Chapter 10x) A Traitor's Worth

Diana POV

After taking back the palace, we sent out various groups to deal with pockets of resistance. Within the course of a month, we freed most of Archanea, except the west. It was soon becoming clear that we'd have to mount a full assault to deal with the enemies there, but Nyna hoped dearly that it wouldn't be the case. It was just a matter of time before we figured out which side won out.

It almost amused me that after deciding to branch out and be sociable, Nyna and I kept getting in situation where the two of us were alone in her room to complain and grumble and generally act as we did before. My worry won out, though, since it meant our coping mechanisms needed more work. That said, today, I couldn't begrudge her. She was grumbling about Camus, after all, and I was still the only one in the army who knew why she was grumbling instead of, say, screaming.

"I cannot believe he never mentioned it!" she ranted, pacing and flailing about. I had to fight to keep from snickering. "A twin! A twin! You'd think it would come up!"

"Clearly not," I 'helpfully' replied. She shot me a glare, but I ignored it to arrange the flowers she'd gotten from the children today in a vase. "Sorry?"

"You are not!" She huffed. "Now I'm wondering if-"

"Nope. Trust me. You'd tell the difference."

"Oh, good." She glanced to the side sheepishly, and I nearly fell over from laughing when I realized that had been a legitimate concern. "Don't laugh so hard! It's not that funny!"

"Yes it is!"

"You're horrible!" She stomped her foot, like a child, but her sulky anger faded after a moment. "Still, we weren't… they could've have all been spies." She sighed and sat down at last. "Why didn't he say anything then?"

"...Well, and now keep in mind, this is going to be just a theory…" I set the vase on the table, and fussed a bit more with the flowers. "But perhaps he didn't want to talk about family around two girls whose families… he was at least indirectly involved with killing."

"That…" Nyna laughed then, a horribly bitter sound. "That sounds like him. It really does. He did kill your brother, didn't he?"

"Charles died from an arrow shot by one of the Sable Order. He used the last of his strength to distract Camus and the rest of the soldiers so that I could set the room on fire." I stepped back from the flowers and looked at her. "Camus would view it as killing him, but I don't really. Indirectly at worst."

"I suppose." She sighed and rested her head on the table. "I keep forgetting he killed people I grew up with. He was just so…"

"Him. He was him. You fell in love with the person, because you could see how much he hated himself for the actions." I ruffled her hair, smiling as she made a face. "Camus is a good man on the wrong side, and he's too prideful, honorable, and self-pitying to step away. Among other things."

"True." She smiled back. "Maybe if you run into Sirius again, you can ask him for help getting Camus to us."

"Unfortunately, I fear that I will have to drag Camus myself, but I'm sure Sirius would be delighted to assist however he can. He's rather vexed at us for stealing Camus's smiles, but I think he'll forgive us if we promise to give them back."

"...I want to see him again." She sighed again. "You'd think the feelings would fade. But they just grow stronger. I miss him. I miss the days we spent here."

"So do I." I smiled sadly. "But we can't go back. It was good for getting our bearings, but not for actually healing. Certainly not for making the world better."

"Which I, as Empress of Archanea, am obligated to do." She paused and glanced up at me. "Can I run away?"

"You'd hate to run away and leave it all on Marth." I rested a hand on her back. "If, in a couple of years, after this war ends, you wish to leave, though, know that I will stay and support you. Not because I am your guard, but because you are my friend. But I will want you to think on it, and decide if you're simply running away, or if you are absolutely miserable. And talk to more than just me about it, if you think that."

"I love you." She smiled sweetly, and I knew the real meaning behind the words. She appreciated how I didn't dismiss it out of hand, but also didn't completely encourage her. "Oh, right, speaking of love…" She sat up then. "What is with you and Jeorge?"

"Nothing." My answer was fast. Too fast, perhaps. "He's not serious."

"Really?" She frowned a little. "Are you sure?"

"...He's never serious about anything but his duty to you, Nyna." I smiled, and I hoped it wasn't bitter. Her concerned look told me it was. "That's…"

"But do you? Love him, I mean."

"...I purposely don't try to think on that, since I know it will only lead to heartbreak." I shrugged. "Which probably is an answer in of itself, but I'm denying it."

"..." Her eyes narrowed slightly. "I thought you promised to not run away…"

"I'm not. I'm just…" I sighed, shaking my head. "I'm also not going to just walk into something I know will hurt if there's nothing I can get from the pain, you know?"

