𝐌𝐘 𝐒𝐄𝐑𝐕𝐀𝐍𝐓

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐑𝐓𝐘-𝐎𝐍𝐄

꧁꧂

     Stalking the group of men that had attacked them, both (Y/N) and Adrian along with a few other men could feel their nerves spiking the longer they stood crouched behind a pair of bushes. They had tracked the bandits for almost two weeks, traveling almost a hundred miles away from where they had attacked, that night finally being when they were able to locate them. As the thieves sat around a fire, their boisterous laughter ringing in the night air, (Y/N) felt her eyes narrowing.

    She wanted to strangle them.

    So this is how they act?

After attacking us?

    "(L/N)," Adrian whispered, snapping her out of her hate-filled thoughts, noticing how tense she was. "Don't do anything drastic. Impulsive actions will get you nowhere in this type of scenario."

    "Of course, Your Highness," she complied, switching her gaze from him to the group of men. "I just can't stand watching those bastards act like this after what they did to us. It sickens me, honestly, and that only further drives me to want to make them pay."

    "I understand what you mean," he sighed, nodding along to her words. "Exactly."

    "Your Highness," one of the men muttered, Adrian glancing back to find that he, along with the rest of the small group, was gathered in a semi circle around him and (Y/N). "Please, tell us your plan of attack. I and the others are ready to do as you command to get rid of these fuckers."

    "Thank you," he smiled. "But as for a plan... I haven't figured out what our strategy will be. We've already made it this far, but if we want to capture these guys, we'll all need to work together on this. I don't want anyone rushing in there alone. That's how you get killed." When he said this, he folded his arms over his chest and locked eyes with every single member of the group, continuing by saying, "And I will not let that happen. No more men will die on my watch. Now, I've counted, and it seems that there are ten of them."

    "Ten?" Many murmured, apprehension growing since there were only five of them, half the size of who they intended on fighting.

    "Yes," Adrian affirmed whilst pointing to two of the bandits. "Those two are merely guards. They don't do much in terms of hand to hand combat, completely disregarding sword wielding, and are just the lookouts." He then pointed to another two to continue, "They identify what is valuable and what is not, so they likely have very little combat skills as well." Turning back to the group, he sighed, "It's the other six that you need to be cautious of, for they are the ones that led the brunt of the attack on us. But, we need to get rid of them all.

    "Of course, sire," all murmured in agreement.

    After an hour of strategic planning, Adrian's plan was finally set, and at the break of sunset, he and everyone else put it into motion.

    (Y/N), Adrian, and another man watched as two of their men crept up behind the supposed guards and slit their throats with ease, their struggle light as they were led to the ground. Next, the two then crept inside the other bandits tents—the ones that identified the bounty. As they did, (Y/N)'s group also snuck into the camp, taking back whatever was theirs that was stolen, along with other valuables that Adrian deemed worth taking. It wasn't long before the other six bandits noticed. In an instant, there was a flurry of yelling, steel brandished against steel, and curses flying through the air as the fighting started.

    As there was one man out, Adrian handled two bandits while the rest of his group handled one. (Y/N) was easily able to deliver a swift kick to the bandit she was facing's leg and a slash to his throat so she could run over to where Adrian was and assist him, distracting one of the bandit's so he was left with only having to stave off one enemy.

    "Thanks, (M/N)," Adrian grunted.

     "Of course, Your Highness," she replied without hesitation nor falter.

    The two then stood back to back wielding their swords, both enemies falling at almost the exact same time. They stood panting, beads of sweat dripping down their temples, and exchanged brief smiles between each other as they let their swords drop to their sides, watching as the other members of their group slaughtered the bandits, their screams all cut short into gurgled cries. (Y/N) slightly winced at this, aiding in these mens' death yet not having to like it all the same.

    "(M/N)," Adrian murmured softly, his usual sharp eyes almost soft in a way as he stared into her own. "These men don't deserve your sympathy. They killed our own. We're only returning the favor."

    "Of course," she sighed.

    "Honestly..." he gave a small smile, shaking his head as a breath escaped him. "You're such a strange man, do you know that? Talking back to a prince, and now feeling sympathy for the enemy? Right here, right now... don't give the enemy sympathy. Even just a slight amount can come back to kill you. And..." He trailed off for only a moment before stating evenly, "I would hate to lose you to such a mistake."

    (Y/N)'s smile softened.

    Hm.

    Would you look at that?

    "You don't need to worry, Your Highness," she shook her head. "It is not pity I feel for the enemy. I'm just not too fond of watching others die, even if they deserve it. Perhaps it's wrong of me to think so, but nevertheless, it is what I feel."

    "I admire that," Adrian nodded.

    "Do you, now?"

    "Not many men can admit that."

    (Y/N)'s smile turned almost wry at that.

    Well...

    I'm not even a man, at all.

    "What I'm saying, is that you are a good man, one who I wish to have as my attendant for years to come, if you choose to remain," Adrian exhaled when seeing (Y/N)'s expression, sheathing his sword since the need to inflict damage was already done. "I don't want to see you go, not now, at least. I still need you for many things."

    "Of course, Your Highness," (Y/N) bowed.

    Adrian smiled.

꧁꧂