I awaken to the sound of movement outside of my tent. My head is pounding. That's what I get for not putting that cup down.
I groggily put on my clothes and slide on my boots. I quickly put my hair up and wash my face. Once done, I join the men who are up for breakfast. Sir Henry's stew smell delicious.
I grab myself a bowl and spot Phillip sitting by the cliff's edge. I want to join him but I am unsure if he wants any company. I abruptly decide and walk over.
"Mind some company, Phillip? I timidly ask.
"Not at all, Princess. Please sit if you'd like," he smiles. Always so sweet and polite. How a man should always act. Unlike a certain someone who will not be named.
"Please, Phillip...its Katia." I smile with rosy cheeks.
"I apologize, Princess. I mean Katia," he replies.
I eat my stew and look out over the cliff to a grand landscape that looks as if it never ends.
"It is really serene out here. We are so lucky to be able to experience this. Some never see what is beyond the walls of their own Kingdom," he softly speaks.
"I guess you don't get out much being the Prince's head bodyguard. Do you regret joining the infantry?" I ask.
"I have no regrets. I made a promise to the Prince. I will protect him with my life," he boldly states.
I sigh, "I've never known anyone quite as noble as you, Phillip...you put yourself completely before others...it's strange...I mean not a bad sort of strange. It's just... I feel like as humans we are innately selfish beings....but you...you're so very different. If it comes down to you or a stranger, I feel as if you would give your life for theirs yet you owe them nothing..."
"Katia...it's not about owing people something. It's simply the right thing to do." Phillip answers.
"My father...if he was still here...I think he'd really like you, Phillip. Your morals...your beliefs...it's as if you're one in the same."
"I am sorry about your parents, Katia. No one should ever experience that kind of loss."
"It was a long time ago...but I agree, nothing hurts more than burying your parents before their time. And...I'm sorry about before...about questioning you about your father," I tearfully reply.
"No, Katia, please don't apologize. I shouldn't have shut down so quickly. It's just...I lost him when I was ten and my mother abandoned us shortly after I was born...he was all I had left."
"Can I ask what happened to him?" I quietly inquire.
He stands and walks towards the ledge, "It happened nearly ten years ago but it still feels so fresh in my mind...he was working in his shop. We lived in the Woodlands away from town. We preferred the solitude although we spent almost every waking moment together. You have to understand, Katia, that this was during the time before the peace treaty was signed between Embers and Auroria. We were on the brink of battle and the King of Embers requested all men enlist in the King's army. My father, a firm honest pacifist who preferred alchemy to fighting, refused to join and thus people branded him a coward unworthy of life itself - for what kind of man would refuse to protect his King...his people? One day, when father was in his shop working away at a new stone, soldiers came onto our land. They found me playing outside and one large soldier grabbed me by my neck as I tried my best to scream. He told me my father was a traitor who did not deserve to breathe his air. My father ran out of his shop with an iron stick and yelled at the man to release me. The soldier and his men laughed at him and one by one began beating him. They...they wouldn't stop. He could barely move. I saw his face bruised and bloodied. I tried my hardest to help him but the man squeezing my neck was too strong. As soon as they stopped, I was thrown to the ground and the soldiers walked away laughing. I ran to him and cried. He told me...he said he loved me and that he would always be with me. Even if I couldn't see him, he would be there watching over me. He died in seconds. I promised myself from that day on, I would be able to protect myself and others. I would be strong. I would never ever let what happened to me happen to anyone else."
"Phillip...I...I can't imagine...I don't know how anyone could ever come back from that..." I look at him with tears in my eyes. He has been through so much more than I ever thought and even still...he puts others before himself. I set my bowl down and stand up. He turns towards me with saddened eyes and I hug him tightly. I feel as if I never want to let go. Before we part, he pauses with me still safely in his arms and looks at me with his sky blue eyes and warm smile.
In the corner of my eye, I spot Alex standing several feet away, and immediately Phillip lets me go and steps back. Alex looks so disappointed. He doesn't say a single word - but turns and walks away.
