CHAPTER 2: THE HOMECOMING OF THE FEARED LADY

DIARA'S POV

After gathering the knights and the fallen knights' bodies, I, the other generals, and our troops began to travel back to the empire. However, I, the general who was supposed to lead my troops, is now riding with the saintess and this jerk of a man.

Now how on earth did I end up here?

It was an hour ago before we set out to leave the base.

Someone entered my tent while packing the little things I had on base.

"Dia you should ride with me in the carriage.", Elianna said with excitement.

"No. As one of the generals, I have to lead my troops back to the empire.", I answered as I turned to look at her.

"Oh come on. It has been a while since we have been together. Don't you think we should spend more time together now?", she pouted as she spoke.

I cringed at what she did.

"Did I not tell you not to act like that around me?", I stated as I glared at her.

She laughed awkwardly as she looked away from me.

I sighed as I pulled out a chair and sat down.

"Also if it weren't for your nosy ass, we could've had time to think of a plan to stop the war without me being married to that jerk.", I said with annoyance.

Her expression turned serious, and I knew from that moment that she must've had her reasons for moving the plot earlier than the original timeline.

"Dill, is there something you are not telling me?", I asked seriously.

She hesitated for a moment before she sighed and looked back at me.

"Listen, Dia. These past two years, I have been experiencing the unease of feeling that someone might be watching my every move. I had thought that it was just some of my followers, but yesterday I thought the exact opposite. It seems more like someone with malicious intentions and they're not ordinary. It strangely felt familiar but still, we should be careful.", she said as I listened intently.

Listening to her experience, I could not help but wonder something.

'Is her experience the same as mine? Even though it is probably from those cowards again, it is better to be careful. Strangely familiar? Could it be...?', I thought to myself.

Before I could speak to her, this jerk of a man entered my tent without even saying anything beforehand. 

That pissed me off but I didn't say anything.

"General Reinhardt, it is best that you ride with us. I have seen someone suspicious lurking behind your tent. It is best that you and I are in the same carriage with my cousin. They may be after both of you.", he stated firmly.

I now know that the situation is worse than those cowards sending assassins to kill me when I was a child.

But still...

Why must I ride with them!?

Have they forgotten that I am a general!? 

Especially Dill! 

She knows how I feel about being protected, yet here she is, being excited because of what she is seeing and hearing.

"Please do not worry about me Lord Eiris as I am very capable of-", I was cut off from my words as a certain someone pulled me out of the tent and dragged me inside the carriage already waiting outside.

"Cousin! Take her things and come here quickly before she escapes!", she yelled and shut the carriage quickly.

I look at her, unamused.

"Really?", I said.

"Yes.", she proudly said.

I sighed and decided to sit down.

We waited until the carriage door opened and the jerk man entered.

Here I am currently sitting down with the man who will kill me for a woman someday.

I decided to stray my thoughts elsewhere and not think about the upcoming future.

I could only blame myself for writing this tragic book.

I turned to look at Dill and could not help but smile a little.

I watched her getting all joyful whilst telling us stories and making sure that the whole ride was not silent.

I guess Dill is still the same as ever.

"Dill, if you keep talking I'm afraid Rine will come here and shut your mouth.", I said jokingly.

 "Shutting up now.", she said as she motioned with her hands zippering her mouth.

I laughed a little, feeling a bit of nostalgia.

I was brought back from my thoughts by someone coughing.

And that someone is the jerk man.

"I don't mean to intrude but, who may you both be speaking of?", he asked.

I forgot he was here.

"Just some old friend Brother Vier. No need to worry.", she answered him and smiled.

The jerk man just nodded in response, although I knew he was still curious. 

Silence filled the carriage after that and a few moments later, I saw Dill sleeping peacefully.

'She must be tired.', I thought to myself and smiled before turning my attention to this jerk.

He was looking outside the window and seemed so deep in his thoughts. 

I decided not to disturb him so I looked away from him.

I stared out the window to see how beautiful nature was.

It has been so long since I saw something so beautiful.

All I saw for the past two years were blood and people killing to survive and fight for their empire.

I guess I really am going home.