Chapter 39:
"A free ride handed to you?"
Rhodes rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "It's not really like me to pass up a free meal, is it? But it doesn't feel right either."
Unable to decide, he let out a sigh and lay down. If he couldn't make a choice, there was no harm in just doing nothing for now.
---
A few hours later, Rhodes took a long shower, letting the warm water relax him.
"She really is a countess," he muttered to himself, impressed. "Knows everything, doesn't she?"
He glanced out the window.
From the room next door, a rope woven from bed sheets dangled down, swaying slightly in the night breeze.
Rhodes squinted. He could make out a slim figure climbing down the rope.
"A stubborn little princess..." he sighed, recognizing the escapee.
There were only a few days left until Princess Aurora's coming-of-age ceremony, and the entire Kingdom of Francis was preparing for war with the Forest of Silence. Yet here she was, sneaking out in the dead of night.
"Classic," Rhodes muttered to himself. "The reckless princess runs away, encounters danger in the woods, and then, surprise—she's rescued by the dashing prince. Such a cliché."
With a flick of his hand, flames melted the windowpane. Without a second thought, Rhodes jumped out, landing silently on the ground below.
He took his time following the princess's trail, moving leisurely through the night.
"A prince destined by fate?" He scoffed. "If one even shows up, I'll crush that nonsense before it begins."
The fairy-tale notion of a prince saving a princess might appeal to some, but Rhodes knew better. Fantasy was sweet, but reality was merciless.
And Rhodes was reality.
No one, not even the so-called God of Fate, had the right to script his life.
---
Princess Aurora made her way toward the outskirts of the forest.
The Forest of Silence was close to the castle, and in the blink of an eye, she found herself standing before the dense woods.
"This forest feels... strange," she murmured, her cheerful demeanor dimming slightly.
Rhodes, following not far behind, frowned. Normal forests were vibrant and full of life. But this one was unsettling—teeming with energy yet steeped in eerie stillness. It was as if life and death were intertwined, casting a gloomy pall over everything.
The entire forest seemed cloaked in a grayish hue, as if someone had laid a filter over the landscape. Thick layers of sharp thorns surrounded the forest's perimeter, gleaming with moisture under the moonlight. The gaps between the thorns were so narrow that not even a rabbit could slip through, let alone a child or adult.
When Aurora approached the edge of the thorns, they stirred as if alive, parting to create a narrow passage just wide enough for her.
Aurora skipped happily into the forest, her steps light and carefree.
Rhodes watched from a distance, clicking his tongue. "Magically imbued thorns... troublesome."
He strode toward the thorn wall and raised his magic axe. As he swung, the blade met unexpected resistance, as though it was striking steel. With effort, Rhodes managed to sever a single thorn. But as soon as he cut it, the thorn grew back almost instantly.
"No wonder no one's cleared these damn things," he muttered.
These enchanted thorns were as tough as metal and grew back faster than they could be cut down. Trying to break through by force would be pointless.
"I swear, I'd rather fight people than chop wood," Rhodes grumbled, gripping his axe tighter.
Aurora had already disappeared deeper into the forest. If he didn't move quickly, he'd lose her—and the thought of some "prince" swooping in to steal the show didn't sit well with him.
Rhodes narrowed his eyes. "Magic... Time for a breakthrough."
With a deep breath, he unleashed his magic, feeling power surge through his body like a raging inferno. His muscles swelled as his body doubled in size, and crimson flames danced wildly around him, burning with raw energy.
Gripping his divine axe, Rhodes swung with all his might.
Boom!
The force of his slash sent a massive shockwave tearing through the thorns, obliterating them in an instant and carving out a five-meter-wide path.
With a satisfied grin, Rhodes slung the axe over his shoulder and swaggered into the forest.
---
The forest was a place of decay—withered trees, rotting leaves, and the suffocating scent of damp earth. Not a single spot of greenery or light brightened the landscape. Even the flowers were unnatural shades—dark blue, black, and gray, like something from the underworld.
Following the faint footprints left behind, Rhodes soon spotted a familiar figure up ahead.
Aurora stood before two ancient trees, murmuring softly to herself. Between the trees, a powerful energy stirred, as if a portal to another realm was beginning to open.
"A fairy's secret realm?" Rhodes muttered under his breath. The fairies were known to create miniature worlds hidden within such portals, accessible only through specific rituals.
Just as the portal's energy reached its peak, a sleek black panther emerged from the shadows, its eyes glinting with predatory intent.
Aurora gasped, taking a panicked step back. She slipped, and the panther leapt toward her with terrifying speed.
Aurora shut her eyes, bracing for the worst.
But the pain never came.
When she cautiously opened her eyes, she saw a tall figure standing between her and the beast. Rhodes held the snarling panther aloft with one hand, his muscular frame glimmering under the moonlight like a sculpture brought to life.
Aurora's breath hitched, her heart racing. The scene was straight out of a fairy tale—the heroic prince rescuing the helpless princess.
Except... this wasn't a prince.
"Mr. Rhodes?" she whispered in disbelief.
"Little princess, sneaking out at night is quite the bold move," Rhodes said casually, tossing the panther aside as if it weighed nothing.
Aurora opened her mouth to protest, but Rhodes beat her to it.
"I just happened to be out for a walk," he said with a grin. "Lucky for you, or you'd be cat food by now."
Aurora pouted, feeling both grateful and annoyed. "Thanks, I guess..."
"You're welcome." Rhodes smiled, as if the whole situation was no big deal.
Then, without another word, he turned on his heel. "Go ahead, keep exploring. I've got some things to take care of."
Before Aurora could respond, Rhodes disappeared deeper into the forest.
---
Not long after, Rhodes came to a halt, his expression darkening.
"Come out," he said coldly.
Soft footsteps echoed from behind him. A handsome man in a white coat, with a knight's sword at his hip, stepped out of the shadows.
"How did you know I was here?" the man asked, his voice smooth and curious.
Rhodes smirked. "Probably when you sent the panther my way."
The man's eyes flickered with surprise.
"'Rescue the damsel in distress'—it's a classic tactic," Rhodes continued, his tone laced with amusement. "But a bit sloppy. That panther? It had a full belly and fresh wounds. No way it was hunting tonight."
The knight's face twitched, his plan laid bare.
Rhodes shook his head, suppressing a laugh. "And here I thought I'd run into some gallant prince... but turns out, just a scheming boy."
The knight clenched his jaw, but Rhodes only smiled wider.
"Fairy tales may be charming, kid... but I play by different rules."
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