"..." Nyna frowned. "But that's…" A knock on the door interrupted her. "Come in?"

"Sorry to bother you." The door opened to reveal Midia. "You two gave me strict orders to come fetch you if you were alone for the better part of a mark," she reminded. Nyna and I glanced at each other and playfully made faces. "Do I need to pretend I didn't see the candle go down?"

"No, in fact, you have excellent timing!" Nyna explained, twisting in her chair to face her. I groaned as I figured out what was going on, and Midia looked super intrigued, if confused. "I'm asking Diana about Jeorge, and she's being evasive."

"Oh, I've been wondering myself." Midia smiled, giggling a little. "You know… they'd made a beautiful couple, right?"

"If we're talking just looks, then of course. Both are far too good looking."

"They really are. And they're fun to watch."

"They are!"

"I'm right here!" I complained. I rolled my eyes when both just grinned at me. "Gods, you're making a big deal out of nothing."

"Who says there's 'nothing'?" Midia half-demanded. Her eyes danced too much, though. "I think there's something, and I think between the three of us here, I am the authority on love."

"Says the girl who challenged Astram to a duel when they first met and then cried when he sent her flying across the room!"

"Now how do you know about that?"

"Astram panicked like crazy because he always freaks out when people cry, and wrote Charles, wondering what the hell he should do. I stole the letter because it was from Astram."

"Well, that doesn't matter. I'm the one with a lover here." She pretended to be haughty, and Nyna and I both laughed. "So…" Another knock interrupted her, but this time, the person didn't wait to open the door, revealing a very serious-faced Jeorge. "...I was about to say excellent timing, but clearly, something is wrong." Midia stood, her own cheer falling. ""What is it?"

"It's the west," he explained. He turned his attention to Nyna, who had slipped on her Empress stoicism again. "The last pocket of resistance has been found. It's Horace."

Well, there went the happy times in a heartbeat.

We held a War Meeting immediately, and Nyna haltingly explained to everyone how Horace had been a knight of Archanea, but he had betrayed and given Camus extensive knowledge of the castle, allowing for such a quick takeover. Nyna had tried to ask for clemency or something, but the knights in the group clamored for Horace's blood, incensed by the betrayal, and so, Nyna had left it to Prince Marth and her knights. She remained behind to tend to some administrative tasks, mostly paperwork. Which Princess Caeda promptly kidnapped her from.

"Ah, Diana, you make the best tea~" Princess Caeda squealed, sipping her tea. She hummed a little as she also popped a pastry, her own contribution to the little meal. "I'm surprise that you claim you can't really cook, though."

"I can make edible things, but it's a mercenary's cooking, which is even worse than soldier's," I replied, refilling Minerva's cup of tea. She gave me a thankful smile in return before going back to devouring her pastry. Amusingly, she'd eaten the most of the three princesses. She had a huge sweet tooth. "My edible is different from yours, I promise."

"I swear I'd eaten your cooking, but maybe it was someone else's and I just thought it was yours since you do things like sew and fuss over my clothes," Nyna laughed. She smiled and relaxed, looking better than she had during the War Council. I wondered if that was why Princess Caeda had suddenly insisted on a tea party with the three of them. "I still can't get over the grey incident."

"It looked horrible on you." I frowned heavily, just to make her laugh again, and then side-eyed what Minerva was wearing. "Speaking on what looks bad on people…"

"Leave my clothes alone," Minerva immediately protested. Her voice was muffled because of the pastry she was eating. "I like them."

"The color doesn't suit you," I said, scrutinizing it now. "Blues, reds… well, not red. Red does look good on you, but it gives the impression that you're covered in blood. Useful for a battlefield, but not so much off it. Blue would look marvelous on you, actually. Same with green." I hummed a little, thinking now. "White would look good as well, but that's more of Maria's thing…"

"Oh, gods, she's serious, isn't she?" Minerva groaned as Nyna nodded. "Kill me now. I hate dealing with fashion."

"Then don't. I'll deal with it for you. And Princess Caeda too." I turned my stern gaze on her, and almost smiled as she squeaked. "Though, I must say. Your clothing is very nice. It can be better, though…"

"You've unleashed the beast!" Nyna teased, giggling. She relaxed even more, and both Princess Caeda and Minerva exchanged surprised, yet happy, looks. "She's like this every morning with me."

