“Are you sure you’ll be alright?” [Dreck]

“Yeah, I’ll be fine.” [Ava]

“But, your wounds a-.“ [Dreck]

“It’s just a few cuts and bruises.” [Ava]

“The injury on your back may not be deep, but it is quite large. It would be better for you to rest here for the night. Once morning comes, we can escort you to the nearest village, or even back to the Capital.” [Dreck]

“Don’t wanna. Thanks for the help I owe you one see ya!” [Ava]

“Wai… T.” [Dreck]

Just like that, the black-haired half-elf left in a hurried gait, giving no time for the armored prince to stop her. His outstretched hand reached no one and grabbed at nothing. The knights curiously watched the exchange between Ava and Dreck from a distance while whispering to each other.

“There she goes.” [Knight]

“Is that alright? It’s the middle of the night and we’re in the middle of a forest.” [Knight]

“Then go stop her. But, you probably won’t succeed if that handsome prince couldn’t.” [Knight]

“First time I didn’t see a girl swoon over him. That half-elf wasn’t even blushing.” [Knight]

“I seriously wondered what happened when Prince Dreck brought back an injured girl after taking a walk in the forest. Turns out he saved her from getting raped by bandits, and she doesn’t even show him any gratitude.” [Knight]

“Actually, she just thanked him.” [Knight]

“Didn’t sound too grateful to me.” [Knight]

The knights recalled how their prince returned while carrying an injured girl in his arms a few hours earlier. They were stunned when they saw the unknown lady, surprised when they realized she was half-elf and shocked when they heard how she was attacked by bandits. The wounds that she got from fighting them were treated by their group’s doctor, the one knight specialized in medicine. The large cut on her back was tightly bandaged and she was laid to rest near a campfire under the watchful, yet curious eye of many.

Half of her face was swollen and her right eye was forced closed because of the beating she received which caused internal bleeding. Frankly, it disfigured her and the knights couldn’t really tell how she looked. Everyone thought that she would cry or make a fuss when she regained consciousness, yet she silently examined her surroundings, obediently listened to Dreck’s explanation and swiftly decided to leave. Going off on her own in the middle of a dark forest took some serious guts, which caused some knights to admire her. The rest said that she was suicidal.

Whatever their thoughts were, the girl paid them no mind and left, looking unshaken despite her recent ordeal and injuries. She accepted some supplies for her trip, a thick mantle to keep warm as well as to hide her damaged dress and a small pouch of money. The offer to stay with the knights and be escorted to safety was refused decisively.

“You think she’s going to be ok?” [Knight]

One of the knights asked his fellow comrade that often treated his wounds, which was the man that acted as their doctor.

“Her injuries aren’t so severe that she’ll die after trekking through the forest.” [Knight doctor]

The black-haired man in his forties said as he rubbed his chin. He narrowed his grey eyes and frowned, which caused the wrinkles on his face to become deeper.

“But, really, a lone girl, about my daughter’s age, travelling by herself? She’s bound to get in trouble. Again.” [Knight doctor]

“Yeah. Who would have thought that there were bandits here?” [Knight]

“And the half-elf actually ran into them. Her luck’s pretty horrible.” [Knight]

“We should have stopped her.” [Knight]

“But, she listened to none of our warnings and Prince Dreck himself couldn’t convince her. If a girl isn’t affected by his perfect smile at all, then no man can move her.” [Knight]

“Yeah. That super popular guy couldn’t get a woman that he saved to do as he says. There’s no way we could.” [Knight]

“Stop it, you two. You’re making our country’s prince sound like a playboy. He’s no Gary.” [Knight]

“Weellll…” [Knight]

“With all the women chasing him…” [Knight]

“… Not to mention the men that hate his guts.” [Knight]

“That’s lese majeste. You want to get hanged?” [Knight]

As the knights strangely got heated up during their conversation, Dreck motionlessly kept staring at the mysterious girl’s back until the trees completely hid her from his view.

“(… I forgot to ask for her name.)” [Dreck]

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The next day, the knights began their trip back to their home country. They packed up their things and got on their horses.

