SOPHIA STONECLAW

I looked around me as my eyes met with people in every direction they turned to. There were falxes too, but none were within a thirty-meter radius of me for obvious reasons. It was the largest gathering of Azkans I had witnessed since I came to these lands. We never gathered in large numbers, especially one of this scale since we carried out most of our activities in small groups because secrecy was paramount.

I was yet again in Ausbane forest, marking my second visit to the forest. We were gathered at a large clearing in the forest and our activities in the area had transformed it in such a way that one would doubt the area is somewhere inside a forest.

Vayr bowed slightly before walking past me. Though he did his best not to show it, I could tell that he was unsettled. The Imperium had finally made its move; an unprecedented one. Their move didn't look good for us, considering the plans we had. It felt as though they saw through our plans, figuring out that the central republic wasn’t our priority. Their recent activities pointed toward having a firm grip on the northern and southern republics. There was a point where we had the whole situation under control but at the moment, I couldn't confidently say that was still the case.

I still found it difficult to immerse myself in the current situation. I knew what was going on and I was a part of it, yet, it all felt like an illusion. I was an important figure in an Empire, a reality that I had come to terms with. But being involved in the middle of its schemes felt entirely different. I had read books in which similar events I was experiencing had happened, but living those events was a different experience. The books made them look easy.

I hadn't still gotten over the people I killed in the dark caverns. I didn't feel guilty nor did I feel like I had committed a crime. Rather, I was finding it difficult to believe that I did it. That was just the beginning, a preamble of what was to come.

There was no way I could forget my encounter with Svan of House Choryth. It was an interesting encounter. I knew he was an Arcane, I could easily tell since his Feel gave off a different aura. There was more about him, something I couldn't explain and for that reason, I found him interesting; interesting enough that I didn't want to kill him though I hoped my decision wasn't one that I would regret later. I was left contemplating if I was attracted to him as I constantly told myself that it was absurd and impossible.

“My Lady, do you need anything?” Octavia asked, snapping me out of my thoughts.

Using my fingers, I signaled her to come closer.

“I know I am the princess, but you don't have to be overly concerned about my well-being. I didn't leave the Empire to come here to be pampered, okay?”

“But I am just carrying out my duties.”

“I know, and I appreciate it. But I would be more appreciative if you just loosen up a bit.”

Octavia nodded but I could tell that she wasn't planning on doing as I had just told her. I was simply tired of always being treated as royalty. That was one of the many reasons why I was eager to leave the Empire to come here, yet, nothing much changed. Besides Vayr and Octavia, no one even dared to talk to me, except if it was urgent or necessary. I felt like I didn't belong here, like I was an outcast even though it was a situation where everyone was simply scared of me.

A thought crossed my mind and I scoffed. Judging by Octavia's expression, she must have thought my reaction was directed toward her but that wasn't the case. I couldn't shake off the feeling that someone or some entity was in control of my life and whoever that person was, seemed to be having fun with it.

“Do you have a knack for making me feel lonely?” I asked, though no words left my mouth.

One peculiar similarity in both lives I had lived was feeling lonely. Though it was a feeling I had completely gotten used to, I hated it. Besides the lonesome feeling, everything else was completely different. In this life, I had everything I had wished for in my past life. Anyone could call it a mere coincidence but for me, it wasn't. No matter how I thought about everything that has happened and was happening to me, I always arrived at the same conclusion—an external influence. In the end, I can't complain about it. Being alive is enough gratitude.

“My Lady, did I do something wrong?” Octavia asked, probably curious about why I scoffed earlier.

“Of course.”

“Huh?”

“You didn't.”

Her expression changed to a relaxed one.

“You see, this is exactly what I am talking about. Even my thoughts seem to bother you.”

“I’m sorry,” Octavia said, smiling faintly.

“Hey, have you ever been attracted to someone? A male to be precise.”

The surprise on Octavia’s face was obvious and I was sure she was wondering why I asked her such a question. She was silent. I couldn't tell if she felt it was awkward to give me a reply or if she didn't have an answer at all.

“Come on, don't think too much about it. It's an easy question, right?”

“I don't think it's appropriate for me to answer such a question,” she objected.

“Are you just stubborn or unnecessarily confined to formality? Can't we just have some woman talk between the both of us?”

“I am sorry. I wasn't expecting it from you considering....”

“Considering what? That I am the princess? Does that mean I must do everything according to the books? Or that I can't be friendly with others? Urgh. Forget it. You are starting to really annoy me.”

“I’m sorry.”

I couldn’t blame Octavia. No matter how I tried, she would always see me differently.

I turned away from Octavia and looked around for the second time, as I was reminded why I was even there. It was an important day to warrant such a gathering. The transport gate was finally completed which marked the beginning of a full-scale war. Most importantly, I get to go home

If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

All of us watched expectantly in the direction of the newly-completed transport gate. It was large, the largest I had ever seen which measured at least ten feet by thirty feet. We kept looking at its massive blue shine until someone came out of it, a soldier. Everyone was silent. Another soldier came out of the gate, and it continued in the same fashion until they began coming out in groups of twelve. The silence was broken as cheers erupted, accompanied closely by the clapping sounds of excited hands. Everyone was happy, the transport gate was a success. It wasn't the first gate built that moved people to and fro Azkhan and the southern continent; how else would one explain our presence here? But the ones built before it were unstable and very short-lived, as they would disintegrate after a number of people had used them.