"I gave up on letting you pick your own clothes when you said those two dresses looked alike," I instantly retorted. I gave her a playful glare and she laughed. "They weren't."

"They were both light grey."

"One was silver and the other was more of a medium." I huffed and headed for closet. "Here. I'll show you."

"Please don't. But maybe you can find clothes that will suit Caeda and Minerva better?"

"That is a good idea, actually." I laughed when Minerva and Princess Caeda groaned. "Can I borrow some paper from your desk?"

"Go ahead."

"Thanks~" I jumped to the desk instead, ignoring how Minerva and Princess Caeda complained. I was having fun, and I wouldn't actually force anything on them. Steal some of their clothes, perhaps, but not actually force anything on them.

While I hunted for a piece of blank paper, or at least a piece of paper that didn't look important, I found a stack of old letters. I didn't really intend on reading them, but one was open, dated to just before Altea fell, and my curiosity got the best of me. I picked up up and scanned the words, noticing that the writing was very beautiful, but it had little crossed out words and blots here and there, suggesting a very casual correspondence. It talked of some lands and harvests, hunting and herds. It described trade within the nearby villages, and mentioned a gift sent with it, a present from a village woman.

I felt horribly sad when I reached the signature and saw the name: 'Your faithful servant, Horace'.

"What are you looking at, Diana?" Nyna asked, drawing me from the letter. I glanced down at it and held it up as a silent answer. "Oh, right, I stored letters there. Who is that from?"

"Horace," I answered. Her smile immediately faltered. "He wrote you, huh?"

"Yes." She sighed, and drooped a little in her chair. Princess Caeda immediately passed her another pastry, which made her smile again. "I'm sorry. I should be firm in my resolve, yet…"

"I must work every day to keep my resolve to fight against my brother, even though I know it is best for Macedon," Minerva reassured. She smiled gently. "If he wrote you personal letters, then it's clear you two were close."

"Horace used to spend a lot of time in court as his father's representative," Nyna whispered. She absently picked at the pastry, eating it in tiny bits and shredding the rest. "He spent most of his time in councils and the like, but he always made a point to give me a smile and a greeting. He and Jeorge got along well, actually, now that I'm remembering. They were both knights and their father's heirs. I'd hear them talk politics a lot."

"What happened?"

"Why did he betray? I don't know. He was always so loyal." She sighed. "Everyone screamed for his blood…"

"...Yeah, it sucks to rule. You're bound by the laws even more than the people."

"But with that said, you are the ruler," Princess Caeda pointed out. She crossed her arms, leaning back in her chair. "I think you need to make sure you're not a doormat, Princess Nyna. My father gave me lots of lessons, pointing out that female rulers often have to deal with 'well meaning advisors' who just want power for themselves, even if they coach it in selfless terms." She smiled sweetly, softening the rather cynical words. "You're already well loved. I'm sure that people will give your decisions a chance. You should decide what sort of ruler you want to be, Princess Nyna, and then stay consistent to that. And don't forget to be selfish!"

"...Royals are expected to be majestic," Minerva pointed out reluctantly. She looked like she'd bitten into a lemon, saying the words. "Not selfish."

"But you're human too. You need to remember to be that too, or otherwise, you're going to break!"

"I've a feeling this is a discussion for another time," I gently interrupted, mostly because Nyna was starting to squirm. She'd been dealing with Boah's 'helpful advice' all week. "Perhaps one with alcohol?"

"Are you sure you're not from Macedon?" Minerva instantly asked, sparking a laugh from Princess Caeda and Nyna. "Philosophizing while drinking is exactly what we do."

"I think the hair gives me away." I grinned. "Same with the lack of alcohol tolerance. I'm one hell of a lightweight."

"Damn." She grinned back, and Princess Caeda and Nyna laughed again. "Well, whatever. Someone needs to be the sober judge."

"Don't remind me. That was my role whenever the Wolf Pack started their contests." It was a fight to keep the grin on my face at the memory. It hurt to remember. But I wouldn't… I wouldn't run away. "Regardless, letters?"

"Yes, letters," Nyna repeated, switching it back to the original topic. "His father died from an unexpected illness, so he had to leave court. But he wrote me lots of letters, teasing that it would help me prepare for reading reports when I took on more responsibilities. I'd probably know his handwriting anywhere, at this point." She paused, stilling. "...Know his handwriting…"

I wondered what the hell she was talking about, but then I froze as I caught the thought. "The letter Duke Hardin received…" My eyes widened, while Minerva and Princess Caeda looked so confused. "You knew…"

"I did, but I was so tired and I'm sure it's gone, but…"

"Is there anyone else…?"

