Audrey woke up to a busy morning in camp, unlike the previous day, everyone was awake before her.
She had no idea if Damien had slept out the tent like the previous night.
Immediately after the meal, she had fallen asleep.
It was the most stressful day of their life.
“What’s happening?” Audrey asked, yawning.
Immediately, he handed her a bowl of water.
“Thank you.” She replied, washing her hand and leg.
Audrey didn’t think she would get used to this life of washing of hand and leg.
Regardless of how much she scrubbed, it felt as if she was unclean.
Damien returned to the tent, packing the little packages she had left all over the tent.
“We’re moving on. There’s news that the enemies are gaining more of our territories. We can’t afford to stay idle.”
Another journey of staring at the forest and sitting idle.
“Fine.” She nodded.
Suddenly, he thrust a small knife at her.
Audrey frowned at him.
“I have no idea how to make use of this.”
He sighed, he should have known she had no idea.
“Keep it for now. I’ll teach you how it’s been used later.” He continued packing the bag.
“We’re leaving the safe territory and stepping into monster zone.”
Audrey froze.
How was she supposed to fight against monsters without her magic?
There was a reason only nobles son were mostly soldiers.
It was because of their magic blood, they could fight against monsters and enemies alike.
And if she remembered clearly, there was rumors that Damien also had no magic.
“You don’t need to be afraid, I will protect you.”
Audrey snarled.
“Are you joking? None of us have magic and we’re stepping into monsters territory. How are we supposed to fight against them?”
Her heart raced.
“I don’t think I can do this.” She concluded, pacing through the small tent.
Damien was done packing the bag.
“I want to go back home. I’m not cut out for this war stuff. Yesterday, it was a village that got suddenly attacked and wiped out. Today, we are leaving safe territory to monsters land.” Her eyes brimmed with tears, but she swiped it off stubbornly.
“I’m home and you don’t need to bother yourself, you’ll be safe. I promise to keep you safe.”
Before she could protest more, he pulled her out of the tent.
Audrey grumbled out, but then her eyes landed on Mia who stood beside the crown prince composed, and glaring at her.
She narrowed her eyes at her.
Ever since that night, she had wanted to have a discussion with her.
Damien leaned down, packing up their tent.
And though she wanted to wander to Mia’s side, she believed it was better to stay beside her husband.
While Damien was still packing, three soldiers came to their tent and started assisting him with the tent.
Audrey stared at them as they took over the packing, and collected the bag from Damien.
“We’ll help with whatever you want, sir.”
She opened and closed her mouth, watching them stroll towards the carriage.
Placing their bags carefully inside the carriage.
“Did you get yourself some supporters or what?” Audrey asked.
Damien shrugged.
He had no idea what was going through their head, but he wouldn’t refute their help.
Soon, the army started marching.
While the princes and the commanders were seated in their carriage, the soldiers matched beside them.
At some point, Audrey slept in the carriage.
It felt like an endless journey.
They hadn’t passed through any villages and there was no sign that they would arrive at one anytime soon.
Occasionally, they took break and continued their journey.
Unlike before, they didn’t prepare a tent to rest.
They continued the journey through the night, when morning came most of the soldiers were holding each other, leaping.
Damien got down from the carriage and joined the soldier.
Audrey had no idea, but her eyes followed every of his movement.
Breakfast wasn’t fresh food.
It was stale bread and leftover soup.
She had to force herself to swallow it.
This was the first time Audrey was eating stale food.
It got to a stage, they had to take a break.
Some of the soldiers were heaving from walking non-stop while some were injured from stepping in something dangerous.
Regardless of everything, Audrey was glad they hadn’t come across any type of monster.
From how thick the bush had become, she could tell that they were getting closer to monsters territory.
The soldier held onto his shoulder, but didn’t let out scream.
Some of the soldier stared at him.
“The Prince had been acting strange.” A soldier whispered.
“I thought he was supposed to be heartless, but he’s caring.”
Audrey turned towards the soldier that had spoken, but immediately he saw him, he looked away from her.
Alex leaned from carriage, staring at his brother.
“It seemed your brother is winning the nobles son faster than you, your highness.”
Alex turned to glare at her, but Mia continued.
“I heard he had won some of the soldier over and even had soldiers who are now loyal to him.” She stared at her fingers as if she was talking about the weather.
“You know the importance of loyalty, your highness”
Alex gritted his teeth.
“Shut up, woman. Don’t make me regret bringing you with me?”
She did, turning her head away from him.
Alex beckoned to one of the soldiers.
It was one of his men from home.
“I want you to find out about the soldiers that pledge loyalty to my brother.”
The soldier nodded, before joining the rest.
Before Damien started growing fans of loyal soldiers, he needed to show the rest what happens when they mess with him.
Once Damien was done helping the soldiers, he went back into the carriage as if he had done nothing without waiting for thanks.
Audrey stared at him.
“What?” He asked.
She shrugged.
“Every if your act surprises me. It’s as if you aren’t the same man who claimed me as his wife at the alter.”
Damien’s expression remained.
“Trust me. I’m the same man.”
Damien’s voice was low as if he was passing a warning to her.
A warning not to trust him too much, but it seemed too late.
She didn’t want to trust him, but she found herself trusting him more, daily.
Finally gotten enough rest, the army resumed their marching.
Audrey could glance at the three soldiers that had assisted Damien from a distance.
It felt like they were protecting their carriage or was it her mind playing trick at her.