“Saddle up! It’ll be at least twenty days before we reach the Capital!” [Knight]

“Why did we come all the way out here again?” [Knight]

“To get used to long expeditions. We don’t want you whining when we’re sent off to a distant battlefield.” [Knight]

“I wanted to be a knight in charge of protecting the city only.” [Knight]

“Then you should have joined the City Guard. Or the Royal Order, though I’m not sure if they’ll let you.” [Knight]

“But being a knight is cooler than being a guard… And the Royal Order’s full of snobby nobles in charge of protecting the castle. It’s too stiff and honestly sounds like a horrible job for commoners, so I didn’t want to.” [Knight]

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

“Ok, who the hell let you join our Knight Order? I need to speak with him.” [Knight]

As many of the armored men exchanged some light banter, Dreck quietly rode at the head of the group. They slowly made their way through the forest, sometimes dismounting to pull their horses along. Everyone was relieved when they finally got out of that sea of trees and into an open field. A road of dirt could be seen and the horses were finally able to gallop without any obstacles blocking them.

“Is something wrong, Prince Dreck?” [Knight]

A knight rode up next to Dreck who hadn’t said a word and asked him while smiling softly. It was a man that was about the same age as the prince. He had deep blonde hair and black eyes with skin as white as fresh snow. He was good-looking, but it was a different kind of appeal from the prince. Despite being male, his fair features made him resemble a woman. Moreover, he let his hair grow out until it reached below his chin. If people saw him from afar, they would definitely think that he was female.

“Are you asking if I’m feeling sick, Gary?” [Dreck]

“You’re rather absentminded. A rare sight. Thinking about that half-elf by any chance?” [Gary]

“No. I’m just feeling a bit impatient. We’re finally going home.” [Dreck]

“But you would have liked to bring her with you, right? Maybe, as your lover?” [Gary]

“You and your wild delusions.” [Dreck]

Dreck smiled wryly at his friend. His expression didn’t give out how turbulent his emotions were, but Gary seemed to have seen through him.

“Was it love at first sight? With a woman you met by chance in a forest at night? After saving her from a horrible fate? How romantic!” [Gary]

Gary was getting worked up by himself and nodded approvingly multiple times.

“It’s not like that at all.” [Dreck]

“No need to be embarrassed. I know how you feel. The way your blue eyes looked at her was like how I looked at my destined one. Love is a beautiful thing. Embrace it!” [Gary]

“And which one’s your destined one now? Mary? Audrey? Charlotte? Stephanie? Julia? Corona? Natasha? Sylvie? Ariel? Helen? Sally? Rebecca? Henrietta? Mindy?” [Dreck]

“Veronica!” [Gary]

“I haven’t heard of her.” [Dreck]

“That’s because she and I fell in love at first sight on the day we left for this little training.” [Gary]

“So you skipped breakfast and went off to seduce women first thing in the morning.” [Dreck]

“It is called hunting for love… For your information, I succeeded in fifteen minutes.” [Gary]

“That’s a new record.” [Dreck]

Dreck couldn’t help but chuckle at his friend’s indiscretions. Despite looking like a fragile beauty, he was an accomplished skirt chaser. Honestly, if it wasn’t for his high skills in swordsmanship, there was no way he could have joined the Knight Order with that womanizing personality of his.

“You’re giving your family a tough time.” [Dreck]

“Perhaps so, but fear not. Although my house only has the title of baron, there are duties that I must fulfill and fulfill them I shall… It’s a pain in the ass.” [Gary]

“I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that.” [Dreck]

“Well, my situation isn’t as bad as yours.” [Gary]

“Mhm? What do you mean?” [Dreck]

“That’s because of love, my prince. As the next in line for the throne, you will be king and must produce an heir. But, that girl’s a half-elf.” [Gary]

Suddenly, Gary’s voice turned serious, which was a sharp contrast to his energetic and uselessly dramatic behavior from before.

“Word is that half-elves are infertile. The excuse of taking her as a concubine won’t work if she can’t have children. Furthermore, it is whispered that half-elves bring bad luck.” [Gary]

“That’s baseless rumor with no proof whatsoever… And I wasn’t thinking of making her my concubine.” [Dreck]

“Oh? Another rare sight. The mighty First Prince, Dreck Rivald Troyas, frozen in hesitation. Because of a woman no less.” [Gary]

“…” [Dreck]

Dreck didn’t say anything and elected to give his nosey friend a smile instead. Gary shook his head and sighed while shrugging his shoulders.

