Chapter 35

“No!” I lunged forward with a shout. Everything seemed to move in slow motion as I watched the dagger tear through the fabric of Hailey’s knight uniform. Almost on pure instinct, I willed my magic into action and formed an entrance to my pocket dimension in the dagger’s path. The lack of resistance made Hailey gasp, and the blade slipped from her grasp and into the shadow.

Seizing the opportunity, I wrapped the knight in shadows, binding her hands behind her back as she fell to her knees. A choked sob escaped her as she struggled desperately against the bonds for a moment before she looked up at me.

“Let me go, Audrey!” She cried, her face a mess of tears and emotion.

I just shook my head at her. “No. Did you expect me to sit here and watch my friend kill herself?” My words caused her to struggle more in the grasp of my shadows.

“I’m not your friend! Don’t you see what I’ve done?! I’ve broken my oath as a knight and betrayed the kingdom! I’m a traitor, Audrey!”

More explosions reverberated through the guardhouse, and I quickly extended my senses through the shadows. The kingdom’s army hadn’t fallen apart quite yet, and it seemed like Abel and the others were managing to contain the situation for now. When I refocused on Hailey, she was still crying and struggling against her restraints.

“You said you had no choice… tell me why,” I said, doing everything I could to keep my voice calm despite the chaos surrounding us. I erected shadow and water barriers to prevent anyone else from seeing or hearing us. The sounds of the battlefield faded away, leaving the two of us in eerie silence as I waited for her answer. I’m the only one who knows what she did…

“It doesn’t matter.” She said quietly, her attempts to escape pausing. “My reasons don’t change what I’ve done. Death is the only atonement for my crimes.” when she looked at me again, her reddened eyes were filled with nothing but remorse and guilt.

“How can you expect me to let that happen when you look at me like that?” I ask, sitting down in front of her to meet her gaze. “Let me help you, Hailey.”

She laughed bitterly and shook her head. Her light brown hair swung with the motion. “There is no helping me now… Even if you are divine.”

I reached out, laying my hand on her shoulder. “If it’s as you say, then there’s no reason not to tell me, right?” We stared at each other for a moment before she looked away.

“I suppose so…” She took a slow breath and looked down at the floor. “I have betrayed my sword and kingdom under the orders of Duke Rose.” I pushed the shock of hearing my Father’s name away and did my best to stay calm.

“Duke Rose? Why?” I asked.

“I grew up in an orphanage in the Rose Duchy. The sisters there raised and loved me, along with so many other children who had lost their families.” She said, her voice trembling. “Without that place, I never would’ve become a knight… and I send the majority of my salary back to the orphanage to help support them. The sisters and other children were so proud of me for earning my way into the knighthood…” She trailed off and gave herself a mocking smile. “If only they saw how I turned out…” She finally looked up at me again, and her expression darkened. “A few weeks ago, after I was promoted to the first squad, I was approached by a messenger of the Duke. He said—!” Her voice broke, and she paused to swallow. “He said they would burn my home to the ground and slaughter anyone there if I didn’t comply! I-I didn’t know what they wanted me to do, but I had to save my family!”

Her tears broke free again as she slumped over. My shadows were the only thing holding her upright. “The order arrived a few days ago: I was to destroy the wall’s barrier to assist the imperial advance… there was a lock of silver hair that could only belong to Sister Tess with the letter.” Her eyes locked onto mine again. “Tell me, Audrey… What else was I supposed to do? The Duke surely would have known if I had asked for help, right? I couldn’t risk it…”

I bit my lip as thoughts filled my head. Standing up, I walked over to the shattered remains of the large mana crystal that Hailey’s sword was still embedded in. “I understand, Hailey.” Her eyes followed me, but she stayed silent as I grabbed the hilt of her weapon and pulled it free. The remaining pieces of the device fell to the ground, and I pursed my lips.

“I don’t suppose I could just repair it somehow with my holy magic?” I asked Aurora, hopefully, but was immediately shot down.

“Didn’t you learn about magic devices at the academy? It’s a very particular specialization of magic. Of course you wouldn’t be able to just fix it.” I rolled my eyes and ignored her exasperation. Then I turned back to my friend, who was now warily eyeing the sword in my hand.

“What you did is not something I alone can forgive you for.” I began, stepping closer. She seemed to flinch away from me for a moment before a look of resignation came over her. Hailey looked up at me with teary eyes, then bowed her head as if offering herself up to an executioner, but instead of raising the blade, I turned it around and offered her the hilt. The shadows binding her hands disappeared, and I smiled at her.

“But it’s also not something I can condemn you for. I would’ve made the same choice to protect my family.” My friend looked up at me with wide eyes, but her hand hesitantly reached out to grab her sword, and then I pulled her off the ground. Once she was steady on her feet, I pulled her into a tight hug. “Listen to me, Hailey. If you want to atone… and I mean truly atone for what you’ve done, death isn’t the way.” Pulling back slightly, I looked into her eyes. “I know firsthand, so you can trust me on that.”

Surprised flickered across her face, and her hand clenched at her side. “Is there really a path forward after what I’ve done?” she asked, and I nodded my head.

“Of course there is.” I took her hands in mine and wrapped them gently around the hilt of her weapon. “You did what you had to in order to protect your family. Now do what you have to to make it right.”

“Yeah… You’re right, Audrey.” Hailey wiped away her tears, her expression now one of determination. Suddenly, she stepped back and bowed toward me. “Thank you for stopping me. I’m glad to have a friend like you, Lady Guardian.”

I waved my hand frantically and pushed her back up. “Stop that! You know I don’t like the formalities…” Another moment passed as we laughed quietly together before I turned to the surrounding barriers I had put up. “They need us out there. Are you ready?” I asked, and the knight nodded confidently. Using my magic, I dropped the barriers and gasped. Part of the guardhouse we were in had been destroyed at some point. We weren’t talking for that long! A flood of imperial soldiers were charging through the rubble of the wall and clashing directly with our own forces throughout the now-destroyed camp.

I quickly took care of a few enemies who noticed us, then wrapped my arm around Hailey’s waist. Like Lydia, Hailey used fired magic but focused more on offense, so it didn’t give her much mobility. We needed to move quickly and meet up with the others, and I could sense Abel and Lucia in the middle of the fight, no doubt trying to hold our side together.

“Wha—!” Hailey started to say but was cut off as I launched us toward the frontline with a stream of water from my feet. We soared over the countless soldiers below us until my eyes locked onto a flash of sky-blue hair. Abel and Lucia were in the middle of the battle, their weapons and magic glinting in the fading sunlight. I even spotted the generals spread throughout the battlefield before I landed right beside my friends.

