Shoot the messenger

A sharp whoosh sound followed by a dull stabbing sound repeatedly resounded in the still cold night in the camp. It was the sound of a dagger ripping through the air before stabbing straight into hardwood followed by the soft whimpers of a terrified man.

"Your your highness. I am just the the me messenger," said a short balding man dressed in black clothing with an embroidered crest of the royal family on his back.

The crown prince glared at him with those different coloured eyes sending chills down the messenger's spine his entire body trembling. Roan took another dagger and lightly poked his finger with the tip of the blade his expression cold and distant.

"Speak," he said and the messenger nodded his head frantically while saying,

"Yes yes..." He straightened his back as he unravelled the scroll. In a posture like that of a true messenger about to read the royal decree he bellowed, "Hear ye-..."

Roan waved his hand casually instructing him to stop. The man caught his breath in his throat as he froze on the spot.

The air was still with the intense smell of gunpowder lingering in that war tent making it very hard to breathe. He exhaled lightly seeing that the crown prince had his head lowered.

"Ahem... his majesty King Kian summons crown prince Roan back to the royal palace for the selection of the new crown princess of Odasal kingdom as per custom. His highness is to immediately return with no further delay," he said and the temperature that was already low dropped drastically to a freezing point.

Roan slowly raised his head and glowered at the man almost burning a hole through his body. He knew his father was hinting at this before he left to suppress the rebels in Selene's basin. But he had already made his attitude clear.

Now it seemed that woman's sweet pillow talk was so strong that his father dared go behind his back and write a royal decree. He sneered coldly as the tent entrance was pushed open and the young man from before came in with the long sword lying horizontal across both his palms.

He presented night terror towards the crown prince and Roan grabbed the hilt. The blade simmered under the bright candlelight emitting a biting chill each time it moved. The messenger swallowed his saliva anxious that this sharp blade would be swung at him at a moment's notice.

Unexpectedly, the crown prince said, "Leave," in a dismissive tone. As though granted amnesty the man ran out like he had oil under his feet. Because his knees were soft from fright he tripped as he exited the tent. He hastily got back on his feet before running out.

As soon as he left the tent the young man turned to the crown prince and asked, "Your highness, are we going back to the royal city?"

Roan stared into the reflection of his eyes on the blade of night terror and said, "Prepare."

***

Clip clop! Clip clop!

The sounds of horses walking on the hard pavements of the streets of the royal city blended in with the boisterous sounds of the busy market. There were all sorts of vendors on this street selling everything from vegetables to trinkets for children.

Melded within the crowd was the figure of a young woman clad in emerald-coloured clothes with a white basket hooked on her arm.

She had on clothes deemed those of the lower class with a few patches here and there but her demeanour and aura emanating from her were beyond mismatched. It wasn't like that of the nobles but similar to that of the royal armed guards.

People would have normally ignored her more especially because she had the hood of her cloak covering half her face but the way she carried herself was too eye-catching, to say the least.

Sure enough, it didn't take her long to attract the attention of the captain of the patrolling guard. He had been watching her figure as she walked through the market to miscellaneous stalls. Not once did she raise her head or reveal her face but there was something about her that drew his attention.

In slow strides, he walked down the platform stairs before blocking the young woman's path. Freya who had long felt this gaze burrowing through her skin didn't panic.

She stopped in her tracks and bowed her head slightly before saying, "My lord, what may I do for you."

The captain of the patrolling guard known as Captain Austin replied, "Miss, may I trouble you to reveal yourself. I am only doing my duty as the captain of the patrolling guard," he said and Freya pulled down her hood with no resistance.

The reason for these daily market runs was to make an impression with plenty of people as possible. To partake in the selection of the crown princess one had to have referrals but to stay longer one should have a positive impression on the people surrounding the royal family.

Her aunt's family was her referral as she was posing as their family's servant girl. All she needed to do was show her face more and leave a positive impression.

When her porcelain jade-like face and soft red lips were revealed Captain Austin's breathing lurched as he subconsciously took a step back.

How could such a beautiful woman exist in the lower class? She was like an immortal, a goddess who unexpectedly found herself among mere mortals.

"Sir, that is the new servant girl from the Wright family that I spoke to you about last week," whispered one of his patrolling officers.

When they first met her they couldn't wait to tell their captain about her. But instead of the crown princess selection, they were thinking more along the lines of making her the boss's wife.

She was not only stunning but her demeanour and the way she carried herself were dignified and worthy of respect.

"Now that I have followed your instructions may I leave," she said intending to leave. This was enough interaction for the day. Just as she stepped aside to leave her wrist was suddenly caught and she was pulled away.

Before she could react she heard chaotic cries from behind as the crowd got out of the way.