Chapter 14

The departure of the knights has arrived and all the families of those knights are gathered today to bid them farewell. Hoping that they'll get to see them again after the war but that's only a false sense of hope. Not everyone was going to come back alive—that was the heart wrenching truth. I walk past all the families, as I'm looking for my own brother and Father but I know they're probably preparing for the farewell of the Southern Empires army. There are some people crying and hugging their sons and daughters or their significant other. Their emotions are raw which makes this process even more heartbreaking but they know it's necessary for them to go on the battlefield—to protect their families and their beloved empire.

I'm making my way through everyone as some are greeting me or giving me a smile as I watch their tears falling down their faces. I wonder if my interaction with my brother and Father will be similar to theirs. Right now, my only goal is to find Isaiah and Father…and then change into my armor, preparing to leave for the war. I am hurriedly looking around because soon we'll have to get on our horses and prepare to leave but I can't find Isaiah or Father. Why am I feeling anxious out of nowhere? Ugh I just want to be hugged but I also feel like crying. But…why did it just feel like something soft bumped into my legs??? I looked down to find a small kid clenching onto my dress. Ah, who is this kid??

"Ah…Are you maybe lost, little kid?" I lightly said. He slowly moved his head upwards, revealing his cute face. "Oh my, he reminds me of Isaiah when he was around this little boy's age. He looks around 2 or 3 years old." I thought to myself.

"….Yes." He said in his baby voice, looking a little scared. I bent down to his level.

"What's your name? So I can help you find your parents." I asked with a smile.

"My name is Dace and what is yours?" He asked with nervousness.

"I'm Irene! It's nice to meet you, Dace!" I said with a big smile. He's so cute!! "Ah if you don't mind, can I carry you?" I asked cautiously.

"…..Yes." And I immediately picked him up. I always wanted to pick up Isaiah when he was little but since I didn't have much strength, I'd always end up falling but now, I finally got a chance to pick up a small kid. "…Are you the Princess?" He asked with anticipation.

"Yes I am! Just be comfortable with me!" I said with a smile and pinch his chubby cheeks.

"So I can call you Irene?…Father!" HUH?? But why is he looking behind me with a huge smile? I turned around with curiosity but I only came face to face with Duke Astley. He looked at me with a dumbfounded look and called out for Dace.

"Dace, why are you with the Princess? Come down!" Duke Aspen gestured to me to put him down but I didn't follow it.

"It's fine. I don't mind at all!" I smiled, turning my head to Dace. The Duke was mesmerized by the sight in front of him. "She's genuinely smiling…" He thought to himself. He thought he'd never get to see my smile again but here I was, smiling because of his nephew.

"Princess Irene,…you are really pretty and even more pretty when you smile!" Dace shyly said. Man, this boy is so adorable and he knows how to flatter people too.

"Aww aren't you the sweetest kid? Thank you! I really appreciate it since I barely get compliments!" I smiled.

"I always tried to look for you at the banquets and other events but…I never got to see you." Dace looked at me with a gloomy expression.

"Ah let me tell you a secret! That's because me and Isaiah would secretly leave after greeting your uncle and other nobles." I whispered loud enough to let him and the Duke hear me.

Any information on the House of Duke Astley was difficult to get hands on which is why nobody actually knows about Dace. Just at 6 month old, Dace lost both of his parents and Aspen lost his beloved brother. Duke Denzil Astley and his wife, Lorelei Astley, were heading through the mountains to a beautiful destination and somehow, their carriage fell off a cliff. The horrifying sight seemed like an accident but anyone smart enough could tell that the accident was intentional. From then on, Aspen had to take the title of the Duke also taking all the responsibility for House of Astley and his nephew. When the society got to know about Daces existence, there was a lot of gossiping happening—many were worried and others were shocked. People wondered who was the mysterious lady that the newly Duke had fallen for and had a child with. Since no lady came forth, they all came to the conclusion that Daces mother died after giving birth. No one came to the conclusions, that Dace could be the son of late Duke Denzil because…the late Duke took extreme measures to hide his wife's pregnancy which was very necessary, so no one could harm his wife and his unborn child. If you think about it, being a noble has its own consequences and there is no way of escaping—you're trapped in this fake, untrustworthy, and greedy society of the nobles.

"How do you know he's my nephew?" The Duke asked with a blank expression. This was the first time throughout this whole conversation that I looked at him properly. Aspen had really grown up into this handsome man…woah he's really tall and devilishly handsome, his cold gaze and nonchalant behavior really fits well with his facial features—making him appear mysterious and handsome. I realize that I've been staring at Aspen for so long, that even Dace is staring at me with anticipating eyes.

"Just know that my eyes and ears are on every noble in this empire." I said nonchalantly and to my luck, I heard Isaiah calling my name.

