Love Amidst Wars

forty

Jake sat alone by the bonfire, staring straight into it emptily. His mind was filled with numerous wonders and worries. He fidgeted with his fingers and sighed before letting his head hang low. Jay got out of his tent and frowned as he saw the Duke. He wanted to sit by the bonfire as well since he felt cold but cancelled his plans straight away upon seeing his now enemy.

"Don't. I'll go, Your Highness," Jake stood up and bowed at him formally before leaving. Before he got into his tent, Jay's words stopped him in his tracks, "Have you heard anything yet from Juliette?"

"There's probably an attack happening in the kingdom. I doubt she'll have the time to write me a letter. Instead of worrying about her, I suggest you worry about your parents and the kingdom."

"I don't understand. I like her first. Why do you suddenly feel the need to take her away from me?"

"I thought we finished having this conversation. The answer is obvious and simple-"

"You bullied her. You made her life miserable!"

"Stop it, Your Highness. She agreed to let me court her. I suggest you stop."

Jay's shoulder dropped as he widened his eyes in shock. He backed away slowly and rubbed his temples, "I don't understand-"

"You don't have to-"

"I asked to court her twice. And she didn't give me any answer. But you..."

"You can't force her to like you."

Jay glared at the Duke, his jaw clenched due to anger. As he was about to argue back, one of the soldiers ran to them, panting heavily. "Your Grace! Your Highness!"

"You better have an interesting news for interrupting us-" the Prince glowered and crossed his arms.

"There's a genocide happening in the kingdom! Women and children are being raped and killed. Men are being killed brutally. And... Your Highness... The King and the Queen are..."

"What?! Finish your words!"

"There was an explosion at the palace and the King and Queen died in it... Forgive me, Your Highness..."

"You're lying... No..." Jay backed away and ran his fingers through his hair, "I shall kill you for deceiving me!"

Jake immediately stopped him from drawing his sword, "Stop! Think rationally, Jay! God damn it!"

Jay fell on his knees and cried his heart out, holding tightly onto Jake's arms as the Duke comforted him gently. "Let me go!" The Prince pushed him roughly before entering his tent. Jake sighed, "Let's give him time to calm down. What about Juliette?"

"I talked to the soldiers who were assigned to guard the kingdom. The Viscount was brutally murdered. They found almost 45 gunshots in his back. The Viscountess and the lady is nowhere to be found."

Jake exhaled heavily before taking a seat, "Do you think she escaped? Please... tell me if she escaped..." his voice broke at the end.

"Johnny is heading to them to help. And she is an intelligent woman, Your Grace. She will escape."

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Johnny opened the door to a wooden cabin before stepping aside, "Please come in, my lady."

Juliette thanked him and guided her mother carefully into the cabin, looking around the scanning the whole room. It was smaller than their manor and less little cosy. But it was enough to be hunted by the bloodthirsty men. She took off her cardigan and immediately gave her mother some medicines.

"It'll be better if we hide here for a while, my lady. They won't find us here."

"Thank you, Johnny. You should rest. It's been a long day today for all of us. I feel like I am such a burden to you," she awkwardly stared at her fingers, avoiding his gaze.

"I am a soldier, my lady. It is my duty to protect the people of the kingdom. And the Duke personally told me to protect you and your family. So I will do my best to fulfil his wishes."

She nodded and watched as he left her to guard the cabin. She stretched herself and glanced at her mother who was already passed out on the sofa.