“Abel! Lucia! Cover me!” I shouted as I began to condense my stella into my mana. The two of them immediately reacted, moving to surround me with Hailey. The emperor instilled some way to target those without stella in his armies… I should be able to do the opposite! After a minute of focus and keeping the feeling of the enemy stella in mind, I raised my hands and felt the rush of my mana activating and the overwhelming surge of divinity flood my body. A massive wall of shining water, stretching as far as I could see in either direction, appeared from the ground, and with a grunt of exertion, I pushed it forward. The wave of water passed harmlessly over anybody that didn’t have stella, but those who did collided with the hardened water as it pushed the imperial forces back.

Once my magic had made it to the remains of the stone wall, I kept it there as a makeshift barrier. It only covered the length of the wall for a few miles in either direction, but the imperials didn’t seem interested in going around it as they fruitlessly tried to throw physical and magic attacks at the water in order to break through again. A stunned silence filled the plains as the kingdom’s soldiers all turned to face me, their expressions a mix of awe and fear. However, I was too focused and tired to notice, as maintaining such a large and resilient spell brought me to the brink of losing control again. I gritted my teeth at the effort and shot a glance at Abel.

“What do you want to do? I can keep this wall up for only a few hours.”

“What about the barrier?” He asked. I noticed Hailey stiffen up beside me, but I just shook my head with a frown.

“The mana crystal was completely shattered. Even if we could repair it, would it even work with the wall destroyed?” I asked, glossing over Hailey’s involvement. Abel’s eyes widened before he answered my question.

“No… I suppose it wouldn’t.” His eyes flicked to the knight beside me for a moment before he turned away. I hate how perceptive the royal family is. “Sabotage, huh? I trust you, Audrey, so I won’t ask about it right now, but I expect a damn good explanation later.” The prince gestured for a nearby soldier, and I sensed the familiar sound-amplifying wind magic fill the area.

“Attention, soldiers of the kingdom!” Abel’s voice echoed around the plains, drawing everybody's attention. “We may have lost ground today, but our Divine Guardian has given us a chance to regroup! I ask that you all steel your resolve, for we will be fighting once again in a few hours!” Unlike when the war first started, There was no real hope in the eyes of our allies. All I saw as I looked around was a desperate determination to protect their home. “If you can use earth magic, please report to me in half an hour! That is all!”

With his announcement complete, Abel walked back toward me. “I’m going to send the dead and injured back to the capital. I don’t suppose you would be able to use your holy magic while keeping that wall up?” He asked, and I shook my head with a bitter smile.

“It’s taking everything I have so as not to lose control. I probably couldn’t command even a single shadow right now.”

He hummed in thought, then issued orders to some nearby battalion commanders. The men ran off, and I could see the army slowly starting to reorganize itself. The ones who could move began to load the bodies of their fallen comrades onto any undamaged carts that were still available, but it seemed there was no room for the injured. I bit my lip as I focused my attention on my magic and keeping the imperials out.

“It’s so frustrating! How is it that I’m still not strong enough to help?!” I asked Aurora.

“You’re doing more than enough by giving them this respite, my guardian.” My goddess said, though I could sense the worry in her tone. “You are already pushing your limits. It may be cold-hearted of me, but I will not allow my guardians to sacrifice themselves for strangers. Not again.”

I knew she was right, but it hurt my heart to see so many injured around me that I could do nothing about right now. Even moving from the spot I was standing would be playing with fire. So I stood motionless in the middle of everything, with my hands raised and glowing and sweat running down my face.

Lucia had disappeared at some point but returned with one of the chairs from the command tent. She placed it behind me and helped me to sit down.

“Thank you,” I said with a sigh of relief. I had been on my feet and fighting for over a full day now, and the exhaustion was starting to hit me. Now that I was sitting down, my body began to feel heavy. I attempted to stand back up, but my legs had no strength in them. This isn’t good…

“You look pale, Audrey. Are you okay?” Lucia asked, leaning in to look at my face. Hailey stood silently on the other side of me, fidgeting nervously as she also examined me.

“No… I feel like I’m about to pass out. Will you two please keep talking to me? We can’t afford for my magic to break down.” Just imagining the brutal scene of the imperials flooding into the camp again before we reestablished our defense sent a shudder through my body.

“Damn it, Audrey,” Lucia said angrily. “This is exactly why I told you to take a break earlier!” I smiled at her rebuke, and she just sighed and sat on the ground beside me. Hailey followed suit on the other side as well, and the three of us chatted about anything we could think of to keep me alert. We talked about the different battalions and the royal knights, and Hailey even told me some more of her family back at the orphanage. Whenever my head started to fall, they would shake me awake gently, but staying conscious was getting harder and harder.

Eventually, Abel appeared in front of me again, his face twisted with worry. “Audrey… How are you holding up?” He asked, and I gave him a tired smile, my eyelids fighting against gravity with everything I had.

“I’m fine… How long has it been?” There was still sunlight, but it was much darker now than when I first sat down, and my head was too clouded to try and guess.

“It’s been almost three hours now.” He said. Lucia handed him a wet cloth, and he gently wiped at my face. “Goddess… You look terrible.” A weak scoff escaped me at his comment.

“I’m telling Lydia you said that.” I shot back, and he gave me a bitter smile. Despite the situation, having an older brother worrying about me felt pretty nice.

“As soon as we’re set—” Abel started but was interrupted by a paper bird hitting him in the head. A tired giggle escaped me at the sight, but its humor was swept away as he read the message from the capital. His face morphed into one of shock and horror, and it was then that I noticed the paper was burnt away on one corner.

“No…” He covered his mouth with a trembling hand.

“What does it say, Your Highness?” Lucia asked, worried, but the prince just shook his head in disbelief.

“Duke Rose has officially been declared a traitor to the kingdom… and is currently staging a siege of the capital with his private army.” The air around us seemed to freeze, and my mind ground to a halt. My magic flickered momentarily, and I barely managed to stop the barrier from collapsing entirely. I shot to my feet, my exhaustion pushed away by the fear and adrenaline now coursing through my body.

“W-We have to go back!” I said, ignoring the chorus of concern that escaped my friends and goddess at my sudden movement.

“You’re in no condition to go anywhere, Audrey!” Abel said while attempting to push me back into the chair.

“The capital’s defense is low because most of the army is here, right?!” I asked, panicked. “You and I both know my father wouldn’t attack if he thought there was a chance of him losing.”

“That’s—”

I grabbed his shirt in frustration and looked up at him. “Those messages take a few hours to get here, as well! That means…” Suddenly, my knees gave way, and Abel held me up. “Lydia—Everyone is in danger!”

“I get it, Audrey! I’m worried as well, and I’m already planning to organize the retreat, so please just sit down!” He said, and Lucia and Hailey voiced their agreement, but my mind was already focused on the worst-case scenario back home. I pushed myself away from him, somehow supporting myself as I shook my head.

