He finally saw her again. She was still the same, beautiful and regal. She was like a flower amidst a sea of weeds. He must protect her, even at the cost of his life.

Timothy wiped the raindrops off his face. He leaned his body and forced his horse to run at full speed. His horse was galloping so fast that there was a huge gap between him and his guards. Thankfully, he will reach her before Braun from the looks of it.

When he was less than a hundred meters, Lucia's horse finally gave up and fell. Timothy saw the very moment Lucia was thrown like a doll in the mud. Seeing her circumstance, Timothy's heart ached.

He stopped his horse near Lucia and dismounted with haste. He went to her and held her body with both arms. He then examined her for any injuries.

"Are you okay?" his voice was shaky. He then looked at her face "Where does it hurt?"

"Tim" Lucia uttered one word. She then buried her head in Timothy's chest and cried.

Tim wanted to console her. She had gone through so much in the past month. He wanted to hug her until she stopped crying. But he can't. Baron Braun and his soldiers are coming.

He carried her in his arms and went to the horse. "I know your body hurts but we can't stay here. Come with me." He said next to her ears. Lucia just nodded and kept her head buried in Tim's chest.

After they reached the horse, he gave her a boost. He also mounted the horse. "Hold tightly onto my waist" he said.

She complied and wrapped her arms around his waist. Timothy felt his heart jump. It felt so good. But he banished romantic thoughts. They are still in danger.

He looked at her two companions. One of them was an old man clad in armor. The other was a short and bald man.

"Come with me. My guards will hold them" he then turned his gaze towards the older man. Timothy remembered the man's name to be Bisham and he was the Captain of Lucia's guards. "Don't even think about fighting. Lucia still needs you"

Timothy expected Bisham to hesitate. He knew that it was painful for a Captain of the guards to lose his men. Bisham should be itching to fight their pursuers right now. But the old man calmly nodded and followed Timothy's horse.

Timothy now understood how Lucia survived the Wismarine assault and assassination attempt. Part of it was because of Bisham's capabilities.

The three horses galloped towards Timothy's guards. The guards split their formation in the middle and allowed them to pass. Timothy looked behind and saw the moment the two armies slammed against each other. Cries of horses and men echoed in the air. A fierce fighting began.

Timothy only brought about a hundred men with him from Solon. Although he wanted to bring his own army, he can't afford to waste time. After fighting and decimating two groups of Braun's men, the number of his guards was reduced to less than half. Worse than that, his men were exhausted after riding and fighting all day.

Even though Timothy's men fought hard, they were being pushed back. Braun's men outnumbered them. It pained him that more of his loyal men will die. He looked for Erik. His friend must survive at least.

But Erik found him first. Erik's sword was already bloody. "Go Tim. We will hold them for a while. Don't worry, we will slowly retreat after you've put enough distance."

Timothy nodded. "Be safe Erik. And don't even think about sacrificing yourself. We are not in a dramatic play!"

Erik laughed "Yes. I know. I'm not going to die. I'm smart, you know." He tapped his forefinger on his temple.

"Good" Timothy said. He wanted to say more but he can't find the words. There was a moment of silence between them until Erik broke that silence.

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"What are you waiting for? Go now! We will follow, I promise."

Timothy's words were again stuck in his throat. He just nodded. He then turned his horse around and commanded the horse to run. Bisham and the short man followed him from behind.

He was worried about Erik, but he put his worries aside. Erik will be okay, he thought. It was true that Erik was smart so his friend will find a way.

He needs to focus on Lucia. Timothy looked behind. She was still clinging to him dearly. He held her hands.

"Don't worry. I'm here and I will protect you. We will survive this" he comforted.

*******************************************************************************

Erik stared at Timothy's figure as his friend slowly vanished at the distance.

"I'm sorry Tim." he murmured. "I may not keep my promise"

Erik lied to Timothy. It was his first time breaking his promise to his friend. He had never broken a promise to Tim before and that was the reason why Timothy believed his promise immediately. But Erik had no choice.

