CHAPTER 11 Part 1: I Won’t Fail... Not Again246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAV0tW0kJpp
We left the godforsaken desert just a few days ago, it was hard riding the wagon on the sandy plain so we walk throughout the day and camped out during the night. 246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1pU8LEV4sq
Daytime was so hot that we could’ve dehydrated within minutes if it wasn’t for the abundant cacti present and during the night was so cold Tiffany had to use magic to keep us all warm, thankfully she had what I think was an endless supply of mana.
A week after and here we are in the meadow that is a day’s worth of travel towards the Kingdom of Niru, on the horizon was a silhouette of a castle reaching further into the sky than any other. The sight of colorful flowers remind me of Gadvell, my peaceful hometown before it was ravaged and destroyed. The smell was quite different from our village but still, it is quite welcoming. The swaying of grass as the morning wind blows felt like I was back in my childhood, careless and ignorant of reality. 246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡptRLA0FAj7
I closed my eyes as the contraction of my lungs created a vacuum, pulling in the scent scattered everywhere, I felt the wind brushing the hair on the side of my face as it whispered into my ears softly.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqxyCJsCp7l
[Damn… that’s nice.]
From where we stood tall stone walls surrounding Niru were in sight, no wooden gates or any gates block the entrance, though that maybe the case we were still quite far to be able to see what’s inside.
At the time I didn’t knew that it was one of the most peaceful time that I should’ve cherished.
No monsters were in sight and lots of wild animals that could provide us food. Honestly, I’m sick of the distasteful meat of monsters, they aren’t pleasing to my tongue, they stick on my teeth and rough to swallow, so I’m happy to not eat monster meat anytime soon.
“It’s so beautiful~” Yuna said as her eyes sparkled while she peeks out from the wagon looking at the flowers that we passed by.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTcjlXsfzbb
“Yeah, it’s refreshing after spending a week on that desert” Luke said still guiding the horses, enjoying the view of the flowery meadow.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlA9kpKSHiL
“We only have one day to enjoy the view and after that, 3 more days to reach the Capital” Tiffany said while scrutinizing the field.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRvuyvkl8I
“What do we do when we get inside? Do we book for an Inn?” I asked both Luke and Tiffany, inside the roofless wagon together with Yuna.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ84kpH4NGrN
“I’ll try and reveal my identity to the King and Queen and hope that we can get a nice house for ourselves, usually it’s hard to get an audience with the royal family but I’m hoping that we can skip some steps just because I’m one of the 4 heroes and conveniently get ourselves some things to settle down with and admit you two to the Academy immediately.”
Ah, ‘the 4 heroes’, one of the RPG genre’s most classic tropes. You’d think that being called ‘one’ of the 4 heroes means that you’ve done a legendary quest to kill a certain demon lord or prevented a catastrophe but Tiffany explained during our travels that, that isn’t the case, they are just simply the strongest amongst their respective classes which is still amazing.
“You can do that? Even if we’re not in LouwenDale?” the one who asked that question was Yuna who had her head turned away from the flowers and to my long eared aunt, amazed at Tiffany’s authority.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡngUI1papDm
“I don’t know yet but that’s why I’ll try, kiddo” 246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡti48xWHXac
“What do we do if that plan failed?” I asked curious if she had a back up plan246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡerVdOd5Lzv
“Then all we could do was accept reality and sleep in an affordable Inn, register in the Adventurer’s Guild, earn some money, and admit both of you to the Academy. It doesn’t really matter either way. It’s just easier and convenient if things went our way. But our priority for now, is getting a place to stay and registering both of you to the Adventurer’s Guild and get your Adventurer’s cards.” Aunt Tiffany shrugged, raising her shoulders.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoMjprF6Q7k
“Yeah, I’d like to get a place to stay immediately, a nice and comfy bed to lay on, a nice view, and a warm and cozy bath would be nice too.” Yuna said daydreaming about the Inn we would stay in, holding her hands together.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzoRgtSmD9W
“Then we better–” Luke stopped the wagon mid-sentence
We looked at where Luke was staring and saw a human boy around 10 years old, wearing some sort of uniform and looking lost. The boy had a light brown skin, short and curly hair, black eyes and a pair of black round eyeglasses that fit him well, he seemed to be slightly taller than me and Yuna. He had a way of carrying himself even though he was obviously lost.
