Chapter : 44
The moment I realized it, Rajiv spoke.
“I cannot leave you alone, miss. To Base 3…”
He paused there, as if the next words required great resolve.
But then he continued to the end.
“Will you come with me?”
!!!!
I could feel the respect in his tone.
It seemed he had read the sincerity in my words.
At last, I had persuaded Rajiv.
But still…
I didn’t want to go to the battlefield. I really didn’t want to go to a place that dangerous!
The tiny hope that maybe he would go alone flickered and died.
I had no choice.
“Yes. I’ll go with you.”
Reluctantly, yet somehow with a tone as if I truly wanted to, I answered cheerfully.
But even before we set off, I ran into trouble.
Rajiv had brought out two horses.
Noble ladies usually learned to ride, so a typical young lady like Kaelin would be able to ride skillfully.
But I wasn’t particularly flustered.
After all, it wasn’t written anywhere, but Kaelin had never learned to ride.
The Duke of Brockberg wasn’t the type to teach riding to a girl so frail she struggled to even walk.
I said plainly,
“I can’t ride a horse.”
Rajiv’s expression flickered with surprise for a moment.
Seeing his face, I wondered if I had spoken too confidently.
“I’m sorry,” I quickly added.
Rajiv composed himself and said,
“That’s alright. But this isn’t a place you can reach by carriage or on foot, so I’m afraid… you’ll have to ride with me.”
“Ah…”
So that’s how it would be.
Rajiv had a two-person saddle fitted onto his horse.
“The path ahead is safe. Ride behind me.”
I sat behind Rajiv, holding onto him tightly, my body trembling.
As the horse swayed, I felt the reality of riding into a battlefield.
For someone like me whose goal was merely survival, to go to a battlefield in order to survive…
It was ironically absurd.
After about thirty minutes on horseback,
“We’ve arrived.”
Rajiv stopped the horse.
Already?
Base 3 was surprisingly close, making the calm of Aolium Fortress, where I had been, seem meaningless.
I had ridden blind, with Rajiv blocking my view, so it was only when I dismounted that I saw faint lights ahead and something hazy—likely the knights’ barracks.
It was quiet, only the sound of crickets filling the air.
Then,
“Sir Rajiv!”
Someone approached and called his name.
He seemed to be a knight directly under the crown prince.
Without a greeting, Rajiv asked immediately,
“I’ve come to see His Highness the Crown Prince. Which barracks is his?”
The unnamed knight looked at me, suspicion in his eyes.
Aware of the knight’s gaze, Rajiv explained,
“This is Lady Kaelin Brockberg. I’ve brought her to His Highness, so please guide us.”
Even in the darkness, I could sense the knight’s eyes flashing—slight caution and curiosity.
But he quickly softened his gaze and turned to lead us.
Passing through tents, the knight stopped in front of an ordinary one that looked no different from the others.
He nodded briefly, then disappeared somewhere.
Rajiv called out softly at the tent entrance,
“Your Highness, Rajiv here.”
I swallowed hard.
Within seconds, the heavy fabric at the tent entrance swirled, and he appeared.
Calix.
His eyes widened at the sight of Rajiv, and when he noticed me, his face twisted as if he had seen something unbelievable.
“Rajiv!”
Calix growled my companion’s name.
Extreme anger shimmered in his eyes.
Was he that furious just because I was here?
Seeing his fierce gaze sent shivers down my spine.
“Your Highness, I’ve brought Lady Kaelin Brockberg.”
Rajiv spoke calmly.
Despite Calix’s fury, he seemed unfazed.
Apparently, he had anticipated Calix’s intense reaction.
Indeed, he had reason to.
It was ridiculous even to me that I had ended up here.
I felt sorry for Rajiv.
I stepped forward, ready to speak to Calix, but he was faster.
“What is this! Why is Kaelin here? Why is she here, Rajiv?!”
Though he seemed to be trying to restrain his anger, his voice had already risen.
He struggled to suppress his fury, but it wasn’t very successful.
Rajiv only bowed silently.
“I asked him. I insisted I had to come, even alone.”
I quickly intervened.
Calix’s eyebrows twitched.
He had no intention of listening further.
“Rajiv, take Kaelin back to the fortress immediately. It’s dark, so return to Everlen by morning! If Kaelin remains in Aolium after sunrise, your head will roll!”
Gulp.
He was truly furious.
“Sir Calix!”
I stepped forward.
“Kaelin, go back immediately! What are you doing? Do you know where this is? This is a battlefield!”
“Sir Calix, wait, just a moment…”
Let me speak!
I want to go back too. Who would willingly be in this battlefield?