“No, that will take too long. I’m going now. I can get home faster than anyone else. I’ll keep the barrier up as long as possible.” I said, already turning away from my friends.

“Hey! Wait a second!” I heard Abel shout as he tried to grab my arm, but I was already sinking into the shadows, so he grasped nothing as I disappeared.

Once I entered the space between shadows, I locked onto the faint feeling of the stella I had left in Lydia’s shadow and shot myself like an arrow toward her. I could feel the mana and stella raging in my body as I pushed past my limits. That unknown presence flooded my mind as I started to lose control of my power once again, and my mind clouded with anger. How dare he. I’ll kill them all.

“Get a hold of yourself, my guardian!” Aurora yelled in my head, and her words helped get my thoughts under control. I fought against the tide of negative emotions that washed over me whenever I lost control, but I continued to move as fast as I could.

“I’m alright… Sorry for worrying you.” She took a deep breath, and I could sense she was trying to stem the flow of my power from her side without slowing me down. Silence filled my head, mirroring the endless void around me as I steadily drew closer to my girlfriend.

At some point, I felt the connection to my barrier on the frontline snap, and I hesitated for a moment as I realized I had just left my other friends alone to fight, but it was too late to go back now.

Please… Everyone be alright.

***

What the hell just happened? I thought as I watched Audrey disappear, my hand still outstretched.

“What is she thinking?! She could barely stand a moment ago!” Lucia said, upset. I shared the sentiment, but we couldn’t do anything to change it now. I turned toward Dame Hailey, who stiffened up under my gaze.

“I was waiting for Audrey to tell me, but seeing how she’s left, I expect you to be honest. What happened, Dame Hailey?” My tone was ice-cold.

She quickly knelt down on the dirt and bowed her head. Picking up on the sensitive topic, Lucia created a water barrier over us to prevent eavesdropping.

“Your Highness. I have committed an unforgivable act. I was the one who shattered the barrier’s mana crystal.” I folded my arms and looked down at her.

“I assumed as much. I’m asking why you did it.” She flinched slightly, but when she looked up at me, there was only resolve.

“Duke Rose ordered it. He has been threatening the orphanage where I grew up… my family.”

A sigh escaped me, and I rubbed my temple. That would explain why Audrey didn’t say anything. “I understand, Dame Hailey. Tell me why I shouldn’t execute you for treason right here and now?” I narrowed my eyes at her, but she continued to meet my gaze unflinchingly.

“I have no reasons, Your Highness. In saving my family, I’ve ruined many others, and I do not deserve forgiveness. But…” She bit her lip and looked down for a moment. “Audrey told me death is not the way, and there is a way for me to atone. That is why, if I must die, I wish to do so protecting the kingdom I’ve betrayed.” The knight lowered herself further to the ground, prostrating before me. “Instead of execution, please assign me to the rear guard. One person like me may not make much of a difference, but I’d still like to fight for my comrades till the end.”

The silence beneath Lucia’s magic was palpable as Hailey waited for my judgment. Then, another sigh escaped me. My sisters cause too much trouble, I swear…

“I’ll allow it,” I said finally, and the brown-haired knight raised her head with a grateful look. But before she could say anything, I cut her off. “Then the last thing I need to know… Did you know about the attack on the capital?”

My suspicions were confirmed when she hurriedly shook her head in denial. “I did not, Your Highness. I was only informed of my own part here on the frontlines.”

I nodded at her response and gestured for her to stand, and Lucia lowered the water surrounding us. “Let’s get started then, we don’t know how long Audrey can hold the barrier while moving.” A few minutes later, I found a nearby soldier with wind magic to announce the retreat and called for the rear guard, which I would be heading.

“You should go after Audrey. You are my sister’s knight, not mine.” I told Lucia after, but she just looked at me in disbelief.

“I refuse. There is no way I’d make it to the capital in time, even if I switched horses frequently. My best option is to stay by your side.”

We argued like that for a while before I eventually gave in. Lucia had a beautiful grin as she rubbed her triumph in my face, but I honestly couldn’t be angry about it. She’d be much cuter if she’d just let me protect her… But this isn’t so bad either.

After that, we watched as wagon after wagon retreated from the front lines, with soldiers walking alongside who were not part of the rear guard. From my estimates, of the fifteen thousand troops we started this war with, only half remained… and only three thousand volunteered to fight in the rear guard. The imperials still numbered just under twenty thousand.

“Your Highness.” I heard Anthony’s voice behind me and turned to see the man with his head bowed. One of my knights has caused the kingdom harm. As her commander, I should have noticed something was wrong before it came to this.” I could see behind him where Hailey was still bowing in apology to her squadmates.

I just shrugged and turned to face where Audrey’s barrier held back the imperial forces. “There’s no need for all that, Anthony. Dame Hailey has already received her punishment.” He stood beside me on the earthen fortifications, and we fell into a comfortable silence despite the looming threat.

“My squad has decided to join the rear guard as well.” The knight said with a wry smile. “She hasn’t been with us long, but Hailey has become like a little sister to us. We won't abandon her even if she made such a mistake.”

My gaze was drawn back to his squad, where Dame Marianne was now comforting a crying Hailey in her arms. Russell soon stepped forward, wrapping his arms around the two women as well. I knew the married couple had longed for their own children, and it seemed like Hailey had inadvertently filled that role.

Jack and Marco stood awkwardly to the side until the couple broke away from their squadmate, then they proceeded to ruffle her hair and poke her side, which brought a smile to Hailey’s face as she half-heartedly pushed them away. It reminded me of how my own family was, and I almost wished I hadn’t seen it at all.

“She seems quite different compared to when we first arrived,” I observed, and Anthony nodded his head.

“We owe it to Lady Guardian. Ever since they became close, Hailey has opened up to the rest of us as well… If only we had noticed her situation.” Regret was plastered on his face, and I patted his shoulder.

“None of us could have known, and if the blame lies with anyone, it would be Duke Rose and the royal family for failing to stop his plans.”

“Your Highness…” He said, but I just shrugged again and laughed, trying to lighten the air.

“Enough of that! There will be no miracles for us in this fight, we can only hope to delay the enemy long enough for our forces to return to the capital. So let’s not kill the mood.” I declared loudly, and the other soldiers around us stared for a moment before cheering in agreement.

Half an hour later, Audrey’s magic finally broke, and as I stared down the horde of imperial soldiers already charging our way, I raised my blade, lightning crackling around it. “Soldiers of the Kingdom… It’s been an honor!” Lucia gave me a sad smile from beside me as I was met with a resounding cry from our countrymen.

Then, the imperials crashed over us like a storm.

***

This is hell.