"Midia, Jeorge…" She shook her head. "No. No one that could have gotten a letter out… not so conveniently…!"

"Excuse me?" Minerva finally interrupted. She looked almost exasperated. "But what are you two going on about?"

"When we escaped, Duke Hardin was by the border because of a letter," I explained. I spoke quickly, the words almost tripping over themselves. "Nyna recognized the writing, but she got sick soon afterwards, and we never had time to follow up on it, but…"

"...You think Horace sent a letter…" Minerva's eyes widened and she stood up suddenly. "But, in that case, is it right to execute him?"

"By Archanean law, it would actually be illegal," Nyna confirmed. Her hands shook as she pushed herself up. "Ah, but how are we-"

"My wyvern is fast."

"So is my pegasus!" Princess Caeda volunteered. She jumped to her feet, eyes determined. "The four of us can catch up! Easily! Let's go, go, go!"

"Let's get armored and packed first," I insisted, cutting through the fervor. My mind was reeling. "Quickly. I'll handle food and water and the like. You get yourselves ready. We'll leave in half a mark, at the latest!"

If only I'd found that letter sooner, damn it!

On the map, it was a four day's hard ride to Horace's lands. By flight, it was two days, though Minerva's wyvern and Princess Caeda's pegasus were exhausted by the time we landed. In fact, they didn't even really 'make' the landing. More 'crashed with some grace'. The four of us got off quickly and pulled our packs off them to lessen the burden. I was the first one to recover and I looked around to see just where we landed. It looked to be a village not far from the castle, and I wished we'd gotten a little closer. In the distance, I could see the remnants of battle, mostly broken weapons, bodies, and blood, and everything here was eerily silent. I hoped we weren't too late.

"We need to get to the castle, Nyna," I called, turning back to look at the others. Nyna was brushing the front of her dress, smoothing out the wrinkles, while hovering awkwardly over Minerva and Princess Caeda's shoulders, frowning at the wyvern and pegasus. "Minerva, Princess Caeda, do you mind if we-"

"No, go on ahead," Minerva replied. She smiled reassuringly at us. "They'll be fine with some spoiling. But you two need to see if you can catch up."

"True." I held out my hand to Nyna, and she took it, though not without giving the others a worried look. "We'll see you soon." We took off then, straight through the village. We tripped up a couple of times since she and I had two very different speeds and two very different levels of athleticism, but we kept on going. Someone's life was on the line, so now was not the time to be dignified. We could regain dignity after we found out what was going on.

"Excuse me!" Of course, one time when we tripped, a little girl darted out of a nearby house. I caught the flicker of movement her, and thought that the girl had escaped her mother's clutches. "E-Empress Nyna?" she asked, running right on up and clinging to Nyna's skirts. "You're Empress Nyna, right?"

"I am," Nyna confirmed. She stroked the little girl's hair soothingly. "What is it?"

"P-please, save Lord Horace!" The little girl looked ready to cry. I was surprised she hadn't yet, actually. "Mama says that Dolhr would've killed us all if he didn't bend, and he's always so kind and gentle with us!"

"...Is that what happened?" Nyna crouched down and rested her hand on the little girl's cheek. I glanced around, and noticed some other villagers curiously poking their heads out of windows and doors, listening in while still trying to hide. "You were threatened, so he had to pick between his loyalty as a knight and his duty as a lord?"

"I… maybe?" She shook her head. "I don't know. But he's nice, and he's always been so sad, but I… please?" The tears fell. "There was something about razing the land from… from corner to corner if he didn't and… and…"!

"I'll do what I can. But Horace has to let me help him." She used her sleeve to wipe away the tears. "Do you know a fast way in the castle?"

"Yeah! My mama's a maid there!" She darted ahead a bit, and waved. "This way!"

This time, Nyna took off on her own, without waiting for me to offer my hand. When she tripped, she caught herself on her own and kept on running after the little girl. I followed her closely, glancing back only one to the villagers. I saw they'd stepped out of their homes to watch us run, and the hope in their eyes was almost painful to see.

