"Kaela! Come on!"
I hastily ran to his side, where I was hoisted up onto Sain's horse. The knight commanded the mare to continue our escape. What a disaster. I'd never run from a battle before. But with my comrades wounded and the enemy army three times our size, we had no chance. I'd failed.
"Hang on, my heart! Your hero shall protect you!" Sain told me confidently, gripping the reins from around me. "Ride, my steed!" he laughed.
When we were in a safe place, out of the enemy's domain, we all dismounted and rested. Sain helped me jump off of his horse. I stumbled a little, but he held me upright.
I sighed.
"Did not I tell you that I would always be there guarding you?" Sain chuckled, leaning down to look me in the eyes.
I pulled my hood up and walked past him. I wasn't in the mood for dealing with people; especially Sain.
I needed to be alone.
But Sain wouldn't let me. He grabbed my shoulder and turned me around to face him. "What happened back there was not your fault, my heart, I assure you."
I scowled. "What are you talking about? Of course it was."
Sain smiled encouragingly. "Even if it was, you are merely in training, are you not, dear butterfly?" The nicknames annoyed me, but all the women in the army had learnt to live with them.
"That was a year ago, Sain. We are both older. And we should both be stronger, but it seems that I was excluded from that strength."
He furrowed his brow. "Ah, such doubt. It does not suit you. If you were to smile just once for a simple knight like me..."
I broke the bond our eyes were forming and frowned. "Why would I smile after such a failure..."
"Because you always smile for friends, my love. 'Tis as simple as that."
That was probably the smartest thing I'd ever heard him say.
"Sain... Why do you flirt with every single woman you see...?" I asked, trying to change the subject.
Sain grinned. "'Tis a curse. I find myself drawn to each and every one of you!"
"Which means, ultimately, you'll end up alone?"
"What...?"
I raised an eyebrow. "Surely you knew that."
"I'm not sure I'm following you..."
I sighed. "If you are attracted to all the women around you, you wouldn't be able to pick just one, right? Therefore, you'll end up being a bachelor until you're too old for women to find you attractive" I stated.
He froze. I'm not sure if I offended him.
"But, you see, my love. That will not happen! Because I have chosen a most suitable woman. A woman who most definitely needs me to protect her."
"Should I be worried?" I breathed.
Sain genuinely smiled, and stepped closer to me. "My affections are returned, I believe."
He crushed his lips against mine so suddenly that I had no idea what was going on.
Sain never made a move past flirting.
"My love, I am genuinely in love!"
"C-cad..." I smiled.
A few months later...
"Kaela! Wait... You're leaving...?"
I spun around. "I'm sorry, Sain. But I don't belong here. Nor do I belong in any city in Lycia. I must take my leave."
"But... I shall come with you. My love, surely I cannot live without you by my side."
My gaze dropped to the ground, and I shook my head.
"I may not belong here in Caelin, but you are in its debt. You said so yourself. Your loyalty as a knight of Caelin must be unwavering. I do not wish to be a burden on your dreams." My words were hurting him, and me.
"I...Uh...I'll ask for a discharge. You're more important than my knighthood!" he took a step forward. "Just...Please! Let me come with you..."
I kissed him for the last time. "Tell everyone I said goodbye. May we meet again, Sain."
And I left.
They fell in love amidst the conflict. However, her heart yearned for freedom, while he wished to remain in Caelin. Though they never saw each other again, they were always on each other's minds.