I grunted as I blocked a strike from my assailant. The man wore dirty clothes, and his blade was chipped and rusted. It was clear he didn’t treat anything in his life with the respect it deserved.

“If the duke is resorting to using people like you, he has lost all dignity!” I said angrily while taking a swipe at the man, which he just barely dodged. Sweat dripped down my brow as I managed to push him back.

“You wound me! I may be dirty, but I’m more than capable of taking care of a girl like yourself…” He said, his tone sending a shiver down my spine as his gaze raked over my body. I wore a set of armor that was identical to Audrey’s but with green cloth instead of blue underneath the plated sections.

“Disgusting… Only Audrey is allowed to look at me like that.” I said, glaring at him. My hand twisted at my side, and the man was engulfed in a pillar of scorching blue flames. I did my best to block out his tortured screams before he finally fell silent, his charred body collapsing to the ground.

I took a breath, trying to calm my racing heart. The once beautiful streets of the capital were now stained with blood and ash, and the screams of my citizens echoed around me. Pillars of smoke rose from every direction due to the Duke’s attack. I can’t waste time! I slapped my face to get myself together, then launched myself onto a nearby roof with my flames and started running, looking for anywhere else I was needed.

My heart shattered more with every body I saw on the cobblestones, and my anger grew. Luke and I were put in charge of the defense, and we managed to repel the first few attacks. Everything had been going so well… We should have expected the Duke to use underhanded methods. A few hours into the siege, a couple dozen knights turned traitors and opened the gates, allowing the enemy to flood into the city. The ones we managed to interrogate all told the same story: Duke Rose was threatening them in some way.

Suddenly, a scream pierced the air, and I stopped in my tracks, trying to locate the source. That sounded like a child! Where are they?! Panicked, I circled the area, glancing down every alleyway I jumped over until I finally found them.

A group of children were huddled together against a wall, all of them crying and trembling in fear as a group of the Duke’s mercenaries surrounded them. One of the adults, a short brown-haired woman, stepped forward with a chilling laugh.

“Come now, children. I promise not to hurt any of you if you listen to me.” She said, licking her lips. The way she looked at the children betrayed her sick intentions.

“S-Stay away! I-I won’t let you hurt my friends!” A boy, maybe around twelve years old, with dirty blonde hair, stepped in front of the cowering children with arms wide. The clothes he wore were obviously nicer than what the other kids had on.

“Oh! I love that defiant look! How cute!” The woman responded, stepping closer. “It makes training you all the more satisfying!” Her words made my stomach twist with nausea, but I hadn’t been noticed yet, so I silently prepared to intervene.

Instead of responding, the boy picked up a nearby rock and threw it at her as hard as possible. The woman had been too lost in her delusions to dodge, and the rock collided with the side of her head. She doubled over, howling in pain, before glaring at the boy venomously.

“You’ll pay for that, you little shit! Get them!” She ordered the people around her. The other adults all had disgusting smirks on their faces as they inched closer to the children, ropes in hand. The boy stood firm in front of his friends despite his own trembling.

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

“N-No! Stay back! I won’t let—” He cried but was cut off as all the mercenaries except for the ringleader burst into blue flames. I jumped off the roof I was on, and the woman fell backward as I landed in front of her.

“I’ve heard enough. It makes me sick to think such people live in my kingdom.” I said as I stared her down and unsheathed my sword. The mercenary started to crawl backward, blood trailing down her face from where the rock had struck her.

“Who are you?!” She shouted. Her eyes flicked to the still-burning bodies of her comrades, then back to me. “Y-You’re a mage?!”

I quickly closed the distance between us, my blade piercing her chest in one swift motion. She gasped, then looked up at me with a shocked expression, which I met with a calm smile. “I’m much more than that.” I let her lifeless body slump to the ground as I withdrew my blade and re-sheathed it.

Taking a breath to calm myself, I turned to face the children, who were all now staring at me. “Are any of you hurt?” I asked as I knelt in front of them, and they quickly gathered around me, fresh tears spilling from their eyes as they all shook their heads. I looked at the boy who had protected his friends and took his hand.

“You did a very brave thing. What’s your name?” I asked gently, and he gaped at me for a moment before answering.

“I’m the first son of Baron Strauss, Your Highness.” I raised my eyebrow at that. I’m covered in blood and grime… I’m impressed a boy so young could recognize me, even if he is a noble.

“Well, thank you, Sir Strauss,” I said, and his face flushed subtly.

“I-I was just doing what the Lady Divine Guardian asked me.” I tilted my head in confusion when he mentioned Audrey.

“What did she say?” I asked curiously.

“During the parade, I was being mean to the other kids… Lady Divine Guardian saw and told me that real nobles protect others.” I couldn’t help but grin at her advice and the fact that she even stepped in. That’s very like my Audrey.

“I think the Lady Divine Guardian would be very proud of you, Sir Strauss. As your princess, I think you are very noble.” My praise made the boy light up, and I finally stood up, taking two of the younger girls in my arms. “Now, let’s get you all to safety. I need you all to be brave a bit longer, alright?” They all nodded and stayed close to me as I guided them through the streets. We ran into a few more mercenaries, but my fire magic took care of them before they could even get close.

Eventually, a gust of wind blew through my hair, and I turned to see Leah descending from the sky.

“I’ve returned my lady…” She started, then stopped as she took in the children surrounding me. “I’ll take these ones as well.” When the defenses broke around the city, Luke quickly established a secure route out of the capital and sent everybody we could out. Leah’s wind magic was well suited to the job, so I had her on evacuation duty.

“Great,” I said as my lady-in-waiting took the little girls from my arms, and I turned to face the children again. “I need you all to go with the pretty lady, alright? She’s going to make you all fly!” I explained excitedly. All the children began to laugh and ran to Leah in excitement, except for the son of Baron Strauss.

“I-Is it really okay to leave you, Your Highness?” He asked cautiously, and I patted his head placatingly.

“You still need to protect them, right?” I said, gesturing at the kids who were currently having a good time being lifted into the air by Leah’s magic.

“Then who will protect you?” His face was serious, and I couldn’t help but smile at him.

“You are very gallant, Sir Strauss. But I am not somebody who needs protection.” A sudden gust of wind swept his feet out from under him, and as he floated away with Leah and the other kids as I waved at them. “Keep them safe until the very end!” I shouted at both the boy and my attendant.

Leah nodded resolutely. “I’ll be back soon, my lady.” With that, they flew over the buildings and out of sight. I sighed in relief, grateful I wouldn’t have to walk those poor children through the destroyed capital any longer. Once again taking to the rooftops, I took care of every enemy I could find until I ran into a squad of our knights. They jumped when I suddenly landed next to them but relaxed after recognizing me.

