"It feels like we've been wandering this forest for days," whined Sir Kaminari, reclining pathetically on the back of his horse.

"That's what you get for riding non-stop through the night," Sir Kirishima grumbled back, looking equally limp in his saddle. His previous excitement to be back on the road had seemingly been left behind in the last town they'd passed through. That had been around 6 hours ago.

Perhaps more.

Or less.

It was hard to tell at this point.

From the front of the group, an irritated bark sounded. "Stop whining, you bunch of damn extras! This is what knights do!"

Sir Bakugo and Sir Russel were the only Knights who's spines hadn't turned to noodles- Even Sir Midoriya was starting to sag in his armour.

The two leaders both sat correctly in their saddles, eyes alert and backs erect.

"What? Get lost in forests?" Sir Kaminari muttered sarcastically, swiping idly at a low hanging branch.

"Argue endlessly?" Added Sir Kirishima with a stretch and a yawn.

"Chase after oppressed women who wish only to flee the confines of a patriarchal society?" Finished Sir Midoriya, blinking lazily down the sunlit path.

The Knights turned to frown at him. Sir Russel looked particularly taken-aback. But the green haired knight simply continued to sway idly from side to side with the rhythm of his horse.

"Urgh! Shut up already!" Sir Bakugo snapped, spinning in his saddle to glare at them all.

It had been been like this for the past 10 miles. Sir Russel didn't know how much more he could take. Perhaps it was time they took a break. Then again, the longer they stayed put, the further away his brother and the Princess grew.

As he cast a look behind him at his fellow knights, he found himself with little choice but to make the call.

"I think it's time we stopped to rest," he declared, pulling on the reins of his steed.

When Sir Bakugo shot him a look, he returned it with one of his own- "at least for the horses, if not for ourselves." He added firmly.

And even Sir Bakugo couldn't deny his favourite, black stallion a much needed break.

They tethered their horses in the next clearing they came across and made sure to fetch them some food and water. Luckily, the forest offered them fruit trees and a clear stream. Sir Midoriya tended to their steeds while Sir Bakugo set about lighting a fire to cook on.

"Ahh! That's better!" Sir Kaminari sighed, reclining widely in the flowers that littered the forest floor. "How long til lunch?" He asked.

The angry silence that followed meant that Sir Bakugo was still unhappy with their decision to stop.

"C'mon, man..." Sir Kirishima bravely began, "it's only been 2 days. I'm sure we'll find the princess and be back at the castle by the end of the week."

More silent seething as angry eyes stared into the fire that had just taken hold.

"Why are you in such a rush to find the princess anyway, man? It's great being on the road!" Sir Kirishima continued, gesturing around at their idyllic surroundings. Lush, green trees overhead, quaint, bobbing bluebells all around. "And finding her only means you have to go back to babysitting her. And you hate that!"

Sir Russel watched quietly as the vein by Sir Bakugo's temple throbbed. As the fire burned brightly, Sir Bakugo finally snapped.

"Because the longer we're away from the Kingdom, the more likely that creep of a king, Shiguraki, and his crusty-ass son, will declare war on us!"

He was on his feet now, sword drawn and pointed towards Sir Russel.

"Because that's what's at risk here, right Russel?" He growled, eyes fiercely locked on his. "That's what your damn brother and your beloved princess are risking with their lousy, little fling!"

Perhaps it was the lack of sleep, perhaps it was in defensive of his brother and Calliope, or perhaps it was because Bakugo partly spoke the truth, a truth he'd already heard from the seer Penelope but didn't want to accept, but something made Sir Russel lose his composure.

In the blink of an eye, he too was on his feet with his blade drawn. It clashed heavily against that of Sir Bakugo's, making both Sir Kirishima and Sir Kaminari wince in surprise.

"Do not speak of the Princess, nor my brother, in such a way!" He cautioned, trying to suppress his mounting anger.

Sir Bakugo scoffed, both hands finding the grip of his sword as his feet parted in a challenging stance. "Oh yeah? And what way would that be?" He said with a mocking curl of his lip.

Sir Russel felt himself grit his teeth. "You know fair well, Sir Bakugo." He replied steadily.

Though the blond knight before him had never truly taken the time to get to know the princess on the many occasions King Toshinori had tasked them to guard her, himself and the other knights knew she was not some harlot. Rather, Calliope was a mighty fine horseman, a nimble-footed lover of the outdoors and a quick-witted lover of the arts.

Sadly for her, however, she was born a woman. Which meant that despite her talent and her skills, her only real purpose in life was to secure the prosperity of her bloodline and the kingdom it ruled.

As for his brother, a Fool though he was at court, an academic and a romantic he was at heart. Too bad Samuel had fallen for a princess. But a 'fling' it certainly was not.

Though he had tried to ignore the rumours and the gossip that crept around the castle, he hadn't failed to notice that parts of it were undeniably true. The only time he ever saw the princess glow was when Samuel was making her laugh at court. And the only time he ever saw his brother's tired eyes twinkle was when they were turned in her direction. It wasn't lust. Sir Russel had seen the effects of lust. Being a knight, it was common for them to rescue maidens from the greedy advances of animalistic men. And being a knight also meant that they were prone to being the target of equally animalistic damsels themselves.

But never once had Russel witnessed that sort of hunger take hold of his brother in the presence of the princess. And Calliope, though he had often caught her flirting wordlessly with the jester, with the occasional lidded gaze and flutter of lashes when she thought no one was watching, her actions were always playful rather than assertive.

Sir Bakugo was right about one thing though, war did indeed loom on the horizon.

King Shigaraki had been itching to get his hands on King Toshinori's kingdom. Now he had the perfect reason to do what he had always wanted to do-take it all by force.

It was a hard thing to swallow.

Through he sympathised for the Princess, and partly his brother, he could also see why Sir Bakugo was so worked up. To be at war with Shigaraki was no small thing.

The happiness of one woman, to secure the safely of an entire population.

But then again, who was to say the kingdom would prosper with Prince Tomura as leader?

The thought came to his lips, curious as to what Sir Bakugo would have to say.

"Do tell me-" Sir Russel began, sword still trained on him, "would you rather die fighting against the Shigaraki's or serve them? Because that's what we Knights will be obliged to do when we return with Princess Calliope and she marries the prince."

The question made the blond Knight scoff. He prepped a response on his scowling lips as Sir Kirishima and Sir Kaminari watched with open mouths.

"Erm, is everything okay here?" came the puzzled voice of Sir Midoriya. He had returned with more food and water for the horses.

Heaving a sigh, Sir Russel cast Sir Bakugo a stolid look then sheathed his sword. This debate would have to continue another time.

Sir Midoriya hadn't returned alone.