a king, It's such an honor standing in front of brave men, the sons of the kingdom. We will win this for I trust you all."

Me and my brothers were fighting the urge to cry. This is war we're going to is unlike our missions. Our fate is either we live or die.

Father then hugged us three. It was my turn to speak.

"I have nothing much to say, for our King already covered it all. But I do want to say to you all...My brothers in arms, my boys... This is a real fight, a war. Gone were the days were we just disarm our opponents. Those were just child's play. This is the real deal. Where we will be men, men who fight for love. Now Let's kick those blood suckers Tiryan arses back to their land."

All the boys raised their weapons and roared. We hugged father for the last time and then mounted our horses. A soldier came running towards us. He handed a parchment to the King and then another to me.

"Troops from 3 kingdoms are on their way. The nearest kingdom from the coastline are now setting up." The King said.

We began to move forward out of the castle. People of the kingdom went out of their houses to greet us and send us off. Once past the gates of the kingdom, we rode hard.

We stopped for a break and let our horses eat and rest as well. I sat by a rock and opened the parchment. My name was written neatly on it, clearly a woman's handwriting. I have a hunch who's letter it is. My heart started to race as I took the ribbon off and unrolled it. I began to read.

"I know this might be rude or disrespectful, or even asking too much. But please, watch out for Rowan. Let him live. For me. I will do anything just make him come home alive. I beg you, please. -Mina"

Momo and Tzuyu were right on why she haven't written back. But now she wrote to me but not as a reply but for the sake of her lover. I felt my chest became heavy.

It hurts so much. The King's voice rang into my head "... Someone already owns her heart... They knew each other since they were kids. I'm not sure if you could compete with that..."

My personal mission was bound to fail even at the start. Who am I kidding, she has a lover whom she have known since they're kids. I really stood no chance. I crumpled the paper and threw it as far as I could. I don't need this right now. I need to put my head back on the game. This is a real war a real fight to death.

Her face pops on my mind. Her face, her eyes, her smile and her presence. I remembered even how she saved my life. Though she couldn't remember me, this feels like this is the repayment that she unknowingly ask of me.

I don't want to give her up and just waste 3 years of effort of finding her. For now I couldn't do anything, not with the war near. As sad as it seems, I think I need to grant her wish.

We resumed our journey. We only stopped for lunch and breaks then later camped around midnight. My mood didn't changed and felt even heavier as the rain fell. A soldier called from outside our tent.

"Come in." I said after lighting one of the lamp. He went in and bowed. He appeared to be nervous even frightened. "What is it boy?

He nervously reached out to hand me what seems to be rolls of parchments.

"It got wet because of the rain. I... I tried to dry it by the fire. Some... Some ink was smudged."

I took one and found that it's already dry with traces that it was wet before. I unrolled it and saw some of the inks were indeed smudged.

"You did great kid. Dismissed."

"Thank you, my Lord." He smiled, bowed and turned towards the exit. He's too young to be here. Yet he looked like he's having the time of his life.

I read the parchments mostly an update on the other troop's location.  One was even written by Rowan. An evil reminder of my failed mission on Mina.

It's not a failure... Yet. They're not yet married. And then what? I'll ruin their relationship? I'm not that type of guy.

I then read his message. Mostly it's about their location, that they brought fast strong build horses for us as a gift from the King. 

The next day...

After breakfast we had a quick meeting. Hearing reports from other troops as well as the coastal defense. So far no sightings yet. Some troops who have arrived are now in position.

We continued our journey riding hard yet cautious not to strain the horses. I would want to ride hard til we reach our destination without any stops but that'll be difficult for us and the horses. We took a break by the forest after 6 hours of ride. I went to the edge of the cliff looking at the ocean. Praying not to see any signs of them. After watching for almost half an hour, I took a deep breath greatful not seeing any unknown ships over the horizon. I sat near the edge breathing the fresh air. The wind on my face, the scent and the peacefulness was somehow soothing.

That moment of peace was short lived as I open my eyes and thoughts flood in. I became anxious for there's this uneasy feeling that I couldn't shake.

As a Prince and a leader they looked up to me and that encourages them. That's why I learned to have this mask that shows just the toughness and positivity. But I'm only human for I worry and have fears too. The more we got closer to our destination the more worried I get about this war, the boys and Fear for my brothers, for father and specially Mina.

Someone has to fight, to lead and it's not about just patriotism nor love anymore, but it's also about surviving. Stay alive as long as one can so one can live life fully. I want that, cause I know I haven't live my life fully.

Funny thing is when I thought of that, an image of her face comes my mind.