The little girl led us to a side entrance, a servant's door, and led is inside, to the kitchens. From there, she led us to the Great Hall, where we finally had some noise. Angry knights wearing variety of armors… a saddened Prince Marth standing to the side… a stoic Duke Hardin standing behind him… my focus was on the center, where Jeorge was aiming an arrow straight for a stranger's heart. The stranger was youngish, around Charles's age, and wore no armor. In fact, there was armor next to his feet, hinting he'd taken it off to make the impending execution easier. His eyes were closed, perfectly accepting of what was to come, while Jeorge's eyes burned with quiet anger, reminding me of how Nyna said he and Horace talked often together.

But no matter how angry everyone was, how accepting, Horace couldn't die yet. Not until Nyna talked to him. So, I pushed past Nyna and the little girl, putting all my strength into my legs, and lunged forward, throwing myself between Horace and Jeorge right as Jeorge released the arrow. His eyes widened and he jerked back, deflecting the arrow as much as he could as it flew. So, instead of catching me in head, it clipped my cheek instead. As silence fell again, I met his gaze calmly, expecting anger and annoyance. Instead, he looked… he actually looked horrified, and I wondered why. But I didn't have time. I only had heartbeats until the shock turned to rage, and there were few things more insane than the rage of people who thought justice was taken from them.

"Some new information about Horace has come to light," I softly explained to everyone. I turned to look at Horace, who had an almost hilariously confused expression by this point. I supposed that made sense, seeing as a crazy girl he'd never seen before just stopped his execution. "Nyna would like to speak to you to confirm it."

"Indeed, I would." Nyna stepped up then, smoothing the front of her skirt. She'd taken her hair out of her normal ponytail sometime between my lunge and now, likely to hide how mussed it was. It gave her a softer impression, but there was still something regal about her. "It's been a while, Horace," she whispered. Her expression was stoic, but I saw the warmth in her eyes as I moved to stand just behind her. I glanced back and saw the little girl ducked behind a pillar, watching with wide eyes. "I am pleased to see you yet live."

"...You honor me too much with your concern, your majesty," Horace whispered. He lowered his head. "Especially given what I did."

"Yes, you turned against Archanea. You gave information to our enemies. Though, I do have to wonder, even now, how convenient it was that you gave information to the only enemy who would not kill me on sight." Nyna kept her voice even and calm. "I must admit to being hurt when I learned, however, what you did. I was also horrifically confused, and it was only when a trusted friend reminded me of the perils of loyalty did I even begin to understand." She smiled slightly, just slightly. I glanced around and saw that everyone in the room was damn captivated by her. "But a village girl told me. Dolhr threatened your people. They were going to raze the entire countryside, unless you bent knee to them. Your oaths came in conflict; the loyalty that defines you became a noose around your neck. And thus, you had to choose."

"And I chose against my country, breaking my knightly oaths." Horace's voice shook slightly, and I took advantage of my shorter stature to actually get a look at his face. Raw pain and self loathing that rivaled Camus's. It had nearly killed him to make the choice. "I will not dress up my sins as kindnesses."

"Even if they really were kind? Fine." Nyna's eyes narrowed as her smile disappeared again for stoicism. "We shall play the harsh game, then. You say you will not dress up your crimes? I say you shall not run away from them either. I order no knight's death for you. Instead, I condemn you to live a traitor's life."

"Princess Nyna…!" Horace jerked his head up in shock, and he wasn't the only one surprised. I heard quite a few gasps from the group around us. Duke Hardin's jaw even dropped, though Prince Marth looked particularly elated. "You… wish for me to live?"

"You did all you could to protect your people. That was honorable, Horace, and it is far more than my father did." Nyna's expression softened for a smile, a wider one than before. "But if you die, no one will remember you for anything but your betrayal. Your one act of betrayal. They would not even remember that you sent a message to Duke Hardin telling him of my escape, ensuring that I would find safety as soon as possible." Duke Hardin jerked back in surprise at that. I flashed him a grin. "Your people will have to bear that weight. Your soldiers, that shame. Is that really justice? I don't think so."

"...I…" Horace started laughing, shaking his head in disbelief. "I have no idea what to say."

"I have claimed your life, Horace. You have no say." Nyna's expression became regal again. "Starting today, you will prove to the world that there was meaning behind your actions. You will show everyone a traitor's worth. You shall fight with us, and you will not die. I forbid it."

