It had been five days since I ventured into the forest of the damned.
Sir Steven sat quietly in front of the forest’s wooden gates, waiting patiently for my return.
He had sent all the other guards back to the eastern city to rest, and only he remained, waiting; staring into the darkness of the forest and hoping I would emerge from it, safe and unharmed.
His food supplies had run out and his body had become weak.
His eyes had dark sacs that made it look like he hadn’t slept for days; he probably hadn’t.
knowing sir steven, he was now more than ready to walk into the forest to look for me himself.
He got up from the ground and his brows furrowed.
He reached for the handle of his sword by the side of his waist and slowly pulled it out of its sheath.
As he drew the sword out completely, it dropped to the ground, clashing against the rock with a loud metallic clink.
His hand trembled at the weight of the weapon.
Normally, his sword was very easy to carry and swing, but on an empty stomach, his sword weighed far heavier than a large rock.
He clenched his teeth, lifted it off the ground with all the strength he had left, and rested its flat surface on his right shoulder.
Panting lightly, he marched toward the gates of the forest with an angry expression on his face.
“I’m coming for you, princess Celene,” he said softly between breaths, his eyes half closed.
“It would be very unwise for you to venture into those woods.
You’re hungry and weak, and you can barely lift your sword,” The Priestess’s voice suddenly sounded behind him.
Sir Steven paused.
He was surprised for a moment, but didn’t even have the strength to react.
“But… Celene will die in there if I don’t rescue her,” Steven said.
“True, but I assure you, you won’t find her.
If you cross the boundary between this world and the world of the damned, you will not return, and no one will come looking for you.
I strongly suggest you put your sword back in its sheath and return with me to eastern Andreia.
Celene is gone, there is nothing we can do,” The priestess said with a stern and cold tone.
Steven remained silent for a few seconds, his heart heavy with regret.
He remembered his last moments with me and regretted letting me walk into the forest alone.
“Why?
Why did you let that insane prince decide Celene’s fate?
Why did you remain silent when king Japhet and his son spoke to prevent me from taking Celene away?
I had a chance to save her life, but it just slipped out of my grasp like it never even existed,” Steven said, tears pouring down his eyes.
“All that transpired that day was to the goddess’s liking.
She wanted prince Rowan to decide Celene’s fate and wanted Celene to venture into the forest of the damned.
Whether or not Celene is alive is unknown to me, but I assure you this; if you go into those woods, you will not come out,” The priestess replied, maintaining her stern tone.
They both remained quiet.
The priestess’s eyes were focused on Steven, and Steven’s were focussed on the ground.
He had no other words to say.
What could he say?
The one he had sworn to protect all his life was gone; he had failed his king, and failed his kingdom.
Now he had no reason to continue living.
“Were you perhaps… in love with her?” The priestess asked.
Steven’s eyes widened as he heard the question.
A cold gust of wind blew by, further reducing the temperature of the atmosphere.
Steven felt a cold chill wash over him as he remembered all the moments we spent together, both when my father was alive and after he passed.
He had somehow developed feelings for me over the years and didn’t even know it.
He was only thirteen years old when he swore to protect me forever, and from then on, we were always together.
He was always there when I needed him, and gave me everything a knight could give to a princess.
Never did he ask for anything in return; not once did he feel like he was doing it because of love.
He always thought he was just performing his duty as a knight to his princess.
He remained silent, paying no attention to the question at all.
What was the point of admitting it?
I was too far beyond his reach now.
The priestess stared at him for a moment, then continued.
“If it makes you feel any better, I’m sure Celene felt the same way.
Now that she is gone, protecting her is no longer your duty, your duty now is to the kingdom of Andreia.
And what Andreia needs now is not a sad Knight, but a worthy king,” The priestess said softly, her voice, sounding a lot less cold and filled with traces of compassion. This chapter was taken from novelping(.)com without permission.
She finally sounded like she had emotions and wasn’t just a lifeless doll.
“What?” Steven asked, his eyes widening.
“You heard me right, Steven.
Celene’s father has no heir to take his throne, and that means the throne goes to his the one he trusted the most.
Seeing as he entrusted you with the most important thing he had; his daughter, it’s clear that he trusted you the most,” The priestess replied.
“But… I’m just the captain of a small band of Knights.
What about the Commanders and Generals, what about the nobles 0f Andreia?
If they find out that you’re trying to make me the king, a war could happen within the kingdom, and everything Celene’s father worked to build would end up being destroyed,” Steven asked again, getting up from the ground slowly.
He had worry in his voice.
“Firstly, I’m not trying to make you king.
I do nothing but what the goddess asks of me, and secondly, you have more supporters than even you realise.
If a war happens, be rest assured that you will not lose unless you let the opponent take advantage of you.
The goddess has made her decision, and her word is law.
Anyone who chooses to go against her will suffer her wrath, just as Sylvania did,” The priestess said.
Steven just stared at her, dumbfounded by her words.
How could he put up a fight against generals who controlled large portions of Andreia’s armies?
Who were these supporters the priestess spoke of?
Nothing the priestess had said made sense to him.
The priestess turned around and began walking.
“If you still wish to go look for Celene, I will not stop you.
But if you want to prevent the kingdom of Andreia from falling into the hands of those who weren’t permitted by the goddess, then come with me,” she concluded, walking away.
Steven turned to the forest, started into the dark mist that flowed out between the base of the trees, and let out a sigh.
“I’m sorry, Princess Celene.
I might have failed to protect you, but I will not fail to keep the promise I made to you,” Steven said softly with a sorrow in his eyes.
He pushed out a soft breath, turned away from the forest, and walked slowly behind the priestess.