Vernon brought Mera to a room and gently laid her down on the bed. She was still unconscious. Truth be told, he never expected she would end up like this, to be so overwhelmed with emotion that she would faint. He pitied her. Mera had never been through something this terrible.

Vernon left the room and was intending on heading back to the throne room. But then he decided to search for the two maid friends of Mera’s. Mera would need friends to be with her in this time of sorrow. Vernon could be there for her, but would be way better if it was her closest friends.

It took a while before he found them.

“You two.”

The two maids were surprised to be suddenly called by him, and they quickly bowed their heads. Despite him being a commoner, he was still supposed to be of a higher ranking here in the palace. Being the princess’s butler, and a senior servant.

“With the revelation of what happened,” he said to them. “Mera fainted. Please be by her side when she wakes up.”

The two maids looked at each other, worried about Mera’s wellbeing. Vernon was glad that these two were still alive. If they had died during the assault, and Mera heard it along with the other terrible news, he feared to imagine what would happen to Mera.

The two maids expressed they understood, and Vernon told them which room to find her. He watched them go before continuing on. When he reached the hallway to the throne room, he came across a royal knight going to the throne room with hastened steps. Vernon didn’t think much of it and continued on. There he saw the knight whisper something to the king. The latter looked concerned and began leaving the throne room after telling the knight an order.

Vernon followed the king, and he could sense the tension he was feeling. Thus, Vernon had to ask.

“What is going on, Your Majesty?”

As they walked, the king answered. “Messengers from the border arrived to deliver urgent news.”

Urgent…? Could it be…?

They arrived at the reception room. It would seem the king didn’t want anyone else to hear whatever news this could be. The king waited in the room for a moment with a couple of high-ranking knights, and Vernon was allowed to be with them.

A pair of rough looking soldiers entered the room. They were sweaty and dirty. They looked like he had been continuously traveling for days. Despite how tired they looked, they kneeled before the king.

“Your Majesty,” one said. “We deliver news of the border adjacent to the Tornridge Empire. In the middle of the night, they suddenly sent their army to attack.”

“We are doing everything we can to hold them off. However, the last time we were there, we were concerned that we wouldn't be able to hold them off for long.”

“We expect they will breach through some of our defensive lines.”

“We were caught off guard by the strength of the soldiers they sent. Many of them are capable of magic.”

“What actions did you take to remedy the situation?” asked the king.

“For now, last I know, the brass is seeking draftees from the nearby cities and towns to be sent to fight. As what was planned beforehand.”

“Still, we were surprised by this attack. We thought it was best to notify you immediately of this attack and follow you up to the situation.”

“Indeed,” answered the king. That was what was supposed to be done. “They attacked ahead of our predictions. Have you heard from Myra at the border?”

“… No, we heard none.”

“I see…” The king seemed to be pondering.

“Um… Your Majesty, we saw the state of the city… Did the Empire do this?”

“... Yes.”

The two knights stared at each other, an utterly concerned expression on their faces. They must be confused about how the Empire got here. It shouldn’t even be possible. They had been guarding the border, no army capable of damaging the city this much shouldn’t be able to get through without getting noticed. Not to mention the distance between the border and the capital city, someone would definitely notice an enemy army moving through. Vernon couldn’t imagine how they even got here and that large of an army. No one knew how — until they interrogated the enemy soldiers they captured.

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

But despite that, they still couldn’t fully understand what happened. How that was even possible.

The king rose from his seat. “We are now at war. And we must fight back.” He turned his head towards the knights. “We’re having a meeting. Assemble the capital nobles and the generals. And make sure to summon Teristro. Make sure they’re here before sunset.”

The knights acknowledged his command, and they immediately left.

The king returned to face the two soldiers from the border. “Rest up. You’ll be joining the meeting. Tell us everything that you know, that you saw.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“You may go.”

Once everyone had left, the king heaved a long sigh. Vernon took a step closer.

“My king, may I join your meeting?”

“... Of course. You’re the princess’s personal servant. Listen in her place.”

“Thank you.”

***

Mera’s body shifted slightly as she was roused from her sleep. Her face wrinkled for a second as she felt the soft sensation of the bed and sheets.

“Mera’s waking up.”

Mera heard a familiar voice, it was Macey’s. Realizing her presence, Mera felt a bit surprised, and thus she immediately opened her eyes. The first person she got to see was another one of her friends, Ellie, sitting on the chair beside the bed right in front of Mera’s face. Mera furrowed her brows a little, but she didn’t get up. She lacked the motivation to do so.

