ALORA EMBRY
Everyone was surprised when we suddenly showed up while they were having a meeting. They were all alert and some of them even point their swords at our throats.
"Woah, everyone easy it's just me."
"Alora Embry..."
"What are you doing here?" I look straight at my brother's eyes and I can see that he was the most shocked. I sighed.
"I want to talk to you, can we brother?"
"Everyone continue the meeting this won't take long."
"Yes, Sir." Brother left first and before I follow him, I look at everyone and smiled.
"Pardon me for the disturbance My Lords."
"No, it's fine."
"Then, I will now leave you all." I bow my head to them and when I turned around, I saw Damien at the entrance, he was shocked when he saw me but I was surprised when he avoid my gaze. "Tsk."
"Why are you here?" I hear him ask me that when I pass to him, I stop for a moment and held the sword tightly.
"Let's talk later." He didn't say anything so I just started to walk. Everyone looked at me like I had just risen from the depths of hell. Brother watch me as I approach him, he was seriously staring at me and when I was finally in front of him, I hear him sigh.
"Why did you do that?"
"I did what, Alora?"
"Brother, I am not a fool. I know that you are the one who lock me in the cramped house. Why did you do that?"
"Do you have a proof that I am the one culprit?"
"Even though Leticia did a good job on keeping that secret, I know that you did it. I am frustrated with what you did! when I woke up, I can't remember the last thing I did, why I am locked there. Why do I have magic restraints, why do I have to wait there until I lost my mind? Why did you choose that option? And don't make another excuse Lord Ryker also told me what happened."
He just stared at me and I clenched my fists and want to hit him. I am not scared of him today.
"Please, don't make me feel that I wasn't needed at all."
"It was a request." I look at him and calm down, I take a deep breath and look at the knights that were training. "A request that I've been thinking if I should do or ignore. As your brother, I decided to not let you participate in this war."
"You become soft." I pointed it out and I saw how he clenched his fists. He was affected by it.
"So you are, Alora."
"No."
"Haa, this was all pointless now. I will go now. It looks like he does want to talk to you right now. And Alora, you did great on defending the seaport." I didn't look at him and just stare at the ground, I felt him tap my shoulders before leaving me there. After a minute I saw Damien approaching.
I sat on the ground and get some pebbles and throw it. He sat beside me and he didn't say anything, we just stayed there watching the sunset.
"How are you?" he suddenly asks me. I shrug and play with the cold thing in my hand.
Is this the right thing to do?
"Still alive and sane." Back then whenever I said that he was carefreely chuckled but now he was wearing a serious face. Not the reaction I was expecting. "Looking at your reaction a while ago, you seem to help my brother."
It feels like we were separated for years, I feel like I do not know him at all.
"I just want you to be safe."
"I read the letter you sent me; I say that it keeps me sane for a week. I still remember the contents of your letter. How are you doing there? I hope you are still sane, I know you'll get mad at me but I was glad you are safe there far from war. Just wait there, I'll see you soon. I miss you... I read your letter again and again until I tear it into pieces."
"And that didn't make you feel better."
"Yes, or maybe no, I do not need your protection, Damien. Do you agree with me?"
"I do not doubt your skills, I'm just worried about you."
"That is why I told you to trust me."
"Hear me, Alora. I trust you but... I do not want you to get hurt. Did you know what I feel when I heard that you were at the seaport? I felt betrayed, I'm angry! I want to follow you there. I was scared..."
"I don't get why are we arguing about this."
I laugh and look at his face, the orange sunset was wrapped around his figure. Even though we are at war he still made his appearance neat and nice, and here I am appreciating the beauty in front of me that was being lit by the light.
"I don't remember the last time I was amazed by your face."
"Alora don't change the topic."
"Thank you for everything, you don't need to look for me from now on. I'm not a kid, Damien."
"What are you talking about." I held his arms and put it in his hands, his eyes widened as he clench his fists. "Are you sure?" I nod and he frowns, I avert my gaze at him.
"Yes."
"Still the same Alora I know." I flinched and step back. "I get it now..."
