Twisted Fate

Chapter Six - Uncharted Territory

 Two days passed and Ophelia was holding the new dagger she had ordered, making sure it was correct. The swordsmith looked at her quietly, arms folded, waiting. Nodding in approval, she handed him the money. "Thank you."

"You're welcome." He nodded to her, taking the bag of coins. Bidding him farewell, she made her way back to the palace. Her horse had already been prepared, her things all packed and ready. Moku, Jou, and Mana had come to see her off. Moku was frowning unhappily, watching Ophelia with a depressed expression. Jonou placed a hand on Moku's shoulder, smiling weakly as the Scott approached.

"Moku," she said, smiling kindly, "I have something for you." The small boy looked up at her.

"What...?" She pulled something out of her bag. It was small and wrapped in canvas. She handed it to the teen, smiling.

"I believe you're ready for this." Moku blinked and took it, unwrapping it to reveal the engraved dagger. He gasped.

"O-Ophelia... You..." She laughed and nodded.

"It's yours. Has your name on it and everything."

"...Th...Thank you so much!" He tackle hugged her. She laughed and hugged him back.

"Careful there!" He rewrapped the dagger, rubbing the back of his head in embarrassment. Jonou laughed lightly.

"I'll train hi'. Gonna miss you, Phi." She smiled sadly and gave the guard a hug.

"I'll miss you too, Jou." He grinned, letting her go.

"Visi' sometime, yeah?" She chuckled and nodded.

"Maybe if it's on the way," she winked. He rolled his eyes and stepped back to let Mana tackle her.

"Aww! Be sure to come back!" she squealed, "And with plenty more stories!" Ophelia snorted and hugged her back.

"Don't worry, Mana. There will always be more stories." The three smiled as they finished their goodbyes and Ophelia got onto her horse. She gave them one last wave before heading off. Just as she got a few meters from the palace gate, a voice shouted her name.

"OPHELIA! STOP!" It was Atem. He rushed towards her, running in front of her horse. Surprised, she pulled the horse to an abrupt stop.

"Atem! What the hell? You could have gotten hurt!"

"I don't care! I can't let you go without telling you the truth! I... I love you! I can't let you just ride out of my life, literally, and be happy about it! I was going to let you go, but.. I just can't! Please... stay." Ophelia sighed and shook her head.

"Oh, Atem... You know I can't do that. Besides, you're sixteen, I'm nineteen. And you said yourself that you're staying to become pharaoh. You know I don't stay in one place for too long. I get bored. I want to see the world. A palace isn't where I belong. I belong out there, in the wild where I can be free and live life."

"That's not true and you know it, Ophelia!" He accused. "I've listened to all your stories and in each of them, the main reasons you ever left was either because you were sentenced to death or you wanted to avoid a romantic relationship with anyone, like that boy in the Amazon! The only reason you're leaving now is because of me. Well, I'm not going to be like those men. I'm going to stand my ground and demand you stay.... because I love you..." His expression wilted and he began to tremble slightly. "Please..."

She stared in shock at the prince. He was right, utterly and completely right. She was afraid of falling in love. She was terrified of it. Biting her lip, she looked away. "Atem, please, move out of the way," she said softly.