Traveling Star, Wandering Chaos

Please be Safe

"Princess, I've come to report on the current preparations." I looked up from the documents on my desk as Eugene entered my office and handed me a detailed report on the situation. "I see; is this all?"

"Yes, Your Highness," Eugene affirmed. I groaned, rubbing my right temple.

"Very well, you may leave."

Eugene nodded, but before leaving, he turned back, "Don't overwork yourself; it wouldn't do anyone good if you fell ill," he advised.

I smiled, "I know," watching him leave. The moment the door closed, I looked down at the report again. Troops were thinning by the minute, and if things stayed like this, it wouldn't be long before Glorian soldiers pushed through our borders. Invasion was imminent. I bit down at my nail, deep in thought.

What to do? I doubted Father would give me command over the troops, even if I asked. But if we didn't make a move soon, the frontline wouldn't be able to push the Glorian army back for much longer. I looked at the report again. Three thousand! Over three thousand soldiers had died over the last week! No bodies had remained! I pursed my lips, putting my hands together in prayer. I'm sorry my comrades, I wasn't able to return you home. May your souls rest peacefully, know your sacrifice was not in vain.

I groaned, leaning back in my chair, and stared at the ceiling for a moment. I needed a break. I got up and left my office.

I strolled down the familiar castle halls, occasionally walking past a servant or two. Preparations for the banquet would be complete soon. I should visit Aliya and Angelo. I turned onto the left corridor towards their quarters, hopeful they were doing well. With everything that had been happening lately, I was hopeful they were in a good state of mind. I arrived at a door with a golden handle. I gently knocked on the door, "Aliya? Angelo? Are you there?" I asked. No answer. Maybe they're asleep, it is quite early, best not to bother them. I pulled my hand away from the door and just as I was about to walk away, I heard a crash. I turned back, grabbed the doorknob, and ... opened the door. The door is unlocked? I entered the room, only to find no one there. The window was open, the handle smashed to pieces, and the leg of the bed had broken off. What happened here? My eyes darted around the room. The broken window handle lay abandoned on the floor, but the missing bed leg was nowhere to be seen. I walked up to the open window, and there it was: the missing bed leg, on top of a multitude of blankets tied together. When I looked back into the room again, some papers on the table caught my glance. It was a letter.

Hey, Althea, when you read this, I'll probably be gone. I just wanna say that I'm really sorry that we had to leave you and that I'll probably never come back. Please be careful. Oh, and don't worry about me; Minh is with me. That psycho always has some type of plan, so I'll be good. Please take care of yourself and don't work too hard. I hope we meet again one day!

- Aliya

I clutched the paper in my hands, reading over and over to make sure I didn't read it wrong. She's gone... she's really gone. I knew that she wouldn't always be here, but it still hurt nonetheless. I took a deep breath, folded the letter, and put it in my dress pocket. I left the room and closed the door on my way out.

I felt my legs like lead as I walked down the hallway for a while, but then I came across Eugene. Seems he's off duty; and... he's with Commander Avery? Why is he here, isn't he supposed to be with the vanguard at the borders? They seemed to be talking about something. I quickly hid behind a corner. I'm fully aware eavesdropping is not becoming of a princess, but Ms. Anne isn't here to lecture me, so I suppose I'm in the clear.

"How have you been these days, Eugene?"

"I've been doing well, Commander."

"That's a relief; when I allocated my duties to you, I knew very well that you had some big shoes to fill," Commander said, patting Eugene's shoulder.