Chapter 14
"She's… going to get married…?"
John's chest tightened painfully.
For a moment, it felt like the ground beneath his feet had disappeared.
Just then, Marco stepped forward in front of the soldiers.
Marco: Everyone! After such an intense fight, we're taking a break for today. Tomorrow we'll continue our journey.
The soldiers responded loudly in agreement.
Soldiers: Yes, Commander!
The crowd slowly began to disperse. Marco turned to leave, but John quickly caught up to him.
Marco stopped and glanced back.
Marco: What?
John hesitated for a moment before speaking.
John: Commander… is it true that the Princess is engaged?
Marco looked at him with a teasing expression.
Marco: I already told you earlier, didn't I?
John swallowed nervously.
John: So… is it also true that the Princess will get married in a few days?
Marco raised an eyebrow.
Marco: Why do you care?
John froze.
John: Well… I—
Before he could finish, Marco interrupted him.
Marco: She is a Princess, John.
John fell silent.
Those words alone were enough to remind him of the truth.
The distance between them.
Marco patted his shoulder and walked away.
John remained standing there, staring at the ground.
John (thinking): Of course she is a Princess
.With a quiet breath, John turned to leave.
But the moment he took a step—
Someone suddenly stood in front of him.
John flinched in surprise.
john:"—Whoa! What the—?"
He looked up.
john:"Why are you here?"
Tomasi stood there, arms crossed, watching him with a faint, knowing smile.
tomasi:"It's hard, right?"
John frowned.
john:"What are you talking about?"
Tomasi shrugged casually.
tomasi:"It's not working, is it?"
John's expression hardened.
john:"What's not working?" he snapped. jihn:"Whatever it is, it's none of your business."
Tomasi chuckled softly.
tomasi:"But Marco was right."
He leaned a little closer, his voice lower now.
tomasi:"Don't forget your place."
A pause.
tomasi:"And don't forget who you really are."
For a moment, John didn't move.
Then slowly, he lifted his eyes and gave Tomasi a cold stare.
A stare sharp enough to cut.
But he said nothing.
Instead, John simply brushed past him and kept walking.
Leaving Tomasi standing there.
Watching.
next
Moonlight spilled across the area of the training . Princess swung her sword, each strike precise, yet the weight behind it was not fear—it was frustration, indecision, the knot of duty and desire inside her.
Guinevere blocked her strike, firm, unwavering.
Guinevere: "Enough. Stop forcing yourself."
Princess lowered the blade. Her chest rose and fell steadily, but her jaw remained tight, eyes fixed on the floor. Her words stayed restrained.
Princess: "…I can't afford to be weak."
Guinevere sat beside her, posture upright, eyes sharp.
Guinevere: "You've grown, I can see it. But strength isn't only in your sword. It's knowing yourself, knowing what you truly want."
Princess's hands tightened around the sword. Thoughts raced inside her, weighing duty against desire, responsibility against heart. I know what I feel… but do I dare follow it? Everything depends on me… the kingdom, the people… the marriage…
Guinevere leaned closer, voice firm but patient.
Guinevere: "Duty is real. But your life isn't only obligations. What you want matters too. Don't let responsibility trap you. Choose what's right for you."
Princess's breath caught slightly, the words pressing against the walls she had built. Could I… really? Follow my heart and still honor my duty?
Silence stretched. Guinevere didn't speak, only waited, giving Princess the space to confront herself.
Then, softly, Guinevere asked:
Guinevere: "Tell me… what do you really want?"
The question landed like a stone in still water. Princess froze, gaze dropping. Inside, her heart raced, mind spinning. I can't… I shouldn't… Not now… If I think of myself, everything could fall apart…
Her grip on the sword relaxed slightly, tension still coiled but tempered by her inner reckoning.
Guinevere's voice cut gently through her thoughts.
Guinevere: "Stop hiding behind duty. Hiding won't save anyone."
Princess's lips remained sealed, her words swallowed by thought. It's not fear. It's responsibility… I can't… I can't think of myself.
Guinevere: "Responsibility doesn't erase your heart. You're a princess, yes—but you're human. Your choices matter. What you want matters. Don't pretend otherwise."
Princess's shoulders tensed, jaw tightening. Princess : And… what if choosing myself harms everything? What if I fail?
Guinevere leaned closer, unyielding.
Guinevere: "Then you still try. Courage isn't ignoring duty—it's facing it, even when it terrifies you. Hiding won't save the kingdom; it will only cost you yourself."
A long pause. Princess exhaled softly, lowering the sword, letting it rest against her thigh. Thoughts still spun, but a quiet resolve settled in.
Princess (softly, measured): "Let's… not talk about this anymore. Prepare for tomorrow—the journey begins again."
She walked away, steps steady, carrying exhaustion and unspoken turmoil alike. Guinevere watched her leave, silent, eyes tracing the Princess's retreating figure.
Outside, hidden in the shadows, John had heard everything. His chest tightened—not from fear, but from understanding. The burden she carried, the frustration, the restraint, the choices—he felt it all. He stayed still, the world narrowing to the distant figure of Princess Rosalie and the quiet determination she radiated.
morning appears
John woke to murmurs and hurried footsteps.
John: "What's happening?"
Soldier: "You don't know? The prince… he's coming."
John: "Prince? What prince?"
Soldier: "The one coming for the Princess. She's near his kingdom—he's coming to take her."
John froze. "Take her…?"
A carriage rattled down the road, dust swirling around its wheels. Soldiers straightened, eyes wide.
John squinted. A figure stepped down—white hair, piercing red eyes, a confident smirk on his face.
Prince: "Where is the Princess?"
...CHAPTER 14ENDS...