Bernardo was still struggling as his brother strangled him by the collars. The bloodshot eyes of the man were filled with rage.

"Have you gone deaf?! I asked you a question!" The raging man angered

"I... don't... know!!" Bernardo struggled to get the words out

The man strangling him wasn't satisfied with the answer and slammed him to the floor. "I know you're lying!" He said as he pulled out a sword and put it against Bernardo's neck.

Bernardo saw several armed men coming through the doors. They were no doubt his brother's men.

"I'll ask you again, bastard. Where. Is. The girl?!" his brother asked in a chilling tone, however, this time Bernardo remained silent.

"Fine. If you'll be like that, I'll just search this entire house myself." His brother then let go of his hold but not before ordering a guard to watch Bernardo. When Bernardo saw his brother and the rest of his men going to sweep the house, he saw an opportunity.

"Fine! She's on the second floor! In the room to the farthest corner on the right side." Bernardo said so convincingly. He had lied flawlessly, feigning exasperation and defeat

When his brother heard that, he chuckled with evil intent in his eyes. He immediately went upstairs with his men. It was clear from his expressions that there will be a ravaging today. The single guard watching him stayed behind, holding a halberd at the ready.

When Bernardo heard the steps on the second floor and made sure they were far enough, he immediately swept the guard off his feet as he fell. Bernardo quickly took the guard's sword and slit his throat, killing him instantly.

Not bothering to give the fresh corpse a second glance, Bernardo immediately rushed to the door of Leonia's room and called out to her. She quickly opened the door and was immediately grabbed by the arm by Bernardo who took her out of the house in a hurry.

"What's going on, Bernardo?!" Leonia asked frantically. Her shock increased when she saw a dead man on the floor with blood flowing out of its neck. She instinctively looked at Bernardo who gave her a look saying 'don't worry'

"We don't have much time. My brother's here looking for you and I think just about now, he's realised I lied to him and will be coming down here any time soon with armed guards! Hurry!"

Leonia steeled her nerves as she nodded her head in understanding. They both quickly made their way to the door, but not before Bernardo took a sack of money he stashed near the entrance as well as the halberd of the guard he had just killed.

When they were just outside of the door to the house, his brother had just realised he was being tricked and immediately rushed down to stop him and Leonia from escaping. His mouth was foaming with undeniable anger.

Bernardo immediately shut the door and locked it behind him, hopefully buying him some more time to escape. However, there were still about three mounted soldiers outside of the house who noticed Bernardo trying to escape and so they immediately rushed at him and Leonia.

Without a second thought, Bernardo put Leonia behind him and charged at the charging soldiers. He was able to swiftly incapacitate the horses with his halberd and quickly kill the riders. Leonia couldn't help but admire her new knight's battle prowess.

After dispatching the guards outside, Bernardo took the cloaks they were wearing for his and Leonia's use. After donning the cloaks, Bernardo quickly grabbed Leonia's hand and they made their way to the stables where his own horse was tied. He calmed his horse down, it being a travel horse and not a war mount, and helped Leonia get on it first while he followed soon after.

Bernardo quickly trotted to the entrance when he noticed the main door of the villa was being battered open from the inside. When he noticed the horses of his brother and the men inside tied outside, he wasted little time incapacitating all of them by striking at their legs.

"Isn't that a little too brutal?" Leonia asked him

"Can't help it to buy us more time to escape!" Bernardo answered as they finally made their way from the villa to escape

"...Well, milady. It looks like we're both criminals now! Traitors to the crown of the Gissario!" Bernardo mused

"Well, you've at least proven your seriousness towards your pledge." Leonia replied

"As any true knight would, senorita." Bernardo said with a smile "...Our lives are going to be much different from now on."

"My life changed completely quite a while ago... Anyways, thank you for looking out for me... But where are we going now?"

"To the port. We're going to use all this money to get out of this God-forsaken isle."

"Isn't the passing of ships in and out the island being closely monitored by the navy? I was going to ask you before, but what makes you think we would be able to leave?"

"There is almost nothing a nice big bag of gold can't fix, milady." Bernardo jangled the bag of coins in his hand "There's enough money in this single pouch to keep tens of soldiers's family fed for years."

