The rays of the morning sun spread across the courtyard of Greenriver Manor, casting long shadows as the final preparations unfolded. Servants hurried about, loading crates of supplies into carriages, while the horses snorted and pawed at the ground, their breath steaming in the cool air.
Red Blades, clad in their polished crimson armor, stood in formation on either side of the caravan, their discipline like a wall of steel. Behind them, the Royal Guards held tight formation, their banner fluttering. They had initially requested to be stationed closer to the center, near where Seraphine would be traveling—for her "protection." The request had been firmly denied by Jonathan, whose authority in the Duchy was absolute. When the Royal Guards appealed to Seraphine herself, she had coldly confirmed Jonathan's decision, ending the matter entirely.
Jack stood beside his carriage, adjusting the cuffs of his traveling cloak. Garren hovered nearby, meticulously inspecting the carriages and overseeing the final checks on the supplies.
Jonathan, as commander of both the Greenriver garrison and the Red Blades, orchestrated the entire operation. A large map was spread out before him, his gloved finger moving over routes as he issued instructions to his sub-commanders. He had insisted on taking more provisions than necessary—experience had taught him that excess was better than regret.
Amidst the controlled chaos, Seraphine and Tracy emerged from the castle gates. Seraphine's attire balanced elegance and practicality, a royal cloak draped over her shoulders, embroidered with the golden insignia of the royal family. Tracy walked silently behind her, her sharp eyes scanning every soldier, every detail.
Their gazes met across the courtyard. Jack offered a small nod.
"Looks like everything is ready," Seraphine said, her amber eyes glancing around the gathering.
"Time waits for no one, Your Highness," Jack replied, his tone serious, his eyes briefly shifting toward the Royal Guards stationed at the rear of the convoy. "The sooner we reach Pyraethis, the better."
Tracy remained behind her mistress, silently observing the final preparations. Garren barked sharp commands, drilling the Red Blades and ensuring everything remained perfectly aligned.
Jack glanced at the road ahead, stretching far into the horizon, winding through forests, villages, towns, and fortresses. The journey would take weeks.
"Let's hope the weather stays kind," Jack muttered under his breath.
Seraphine, not far away, caught his words. Her voice floated back toward him as she stepped forward.
"Hope... is a funny word, Your Grace."
Jack signaled to Jonathan, who shouted the final order. With a creak of wooden wheels and the steady clatter of hooves, the caravan began to move. Greenriver Manor slowly disappeared behind them, swallowed by the distant hills.
Inside his carriage, Jack sat alone, boredom already settling in. He drew the sword strapped to his waist, watching as its cold steel reflected his crimson eyes back at him.
Though Jack had long since abandoned his pursuit of swordsmanship, no noble's attire was complete without a blade. Whether he deserved the weapon or not was irrelevant. He ran a finger gently along its edge, the sharpness biting lightly at his skin.
What if I coated this sword in fire?
The thought lingered. Traditionally, swordsmen at or above the Adept tier infused their blades with mana to sharpen and strengthen them. Jack, though still at the Competent stage as a mage, was different. Mages controlled mana outside their bodies even at the most basic levels.
The idea was tempting—but not here, not now. He had learned his lesson. The caravan was surrounded by enough dangers without adding himself to the list.
With a sigh, Jack slid the sword back into its sheath and leaned into the cushion of the carriage, his mind wandering once again.
The wind whistled softly through the trees as the last light of dusk surrendered to the night. In the heart of the wilderness, the convoy had halted, far from any village or town. The Red Blades moved with quiet efficiency, setting up their perimeter, erecting tents, and stacking supplies. A ring of faint torchlight shimmered around the clearing, casting long shadows across the uneven ground.
Farther away, the royal guards worked in their own small cluster, their voices low, their presence distant — like guests that were tolerated, but not welcome.