“Guess I’ll stop here before I get beheaded for teasing royalty too much. But, just make sure you don’t regret your first time.” [Gary]

“First time for what?” [Dreck]

“It’s your first time falling in love, right?” [Gary]

The blonde knight stared at his country’s prince with a happy and cheeky grin.

“If you ever decide to go all out for her, just let me know. As a master of love, it’s my duty to support the uninitiated.” [Gary]

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After many days of traveling by horse, the group of knights could finally see their destination.

“It’s the Capital!” [Knight]

“We’re almost there.” [Knight]

“About time.” [Knight]

“Don’t let your guard down! Training’s not over until we crossed the wall!” [Knight]

Many breathed sighs of relief when the familiar sight of the walled city came into view. But, they didn’t relax and stayed vigilant until they finally entered through one of the five large gates. The streets were wide and paved with stone tiles. The buildings were squared-shape and built out of bricks. The people that saw them either bowed their heads or loudly welcomed them back. Everyone respectfully made way for them.

“Kyaaa! It’s the prince!” [Citizen]

“Prince Dreck!” [Citizen]

“Welcome back~!” [Citizen]

“He just waved at me!” [Citizen]

Shrill squeals could also be heard from many women. Most of them were captivated by the sight of their country’s prince in armor and riding on a horse. Dreck smiled at them which caused many to squeal in delight. His popularity was as strong as ever.

When they reached the Knight Order’s headquarters, which was located between the commoner and noble district, the knights brought their horses back to the stables, took off their gear and went at their own business. Dreck headed straight for the castle where he was welcomed by the servants. His parents were busy and so was his little sister. So, he decided he would greet them tomorrow. Right now, he just wanted to sleep. Worries for the half-elf and the desire to see her again kept him awake every night.

If Dreck properly rested in the room he was familiar with, then perhaps he would finally be able to decide what to do with his feelings. At this point, they were practically haunting his every waking moment. As he tossed and turned in his bed, his head was once again filled with what happened nearly a month ago. He remembered the bandits that injured her which made his blood boil.

Bitter emotions rose up as if he was about to throw up, but they soon cooled down when he recalled what happened next. Carrying her unconscious form, he remembered how soft her skin felt and how light her body was. It reminded him of their first meeting at the lake. She was naked under the moonlight from the waist up. Her slender back was in clear view and her skin glistened from the water. It was like a picture out of a painting. A picture that made him run away like an escaping rabbit.

The desire to once more hold that girl in his arms strongly welled up from inside Dreck.

“… I should have brought her with me.” [Dreck]

His voice that leaked out as a whisper stained in regret reached no one. The First Prince tossed and turned in his bed until sleep finally visited him.

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Three days later, Dreck ended up meeting that half-elf again.

“It is my greatest honor to be given an audience with your majesty on this fine day.” [???]

In a rather horrible way.

“In all my years working as a humble merchant, this here is the finest merchandise I have ever gotten ahold of.” [Merchant]

Sitting at the throne next to his father, Dreck used all of his willpower to stay seated and keep his smile from crumbling, though his eyebrow was twitching.

“That is why I wanted to present it to you first and foremost, your majesty.” [Merchant]

The pot-bellied man was respectfully kneeling on the white tiled floor as he made his speech. His voice carried well in the large audience hall where knights holding spears were lined up on both sides of the walls. Behind the middle-aged merchant, who wore luxurious clothes to show off his wealth, was a double door which was where he entered. On the opposite side were four golden thrones in which sat the four members of the royal family.

“This girl is perhaps the only one of her kind in the whole world.” [Merchant]

And next to him was a big steeled cage on four wheels which contained the merchandise that he wanted to present to his country’s rulers.

“My company’s caravan brought her in only yesterday. She is a beautiful maiden of marriageable age.” [Merchant]

“Who are you calling a beautiful maiden? I’ll rip your hair off, baldy.” [Ava]

It was Ava in a frilly red dress with handcuffs on her wrists and a collar around her neck.

“The cage’s too small. I’m not a chicken. Also, this stupid dress feels itchy. Get me some pants. Hey, are you listening? Baldy? I’m talking to you, baldy.” [Ava]