Winter's Rebellion

Chapter 14: The Kingdom of Astoria

Tristian's POV:

After we entered the cave and reviewed our original plan to reach Astoria, we made a few adjustments to our formation for better protection of Princess Elara. It was our final day traveling to reach Astoria. We sent off a few knights in advance to reach Astoria before the rest of the army. What should have been a two-day trip to Astoria was now extended due to my failure to protect the Princess.

I would never allow her training to continue without my presence again. We rode for hours as the sun dipped lower in the clear blue sky. My heart raced every time she leaned back against my chest, her warmth grounding me. My thoughts kept drifting back to the memory of our shared kiss, igniting a mix of longing and frustration within me.

Annoyance bubbled in my gut at the echo of Sir Adrian's words, declaring he wouldn't give up on her. While I trusted Elara's intentions—after all, she had rejected his advances—jealousy simmered beneath the surface. The thought of him coming between us felt like a death sentence.

Princess Elara's soft hand brushed against mine as she gripped the reins, pulling me back to reality.

"You seem to have much on your mind, Sir Tristian," she said, leaning back into me and turning her head to meet my gaze.

I stole a fleeting glance at her, desperate to resist the urge to kiss her once again.

"Your Majesty, do not worry yourself. I am merely thinking of you," I whispered in her ear, my lips brushing gently against her skin.

She trembled slightly at my words, goosebumps rising on her skin. I couldn't help the smile that curved my lips at her reaction. Little did she know the profound effect she had on me, how every small gesture ignited a longing within me that was hard to contain.

I shifted my grip on the reins, my hands covering Princess Elara's, guiding the horse with her touch. Her petite hands were cold in the bitter winter air. A quiet, nervous giggle escaped her lips as she shifted to sit up straighter. The sound sent a rush of warmth through me, and my heart fluttered relentlessly at the delicate shyness that lingered in her every movement.

In that moment, it became harder to ignore the feelings that had been building. She was more than just the princess I was sworn to protect; she was someone who had woven herself into my thoughts, my desires. And the simple act of being this close to her—her laugh, her touch—only made that clearer.

I will put my faith and trust in my sincerity towards her, believing that she will choose the right man to stay by her side. As we continued our travels for a few more hours, the scenery near Astoria was breathtaking, a beautiful comparison to the harsher lands we'd passed through. The forest thinned out as we entered Astoria's realm, revealing sprawling meadows with vibrant grass that swayed in the breeze. Small, scattered lakes dotted the landscape, and the distant mountains loomed majestically against the horizon.

The air was noticeably warmer here, a welcome relief after the biting cold of Dracoria and Aerlion. The southern warmth carried a sense of peace, almost as if this new land itself was offering a brief respite. It was hard not to feel hopeful, as though the beauty around us was a sign that better things were to come.

Our large army surrounded us, offering a thick wall of protection for Princess Elara. For now, we had chosen to delay confronting Sir Lucian. If he truly was the Prince of Maloria, any misstep could cost us dearly. One wrong move, and Maloria would undoubtedly close in on us before we could reach Valoria and secure more allies.

We had to be smarter, more strategic, while ensuring Elara stayed far from his reach—especially with the Dragon's Eye still in his possession. That cursed necklace could be used against her, and we couldn't afford for her to fall under its influence.