Around the main campfire, Seraphine sat quietly. The flickering flames danced before her, their reflections flickering like liquid amber in her emerald eyes. She wore a simple white shirt tucked into brown pants, a thick, fur-lined coat wrapped snugly around her shoulders. The cold of the wilderness barely touched her, but the coat offered more than just warmth—it was a small piece of comfort far from the royal halls.
Jack sat a few steps away, cross-legged on a flat rock, dressed in his usual simple red tunic and black trousers, his sword resting lazily by his side. The firelight danced in his deep red eyes, their glow sharp against the night.
For a while, neither spoke. The quiet between them was not uncomfortable—merely unspoken.
Finally, Jack broke the silence. "You seem more at ease out here than you ever do in the manor."
Seraphine gave a faint smile, her eyes never leaving the flickering flames. "I suppose I am. I like the freedom it offers — the boundless sky, the open air, no walls to confine me."
Jack nodded, his fingers lazily tracing patterns into the dirt beside him. "Not many princesses would say that."
Seraphine chuckled softly. "Not many princesses have lived what I have."
Silence settled between them once more. The fire crackled steadily, its warmth cutting through the cool night air. In the distance, the occasional shout of guards echoed as the Red Blades secured the perimeter.
Jack glanced sideways at her, his tone casual, though his gaze sharpened. "Tell me something, Princess."
She raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Oh? And what would that be?"
He paused, as though weighing his words carefully. "Why do you hate him so much? The King, I mean."
The question hung heavy in the air. Seraphine's smile slowly faded. Her eyes broke from the flames and met Jack's. She studied him for a long moment before answering.
"Hate is too simple a word for what I feel toward him. It's… complicated."
Jack leaned back slightly, resting his hands behind him. "Then explain it to me."
Seraphine exhaled slowly, as if letting years of bitterness bleed out. "Because to him, I am nothing more than a pawn—a tool to be used, discarded when convenient. I might have endured that if it was just the nature of royalty. But it's more than that. Every time he looked at me, even when I was a child, all I saw was contempt. Disgust. As though I was a mistake he was forced to tolerate."
Her voice dipped lower, colder. "He sent me here knowing the risks. Perhaps even hoping I wouldn't return. If the assassins failed, he could feign innocence. If they succeeded… one less complication."
Jack's jaw tightened. "Even though you're his own blood."
Seraphine's eyes darkened. "Blood does not always make family, Your Grace. Nor does it guarantee love."
The fire cracked sharply as if emphasizing her words. Jack's voice softened. "You sound like someone who's spent a long time preparing for war."
A faint smile tugged at her lips, though it didn't reach her eyes. "When your entire life is a chessboard, you either learn to play… or get swept off the board."
Jack watched her carefully, her smiling face partially hidden beneath the shadow of her thick coat. His voice came after a beat of hesitation."That aside, Your Highness… what do you think of me? I doubt you traveled all this way just for scouting your future husband . What role do I play in your life ?"
Seraphine gave him a skeptical look before bursting into quiet laughter.
"My, how direct of you, Your Grace." She placed a hand over her stomach, stifling her amusement. After calming, she continued, her gaze lifting toward the stars. "To be honest, I had little expectation. The rumors from the capital painted you as a fragile boy—shackled by the chains of your past."
She glanced at him briefly, a glimmer in her amber eyes. "But what I found was… something unexpected. Something I desperately hoped for, and something I needed."
Jack idly poked at the fire with a nearby branch, his voice dry. "You needed me, Your Highness? Surely you jest."
Seraphine's gaze remained fixed on the night sky , as though counting the stars."Of course I need you. You, Your Grace, are my knight in shining armor—whether you like it or not."
Their eyes met. A moment of silence lingered between them before both burst into laughter, the tension momentarily dissolving into shared amusement.
Sensing the intimate atmosphere, the Red Blades instinctively expanded the perimeter of their guard, granting the pair greater privacy.
At that moment, Tracy returned from her duties. She paused under the shadow of a nearby tree, watching her friend's rare laughter. A small smile formed on her lips, and she leaned quietly against the trunk, content to watch. In her heart, she silently wished Seraphine could smile like this more often.