"Where did you get that amount of money?"

"Remember when I told you of the time I dealt with those pirates? Let's just say I made a lucrative deal on my end, though it still doesn't make up for the loss of my dear sister."

"I'm not sure anything ever will."

The two quickly made their way to the ports. They had managed to escape safely and they were sure word of their treason and the like still hadn't gotten out. Bernardo thought it was the perfect moment to escape. In the port, Bernardo made a quick visit to what looked like a small shop. There he dismounted along with Leonia.

At the store's counter, Leonia could see a gruff-looking man about thirty years of age, cleaning his stations. When the man saw Bernardo coming closer while holding his horse by the reins with Leonia close behind, he couldn't help but smile.

"Why isn't this a surprise." The man said with a grin on his face as he stopped what he was doing "What can I help you with today, commander?"

"You can stop with the titles, Julio." Bernardo said as he exchanged friendly greetings with the man. Leonia could see the two men must've been close. "You're not in the army anymore, and starting from today, I don't think I am either."

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Julio looked at him with a confused expression and looked as if he wanted to question what Bernardo had just said. Bernardo simply shook his head and gave him a smile, indicating for him not to worry.

"You don't have to worry, amigo." Bernardo said "I'm not here to inconvenience you. I'm just here to sell Nero here. He's a good steed as I'm sure you know."

"Of course, I know. Strongest war mount I've ever seen in my life… but why are you selling him to me?"

"I know he'll be in good hands. How much are you willing to pay upfront? Don't worry, I can even deal with a quarter of his appraised price."

"...What's going on...?" Julio finally showed worry again "This is all too rash. Does it have anything to do with the lady standing back there? Who is she?"

"Julio, I need you to trust me..." Bernardo reassured his friend

After pondering for a while, Julio merely nodded his head weakly. He realised this might be the last he'll see of his friend and former superior officer. He then went a little deeper into the shop and took out a largish bag which looked filled with gold coins.

"This is the full price for him." Julio said as he put the bag of coins on the counter for Bernardo to take "It's the least I can do for you."

"Isn't this too much, Julio?! I can't take all of it! With the war going on, your family would need this!" Bernardo hesitated to take the bag, however Julio only looked at him sternly

"If I didn't want to give it to you, I wouldn't have. You know me. This might be the last we see each other... may God be with you, brother."

"As with you." Bernardo hugged the man tightly. After doing so, he took the bag and grabbed Leonia before finally reaching the dockyards to find a ship to board. After searching for a while, they came across a ship which looked like it was going to depart.

Bernardo found the man who was in charge of the ship and began to make dealings with him. The ship was apparently heading out on a trade voyage to the Free City of Centrum. After a few moments of negotiation, the captain had agreed to take Bernardo and Leonia on the ship to drop them off on a nearby island post from which they would be able to ferry their way to Siesia.

Bernardo took out a smaller pouch of money and put it in the captain's pocket while gesturing in a friendly manner. Leonia was amazed at how skillfully Bernardo conducted himself in negotiations, familiarising himself with some of the crew who were close to the captain.

He had introduced himself as a traveling merchant who was on a business trip to the isles who arrived with the help of a friend from the Provarian navy but due to circumstances was forced to find his own way back to Siesia. He introduced Leonia as his wife in order to guard her against any of the crewmen who might have ideas of harassing her. Leonia merely smiled and played the part to Bernardo's relief.

The captain of the ship had informed him that they were of a small trading company whose business had been hit terribly following the coup. They were based in the city of Maredios on the coast of mainland Centros, one of Provaria's territories on land.

The crew were decent and well-mannered enough to Bernardo and Leonia, though Bernardo had to give some sailors who were gazing at Leonia a harsh stare. They were given their own personal cabin in the boat. It was a small room with only the bare necessities and a single bed in it. It was to be expected. After all, he did claim that they were a couple.

"You can have the bed, milady." Bernardo said "I can do just fine with a chair or on the floor."

Leonia merely nodded as she immediately lay on the bed. Bernardo noticed how tired she looked. What had transpired today must've taken a toll on her. So to speak, he wasn't doing fine himself as he took a seat next to the bed feeling very tired.