“What are you doing here?” she asked her friends, glancing at Macey, who just moved in her peripheral vision.

“We were asked to keep you company,” Macey answered.

Mera had an idea who could have requested it. But she didn’t think it would have been necessary. Truth be told, she was a bit embarrassed.

“You didn’t have to…”

Ellie waved her hand. “Nuh uh, you passed out. Someone’s got to look after you.”

Mera had nothing to answer, and thus she could only pull the sheet covering her body.

Ellie observed her a bit. “You feeling a bit better?”

“... No… How long was I out…?”

“Just a few hours.”

“Oh…”

“Mera…” Macey touched Mera’s hand, as if trying to console her.

Mera forced a small smile. “It’s okay… It’s just… I never imagined that I would return here like this. For everything to end up like this.”

“Yes,” replied Macey. “Everything was so sudden. It was terrible to see our friends hurt.”

“Some of our friends died…”

“Yes…”

Mera pulled her sheet even further until it covered her face. She was scared to know which of her accomplices had perished during the attack. She imagined it must have been a terrifying experience to those that survived. To see their friends hurt and die. Mera knew she wouldn’t be able to handle all the pressure. Maybe she could have lost consciousness as what happened just now.

Ellie leaned forward a little. “We would have died if the princess hadn’t come.”

Hearing the princess being mentioned, Mera peeked out of the sheet. “The princess?”

Ellie smiled at her a little. “Yes. She healed the wounded and also helped those stuck under the rubbles. She was so heroic.”

“That’s right,” added Macey. “Even though it was dangerous, she still tried to save anyone she could. No one could have imagined that she, of all people, would risk her life just for us.”

Mera’s eyes widened, a small tear came out of the corner of her eyes. “I see… She is indeed wonderful.”

“With her will and bravery,” Ellie said. “I’m sure she’ll be alright. Wherever she may be.”

“But…”

“We heard she showed her power during the fight, and she took out many of the enemies while protecting the palace. Us.”

“She did…?”

“She was mesmerizing, they said. Her magic filled the air above. I didn’t get to personally witness everything, but I know it helped a lot.”

“... She has always been strong. But… we want her to hold back. It’s bad for her.”

Mera was aware, all the princess’s servants were, that the princess would have repercussions on using her magic too much. It could be a risk to her life. If the princess used a tremendous amount of magic, then she must have felt a lot of pain.

“Is that so? But still, that showed she is quite reliable, no? I know you’re worried, but, as her servant, you should have faith in her.”

“… I, I suppose. But, she’s very important to me…”

“Yes, that’s why right now all we can do is have faith, isn’t that right? Faith is still important, you know.”

Mera took in her words to heart and faintly nodded. “Okay… I didn’t think I would hear such words from you, Ellie.” Mera smiled.

Ellie giggled. “I may be what I am, but I am still a faithful person.”

Macey nodded energetically. “And we’ll always be here when you need us. We’re friends, after all.”

Mera slowly sat up. “I’m glad you’re safe. I truly am.”

It would be unthinkable if they had died, and left Mera all alone. Her lady and coworker gone, add to it her closest friends, if they were all gone when she returned, Mera didn’t think she would survive from the revelation alone. She might die from a broken heart. Mera had never experienced such a deep feeling of loss, after all. And she was thankful that not everything was taken from her.

Still…

“Um… Can I rest for a while? I’ll be fine on my own.”

Ellie seemed to ponder for a moment before giving a faint nod. “Okay. Just rest. We’ll meet up again later.”

“Thank you.”

“Rest well, okay?” Macey patted Mera’s hand.

And with that, the two maids left the room. All that was left with Mera was the silence. She lowered her head and clasped her hands together on her lap. And then her body began to shudder and tears began to flow down her cheeks.

Her friends may have survived, but that didn’t mean that she was free of grief. That didn’t mean that her sadness had disappeared, the sadness of losing the knight who she had worked with, the most of all, the disappearance of the person she loved. The princess she loved so dearly.

She placed a hand on her chest as a sharp pain radiated in her heart. Her sobbings echoed throughout the room.

Despite having faith, as what her friends said, she still had the tears she must let out. And it may never end until she is reunited with the person she loved, the cause of her breaking heart. She prayed and hoped that the princess was alive and well… Otherwise… she would never have the will to live any longer in this world. Without her, without the blinding and beautiful light of the princess, this world would be dull and dark. Not a place worth living.

And thus here, the lone maid, one whose master had disappeared, wept. Her heart intensely longing for the one it sought.