Princess

Ethan advanced along a trail that seemed almost forgotten, carved between twisted cliffs and moss-covered rocks. He had already left Eldranor behind, without ceremonies or long goodbyes.

He believed that Aeris and Sylfie were more than capable of taking care of that kingdom without him. Guardian was also there, should they need help with the golems or the barrier.

The sky above remained overcast, filtering the sunlight into something cold. It was strange, he thought, how even in that calm, everything still felt worrying. He walked without hurry, guided only by the maps he had studied with Aeris.

Despite the distance, Eldranor didn't feel far from him. No matter how far he got from the kingdom, he could still feel it within his mind, or his soul. But that didn't distract him. The road ahead demanded focus.

Silence was broken only by crows perched on tall stones, watching him without fear. Aeris had warned him about rumors that few returned from that path, but Ethan didn't seem to care. He believed it was the quickest way without a carriage.

At the top of a small plateau, he stopped, staring at the horizon. Ahead lay the kingdom he sought, a land practically unknown, Argenne, sometimes even ignored by some maps, but important enough to change the course of a war that hadn't even begun yet. He knew the king there was struggling to hold together fragile alliances, while groups of nobles plotted against him. A silent dispute, ready to explode with the hero's arrival.

The nobles would use the affection the princess of that kingdom had for the hero to convince her to betray her own father. And that foolish girl would accept without even thinking twice.

He took a deep breath, adjusted his dark cloak, and moved on.

The daylight began to change, gaining distant golden tones when Ethan reached a shallow gorge, a natural border between the ravine and the lands of the neighboring kingdom. He looked around: no guards, no caravans, only stone, dust, and wind.

There, he paused for a moment, evaluating the path. There was still a bit to go; he couldn't afford to waste time.

Without waiting any longer, he continued. Each step brought him closer to the place where, if he arrived too late, it wouldn't be only his kingdom caught in the middle of that war.

From atop a nearby rise, Ethan saw in the distance the first towers of the capital of that kingdom, small dark shapes against the cloudy sky.

When the sun began sinking behind the walls, tinting Argenne's towers with golden and reddish hues, Ethan advanced over the last stretch of the stone road leading to the main gate. Armed soldiers stood guard, watching each traveler in tense silence.

Even under his hood, he noticed how heavy their gazes felt, not because they recognized him, but because of the tension hanging in the air. It was the atmosphere of a city that knew something was about to happen.

Upon reaching the entrance, Ethan slowly pulled back his hood, just enough for them to see his face. No introductions were needed there; for all they knew, he was just another passing adventurer. Up close, the wall seemed even taller, the ancient stones marked by centuries of history.

He paused briefly before crossing the gate. He took a deep breath, sensing the scents carried from the road. The distant sound of hammers echoed. It reminded him a little of how Eldranor had been just before he left.

He crossed the first inner square, full of makeshift tents selling bread, wine, and tools. Glancing at a broken statue, he recognized it as the statue of the current king, a statue the kingdom couldn't afford to repair, and the king refused to waste their limited resources on it.

It was those kinds of decisions that enraged the other nobles.

His steps led him to a wider street, rising toward the castle. The royal guards watched over every gate, holding golden-painted shields, symbols of the royal lineage, proud, almost arrogant.

The novel said they were once made of pure gold, but over the years they had all been melted down for coins, and the ones now in use were nothing but painted replicas.

Looking up, Ethan murmured to himself, "I'm here."

Slowly, he advanced through the city's higher streets, where noble houses lined up with pale stone and wrought-iron balconies. Even without entering the castle, it was possible to glimpse the main courtyard through the outer walls and towers rising like stone spears into the sky.

Around him, people went about their routines: merchants haggled over rare spices, guards passed by on patrol, children ran between ancient fountains. But none of that truly held his gaze.

What held his gaze lay beyond the walls.

His former self wouldn't have been able to see that far, nor could most people, but after training with Sinnon, he could now use his mana to see much farther.

In the inner courtyard, surrounded by a small retinue, stood the princess. Tall, slender body, curves outlined under the fine fabric of her dress. Her hair was tied in an elaborate bun, golden strands gleaming under the late afternoon sun. Beautiful was an understatement; there was something almost hypnotic in every gesture, a cruel grace that seemed completely natural.

When Ethan first read this description in the novel, he had simply thought the hero was an idiot for not returning her feelings. Wasn't a woman like that any man's dream?

But seeing her in person, he finally understood the hero's reasons. Even with that figure, it was her eyes that caught Ethan's attention the most.

Behind the composed smile and elegant posture, there was something unsettling. A cold, almost insane glint that clashed completely with her lovely face. It was like staring at a sharpened blade catching the light: beautiful, but dangerous.

She wasn't the ruler, just a princess, and yet every guard around her kept their heads lowered, almost held back by fear. Ethan understood quickly: it wasn't just her status that commanded that, but the woman herself.

From a distance, he leaned on a stone parapet. That was enough to watch her. Getting too close to someone like that could be costly, even for him.

She seemed to be giving orders to two men in ornate armor, who quickly withdrew afterward. Their expressions made it clear it wasn't a good idea to disobey that princess.

Ethan raised his hood a bit more, hiding his face. He knew she wasn't the central piece on the board, but neither was she just any piece. And knowing what would happen next in the novel, she was the kind of person who could turn a local skirmish into a national tragedy.

Even without stepping inside the castle, just that glimpse was enough to notice: yes, she was beautiful and desired by many, but those who saw only that would be the first to die.

Her smile seemed to say it without words.

"What a shame…" Ethan murmured to himself.

The sun began sinking behind the walls, casting orange hues across the city. The princess turned and walked back into the castle. Even from afar, Ethan could see that even the way she walked carried a touch of arrogance and disdain, as if everything else was insignificant.

When she disappeared from view, he let out a quiet sigh. He knew he'd have to deal with her sooner or later. And despite the danger, he couldn't deny that part of him was curious. Curious to see just how deep that madness in her eyes went… and how useful she might become to him.

Night began to settle over the city as Ethan stepped away from the parapet, the image of the princess still etched in his mind, not just for her beauty, but to recognize her easily later.

Ethan descended the stone steps leading to a side street of the citadel, his footsteps echoing in a calm rhythm. The sun had already disappeared behind the towers, and the first torches were being lit, casting a flickering glow along alleys and walls.

He paused for a moment, leaning against the cold wall, watching the movement in the outer courtyard. Soldiers organizing carriages, squires rushing by with spears and shields, and servants carrying crates of supplies. The whole city seemed to move in slow motion toward war, even if the battle hadn't started yet.

But Ethan wasn't there just to watch. He needed to confirm something.

The princess's presence, so central and so controlling, reminded him of parts of the novel's plot, details many readers probably overlooked, but that remained fresh in his mind. Even without stepping into the castle, just by observing, he could already tell: she wasn't a puppet; she definitely held some of the strings.

"Manipulated, my ass," he thought, almost smiling.

He turned and continued down the side street, his cloak swaying quietly behind him. He passed by a group of merchants sitting at the door of a tavern, discussing iron prices and rumors about nobles arriving from other cities.

Reaching a higher point on the outer wall, Ethan allowed himself one last glance at the castle. The windows of the main hall were already glowing, lit by silver candelabras. He could almost imagine the princess inside, planning every move like a chess game.

"A queen who thinks she controls the board," he murmured, his golden eyes glinting for a moment. "A shame she doesn't know all the pieces in play."

Tomorrow, he would decide how to approach that castle… and, most importantly, the girl who lived there.