I was supposed to go back leaving Rajiv here!
“Rajiv, what are you doing? Take the lady and leave immediately!”
Calix had no intention of listening to me.
He seemed on the verge of losing reason over my presence on this battlefield.
“Yes, Your Highness!”
Rajiv replied.
No, Rajiv! That’s not it!
You’re coming back with me too?
I should be telling Calix, not having you save him!
There’s going to be a surprise attack!
I glared at Rajiv.
But he, seemingly indifferent, said,
“Let’s go, miss.”
I couldn’t believe it.
“Force her if you must, Rajiv!”
Calix ordered.
Gasp!
This was likely the command Rajiv had been longing to hear.
Until now, he had restrained himself because he hadn’t received it…
As Rajiv moved to grab my arm, I quickly stepped back and shouted,
“There will be a surprise attack! Tonight or tomorrow night, they’ll strike! Eden Daucus will personally raid the barracks! Rajiv must stay by Your Highness’ side!”
Calix briefly looked at Rajiv at my words. I saw Reld, who had followed us from Calix’s barracks, flinch behind him.
“A surprise attack?”
“Yes! I heard it! By tomorrow, at the latest the day after, there will definitely be a night raid. Rajiv…”
“You came here just to warn me?”
Calix’s voice sharpened.
Why did he sound even more upset hearing this?
“Yes. There will be a surprise attack, so Rajiv must protect you.”
I spoke with all the courage I had.
But Calix only seemed angrier.
“You came here despite a surprise attack? What were you thinking?!”
Shouting in anger, he stopped suddenly when I flinched, taking a breath.
Then, in a calmer voice, he said,
“Fine, go back. Immediately.”
Why this attitude?!
Even knowing there’s a surprise attack, he only orders me to leave!
“Listen to me! I came to save you, Sir Calix!”
I shouted with all my might.
Perhaps my voice was too loud, but for the first time, a hint of hesitation appeared on Calix’s determined face.
Seizing the moment, I added,
“I ran all this way to save you!”
I had gone this far!
After my outburst, silence fell for a few seconds.
Then Calix asked,
“Kaelin, where did you hear this?”
“I…!”
I managed to calm myself instead of blurting out.
Looking directly at Calix, I said,
“You know I was engaged to Eden Daucus, right? I heard it directly from him. I also warned you that a war would break out beforehand.”
Of course, my warning had little practical help—it had merely arrived just before the war began.
Calix stared at me for a few seconds.
Finally, he spoke.
“Kaelin, you came for nothing.”
“Excuse me?”
“What do you mean? You came from Everlen to Aolium just to warn me of a surprise attack? Did you think I’d die if you didn’t tell me first? Kaelin, I fear your presence on this battlefield more than the attack. Return immediately.”
What was that attitude?
I risked my life to come help him, and he calls it futile!
“I came to help Your Highness…”
“Kaelin! I don’t need your help. War is my strength. I will win without you driving me crazy. Return!”
Damn it!
Fine, I know you’ll win.
I came to help a bit, and in case Rajiv wasn’t there, I’d be worried if you got hurt…
I glared at him.
Calix ignored my look and said,
“Rajiv, what are you doing? You’ve already disobeyed my orders. This is your last chance to bring the lady safely back to Everlen.”
“Yes, Your Highness!”
Rajiv turned obediently toward me.
Was I really going to return just like that?
After coming all this way?
Unable to do a thing?
Why is this story so frustrating?
Why can’t a single scene go my way?!
I fumed with disbelief, anger, and frustration.
“Whoosh”
A sound came from somewhere, and suddenly flames “flared up” next to the barracks.
Something flew through the air, and the barracks ignited instantly.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It was tonight!
At the same time, another “whoosh” sounded.
This time, there was more than one.
“Damn it!”
Calix muttered, and suddenly I was swept into his arms.
“Reld! It’s an ambush. Abandon Base 3. Relay the order to retreat to Base 4 immediately!”
Many barracks were already on fire.
Calix decided immediate withdrawal, minimizing casualties and allowing a swift counterattack.
Rajiv would suffer minor injuries while covering Calix.
But why now!!!!!
At this very moment, with me here!
Could luck be this cruel?
I was terrified, nearly losing my mind.
Fire arrows flew overhead.
Calix would survive; he’s the main character.
The knights would mostly survive, as I had written.
But me?
I shouldn’t even be here.
I might as well die.
Fear rushed over me like a tidal wave, and I nearly lost my grip on reality.
Luckily, Calix’s strong, solid arms held me tightly.
It felt as though he would shield me from every incoming arrow.
“Rajiv, cover us!”
As he said this, Calix suddenly lifted me and started running.