This was Vayr’s priority. It was what he had always wanted to accomplish and for good reason. I found myself debating if he just happened to be late or just in time. Maybe it was the perfect timing. We came looking for war after all. The Imperium didn't appear to be the type that would willingly surrender to us. The only thing left was the actual fighting, since the Imperium had shown signs that they were ready for one.

The cheering didn't stop as more soldiers kept on marching out of the gate. Vayr walked up to me,

“Your hard work paid off,” I said to him, extending my hand to give him a handshake.

He received it before saying to me,

“This is nothing. The real work is about to begin.”

I smiled at him,

“I know.”

* * *

All it took was a few steps and an unusual experience of light and darkness and I found myself in Azkhan. I was supposed to be happy or relieved at least, but I didn't feel any of those emotions. There was a yearning I felt most of the time in the southern continent. I thought I missed home and was eager to go back. At the moment, I was home, but that yearning didn't go away.

“Welcome back,” a familiar voice said to me.

I looked at Orlyo, smiling,

“How have you been?”

“I have been well, your Majesty ”

Nodding, I said to him,

“I am tired.”

“I figured you would be, your Majesty . You will be at the palace in no time and get proper rest.”

Octavia stood beside me,

“I guess you won't have to babysit me anymore, that's his job,” I said, pointing at Orlyo.

Octavia didn't say anything, rather she smiled and bowed in courtesy.

“Let's go,” I said to Orlyo.

* * *

I sat in my bath for the longest time, too lazy to leave. All I wanted to do after bathing was sleep, I had missed the comfort of my bed though the ones I had slept on in Stavren weren't bad. The sleep would have to wait for a bit since I had to visit Father.

I heard knocks on the door of my washroom before Orlyo spoke up.

“Your Majesty , you have been in there for too long. Don't keep your father waiting.”

“Why are you disturbing me? Are you so desperate to see me naked?”

Orlyo went silent as I heard footsteps recede.

“Better.”

I left the bath and dried my body as my attendants helped me get dressed. I looked at myself in the mirror and there I was, looking like a princess.

“Don't you think this attire is too much?” I said to the chief attendant standing beside me.

“Pardon?” she remarked, surprised.

I began undressing,

“I don't like it.”

The attendant helped me undress. She must have felt that she had done a bad job. Her hands were shaky, probably thinking I was going to scold her.

“I am sorry, your Majesty . I will prepare a better one for you.”

“No. There is no need for that. Just get me a military uniform. I think it best suits the occasion. After all, I am just returning from a military campaign.

“Ah, I see,” the attendant remarked in relief.

Surprisingly, the uniform looked good on me contrary to what I thought.

I stepped out of the room to meet Orlyo standing in front of it like some guard.

“I am sorry about earlier,” he apologized.

I tapped his back,

“Can't you tell that I was joking? By the way, you said I would get proper rest, yet you are the one making sure that I don't get it.”

“Just following orders my Lady.”

I stood before Father who was sitting on his throne. Vayr, Octavia, and a few others were present, Orlyo included. Father interrupted Vayr’s speech when he saw me approach.

“My dear daughter, I have missed you.”

I smiled at him, but one could easily see the intention behind the smile.

“But it doesn't seem like you did. Must I be the one to pay you a visit? Would it be a crime if it were the other way round?”

Father burst out laughing and amidst laughter, he said,

“I see, my bad.”

Everyone else around me was stifling a laugh and I was left wondering if what I had just said was by any means funny.

I came to my senses though it was late. For a moment, I forgot that I was talking to the Emperor of the Azkhan Empire.

“Shit,” I cursed silently, “where are my manners?”

“I’m sorry Father... I mean... Your Majesty ,” I said, stuttering.

“Why did you apologize? You've ruined the mood. Anyway, welcome home,” Father said to me.

Right there, I understood how Octavia and the others must have felt. Even though the Emperor was my father, it still felt inappropriate to be informal with him. I looked at Octavia and smiled awkwardly but she didn't know why I smiled at her.

Vayr continued with what he was saying to Father, most of it was his plans and ideas about the coming war, and when he was done, Father dismissed him with everyone else gathered. I stayed behind, waiting for everyone to leave until I was left alone with Father.

“It seems you have something to say to me”

“Yes, Father.”

I paused for a brief moment as he looked at me with curiosity in his eyes.

“I think I figured out why you sent me to the southern continent. My carefree behavior seemed to have caused you a lot of worries. I mean, I wasn’t overly interested in anything that didn’t affect me directly, right ?” I tittered.

“I apologize for not being a filial daughter and that’s why I am here to tell you this. I’m going back to the southern continent and would actively take part in this war. As of this moment, I don’t want you to see me as the princess, rather, I want you to see me as a soldier.”

Father smiled, and though he didn’t say it in words, I knew he agreed with my decision.

I bowed and turned to leave when I heard his voice,

“Go and bring me a continent.”