Who Knows What The Future Has In Store For Us?

Araven

Elaine Vernimiere was standing inside a vast royal training ground which was located inside the palace walls. Evan, the right-hand man of Crown Prince Helias was also with her as both King Arias and Crown Prince Helias were a few steps away from them, doing some rounds of archery.

Right now, the two royals were taking a break and they sat on the chairs for some chat.

"Your archery skill is amazing, Your Majesty," Crown Prince Helias remarked with a smile on his face. "It's been so long since I have such a tough competition."

Shifting his gaze to Elaine, Arias Astaze recalled the time Elaine urged him to learn some skills. Even when he told her that he wasn't interested, Elaine was the one who dragged him to the training ground almost every day. She even taught him archery.

"Maybe I have a good teacher," the King replied and turned his attention back to the Eslore Crown Prince. "But I'm still no match for you. You are known as one of the best archers here in our continent."

"You flatter me," Crown Prince Helias promptly said. His mind was occupied by how the young King glanced at the Captain just now. "I wonder who is the best archer here in Araven. It's my first time coming here and I don't have much knowledge."

Arias Astaze gave a quick thought before he said, "It should be General Cayden Avary but... Captain Elaine also manage to beat him a few times. It's hard to say."

"Captain Elaine?" Helias Casteveron raised a brow and turned in the direction of the Captain. One idea crossed his mind and he shifted his attention back to the young King who was two years younger than him. "Would you mind if I compete for just one round with her?"

"I'm afraid it won't be a good time, Crown Prince." The King's response came faster than ever. "Captain Elaine is injured and she still needs time to recover. I don't want to put her through such pressure for now."

Though he wasn't expecting that response, Helias Casteveron nodded. "Oh. I understand." He narrowed his eyes for the briefest of seconds and said, "You seems to care a lot about her, Your Majesty."

This time, Arias Astaze took a few seconds rather than answering right away. "Of course, I do. She is my subject and someone whom I could rely on. I'm sure you also know that it's hard to find such a person for royals like us. So, she's precious to me."

Putting on a calm face the whole time, Helias's mind was occupied by the information that he heard last night. The King and the Captain were childhood friends and even now, the King never trust someone as much as he trusted Captain Elaine.

Was it just friendship? Or was there more?

He was never the type to be curious about other people. But this time, Helias Casteveron found himself wanting to know more about these two.

Was it because Elaine constantly reminded him of someone from his memory? He wasn't sure.

Meanwhile, Elaine fixated her attention on King Arias like she always did before. Even when they were outside the palace, the other guards were supposed to ensure the safety of the place and everything else but as she was the Captain, her priority was supposed to be the King at all times.

"I think you're quite unique," Evan Ravire who was standing just a step away from Elaine suddenly said to her. Though Elaine didn't turn away, his strange statement indeed caught her attention.

"What do you mean?" she asked the Crown Prince's personal guard, still without breaking her gaze.

"It's been so long since I saw someone who dare to treat His Highness that way," Evan stated; his tone clearly proved that he admired the action of the female Captain standing beside him. "It even feels refreshing," he added.

"If your Crown Prince knows you said that, I don't think he will go easy on you," Elaine simply said, making Evan blink.

"Are you planning to tell on me?"

"No," she frankly replied. "That's none of my business."

Her response earned her an amusing smile from the Crown Prince's right-hand man. "You know what, I don't really care even if you plan to do that. Helias can be cold at times but he has a good heart."

Cold? Elaine even wondered if she heard him wrong.

"You say cold but all I remember about your Crown Prince is how he always tries to play around with that same playful smile and mirth in his eyes," she frankly stated.

Evan Ravire held back a chuckle. "We all have many sides in us, Captain Elaine. Trust me. I'm the one who knows His Highness the best." He made a deliberate pause and added, "Once you come to Eslore, you can ask around. I can assure you that no one will think the same as you do. Don't be too surprised once you realize that."

For the first time since their conversation started, Elaine shifted her gaze to Evan Ravire. "Why are you telling me all these?"

"I just think that it will be useful for you," Evan simply responded. As someone who knew the Crown Prince well, he already figure out that the way his Prince looked at this female Captain was different and... he didn't think that it will just stop at this.

Elaine quietly looked at the man for a while before she turned her attention back to the King. "It seems like you're one devoted guard," was her remark.

"Helias is not just my master but also my friend. Of course, I want the best for him." With a calm smile, he continued, "Isn't that normal for people like us? We live our life for them, voluntarily and without expecting anything in return. That becomes our only purpose in life."

Though Elaine understood what Evan was saying, she didn't comment and maintained her silence. Seeing this, Even Ravire slightly smiled again.

"I only want to tell you that Helias is not a bad person. However, I believe that you will soon see it for yourself." He tilted his head in the direction of the Captain and added, "Who knows what the future has in store for us?"

Even when Elaine thought of her future, everything revolved around Araven and her duty. Even now, she wasn't really bothered by Evan's words.

Nevertheless, the Crown Prince's right-hand man was right. No one knew what will happen and that's what always makes life unpredictable.....