“Your Highness!” The squad leader saluted, but I waved him off.

“I’ve checked this area thoroughly. Head back to my brother and help with the evacuation.”

“With all due respect, you look like you need to rest. Let us stay with you until you recover.” He said, and I looked down at myself. My body did feel quite heavy from the last few hours of fighting… It would probably be best if I followed his advice.

“Fine, but only for a few minutes,” I said, then took a proffered canteen from one of the knights, as mine had run dry a while ago. I leaned against a wall, carefully choosing a spot that wasn’t stained with the signs of battle. I looked up at the reddening sky, watching as the sun set behind the horizon. Allowing myself to relax for a moment, my eyelids fell as my thoughts turned toward my girlfriend. I hope you’re alright, Audrey. You promised to come back to me.

Suddenly, a loud crash shook me from my reverie, and I turned to where the knights were looking. They were looking at the castle. My home stood in the middle of the capital, elevated slightly from the rest of the cityscape. I had always admired the view from the towers, but now I watched in horror as a large section of the wall from the central building was blown away, crashing into the royal gardens below.

Without a second thought, I launched myself over the buildings towards the castle. How’d they breach the walls? Even if they were in the city, the castle had the most defense! Luke was on the other side of the town heading the evacuation, and with Audrey and Abel on the frontline, only Mother and Father were left in the castle. Fear gripped my heart as I imagined the worst-case possibilities.

My parents were strong, and they would not be easily beaten. Even still, it was like my instincts were screaming at me to make it in time. I’m coming! Please be okay!

***Thirty Minutes Earlier***

“So, you waited for me. How generous of you, Your Majesties.”

I glared at the man I’ve carried so much resentment towards since Cecelia died. My husband stood beside me, and we were both dressed for battle. We had ordered the knight commander and most of the royal guard out to assist with the evacuation because we knew our enemy was likely to target us first. That’s also why we sent the kids out.

“Thomas Rose. You have betrayed your country and duties as a noble. Now, you dare show yourself in front of us. You must have a death wish.” I said, ice already forming around me. Usually, my husband would try to calm me down, but seeing as his body was currently wrapped in raging flames as he stared down the Duke, I knew we were on the same page.

Despite the oppressive aura emanating from us, Thomas had a composed smile on his face. A few dozen knights bearing the crest of House Rose stood behind him, all primed for battle—terrible odds… for them.

“Surely you didn’t believe a force this small would win against the two of us?” I asked mockingly. “You were always the overconfident one, even when you stood beside your betters, Duke. Like Cecelia.” I saw his brow twitch for a moment at her name, and I smiled to myself as I extended my hand out. “Die.”

The single word was accompanied by a chorus of metal hitting the floor as all of the knights collapsed. I had frozen their hearts solid in a mere instance, yet…

“You’ve always been quite flashy, Bella.” Thomas stood unharmed among the bodies. His expression hadn’t wavered for a moment. I know I targeted him as well! How is he standing? Thomas may be a strong mage, but my and Stephan’s magic outclassed him multiple times over. Our eyes met, and I realized his was blood red, not the usual green.

“What have you done, Thomas?” I asked, already sending a volley of ice arrows his way, but they just shattered against his body.

“It seems you’re the overconfident one this time.” He sneered, stepping towards us. “The emperor himself has blessed me for the sole task of killing you and bringing the kingdom under my control.”

“You mean under the emperor’s control.” Stephan scoffed from beside me.

“For now, maybe.” He replied. “But I’m nothing if not patient. I’ve spent the better part of my life planning for the moment I could kill you both with my own hands.”

“You’re a coward who schemes from the shadows, using borrowed power and authority because you lack the ability yourself.” I hissed. His eye twitched again, and I knew I struck a nerve. “You’ve always been jealous of us, right? Of Cecelia. Ever since our days at the academy, you always compared yourself.”

Rage flared on his face before he calmed himself. “What’s there to be jealous of? Cecelia is dead and gone… and soon you will be too. While I’ll live on as the Emperor’s most trusted aid, waiting for the right time to have the whole continent in my grasp.” He paused for a moment and tilted his head as if confused. “Oh, I almost forgot. Cecelia isn’t truly gone, right? Truth be told, I had completely forgotten about that woman’s child up until the girl died and her body was thrown out of the mansion.” he grinned to himself. “Imagine my surprise when my wife told me she was still alive! To think I missed a prime opportunity to control a divine guardian.”

“You bastard!” I shouted. Icicles formed around me and launched at him in succession. This time, I aimed them all at the same spot, hoping it would do something to him. Stephan launched a barrage of fireballs as well in perfect sync, also aiming right where my first attack hit. Yet, when the steam cleared from the intense temperature change, the only damage was to Thomas's clothes.

“I think it’s about time I wrap this up.” I heard him say, and then an earth spear shot from ground beside him. It was stronger and faster than anything I’d ever seen him use, and Stephan and I just barely dodged it in time. “I will admit you two are quite powerful, but not even you can stop me with divinity flowing through my body.”

Sensing the incoming attack, Stephan and I separated quickly as a hail of stone bullets shattered and pierced the ground where we had been standing. It was apparent blocking wouldn’t be an option. If either of us got hit… I pushed the foreboding thought aside as I ran around Thomas, launching every attack I could think of and just barely managing to stay ahead of him. I caught glimpses of my husband on the other side doing the same.

Suddenly, the floor beneath us quaked and split as large spikes shot from the ground all around us. I just barely managed to launch myself into the air in time to avoid taking a direct hit but grimaced as my left arm was sliced open across the forearm. I looked around quickly for Stephan to find him alive, but holding a bleeding wound on his side. I flew to his side, covering him for a moment while his flames cauterized the wound and stemmed the bleeding.

“Sorry, Darling.” he huffed out. There was a slight flicker of pain on his face as he recovered, but then it was gone. “You know I’m more of a close-quarters fighter.”

I couldn’t help but smile a little at his words, even as we both dodged around the incoming attacks. “Then get in close. I’ll cover you, my love.” I said, and he grinned before blue flames overtook his feet and hands.

He launched himself toward Thomas so fast his figure blurred for a moment. Stephan struck out at the former duke with a kick that bathed the other man in flames and actually managed to push him back. He must be weaker to physical attacks!

I couldn’t do much on that front in terms of offense, so I focused all my ice on protecting my husband as he struck our enemy again and again. My husband attacked relentlessly, his punches actually harming Thomas, leaving still-burning marks all over the man’s torso and face.

Seeing an opportunity, I flash-froze Thomas’s feet to the ground, preventing him from dodging a round-house kick from Stephan that sent him sliding across the ground. His skin was burned and bruised, but aside from a trickle of blood from Thomas’s nose that was quickly wiped away, it seemed he wasn’t hurt in any way that mattered.

