The Beginning of The War

The morning sunlight came through the window curtains. The birds were singing joyfully.

Then there was a knock on the door of Camelia's room.

Knock! Knock!

She woke up suddenly and looked around, but Atherion was gone. Her body felt sore and heavy.

The knocking on the door continued.

"Please wait a minute," Camelia said, getting out of bed.

But she saw blood stains on her bedsheet.

Panicked, she grabbed the fruit knife on the tea table and cut her own hand. She winced in pain but put the knife back in its place.

After sitting back on the bed, she called out, "Come in."

The door opened, and a few maids with a lady in a brown dress came in. The lady walked to Camelia's bedside and said, "Good morning, Lady Camelia. I hope you slept..." She stopped when she saw the blood stains on the bedsheet.

"Are you hurt somewhere, my lady?" Mary, the head maid, asked her.

"Ah, yes, I cut my arm a few days ago. Maybe the wound opened again." Camelia showed her cut arm to Mary.

"Goodness, we will treat you immediately." She gestured to one of the maids to call a doctor.

'Phew…' Camelia sighed inwardly.

***

After she washed and dressed—in Camelia's light purple dress—she went to get her breakfast in the dining room.

Her father, Duke Valois, was already there, having a chat with Atherion.

"Good morning, father," she greeted the Duke and turned her gaze to Atherion.

Atherion was wearing a white shirt with a black vest, which made him look more striking. His attitude was indifferent as usual.

"Good morning, Atherion," she greeted him quietly, almost a whisper.

Atherion gave her a meaningful smile and said, "Good morning, Lady Camelia."

His smile reminded her of what had happened last night, and it made her blush.

***

Nefaria Kingdom

Zalier stood on the castle wall, with Nefari beside him, his eyes looking across the horizon. The wind was blowing with a harsh chill of never-ending winter snow.

They both wore light clothes, as if they were not affected by the cold.

Several knights in black armor stood not far behind them, their purple eyes shining behind their helmets.

"When will your promised army arrive?" Nefari asked him impatiently.

Zalier chuckled, "Please be patient, My Queen."

Nefari snorted in annoyance, but Zalier found her attitude cute.

Several minutes later, Zalier spoke, "They are coming."

Far in the horizon, several dots appeared, and they started to take shape. Wraiths, banshees, ghouls, and a few other ghostly creatures were marching towards the Nefaria Castle.

Nefari watched them march closer to the castle walls with a big smile and sparkling eyes.

She would use Zalier's army along with hers to attack the Calonia Kingdom.

"I hope you are not forgetting your promise to me, My Queen?" Zalier hugged her waist.

Nefari glanced at him in annoyance and answered, "No."

Zalier laughed at her answer, his handsome face close to Nefari's neck, and started to lick it.

***

While holding her knife and fork, Camelia struggled to slice a steak on her plate.

Atherion, who sat opposite her, got up and was about to take her plate to help her, but suddenly Duke Valois said to him, "Let me do it for her."

Atherion sat back down and watched the Duke help her with the steak.

While slicing the steak, the Duke asked Atherion, "Do you think Nefaria Kingdom will attack us?"

Camelia froze. She glanced at them and saw their serious faces.

'Nefaria Kingdom will attack us? So there will be a war?' she thought.

Atherion took a sip from his wine and answered, "Yes. That is why I am here."

"How many do you think their army will be?" the Duke asked again and placed Camelia's plate before her. The steak was already cut into small pieces, making it easier for her to eat.

"I cannot be sure," Atherion said. "But your normal army would not be able to handle them if they are undead, werewolves, or other such creatures. We cannot forget that they must have superior beings in their ranks."

The Duke's face began to pale. Atherion was right. His action of bringing armies into Nefaria Kingdom would definitely cause a political dispute between the two countries, and might cause his country to suffer the same fate as Malakar Kingdom—before it became Nefaria Kingdom.

"Do you have any suggestions on how to handle them?" he asked uneasily.

Atherion glanced at Camelia, who didn't dare to lift her head, and answered calmly, "Yes. I will discuss this with you after breakfast."

Seeing that Atherion was looking at Camelia, the Duke turned his head to her.

She stared at her plate with a pale face, without touching her food. Everything in this world felt so terrifying to her. And now there would be a war too? She felt that nowhere in this world was safe for her.

"Are you okay, sweetie?" the Duke asked her. His face was full of worries.

Camelia startled, then looked at her father, and then at Atherion. Her mind swirled, mixed with fear and confusion.

She asked, "Are we going to have a war? Here in Calonia?"

The Duke held her hand and answered weakly, "Unfortunately, yes, my dear."

"Can't we stop them from attacking us?" she asked with a hoarse voice.

"I wish that too, sweetie. But I made a grave mistake by bringing an army with me when we came to pick you up…" Her father lowered his head apologetically.

Camelia rushed to touch her father's arm. "No, no, father. It's not your fault. We will be able to fight them back," she said while glancing at Atherion, who glanced back at her.

Then, she said quietly, "It was all my fault. I shouldn't have come to this world…"

Atherion jumped up from his seat, and said, "I am done. I will take my leave now. Excuse me, Duke Valois, Lady Camelia." He bowed, and turned to leave the dining room.

Camelia looked at his back with confusion. 'Is he angry again?'