"...Very well, your majesty." Horace knelt slowly, bowing his head. "As you command, my empress."

I had no idea which part of this was the best. The resulting cheers from his soldiers, the way the little girl threw herself at Nyna's legs again for a hug and a laugh, or the looks of total awe and respect our own soldiers gave Nyna. But, maybe the best part was just… Nyna, herself. She proved with this just what sort of Empress she'd be, and gods, I couldn't be prouder of her.

When we had safely returned to Archanea Castle, and gotten to her room, Nyna decided to really let me have it.

"Why couldn't you just shout or something?!" Nyna demanded, actually swatting my shoulder. I playfully winced and whimpered, 'reeling' from the 'blow'. "Oh, don't even try! You've gone through way worse! Your ankle has only just healed!"

"Hey, it set the stage nicely!" I protested, laughing. The cut on my cheek was already scabbed, and I'd refused healing for it, so my face hurt a bit with the laughter. But I didn't care. "You were amazing, though. I don't think I've ever been so proud of anyone in my life."

"R-really?" She looked pleased for a split second before scowling again. "Wait, don't change the subject!"

"And, look on the bright side! Now there's a precedent for you to follow when we get Camus." I winked as she flushed. "Speaking of which, you should gather your courage to start telling others. Slowly."

"Right, I should." She sighed, whimpering a little. Then she sulked. "You changed the subject again!" She threw her hands up. "Oh, whatever! Don't use your body as a shield again! You might not like it, but I do!"

"Are you hitting on me?"

"No!" She squeaked when someone knocked on the door and quickly sat down at her desk, pretending to be working, while I went to her closet to thumb through the dresses hanging there. "Come in."

"My pardon." The door opened to reveal Duke Hardin, and he looked almost confused as he took in Nyna 'working' at her desk, and me at the closet. "I… thought I heard yelling," he mumbled, glancing around the room. "What are you looking for, Diana?"

"Nyna was wondering if we should hold some sort of ball or something to celebrate Archanea's complete liberation," I 'explained'. She shot me a dirty look, before setting down her pen and giving Duke Hardin a polite smile. "It's just a seed of an idea, but I thought to look through her closet and see if she had any suitable dresses. We can't call for a tailor for anything more than a mending at the moment, of course."

"That… might be good for morale." He still looked confused, and shrugged. "Ah, I'm too much of a soldier at heart. I bow to your wisdom."

"Oh, marvelous. I'll handle your wardrobe too."

"Leave my clothes alone." He rolled his eyes when I grinned. "Regardless…" He bowed to Nyna. "Pardon me, your highness, but I came in here with the express purpose of scolding Diana."

"Oh, go ahead," Nyna replied instantly. I gave her a quick pout, and she flashed me a quick smile. "Perhaps she'll listen to you about not becoming a human shield."

"Yes, Diana, you have the worst tendency for that. One would think you had a death wish," Duke Hardin sighed. I thought about protesting, but decided that I probably shouldn't. While I'd promised Charles I'd live, at this point, I could acknowledge that the promises I made to him, Nyna, and Camus were all that kept me alive for the last two years. It would be a good idea to break the habits that came with that mentality, slowly. "It gives the rest of us heart attacks. I think you've stolen literal years off my life."

"If you lose years of your life every time someone in this army is close to death, then you'll only have like three left," I retorted. I smiled as he rolled his eyes. "Oh, right. Been meaning to ask. Do you mind if I join in your morning drills?"

"Huh?" He looked confused for a split second before sighing. "Fine, we'll go with the change in subject. Yes, we'd love to have you. Maybe we can teach you how to actually get some defense, or at least better dodging."

"We'll see." I grinned. "Well, I'll be off to ask more about that ball, so I'll see you later!" I darted out, giggling as Duke Hardin yelped some sort of protest behind me. I slipped into a hidden passage, knowing that Duke Hardin would try to chase after me, and ducked into a different hall to escape. I'd sit down and have a proper talk/lecture with him later, but for the moment, I was in too good of a mood to give it the attention I knew it deserved.

"Diana?" A quiet voice made me stop, though, and my cheer faltered when I saw it was Jeorge. He hadn't spoken to me once on the trip back to the castle, and even now, he looked… a little exhausted. "What are you doing?" he asked. "And from that passage?"

"I'm escaping Duke Hardin," I explained, shrugging. I walked over to him, and the closer I got, the more tired he looked. Had he not slept? "And maybe preparing a ball that we used as a cover for our teasing."