“How impressive. Even with my body reinforced with divine power…” He grunted as he pulled himself up. The ground beneath Stephan shifted, throwing my husband off balance for a moment and preventing him from pressing the slight advantage we had found. “I’m willing to negotiate… If you two die without a fuss, I promise to allow your children to live.”

His words made Stephan and I hesitate for only a second, but it was enough time for a slab of earth to slam into my husband and send him crashing into the wall. The resulting cloud of debris made it impossible to see what state he was in.

“Stephan!” I cried out, but I couldn’t rush to his side without leaving myself exposed. We had been together long enough that I knew to trust he was okay.

Thomas’s laughter filled the air, and I turned back toward him angrily. “Do you understand now? Your family is a weakness. That love and trust you're so proud of clouds your judgment!” He pointed at me, and I ducked under an earth spear that nearly took my head with it. “After I kill you two, I’ll capture the princes. The emperor will be pleased to have two capable soldiers once he subjugates their minds.” He walked toward me, and I swore under my breath as my magic once again left him unharmed.

Drawing my sword, I moved into a ready stance. I wasn’t nearly as good as my husband in close quarters, but I could hold my own. My ice coated the floor, and I dashed toward Thomas as if I were skating. The sudden loss of traction made the man stumble to catch himself, and I lunged forward with my blade. The tip dug into his shoulder enough to draw blood but then stopped. I had been aiming for his heart, but he managed to step sideways just enough.

Quickly withdrawing my blade, I slashed at him, leaving a thin cut across his face. This is doing nothing! Right as I had the thought, the ice beneath us shattered. Before I could regain my balance, Thomas grabbed my arm roughly, and I cried out in pain as his grip tightened around my wrist.

“You’re just a woman. Know your place!” He said, and my lungs emptied as he landed a forceful punch into my stomach. He was still holding my arm, so I couldn’t escape as he hit me again across the face, and I tasted blood. My head spun from the impact and pain… I’d never been struck so hard before.

Suddenly, his hand wrapped around my throat, and I kicked my feet desperately as he lifted me into the air. Gasping for breath, I clawed at his hand, my magic covering his arm in frost. He narrowed his eyes at me as I tried everything I could think of to get away.

“As for that infuriating princess… Maybe she’ll last longer than the emperor’s other toys.”

I gritted my teeth angrily, an ice dagger forming in my hand. “You… Will not touch… My daughter!” I gasped out. I poured all of my hatred for this man into a single strike, and the ice dagger pierced into his arm. It was more damage than I’d done the entire fight, but he only tightened his grip around my throat.

“You bitch! Die!” My vision started to go black as I struggled to breathe. Stephan… Cecelia… I’m sorry… But right before I lost consciousness, there was a rush of heat.

“Get your hands off my wife,” Stephan said, his voice low and deadly. He appeared beside us and grabbed the duke’s wrist. My husband's body was battered, and the wound on his side had reopened. Yet, the flames covering his body burned bright blue… and started to flicker white.

With a cry of anger, Stephan punched upward against the duke’s arm that held me, and there was a satisfying crunch as Thomas’s bones snapped at the elbow. I fell to the ground, gasping for air, but managed to roll myself out of the way so my husband could attack again, his leg burying itself into Thomas’s stomach and sending him flying into the opposite wall, causing large cracks to form in the stone from the impact.

Thomas glared at us as he stumbled to his feet, his right arm hanging limply at his side. Stephan helped me up as well, but my head was still spinning from the lack of oxygen.

“You’re bleeding…” I mumbled, my hand coming away wet with my husband’s blood as I wrapped my arm around him. Seeing it up close, I realized his injury was much worse than I thought, and when I looked up at him, he gave me a pained smile as the flames started to fade from his body.

Then, there was a shockwave as Thomas punched his uninjured arm into the ground. What remained of the stone and tile floor was torn up, and the wall behind him collapsed into pieces, falling into the garden below. Debris flew everywhere, and I was a moment too slow to put up a shield of ice.

I muffled a cry of pain as a particularly sharp piece of stone pierced my left thigh, and I only kept standing thanks to my husband holding me up despite his own injuries. He had been struck a few times as well, and new trails of blood ran down his back. Both of us were at our limit, and as the dust cleared, Thomas stood with his arm raised and dozens of earth spears floating around the room.

“This is the end. You’ve stood in my way long enough.” He spat. His arm swung toward us, and all the projectiles followed suit. Stephan stepped in front, taking me in his arms and shielding me with his body as I expended nearly the last of my mana to form layers of ice in front of us… but it wasn’t enough.

Everything seemed to move in slow motion, the noise around us fading as the attack pierced my magic, layer by layer, and I looked up at my husband in a panic. In contrast to the situation, his expression was calm as he looked down at me, and tears sprang from my eyes as he caressed my cheek.

“In all my years as king, marrying you continues to be the proudest moment of my life. I love you with my whole being, Bella… Not even death will change that.” As he finished, he leaned down and pressed a final, tender kiss to my lips.

At that moment, what remained of my ice shattered, and I felt his body jolt against mine. Our last kiss broke as his head fell to the side, and I hugged him tightly as we sank to the ground. I could see the stone spear embedded in his back, and my hand reached out to run through his dirtied hair.

“S-Stephen…” My voice broke with emotion. “You are my heart… Everything I am… goes with you.” I whispered into his ear, and a choked sob escaped me as I felt my husband’s last breath leave him. We had always known this was a possibility, and I thought I was prepared… But how does one prepare for their soul being torn in two?

I glared at Thomas through my tears as he looked down at us, a triumphant look on his face as he aimed a single earth spear at me. “Don’t worry… You’ll be following him soon enough.”

***

I moved faster than I ever had before. The town around me blurred as I shot toward the castle, my feet only touching the ground for mere moments before another burst of my flames sent me into the air again. The fear in my chest only swelled the closer I got, and I didn’t even pause to deal with the mercenaries that had taken control of the outer gates. I shot over the walls, landing in the garden that was now destroyed by rubble, and looked up at the gaping hole in the central building.

Without wasting a moment, I launched myself upward, pulling myself into the destroyed throne room, my gaze locking onto the back of Duke Rose immediately. A single earth spear floated at his side as he spoke, but I didn’t hear his words as I rushed forward, gathering all the mana I could in my hands. He was so focused on what he was looking at that I got right up behind him, and a massive explosion erupted from my palms. But to my shock, he stayed on his feet, only sliding across the ground a few dozen feet, smoke rising from his body but no obvious sign of damage.

He clicked his tongue in annoyance as he faced me, but I was frozen in place, my eyes locked on the sight of my parents. Mother was battered and bloodied, with a gaping wound across her thigh and arm. Tears had trailed their way through the blood and grime on her face, and her eyes were red as she looked up at me. She cradled Father in her arms, a stone spear buried in his back.