“Um… excuse me sir, is it alright if I ask for a ride home?” the boy finally asked, his cheeks appeared to be more red than it would naturally look. 246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw1kOCinspT
“Sure… but we were sort of in a hurry if it’s okay with you, we’d be going to the castle in the capital first” Luke answered 246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIWZskbNqHZ
“I have a bad feeling about that guy…” Yuna warned me, coming closer and whispering into my ears.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3Vm6tXqQ1
“It’s fine… that’s where I live anyway” the boy smiled, he talked to Luke with so much respect that I thought Luke was some sort of savior or something.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ39Xi5fM97B
“Sure, hop in!” Luke welcomed the brown-skinned boy246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpBUjOqhw0s
“So… where you guys from?” the boy asked while climbing up inside246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZlIu2qxhy
“Gadvell of the kingdom of LouwenDale” I said giving the boy a hand246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnr5apvIWHe
“What!”246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvAvTL91X7w
“What so surprising about that?” I asked somewhat intrigued by the reaction he gave246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZp8BP4S5mf
“I’ve heard from the maids in the castle that the Demons recently destroyed LouwenDale… I’m not sure if you guys were affected but I’m sorry for the things you’ve experienced.”246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkAF3ICKWfL
“You guys get information quick, how is that even possible?”246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNIgsPBcC2w
“First of all it has been months since their attack, secondly, LouwenDale is the most powerful and most advance kingdom in the continent, having the Manasophy Academy and many magic tools developed by their researchers which helped every one in the continent, that is why LouwenDale is important and its destruction is a big deal”246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcvhGWQ61Bp
“Ow… I didn’t know LouwenDale is that big of a deal…”246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8M5KuwNi3t
“And losing LouwenDale is causing panic within the castle…”246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc5xK47gLOX
“…”246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyDLKRvTd8H
“So, what’s your name four eyes?” Tiffany asked not bothering to look back from the front246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7aSZjzVEjV
“Frod Geller, ma’am” he said respectfully246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9nmfzUdzFk
“Geller? You mean you’re the son of the King of Niru?!” Tiffany asked, now looking back, curious at the boy who wore a school uniform.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLexuB8v34q
“…Yes, miss… oh you guys don’t have to bother…” he said somewhat reluctant to answer, stopping us from giving the prince our respect246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNP7ZyFY5ch
“Why does the crowned prince doing outside the castle, 3 days away from home?” I asked knowing that princes and princesses aren’t allowed to leave246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfftju54nB
“Well… it gets suffocating sometimes, so when I get the chance I sneak out of the castle and see the world.”246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC4VuDRulBx
“I see…”246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Av8n2xkLE
“Anyway, I think I can pay you guys back for the trip home by helping you all with whatever you need… as long as it’s within my power.” Frod offered246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAjJl13zAGV
“Can you help us with meeting the king and queen then?” Tiffany asked, her tone was full of respect246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡazrmJgrbj8
“Yes, I can!” Frod answered, his mouth curved into a smile246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9eWGWgWEcX
“Then sit back and enjoy the ride!” Luke said as he whipped the horses, resuming our trip
***
“So… you with that beauty over there?” Frod whispered after he took a seat next to me, gesturing with his head towards Yuna who was at the opposite end of the wagon now. 246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAVZDVSQYlZ
“Ah… no, she’s kinda like family to me” I answered whispering to his ear246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZiquMUdtkc
“You should probably start confessing soon, if you two are planning to attend the academy, boys will start swarming her the moment she step inside. If you two dated both of you will enjoy your stay at the dorms… if you know what I mean hehe~” he said, bobbing his brows up and down and had this mischievous smile like an old man.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6J2pXkBZbF
“The heck are you saying? we’re less than 10!” I furrowed my brows, still whispering246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6d530XKPPF
“Hey, the earlier the better, more years together, plus having someone there to support you whenever, is kind of nice and nothing beats a girl’s touch, just imagine ey~ hugging and comforting each oth—” he smirked looking at me as I remembered the night Yuna and me were comforting and hugging one another, averting my eyes.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhYVPIFQyoW
“Seems like you already have~” still whispering he gave me a teasing smile, his elbow nudging my side.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXzBJiSmaGP
“We never did such a thing!” I rolled my eyes as he laughed, getting the attention of Yuna who was still gazing at wildflowers, while Luke chuckled a bit.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1HT0y9nQdH
“whacha talking about?” Yuna curiously asked tilting her head246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJoV6ynF7gy
“Oh, nothing just boy stuff haha” Frod answered giving me a hand.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2LoCJOTWQB
“Yeah!” I followed up246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkdVGCiniXz
“Ow… okay!” Yuna said strangely avoiding Frod’s gaze246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdjZD8tuBe7
“So… what’s her name anyway?” Frod asked, now curious of Yuna’s name246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ05Ahy34J4A
“Yuna… Yuna Crest”246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoGc4VSjbJn
“she’s beautiful, no? if you want, I can help you with her, you know as a wingman… uhhh…” 246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWHCIzo7gIc
“Sura… Sura Pridesworth I… don’t really want that kind of relationship right now… with her or anyone” I answered awkwardly, still whispering not wanting anyone to hear246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ96cItptGnD
“Come on Sura! Not everyone can get close to someone as beautiful as her, if she were royalty, I’d get her for myself. Look at her wavy grey hair dancing in the spring wind, look at her shining bi-eyes as she gaze at those wildflowers, I know you looked directly at her eyes before, haven’t you fallen for her brown hazel eye and her sky-blue eye that look innocently as she stares back at you?” 246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJkI4JyP6S
“Frod, I don’t know why you’re saying all this but you’re stepping out of bounds, can you chill bro? we only just met moments ago” I said annoyed at how pushy he has been246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAgPUzblHgo
“Ohh… I’m sorry… I just rarely talk to someone my age casually. People often get intimidated knowing I’m the prince so I rarely get the chance to talk to people my age…” He said apologizing246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW7QW3HmMHH
“Then why not lie?” I asked246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaaQDWQDx7A
“I’m not allowed to lie about ‘who I am’” Frod said emphasizing a certain part246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1UedTuG602
“I see… well, I can’t really do anything about that… just… stop forcing me to fall for my friend.” I said246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX4yaVq3xYL
“So… can I be your friend as well?” he asked with puppy doll eyes246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvkRu9vHzeO
“Yeah… that would be fine”246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZdVLat9P3
“nice~”
We continued our journey through the meadow, Yuna avoided Frod the whole time we were traveling, not wanting to associate herself with the prince of Niru. Strangely enough, prince Frod was rather friendly towards all of us, he even gave Yuna her space knowing that she doesn’t like him somehow. 246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgIst0xDYPG
Our journey in the meadow was short and uneventful, thankfully the night was peaceful unlike any other. Yuna looked like she wanted to sleep next to me but didn’t because Frod was near, he acted like a chick repellent. Frod and I talked to each other suddenly becoming like close friends, talking about magic and sword arts. Surprisingly Frod was relatable for someone who couldn’t talk to people his age.
After Frod finally got to sleep, I stared blankly into the late-night sky, decorated by the thousand stars that dominated the dark indigo canvas, twinkling away from the reaches of my hand. The moon above gave light over the flowers of the meadow, creating a scenic view, perfect for a romantic stroll.
I sat up, pondering about my feelings towards Yuna, disturbed by Frod’s words, I thought about why I couldn’t fall for someone so young, remembering my real age and my younger sister Misaki.
[what would Misaki think if she were here and knew that I was considering having a relationship with someone younger than her... *Sigh* What am I even thinking…? I still have to get stronger… I still need to avenge my father. I got no time for love… I still need to protect my family, to protect the family my father left behind… I won’t fail… not again!]
Distractions may help sometimes. Love may give me strength but… I don’t think being overly reliant on someone will be healthy for me or Yuna, I’m not even emotionally stable. 246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJ5EHDVjDG
I reminded myself of my responsibilities to my father and family, to get stronger, to be ready for any danger, to avenge my father, to kill the one responsible for the destruction of Gadvell and LouwenDale.
“I won’t fail you this time Griffin… I’ll protect our family.” I said under my breath
As I made my promise to myself and my father I opened the portal, the dimensional rift to summon the dagger my father left me, and held it in my arms, crying myself to sleep, buried by the seemingly impossible responsibilities that even my father couldn’t achieve. My real feelings resurfacing, feeling overwhelmed, I said to myself.
“I can do it…”
Then I fell asleep, eyes dry and mind empty.
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