Walking along the animal trail, I finally arrived at the river. Entering my view , was a girl sitting bare footed on the big rock near the riverbank . The air that blew swiftly made her black long hair swept through her face as she threw an angelic smile toward me.

"why are you taking so long?"

"what? you miss me already?"

She frowned . "of course" and return back facing the river while her leg was swaying happily .

Shaking my head, I climbed the rock and casually sit beside her."well, this is plenty. You could have done it alone. " While prying into the basket that was full of freshly caught fishes.

She smiled cheekily . "Then I can talk to you longer"

"uggh" She is as straightforward as always. I could feel my cheek muscle cramping.

"any news from the capital? Fallen ? Conquered? oops , That is the same thing"

"....show some concern. This is our country you know? "

"Why would I ? With that shitty king, it was just a matter of time before a rebellion occur. Besides, wasn't General Dunoir that back stabbed first? That's why the enemies could trespassed  our border, easy peasy ."

I couldn't talk back . I could , but it is tiring to fight her. She had always hated the tyrannical royalty since I knew her . Well , most of the citizens also had deep hatred toward the king too but hers was something a bit out of norm .

Nobody in the village knew how the condition of the war right now. It was concentrated in the main cities and capital .Our village was located remotely at the far end of the border . We also rarely have contact with the government accept for to pay taxes .News and information also traveled slow here.

Anyway, I heard that Krisveil's king was not bad  . He was strict and always uphold justice for his subjects and citizens.So, actually a lot of the populace was supporting the enemies. I even heard that some of the villages near the capital actually helped Krisveil's army by giving supplies and leading the route. Now,  it was just a matter of time before the royalty will fell.

What started this? Well, our prince had gone too far when he killed Krisveil's princess who was his future fiancee just because she called him pig during their first meeting. Anybody would get mad like that. It was even weird if Krisveil's king doesn't retaliate for his daughter.

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Most of the folk already had an assumption that the monarch would be replaced by the end of the invasion. They were hoping that the administration would be much better compared to the hated king governance . The taxes this past years had increased heavily that the poor families could only survive one meal a day. Two , if they were a bit lucky like my family.

"lets go Althea , we can talk on the way back . Its getting dark"

"oookaay"

In front of me, the girl that I thought could never see her smile years ago  was skipping and humming happily . Was hearing the king going to be dethroned made her feel that much joy?

But , looking at her right now made me felt relieved . There was no trace of the past quite and sad girl any longer on her face.

"why are you staring at me like that? perhaps .... you had fallen for me again ?" she stopped and turn around while directing a mischievous grin at me.

"again ? when is the first time ? could you tell me Althea?"

"oh? you don't? Didn't you fell for me every time you see my face?"

I walked forward slowly and circled around her back while slowly putting my arm around her neck. The smell of Freesia swiftly tingled my nose . She always make sure to be prepared , this sly maiden . Her silky black hair ruffled against my face as she was standing still , a bit shock but still waiting . I could see from her neck that she must be as red like a blooming Carnation . This was the real Althea. A girl that putting up a front while in reality was timid . Really timid .

Slowly , her hand reached for my arm . " Rastus.."in a small voice she called out. A voice that could make every men in this world lose their sanity. The straightforward girl was no longer here.

"I fell for you even when you are not in my sight, my dear Thea"

"yes...you must be... you must only think and dream of me ." she snuggled tighter in my embrace . Giggling .

"that is troublesome. You have taken everything of me that I could no longer live without you. At least, let my dream be mine." I whispered jokingly .

"Nope, no can do. Dream of me. Only me. Because... everyday, there is not a single dream of mine ...without...you...in it" She smiled while glancing upward . Her beautiful and serene topaz eyes was mystically mesmerizing and her flushed cheek was making me even more drawn toward her .

Pulling my head closer, her soft lips was pressed onto mine . Every time it felt different . But each one was equally heavenly and delightful .

After enjoying the sensation , she separated with our face was only inches away. Her breathing was a bit heavy with her eyes was filled with hunger and desperation . Showing that she really want some more but had to stop. Or else we would never stop with just a kiss .

"Its not fair" I said while leaning my head so that our forehead would touch . Her warmth spread through mine as I continued.

"now , i have no choice but to only dream of you everyday ..." I've been doing that since the first time I met her .

Walking hand in hand . We looked forward . To the horizon . The red setting sky look so dazzling ......and daunting at the same time.