Chapter 4: Questions
Albel snuck out of the castle and into the woods, making sure that no one knew of his presence along the way.
"Hmph…filthy maggot…where the hell are you?" He grumbled under his breath. He was answered by a nearby rustling in the bushes.
"So…why have you come?" Albel scoffed at new heavily armored man.
"Sir, you are wasting too much time. We need this mission quickly completed," the man saluted.
"Is that what the stupid maggot said? Well guess what, he's going to have to wait," Albel snapped and turned towards the castle once again.
"Sir, you shouldn't say that! Lord Albel!" The man called out.
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I tossed and turned in my bed, afraid to open my eyes, else I would be blinded by the bright light outside my window.
"Wake up maggot!" Albel growled from behind the door. My refusal caused him to bang on my door.
"Shut up! I'm tired so leave me alone!" I shouted and threw my pillow at the door. Suddenly, the door swung open and from his expression, he was clearly annoyed.
"I knew this would be a hassle….Get up princess, your father wants to speak to you," he snarled and dragged me off the bed.
"H-hey, I have to get dressed first you jerk!" I shouted and fought against him.
"No one cares if you show a little skin, let's go!" He growled at me. I was wearing a thin kimono that showed most of my leg.
"You pervert, let go!" I shrieked at him with my rage building up.
"Shut up, a pervert is someone who takes pleasure in what he sees. To me, that chicken-leg of yours is nothing," he barked. My eyes shot wide open.
"You--!" I started until a guard came in, checking what all the noise was all about. The man gasped when he came upon a disturbing sight. Albel had a tight grip on my leg…and almost all of it was exposed.
"A-AH, excuse me…I'll leave you to your business!" The soldier squeaked and quickly dashed out of the room. Angrily, I kicked away Albel's arm and stood up to face him.
"You bastard, now what will he think! What if he goes and reports what he saw to my father! What if he thinks I'm having an affair with you!" I demanded, blushing in the process.
"You think too much. Come on, I don't have all day!" He groaned and grasped my arm, once again dragging me.
"…Nel….I…" My father hesitated. My ears perked up, anxious to what my father had to say. From the looks of it, something was wrong…really wrong.
"Nel…I'm afraid I cannot hold this war any longer. Too many people are dying," he started. (Well of course, we have been warring for about 6 years and you didn't realize that?)
"…I have to negotiate peace now or never," he nodded. Alright…but what does this have to do with me?
"….I'm afraid that your marriage with Aide will have to be cancelled," he sighed. Did my ears deceive me!
"R-Really…that's too bad father…" I smiled happily. Yes, so my father finally thought things through! But wait….what negotiation does he speak of? What does the cancel of the wedding have to do with it?
"Nel…You will be married to the prince of Airyglyph," he finally concluded. For a moment my heart stopped beating. A-Airyglyph? Albel noticed me swaying.
"Hey…" He whispered to me, snapping me out of my shock.
"…..I'm sorry Nel….but it is for the sake of our kingdom. You understand well do you not? I know you do…It hurts me to sacrifice my only daughter, but this cannot go on any longer," the emperor bowed his head. Lies…lies…you speak of lies. You never cared for me….that is just a word for you…meaning nothing to you. Realizing that it is pointless in trying to talk my way out of it, I bowed deeply and walked out of the throne room with Albel tailing behind me.
"Albel…please, I need a word with you," the king requested. Albel looked at me and then at the king before obeying my father.
I stood near the lake and stared hard at my reflection. So….the king has become so desperate that he would sell his only daughter to his enemy…This time…I can't fight back…I have no one to turn to…I guess….Clair was right…I guess, this time I can't win.
"Hey," Albel called from behind. I did not bother to look at him because of my present temper. Realizing this, he kept silent and sat on the nearest rock.
"Do you want to listen to what I have to say?" He asked me. No…I don't want to hear anything…anymore. Just…let me…be alone….for a long time. Albel seemed to hear my thoughts because he suddenly got up and walked off.
"……..Alright…speak to me…….nothing good will come out of it…I know it" I shook.
"……The king wants me to escort you to Airyglyph…and from there I will be able to go home," he responded. I suppose that isn't so bad…but….I don't like the idea of Albel parting from me….or anyone else.
"I see. Well…I guess...never mind," I smiled feebly and skipped a pebble across the lake. I guess….I will be able to be with him…a little longer. Albel turned from me again but did not walk off.
"Nel…are you going to listen to him?" He asked silently, surprising me, one, that he actually said my name, and two, that he seemed to care about my feelings.
"Ha…….His word is law….no matter….how hard I fight. When I lost, I realized how foolish I was….just fighting. Perhaps…I wanted to deny my fate…." I chuckled weakly and tangled my fingers in my short, red hair. I wanted to be comforted by him…I wanted him to hold me and tell me everything will be fine….I wanted him….to stay by me until I finished crying…if not him, then anyone. I squeezed my arms and knelt down, piercing my knees on the sharp rocks.
"…Does it….hurt?" Albel asked.
"It…..hurts…..it really hurts…." I whispered. He wasn't talking about the rocks…he was talking about my heart.
The next day in mid-afternoon, all of my things were packed on three horses, one for Albel, one for me, and one for one of his subordinates. My father walked up to me and took my hands.
"If…there was a more peaceful solution, I would have gladly used it Nel. Here is some comfort, a princess's duty is to serve her kingdom in any way she can. You…will be saving your country Nel…like you've always wanted to," he smiled. Shut up old man…you know nothing.
"….Thank you….father…" I replied softly. He suddenly turned to the young man on one of the horses.
"Sir Albel, please escort Nel safely. Remember our agreement," he bowed.
"….About our agreement, where's the money?" Albel smirked and laid out his palm. The king shivered at Albel's behavior but did what he asked for.
"Thanks, I will give your daughter a proper treatment then," he grinned mischievously.
"Nel…please….be careful…I wish I could have done something…" Clair choked. Her eyes were watery, but her tears have not broken yet.
"Wishes…some will never come true. You've been good to me Clair…farewell…I cannot cry in front of my father," I whispered and mounted on the horse.
"I'll miss you…." I beamed one last time before galloping through the thick forest along with Albel.
Nel is sold to the enemy just when her feelings for Albel started to bloom. What will happen? I guess Albel's role as a bodyguard is coming close to an end real quick.
So sorry for the lack of updates. If school was merciful, then I would be devoted to my work. Please review!