Grapevine (Zetheria Series #1)

Chapter 5: Forest of Death

The carriage landed on a port of a small village. From here, they have to brave the wilderness leading to the front lines, traveling on wyverns for no less than ten days.

In this area, traveling on a flying carriage is extremely perilous. Bandits lurk in the dead forests, each capable of killing several, trained mages. Monsters hide in the mist, waiting for their unwilling prey to lead themselves to their anticipating maws. By traversing the skies, they will be making themselves into an easy target, so it is unwise to continue beyond this point.

Since Sanjiv's group is here to deliver supplies and human resources to the front lines, they pretty much don't have a choice to avoid danger. They could die along the way, but who's to say that they would stay alive as they fought in the battlefield?

There's no escaping their fate either way, so they might as well increase their chances of survival.

"I've already told you this many times. Anton, the battlefield is no place for a delicate woman like you. You've been sheltered your whole life. Trust me, you wouldn't survive a day in there. There is no comfort in that place."

His voice was full of warning, concern and sincerity.

Despite his honest intentions, Selene didn't like how it sounded.

"I'm giving you a chance to go back to Zanbury now. There's nothing more important than your life. Even if you don't reach your full potential, we have enough wealth to support you and whatever you want to do."

He avoided her eyes and sighed.

"You don't have to worry about marriage. Countless bachelors are willing to marry you despite your lack of talent. You don't have to achieve great things and risk your life in exchange when you can live in peace, away from the cruelty of this world. Anton, it's enough that you can use magic now. You don't have to prove yourself anymore. You are beautiful, that is enough."

The image of Sanjiv in Selene's mind fractured and broke into tiny pieces. There is nothing more insulting to a woman than telling her to stay in her rightful place, to be underestimated and seen as a lesser creature.

As if... as if she is incapable of achieving great things. As if a woman could only be beautiful and that is her one and only role.

Her eyes grew cold, looking intensely at Sanjiv. His intentions are genuine and he only wanted the best for her. That is nice.

"I want to be strong. I know what I'm doing. I'll be fine, my lord."

It took a lot of effort to flash a smile at him. She turned away immediately to hide her discontent. Her hand trembled when she was about to accept the footman's assistance. She stopped mid-air and ignored him.

As Selene stepped out, the smell of ash hit her in the nose. The skies were eternally grey as if sunlight had never been here. There were no live plants and trees in sight, leaving only leafless branches and thorny bushes lining the sides of the road.

'Sanjiv takes pride on making the lives of people better and more comfortable. Perhaps, he takes so much pride in it. I could understand that.'

Footsteps resounded behind her.

"Hey, I didn't mean to say that. I just... want you to be safe, Anton. I'm sorry if it sounded like I'm underestimating you."

"It's not only you who have the desire for greatness. We can never run away from it, not even a delicate woman like me."

She turned around and cast him a glance. This time, her smile wasn't forced. Sanjiv responded back with a pleasant grin.

It was then. A knight approached the two of them and said, "My Lords, the supplies have been loaded to the carriages. We are about to depart."