“N-No…” My voice sounded hollow as I extended my hand out, stepping toward them. Father’s body was limp, his face lifeless… and I could tell by Mother’s expression that it was too late. Duke Rose slipped from my thoughts entirely as anguish consumed my mind. I moved closer to my parents in a daze and didn’t register Mother’s shout of warning until I was suddenly blown backward by a cloud of ice.

A stone spear impaled the ground where I had just stood a moment ago, and I stared at it as I sat on the ground, uncomprehending until my head turned slowly to where the Duke stood. As soon as I saw him with another attack already aimed my way, My body flooded with heat. With Rage.

The scream that tore from my throat was pure, unadulterated hatred. I ignored Mother’s pleas for me to escape, and as I raised my hands toward him, I felt something inside me snap. The heat inside me compounded by the second until a continuous wave of white flame spewed from my hands directly toward the duke. The man managed to erect a slab of stone to protect himself, but I just pushed more mana into my attack. The heat started to melt the barrier he had made, and a corner of my thoughts noticed that my flames were beginning to flicker gold, but I wasn’t in the mental state to care.

Whatever had been holding me back was gone as my mana ran rampant inside me, eventually turning into flames to incinerate the man who killed my father. My magic was pushing Duke Rose back, and as a powerful burst of flame burned his shoulder, he turned toward the large double doors that served as the usual entrance and shouted.

“Get in here! Bring the girl!” I ignored his words until a squad of the duke’s men ran into the room, holding a bound and frightened Sasha.

“Father! Please don’t do this!” She sobbed out, struggling against her bonds as desperate tears ran down her face, but her plea was only met with a look of disdain from the Duke. One of the knights held his sword to her throat, and she stiffened up as it cut her skin slightly, a small trickle of blood running down her neck. My eyes widened at the sight, and the heat inside me intensified as my hatred grew.

“You care for this girl, right? If you harm me, she dies.” The cold words made shock replace some of the anger, and it was then I realized… I can’t control my magic! It was like something was flooding through my body, taking my mana with it, and I couldn’t stop it now. Thinking quickly, I aimed my fire through the hole I had come through, accidentally damaging some of the remaining pillars in the process.

I saw the Duke smirk in triumph as his earth barrier sank back into the ground… And then a searing pain ripped through my stomach. Mother and Sasha screamed my name, but I couldn’t respond. The magic escaping me slowed, then finally stopped, and I looked down to see a stone spike jutting out of the ground… and impaled right through my body. There’s so much blood… is that all from me? My thoughts started to become a jumbled mess, and I looked around in shock.

Mother was limping toward me, her hand outstretched desperately as tears ran down her face. Her mouth was moving, but I couldn’t hear anything. Sasha was sobbing violently, having been forced to her knees by the knights. I watched as the Duke walked over to her, slapping her hard across the face and sending her to the ground. No… Stop hurting her…! I wanted to say, but my mouth wouldn’t move.

There was another searing pain as the stone spike returned to the ground, and I stumbled forward on my feet before collapsing into Mother’s arms. The sudden weight caused her to fall backward, and I could see Father’s body only an arm’s length away. Mother held me tightly, a shaky hand running through my hair as I coughed, blood splattering against her torn clothes.

“Please… Don’t take my daughter as well… If any god can hear me… I’ll do anything! I can’t lose them both…!” She pleaded against my ear. I’d never heard her so desperate, and my heart broke. Mother had always been a confident and composed role model for me… I’d always wanted to be like her. Yet, here I was, making her cry. I tried to reach up and comfort her, but my arms wouldn’t obey me. Why can’t I do anything?

A coolness enveloped my body and helped to ease the pain radiating from my stomach. Mother’s magic feels so nice… I opened my mouth and managed to speak, even as the world started to fade away.

“I-I’m sorry… Mother… Audrey…” I mumbled, but I didn’t hear her response. There was a loud crash as the last of the pillars in the room collapsed, and the ceiling rained down around us.

I want to see Audrey.

Then everything went dark.

***

Pain shot through my body as I raced through the shadows. I had long expended my natural mana, and I was just barely managing to keep my stella from losing control. Only the sheer desperation I felt to get to Lydia filled my mind, and I ignored my goddess’s pleas to slow down.

It had taken us three whole days to get to the front on horseback, but I had made the trip back in less than three hours. As I entered the city, I gasped in shock as I saw the state of the capital. Buildings were destroyed and burnt down, and bodies littered the street—Not just of soldiers, but of civilians too. But I couldn’t stop, so I begged for forgiveness as I ignored the situation above ground and flew toward the castle.

When I finally arrived, my heart stopped, and my desperation turned to panic. The castle was in ruins, the central keep nothing but a pile of rubble. And I sensed Lydia underneath it all. Luckily, the shadows made it easy to get to her, but I wasn’t prepared for what I saw when I emerged.

We were inside a small box of ice, and Auntie sat slumped against the wall, covered in bleeding wounds. Her breathing was shallow, and I could sense the mana leaving her body, just barely maintaining the barrier around us. Lydia and Uncle’s heads lay on her lap as she stared down at them, her face frozen with twisted grief.

“Auntie!” I cried, my voice horse as I rushed to her side, and she looked up at me with a flicker of surprise.

“Audrey…?” She murmured as I pushed my body even further, trying to heal all of their wounds with my holy magic, but nothing was happening. She grabbed my hand, moving it over to Lydia, and that’s when I saw the extent of her wound. She had been stabbed straight through the abdomen, but a thin layer of frost covered the area, freezing the blood. “Lydia… Heal Lydia… I-It’s too late for Stephan.”

I was overcome by grief as her voice broke, but Lydia was still breathing, if only barely, so I knew I could save her. I did my best not to look at Uncle’s lifeless face, but as I focused all my efforts on my girlfriend, the wound refused to close.

“Damn it! Why is there stella?!” I cried angrily. The stella felt the same as what the Imperials had and was resisting my holy magic… but why were all of their wounds infected with it?

The ice above us started to crack, and I looked up in fear at the tons of rubble that threatened to crush us. Auntie groaned, and I sensed a burst of mana leave her to reinforce the barrier before it trickled out completely.

“I-I can’t hold it much longer. Take Lydia and go, Audrey.” She said, but I was already shaking my head in denial, tears streaming down my face.

“I can’t leave you and Uncle! Not like this!” I said, but my mind was too clouded by emotion and fatigue to come up with a solution. I couldn’t move them through my shadows, and I lacked enough strength to protect us from the collapse. Even if I could get them out of here, the capital was swarming with enemies, and there was nowhere safe to go.