"I will go first." He nodded and I started to walk, I still haven't gotten farther when I hear him call me.
"Alora." I stop and didn't look back.
"Yes?"
"I just remember that I already gave this to you, so just keep it."
"Damien, that's a keepsake from your grandmother and that's not mine anymore."
"I see." I frown and started to walk when I get back to the barracks, I saw my brother and others leaving. I think they just finished their meeting.
"You two done talking?"
"Yes." Brother raised his eyebrows and I avert my gaze.
"Ehhh? Heh." I saw him smirk for a second and then get back on his blank face. "Quit the drama and let's eat so you can take a rest."
"I hate the fact that you can easily catch up on everything." He didn't say anything and just walk away, I saw Frederick and we both bow our heads to each other before I follow my brother. The vibes here were different in the port, knights there were serious not doing noise as they eat silently, but the knights here were singing and laughing.
Why does it look different from Ryker's story?
I was expecting them to be gloomy because of what happened but looks like they were not affected or they just don't want to think of it so they won't get depressed.
"We heard the victory of the knights that were assigned in the seaport." I look at Leo Eyron and nod my head. "That's good to hear."
"Uh, Lady Alora may I ask the condition of my brothers?" Frederick asked.
"They were all doing good; they were not hurt. Your brother, Sir Matteo was the one who look for me, they were so brave. And Sir Matteo said that you should take care." He smiled and nodded.
"Yes, thank you." They were all talking about how we won the war, they were just informed about it that we won. So, while we are having a dinner, they want me to tell how I manage to come up with that plan. I told them everything and praise the ones that did the crucial parts.
The saddest part is when there are knights that didn't make it, the hope that I've seen in their eyes the moment we finally put an end to it.
"It was so tough, and I wish that the war will finally come to an end."
"Yes. I wish I was also there, alive... to witness our victory."
"You'll see it soon you'll be able to feel the overwhelming feeling once we taste another victory."
"I just notice that you have His Highness's sword." Brother pointed it and I nod.
"Before I left the church, Letica gave this to me."
"How is the condition of the Crown Prince?"
"It was not good." They went silent and now the air was filled with awkward silence. I just continue eating and after a minute they went back to being noisy again.
"I wish the war would end soon, like what happened to the port."
"Yeah."
"And when the war ended, I will drink all day." I heard one of the knights say that and they laugh.
"Booze and ladies!"
"Damn, you pervs!"
"What about you Sir Hayes what will you do once the war ended?"
"I'm gonna get married and start a family." They start to cheer and tease Hayes.
"Woohh!"
"Please do not forget to invite us."
"You should confess first." I heard my brother say that and they agree. Now, I feel so awkward. Why did I suddenly remember my conversation with Ryker, if he didn't just point it out?
"What about you Lord Kaden, Lord Leo?" Hayes asked them and brother shrug his shoulders while Leo didn't even think of an answer and just said.
"Of course, we need to go back on our duties as the future Duke. You too Hayes." They continue asking everyone and I frown when they asked Damien.
"You forgot to ask Sir Damien."
"Well, I will be busy like Kaden and Lord Leo. We don't have time to slack once we receive our titles."
"That's what I am saying." Leo agreed and nod his head and pat Damien's shoulder.
"Such a sad life, My Lords."
"I thought you will get married first." I almost throw this food into Frederick when he innocently said that and he even look at me.
"I don't know, it's not like I'm engaged."
"Not engaged?" they asked. I chew my food angrily and I grit my teeth when they suggest something.
"Woah then, what about you date my sister?" can someone tell me what is his name?
"She was in the same section with Lady Alora."
"Wait. You're not...?" I shake my head when Hayes looks at me. He look at my hands and he frowns when he saw that the ring in my hand was not there. After eating they stayed in front of the fire while I excuse myself.
I don't want them to ask what happen, because I hope they already take a hint that I gave the ring back to Damien.
"Are you going to wash your body?" I didn't look at him and continued to arrange my things. He sighed and I get my sword and stood up. "Come on, I'll show you the lake."
Why does it sound suspicious?
-IAmRoseee