Not An Ordinary Captain

Nicolin slightly lowered his head when he heard Princess Vivien. "His Majesty said that you are not allowed to leave if you can't accept this arrangement, Your Highness. The choice is yours."

All at once, Vivien Casteveron was fumed with annoyance. "You can't threaten me like that. I'm the Princess!"

"I won't dare to threaten Your Highness. I'm only relaying what His Majesty told me to," Nicolin replied with his gaze on the floor the whole time.

The problematic Princess became even more irritated at how formal Nicolin still sounded while saying that to her! As someone who rarely thinks first before she acts, she pointed her finger at her father's right-hand man.

"You! I don't want you around! Just leave!"

She was also well aware of how her day would be if this woodblock was the one escorting her!

Yes, woodblock. She never saw him smile or express any emotion though she had seen him around for years now. He didn't even resemble a living person!

She just can't accept the arrangement while knowing the reason why her father wanted him to be the one escorting her.

"If that's your choice, then I will tell His Majesty that you won't be going out," Nicolin said to her with his usual calm voice. He bowed his head and turned around to leave, but...

Vivien Casteveron thought twice and suddenly grabbed his arm. "Wait!"

When Nicolin narrowed his eyes at the Princess's hands that were holding onto him, the latter immediately withdrew her hands.

It's funny. She was the Princess but she was the one who's afraid to make him angry!

"I will accept the arrangement," Princess Vivien quickly said. "Give me a minute and stay here, okay? Don't go to my father. I mean it. Don't go." She repeatedly warned him as she walked inside her chamber and closed the door at him.

"What will you do, Your Highness?" Jocea instantly asked the Princess. "With Nicolin around, he won't let you have your way no matter how much you threaten him."

With displeasure written all over her face, Princess Vivien abruptly sat down on her bed. "I rarely get the chance to leave. I can't just waste it like this."

She was determined to find a way but... it didn't work. Feeling hopeless, she let out a sigh. "If Helias is here, I can just ask for his help. Why must he travel now of all times?!"

Jocea watched as her Princess struggled to find a way to solve the problem. And when the Princess suddenly stood up with a smile on her face, she blinked.

What was she up to this time?

* * *

Araven

Elaine entered King Arias's chamber as she did each morning. She had to wake up earlier than usual as she spent the night at the Avary family mansion.

The Captain was glad that she was on time but she noticed that King Arias was already up. The young King was quietly standing near the windows with his gaze on the outdoors. It had Elaine wondered how long had he stood there.

Maybe he can't sleep again.

"Your Majesty," she called out and walked a bit closer.

At her voice, King Arias turned around. "You're here," he calmly remarked. "Did you sleep well?"

She was always the one asking him that question first but it was the opposite this time. This took the Captain aback.

"I did," she replied, still feeling somewhat puzzled. "What about you, Your Majesty?"

"I wake up a bit earlier today," Arias Astaze said and narrowed his eyes at Elaine's leg. "How is your wound then? I sent a servant to help you in changing the bandage last night but you're not in the palace."

"I went over to my uncle's house," Elaine promptly said. "Cayden tends to be over-worried but please don't be bothered, Your Majesty. The physician took a look last night and it will be healed soon."

King Arias Astaze nodded. "That's a relief." He made a deliberate pause and continued, "The purpose of Crown Prince Helias's visit is to rebuild the hampered relationship between our two kingdoms. So, there won't be many activities. If you focus on the protection, it should be enough. Don't force yourself too much and get healed first."

"I understand, Your Majesty."

With that said, Elaine walked out of the chamber to go to the ground where the guards gathered each morning. As the Captain, it was her duty to assign them work each day.

Elaine Vernimiere only managed to take a few steps when she crossed paths with Princess Mira Astaze. Maybe the Princess was on her way to the King's chamber. As long as she wasn't sick, she always go there each morning.

Halting her steps, Elaine Vernimiere bowed. She observed the Princess and when she noticed that she appeared a little fine than that night, she felt relieved.

"Your Highness -"

"I want to apologize for that night, Elaine," Princess Mira Astaze said before Elaine could say anything. "I'm sorry for slapping you. I mean it."

Elaine Vernimiere observed and noticed how nervous the Princess appeared. Her voice also proved that too. Besides, she was also one of the few people who knew the Princess's condition ever since that traumatic incident.

"It's fine, Your Highness," she said, flashing a kind smile. "I know that's not you."

Ever since she was adopted into the Vernimiere family, she spent a lot of time in the palace, learning from her father. So, she was always close with all the royals. However, her friendship with Arias was the deepest and couldn't be compared to her relationship with anyone.

"Thank you for understanding," the Princess said. Though she forced a little smile, it was obvious that she was still under a pressure. It might be because of the depression that she struggled with or maybe because of the fact that Elaine wasn't just the Captain of the guards for them. Every Araven royals used to treat her like a family.

Elaine only nodded as she knew that it was for the best. Then the Princess walked past her after flashing a small smile. Just when Elaine tried to continue walking...

"It seems like you're not an ordinary Captain."

She heard a voice and she quickly looked at the hallway curved to the right.

It's him again. Was he eavesdropping?