As if understanding what he was thinking, Leonia turned over her body to look at him. She looked at him for quite a while before he responded with a warm smile.

"Is there something wrong, milady?" He asked her

"I think it's rude of me to act like I'm so tired. After all, you've done most of the work that got us here in the first place." Leonia said sincerely

"It's nothing much. I always wanted to escape this damned isle, but until now I didn't have a proper reason or the means to do it. But thanks to you, now I do. Now you should get some rest, milady."

Leonia looked at Bernardo in a certain way before she opened her mouth.

"Would you mind if I ask you to lay down next to me?" She asked with a straight face though with a luminescent blush visible on her expression

Bernardo was dumbstruck and immediately his face began to look flushed as well.

"What do you mean, milady?!" Bernardo asked seriously

"I meant it just as how it sounded... I'm not asking you to do much! Just lie down there!" Leonia said a little embarrassed as she motioned to a spot next to her on the bed "...As your liege, this is an order."

"Alright, alright." Bernardo said as he shrugged and got on the bed "You are surprisingly bold, Lady Leonia."

"I am merely looking out for the well-being of my subordinate. I don't suppose there's anything wrong with that... I'm ordering you to rest."

"Si. Si." Bernardo said

"But, you don't get to put your hands on me or anything of the sort, got it?!" Leonia said

"I wouldn't dream of it."

Bernardo then tried to close his eyes to get some sleep. He decided not to think too much about the girl lying down beside him. As he opened his eyes to give her a look, he noticed she was still awake and was looking at him. The two couldn't help but feel awkward. Leonia immediately turned the other away around. She was inside the blanket while Bernardo was in a sitting position outside of it.

Bernardo couldn't help but feel a little endearment at his new awkward mistress. A lot has happened to her. A lot that no one should ever have been put through. But such is the fate of people in the game of nations and kings.

Bernardo's mind flew elsewhere after a few moments as he closed his eyes. He couldn't help but feel that something odd was going on. Why were there little to no ships of the navy guarding the harbour? There shouldn't be that small number of ships considering the naval protection the city was under. The security was far too low.

However, he decided to not pay too much attention to the details as there might be a plethora of reasons for it. His thoughts came back to the girl who was now soundly asleep next to him. He couldn't help but feel warm at the sight. He instinctively patted her head as she was asleep and surprisingly, she smiled when he did that. This girl is someone he had sworn to give his life to to protect.

Such an odd turn of events. She was only someone he really knew for a few days but yet now was risking his life for. Perhaps after his sister's death, he had gotten a new reason for struggling on. He didn't ponder on it too much as the fatigue started showing itself within him. He readjusted his position on the bed and put a pillow on his back so he could sleep.

Slowly but surely, with the ever so gentle swaying of the ship, he began to fall into slumber.

But his sleep didn't last for long.

Bernardo was awoken by what sounded like cannon-fire from afar. He quickly got up from the bed as he grabbed his sword and fastened it to his belt and made his way to the door. Before he went out the door, he noticed Leonia being awoken as well. She looked as if she wanted to ask what was going on, but he only smiled and told her to stay still. She nodded meekly at his suggestion.

When Bernardo got out of the cabin, he was surprised by the scene that was unfolding from afar. He could see up to forty large galleons flying the Rumasilian and Aerlish flags accompanied by many more smaller vessels. They were currently engaged in battle with the Gissario fleet.

And the Gissario fleet was on the losing end. And they were losing badly. When he scanned his surroundings, Bernardo realised the ship he was on was anchored near a small isle. The ship was flying the flag of the Free City of Centrum. Bernardo immediately went to a higher part of the deck and managed to find the captain staring in awe at the battle that was happening.

"What's happening, Captain?" Bernardo asked to clarify "How long has the battle been going on for?"

"It's been only a few hours since it started. We managed to anchor ourselves here in time." The captain said as his voice showed a hint of terror as he saw all of the sinking Provarian ships and the ones that were raising the flag of surrender "This is a terrible battle for the Gissario."

Bernardo let the view of the countless wrecked Gissario ships sink into his mind. It was clear the battle was very much decided. After thinking for a while, Bernardo turned to the captain.

"After the battle, sail us to the flagship of that fleet." Bernardo said with a serious tone