But then my mind landed on the only option, and I bit my lip. “Let’s go, Auntie. I can take us into my pocket dimension, and I can at least heal you and Lydia… Please.” I begged, but she shook her head with a tired smile.

“It’s clear you don’t have enough strength to heal both of us… and I’m not long for this world… It will be too late by the time you heal Lydia.” She said.

“But—!”

“I do not wish to die in front of my children. Take Lydia and go. That’s the final order from your queen.” Her voice was stern, but her expression turned gentle as she reached out and caressed my tear-stained face. “Being their Mother… Your Auntie… it was the greatest achievement of my life after all my failures… Stephan felt the same way. We are so incredibly proud of all of you.” She took a shuddering breath and leaned back, wincing in pain. “When Lydia wakes up… and you see the boys… Tell them.”

I nodded, my body racked with sobs as I gathered Lydia’s limp form in my arms. My mind returned to the last year and a half… all the lessons and meals together. Watching as Uncle was berated for skipping work… The teasing Lydia and I endured…. I had thought those days would never end, and now it all feels like a dream.

“Thank you, Auntie, for showing me what it means to be a family. I love you.” I whispered, and she gave me a wide smile despite the fresh tears running down her face.

“It was my honor… When I see Cecelia, I’ll be sure to tell her about the amazing young woman her daughter has become.” Another crack formed in the ice above us, cruelly interrupting our final goodbye. “It’s enough for us that our children will live on… Now, go!” My heart and mind battle with the decision, but in the end… Lydia really was the most important to me.

With a final cry, I opened my pocket dimension beneath Lydia and me, and we fell into darkness for a moment before we found ourselves in a shifting black and purple void. Everything I stored in here surrounded us, seemingly floating on nothing, but I didn’t have time to think about how it all worked.

Broken sobs racked my body, and screams ripped from my throat as I pushed the last of my power into Lydia, focusing on destroying the foreign stella in her body.

“I won’t let you leave me!” I cried, and even as I collapsed on top of her, I kept my magic going.

Time moved slowly, or maybe too fast, but eventually, I managed to heal my girlfriend. I had no idea how long it had been since we entered my pocket dimension. But all I cared about was the fact that Lydia was breathing easier now, even if her complexion still looked awful.

The flow of time was different between this space and the outside. When I first learned to use this ability, it was nothing but convenient, but now I despised it. No. I hate myself for not preventing all this… I knew the longer we stayed, the more time passed on the outside, but I didn’t even have the strength to lift myself, let alone Lydia.

“How long has it been?” I asked Aurora, and she hesitated before answering.

“It’s been a few hours on the inside…”

“What about outside?” I asked, and again, she hesitated.

“...It’s been almost three months.”

“What?!” I said aloud and tried to get to my feet, but my body wasn’t responding the way I wanted it to. Yet, I forced myself up anyway, and the moment I did, My vision started to spin, and everything jolted as I collapsed back to the ground right next to Lydia. The last thing I heard was Aurora desperately calling my name, and then… Nothing.

***

“I’ve brought more, Your Highness.” There was a gust of wind as my sister’s lady-in-waiting landed on the ground behind me. Children surrounded her, and she gently landed them all on the ground save the two little ones she held on each arm. All the kids looked around warily at the people around us, huddling against Leah’s skirts.

When we lost the gates, I immediately pulled back our forces to secure a route out of the city. All the citizens that had stayed were now evacuating in a hurry around us. It seemed the energy was frightening the kids, so I knelt down in front of them with a smile.

“Hello there. You were all very brave today. Shall we go look for your families?” I asked but was surprised when all the kids rushed toward me except for the oldest, who seemed to be a noble.

“Your hair is the same!”

“Do you know the pretty lady who saved us?”

“Mister, I want to see my mom and dad!”

I nodded placatingly at all their questions. I wasn’t adverse to children. In fact, I quite adored them, but I didn’t really get many opportunities to interact with them like this due to my hectic schedule as crown prince.

Suddenly, the little girls that Leah held cried. She had tried to lower them to the ground, but they both wrapped their arms around her neck tighter and refused to let go as they cried for their parents. The usually composed lady-in-waiting looked completely lost, and I finally stood up again.

“It seems like you're stuck here until we find their families. I guess we better get started,” I said. I could tell Leah was anxious to leave—no doubt because my sister was running around the city all by herself. I had also been worried, but when the fighting started, Lydia hadn’t hesitated to defend herself… Even if it meant killing our enemies. I heard Mother was putting her through some hellish training… Seems like it paid off.

“Lydia will be fine. Let’s get these little ones situated, then you can head back, alright?” I said, and Leah hesitated before nodding. We spent the next half an hour slowly but surely reuniting the families. At some point, we both turned to watch as a large part of the castle wall was blown out, but I gritted my teeth and focused on my duties here, having faith that my parents would be fine.

In the end, we managed to get all the children to their families, and Leah was just about to leave when a squad of knights entered the courtyard and came over to give me a report.

“Your Highness!” The squad leader saluted, and I nodded and urged him to continue. “Section C3 has been cleared! We ran into Her Highness, who ordered us to assist in the evacuation!”

“Understood. Do you know where she is currently?” I asked, and he nodded.

“Her Highness rushed to the castle—” He began, but a loud rumbling noise filled the air, cutting him off. The blood drained from my face, and I saw Leah stiffen up beside me as we all turned to look at the massive cloud of dust and debris rising from the castle. As the dust cleared, we all saw the same thing—The central keep was in ruins.

Imperial flags began to rise up all over the city, and a large banner bearing the imperial family's crest was slowly raised over Castle Venyth. Leah suddenly grabbed the squad leader's shoulder, gripping him tightly.

“Did you just say she was at the castle?!” The panic in her tone was evident, and when the man only nodded, she jumped into the air, using her magic to launch herself toward her master.

My heart wrenched, but I had a duty as crown prince to protect my people and, with resolve, turned away from the sight of my destroyed home. I know everyone will be alright… They have to be. But as I led the rest of the evacuation and finally left the city myself, the weight in my heart only grew. My hopes that my parents and sister would appear in front of me slowly withered as I focused on my duties. Eventually, the capital’s citizens started to disperse to the neighboring towns until I stood alone on a hill that overlooked the city.

The hours passed slowly, and the sun had long set when Leah returned to me. She drifted slowly to the ground, despair etched into her face, and the moment her feet touched the grass, she fell to her knees as a heartbroken scream escaped her. I couldn’t bring myself to ask… Because I already knew.

“I-I can’t find her! Not even with my wind! I-It’s like… It’s like she just vanished!” She said between her sobs. “I shouldn’t have left her side!”

I just stood with silent tears running down my face as reality hit me. My family wouldn’t be whole ever again.

And all was lost.