"Ah excuse me! I need to go meet my brother and Father. And I'll see you after we come bac-…Uhm I mean after I come back from abroad!" I quickly put down Dace and bid farewell, making my way towards Isaiah who is continuously waving at me. Isaiah immediately took me into a hug and I saw Father standing right next to us. From far away, Dace and Duke Astley were watching my interaction with my brother and Father. To his surprise, I smiled just as brightly with my loved ones but he couldn't understand why I treated others with such hatred. Unknown to him and the whole empire, I had experienced the same tragic incident as my mother but I came out alive and the word of me even being at that scary place was silenced—only a handful of people knew about the agony I went through.

"We'll keep the farewell short so you can change into your armor. Do not forget your magic stone!" Father said while me and Isaiah were still hugging.

"Don't worry, Father!" I pulled back from the hug and went in to hug my father.

"Sis, please be careful…please protect yourself no matter what!" Isaiah said loud enough for me and Father to hear. I see…those raw emotions I witnessed were unescapable in this situation. I want to cry but I can't. I may seem cold-hearted but if I cry, I will end up not going.

"Irene, come back if the situation becomes unbearable. Don't make yourself suffer even more!" Father said with a worried look.

"Father and Isaiah, you both know I never back out once I've made a decision so I will proceed with this and…I'll see you guys after I come back! I love you both!" I softly smiled and looked around to see everyone leaving so I started backing away. "Goodbye, Father! Goodbye, Isaiah!" I tenderly waved at them and walked away from them.

"Sis will be fine, right…?" Isaiah asked Father as he watched me walking away.

"I know she will be…" Father reassured Isaiah even when he was unsure himself.

Walking through the crowd, I couldn't help but have tears well up in my eyes. I was completely lost in my thoughts and didn't even notice Dace waving at me while I walked past the Duke and Dace. They both witnessed my sadness and their eyes followed the direction I walked in.

"Why is Princess Irene sad?" Dace innocently asked.

"…Anyone would be sad when going far away from their beloved ones." Duke Aspen said after thinking for a while.

After changing into the armor and putting my magic stone on myself, my appearance had changed. Now I had darker hair and darker eyes, all the resemblance of mother had been gone. I headed out of my room and made my way to the stables so I could get Dakota.

"Are you ready, Dakota?" I questioned even when I know I won't get a response back. "You'll be with me throughout this crucial journey! Don't let me down!" I faintly said.

"Why are you so stubborn?" An unknown voice questioned me.

"Who-? Why are you here?" I turned back to only see Duke Aspen leaning on the stable door.

"I saw you as I was coming to get my horse." He said nonchalantly as usual.

"So mind your own business!" I said with a loathing gaze.

"You do know that I am ordered by the Emperor to look after you on the battlefield and until the war ends." He said; his eyes following every move of mine.

"I give you permission to neglect that order." I said as I walked past him with Dakota next to me.

"I simply can't do that, Princess Irene." He sternly said.

I turned my head to look him straight in the eyes. "I don't care. Just mind your own business. …Ah don't forget that my name is Lainey not Irene!" I replied with irritation. Lainey, it was my mothers middle name, so I decided to use that as my disguise name.

"If that's what you want, then be my guest! But I'll let you know one thing…the war isn't a place for a Princess and especially for someone whose skills are only a little above moderate! I don't even understand why the Emperor and Captain Gabriel agreed to make you my assistant general. Mark my words, you will need my help on the battlefield and at that moment I will not come to help you!" He responded back with his toneless voice. Anyone listening to his words would think he's angry but his voice…made it sound as if he didn't give a single once of care for that human being. I didn't care about what he said but still his words stabbed my heart. He saw me as a burden just because of my good to nothing swordsmanship skills…but he never actually saw my skills and when he does, I wonder what his expression would be.

"That'll be my pleasure!" I sarcastically smiled at him and left the stable with Dakota.

"She gets on my nerves…" Duke Aspen faintly mumbled before walking behind Irene.

The Southern Empires Army was gathered on their horses, waving farewell to the people and proceeding to leave while everyone wished for a successful war. I am riding my horse next to Duke Aspen while Captain Gabriel is behind me. There was a great distance between us which expressed the displeasure we had for each other. I didn't expect for him to be someone who'd just judge someone based on their gender. I could tell he got along with the other female and male knights but he was especially treating me poorly. After all, in his eyes, I'm only a mere princess who tagged along to the battlefield—a true burden if you say so.

I looked around to see if Isaiah was nearby since I could feel his magic. "What are you looking around for? Already want to leave?" Duke Aspen sneered. I simply decided to ignore him when I found the source of the magic. I saw Isaiah in his hooded cloak, following the army. He waved at me and mouthed, "Be safe!" I couldn't see his face but I could tell that he was trying his best to not cry. I mouthed back, "I will…so look after yourself!" but it came out more like a whisper. Just like that, we passed Isaiah and got out of the capital.