"...A ball."

"First thing I thought out." I shrugged again. "It'll be fun. Maybe."

"Yeah." He sighed and his eyes fell on my cheek. "How… is it?"

"Hurts to smile, but not to the point where I don't want to do it anymore. Given how much I've laughed today, I might even be immune to it." I frowned. "You haven't been sleeping. What's wrong?"

"...You're seriously…" He sighed again, this time looking a little exasperated. "You are the most…" He trailed off, letting the words die as he brought his hand up and brushed his fingers over the scab. "Why did you jump in front of me then? I…" His hand faltered, lingering on my cheek. "I could've killed you."

"I knew you wouldn't." I shrugged, absently leaning into his touch. His eyes darkened a bit. "You're skilled and fast. I knew you'd divert it."

"Why didn't you just shout?"

"That makes too much sense?" I grinned up at him, but it faded when he continued to just… look like he was in a lot of pain. A lot of pain, and very tired. "Jeorge?"

"...I could've killed you. And you..." His eyes narrowed slightly, in a wince. "You just… laugh it off, and…" He sighed. "I suppose I can't quite get that. It's in my nightmares, and you…"

"..." I hesitated before reaching up and taking his hand in mine. Then, deliberately, I brought his hand over my chest, over my heart. "Feel that? That's my heartbeat. Still there. Still going strong." I shrugged again. "I know what ifs and all, but if you're wondering why I can just shrug it off? I'm a former mercenary. I've nearly died more times that I can count. I've had multiple near deaths since this war began. I'm used to shrugging it off. That's what being a mercenary is like. You can ask Ogma and Navarre to confirm it." I gripped his hand a little more tightly and stepped a little closer to better look him in the eye. "But I'm… sorry for inflicting that on you. Just because I knew you'd divert it doesn't mean you didn't experience the fear of 'what if'. Not everyone can shrug that off, and I forgot. I'm sorry."

"..." He sighed, and leaned forward, resting his forehead against mine. It had to be uncomfortable, since I was so much shorter, but he slowly relaxed, so I chose to just keep quiet. "Don't do that again. Ever."

"Okay."

"I mean it."

"I know." I smiled slightly. "Nyna and Duke Hardin scolded me too. I'll be extra careful."

"Good." He sighed, smiling in return at last. "Good."

"Smiles suit you far better than winces, by the way." My own smile widened. "Though, I'll admit. You're freaking out a lot more than I would've thought."

"What reaction did you expect?"

"Annoyance?" I shrugged. "I did interfere with what you thought was your duty at the time? And you likely had a personal grudge against Horace too, so..."

"...Duty isn't the only thing I'm serious about." His eyes were darker than normal, and they were focused completely on me. I felt a little breathless. "But if we want to phrase things as duty…" His smile this time was a little wry. "Killing Princess Nyna's best friend is really not something a knight should do."

"No, I suppose not." I looked down, unable to hold his gaze without risking a blush. "I think we've established that I'm a horribly reckless and stupidly lucky person though, so…"

"I suppose." He shifted to the side, and very deliberately kissed the cut on my cheek, lingering a little. My face heated up then, as if to match the heat of the kiss. "I'm going to patrol. I'm overdue."

"Yeah, have fun." I let go of his hand and stepped away, not quite looking at him. "I got to… do something… for Nyna."

"Right. Later." He sounded far too amused, and I managed to shoot a glare his way before he headed down the hall, looking far more chipper than he did before. While I couldn't quite resent him for that, since seeing him upset had hurt, I did wish it wasn't at my expense.

...But why the hell… did he kiss my cheek? ...Oh, I had a bad feeling that I'd have to listen to Nyna saying 'I told you so~' a lot as soon as she found out. I really did.

Notes on Bantu:
An elderly fire manakete, who is so old that he no longer even remembers his age

According to him, he is quite weakened, excelling in only defensive maneuvers, and the recent dragon fight drained him significantly, leaving him unable to fight.

He traveled with a young dragon girl named 'Tiki', but was separated from her in the chaos. He worries greatly, and possibly for reasons other than what he's told us.

Author's note: So, this is another of the Shadow Dragon paralogues, meaning you have to be under a certain number of units to reach it. It's also probably the only chapter in the game where Nyna is actually given something to do, and it's really cool!

Next Chapter - Interlude, Ball