My Beloved Knight

Ch.9: Our Only Hope

Back at the forest, Gallade was hopeless. He sat under a tree speechless hugging his legs, with his head low, he did not even dare to say a word. Exile was the worst punishment a noble knight could receive, that told everyone that knight was noble no more. Even if the reason of the why was a lie, he felt he deserved the punishment after all. Not for betrayal but for not accomplishing his only objective, protecting the person he cared for most.

The Princess walked in circles near Gallade, desperate. "Oh Gallade... This is terrible! What are we going to do?!" Gallade remained silent, there was no answer he could give. "Gallade?" Worried, she sat next to him. She had just lost almost everything, she did not want to lose what remained, her protector and only friend. "I listened, my Lady..." He finally spoke up, with his head remaining low. Gallade could not even look at her in the eye. "But there is nothing we can do... Just staying here... Even if we got over the fortified security, there is nothing I can do against Spiritomb... I have failed you... as knight and friend... It is for my fault that we are now in this situation!"

"No Gallade! It's not yours... It's mine... I shouldn't had asked you to take me here... Now I see why everyone wanted me to stay inside..." The Princess slowly began crying, she felt so guilty for causing them that much pain. "N-No Princess... It's not your-" Gallade did not stand to see her crying but when he tried to comfort her she interrupted him and stopped crying. "I know it's my fault..." She seemed a bit more serious as her thoughts went from them, to her own kingdom. "I must do something about it... We can't just stay here and do nothing! I don't even want to imagine what that witch will do with our people... I'm the future queen... I must stay strong in hard moments! You have always told me to be strong, Gallade... please don't lose faith..." She grabbed his hands and looked at him with hopeful eyes.

Gallade was so surprised, he has never seen suchside from the Princess. Her words made his heart beat faster by excitement andtook all his doubts and heavy feelings away. "If you don't give up, then I willnot! We shall recover your kingdom!" He smiled at her with a lot of confidence.It was a relief to have him back, the Princess had to smile back, though shewas a pokemon, she still had that innocent smile. The problem was what to do."This stupid forest... why did I wanted to come here in first place?" Shewondered and then had an idea. "That's it! The pond!" She yelled andstood up, taking Gallade, who had a confusing expression, with her. "A pond?"He asked her. "Yes! The pond that grants wishes! We must find it and wish foreverything to be back to normal! That is our only hope..." Gallade felt skepticalabout its existence but he nodded, he trusted in the Princess and someway, thatwas the best option they had at the moment.