After he saw Timothy's extreme reaction to Lucia's situation back in Solon, he understood that Lucia meant the world to Tim. He can't forget Timothy's expression back then. It was of hate. He had seen Timothy's anger before, but not as powerful. It was like Timothy was going to devour all his enemies.

Honestly, he felt a little jealous. They've been best of friends for decades but he knew that Timothy cared for Lucia more. In just a month, Lucia replaced Erik.

But he put his envy behind. He understood his friend. Timothy was just longing for the King's love and appreciation but the old man responded with violence. Timothy must have found that love and appreciation from Lucia. That's why his friend fell deeply for the Princess.

And now he must help Timothy. He will do everything to save Lucia and Timothy.

Erik looked at the battle. It was bloody and chaotic. They were losing. More than a dozen had fallen on their side. Each of those men was his friend. He ate with them, fought with them and lived with them. He decided that it was enough.

"I surrender!" he shouted as loud as he could. At first, nobody paid attention to him but he kept on announcing his surrender.

After a while, there was a brief ceasefire and all the soldiers looked confusedly at him.

"Surrender then." Braun said on the other side while wiping the blood from his sword. "And let us pass."

Erik gave a loud and fake laugh. "We can't do that Braun. We need to buy time for Prince Timothy. Isn't that right, men?" he looked at the remaining guards.

"Then we will resume our attack" Braun raised his sword again.

What Erik did next made all the soldiers drop their jaws. He raised his sword and pointed it towards his own neck. "Move and I will kill myself!"

"What?" Braun creased his brows.

"You heard me Braun, I will kill myself. Think of how my father would react if I die. He will surely raise the flag of rebellion against the crown. Do you want that Braun? Do you want your dear Castonia to fall into civil war?"

Everyone was silent. After a while, a soldier behind Braun pointed at Erik and shouted. "He's insane!"

Braun looked at the soldier. "Shut your mouth Idiot!" he then turned towards Erik "I understand. So, what do you want?"

"Let's make a compromise Braun. How about this? You can take me as hostage if you want, but let my men go. Give up your chase on Timothy and let's return to Nirvana."

"But Prince Timothy…" Braun started but then he stopped and looked at Erik "I don't trust you Erik"

"The feeling is mutual. So what's your answer Braun? You have ten seconds to decide." Erik then counted loudly "Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three…"

"Stop!" Braun shouted. "Okay, but keep your end of the bargain. You must come with us"

Erik then turned to his men. "Go, find the Prince and protect him at all cost."

The soldiers were dumbfounded by the turn of events. They looked at Erik with confusion written over their faces.

"Didn't you hear me?" Erik asked "I said go! Prince Timothy needs you. Ensure that he and Princess Lucia are safe."

"But sire…" a soldier started but Erik interrupted him.

"Follow my command soldier." His voice was firm.

The soldiers were still frozen but after a while they saluted to Erik one by one and left. Erik just looked at them from behind and sighed. Now he was alone with the enemies.

"Now lower your weapon." Braun said as his men slowly surrounded Erik.

Erik shook his head. "No, I won't. The moment I lower my sword, your men will rush towards me and tie my hands. You will then resume your chase. I'm not a fool Braun. Let's just go back to Nirvana. I will probably lower my sword when I my arm gets tired. By that time, Timothy should be far already."

Braun remained silent for a long time and examined Erik's face. "Okay. Let's go" he turned his horse around and commanded his men to go back.

Erik was still holding the sword against his neck. He couldn't help but laugh at their situation. He was supposed to be the hostage, but this felt like he was the one taking them hostage.

He smiled, knowing that he protected Tim and Lucia this time. He is a good friend, he thought. How many people in this world would threaten the enemy with suicide for the sake of their friend? He was probably the only one.

He commanded his horse to move and followed Braun to Nirvana. Long and dangerous days were ahead of him.