The Choice of a Princess

Alex sat next to his party after his encounter with Zivko, and his small dilemma. 

He decided to not tell his party about it, even though they were the closest people to him. 

They were the people he trusted the most. And that was exactly why he couldn't tell them, he couldn't drag them into this storm.

Alex sighed. Ros shifted his glance from Lara to Alex, as he was lecturing her on something Alex didn't exactly know.

"What's wrong? You seem tired." 

Alex put his arm on the table before he raised his fist and held his cheek against it. "It's nothing." He lied, then added sarcastically, "Do they serve anything here?" 

Ros chuckled, "Lara asked the same question earlier. We asked Henry, but he said they can only bring water and bread. Of course, Lara wasn't happy with that, so she snapped at Henry." 

Alex smiled, finally understanding why it looked like he was lecturing her.

*** 

It was midnight by now. Hours had passed since Alex and his party's arrival, staying locked up in this tavern.

The people outside had calmed down, or rather finally returned to their homes.

Henry looked at the party in the distance, sitting down around a circular wooden table. They all seemed to be tired. 

However, Alex seemed to be tired the most. He had been thinking about the situation with Zivko the entire time. 

Henry stepped up to talk with the party, he then spoke nervously, "The Princess will arrive soon. I am sorry to keep you waiting." 

Ros shook his head slightly as he stated, "We expected this to happen considering Her Highness' status."

Alex nodded, Henry smiled before leaving to tell Zivko, who had also been sitting down by himself. 

More minutes passed by as a heavy knock came from the door of the tavern, surprising everyone in the room. It continued on knocking for a few moments as Henry made sure that it wasn't somebody else. 

"Don't say anything." Ros whispered to Lara.

Henry observed for a moment through the small hole made between the doors, then quickly opened the door and stepped back, he held his hand over his chest as he bowed down.

Zivko and Alex were already standing, even before the door was opened. They both knew who it was gonna be.

Alex swallowed as he stared into Zivko's eyes, but Zivko was not bothering to even look back at him. Zivko straightened his back and locked his eyes on the person coming through the door.

"Took you long enough to open that door!" 

The first person that came through was a short, bearded man. He had a certain pin embedded into his formal cloth. 

Following him, another person entered. She wore a slightly oversized shirt that covered her upper body, and a long, black skirt. Over that shirt, she wore a coat to help her move through the cold outside.

It was casual for someone of her status, but no one could have objected. The Princess entered the room, Alex instantly noticed a shift in the air. 

Another person dressed in a knightly order entered the room after the Princess, his armor hissing as he walked inside. Alex assumed it was her guard for the time being, until she chose him or Zivko. 

Zivko bowed down first, "I am Zivko Karev. It is a pleasure to finally meet you, I longed for this moment my whole life." said Zivko.

Alex knew he was acting, but in the eyes of the Princess and the others it would have seemed as normal as it could get. 

The Guard tightened his grip on his sword, hearing Zivko. The short man raised a brow as he went next to the Guard, whispering. 

The Princess giggled, "That makes me very happy." Having said that, she shifted her gaze to Alex. 

Without a word from the Princess, Alex bowed down quickly, pushing aside his thoughts about Zivko. 

"My name is Alex. It is an honor to be in your presence."

Princess Aurora smiled. The short man then stepped up to speak, 

"While it is nice meeting you, we need to get this wrapped up quickly, Princess Aurora does not have all day. I am Drenald from House of Varlan, the Princess' Hand." He pointed at the Royal Guard, "And that is Tarn of House Drexen."

Tarn slightly bowed his head. Drenald gestured for Henry to close the door as the cold air had been creeping inside the warm tavern. 

***

Minutes had passed since the Princess' arrival. She sat down on a fancy wooden chair, in front of her were Alex and Zivko Karev, standing next to her were Drenald and Tarn.

Aurora cleared her throat, "I would love to know as much as possible about you two, but time doesn't allow us. I had given this matter months of thought, so I have already decided on who will become my Knight." 

Alex raised a brow. He felt as if she was being too rushed, as she didn't even ask for proper introductions. Zivko, on the other hand, was as silent as he could get.

"I decided that Zivko would be the best option."

The room stayed completely quiet, only the sounds of firewood cracking could be heard.

Drenald's eyes widened as he stepped closer to the Princess and whispered in a voice that Alex could barely hear, "Princess… You cannot choose this man." 

Aurora shook her head as she continued, "I apologize for the inconvenience, Alex. I know you had a long journey arriving here, but I will try to compensate you with whatever I can do." 

Alex thought for a moment. Seeing this Princess so far, he'd already come to the judgement that she might not be as bad as the people said. 

Even while refusing Alex, she still politely apologized and even offered compensation. 

But, he had expected this. Zivko practically grew up on the battlefield, therefore his skills were honed to the maximum. 

If they chose Alex who barely had any background—besides being an adventurer—, many would have objected. Alex only saw Aurora being reasonable. 

He put his hand on his chest as he finally talked: 

"Your generosity is most appreciated, but I only have one thing to ask." 

"If it is in my power, I will do my utmost." replied Aurora calmly. 

The corners of Alex's lips lifted up slightly, "I would like to be incorporated into Your Highness' personal team."

While it didn't mean he was gonna be by her side the entire day, it would still help going against Zivko.

Zivko clenched his jaw for a brief second, but then, his calmness returned.

Drenald butted in before Aurora could have the chance to speak, "Who do you think you are? You must be joking around, thinking a Forsaken like you could become in the Princess' Personal Guard. Humble yourself!" 

Aurora frowned, disappointed at the actions of her Hand. Alex was certainly bothered by his words as well. 

Aurora slightly tilted her head, not even looking at Drenald she replied to Alex, "I see no problem. It would only benefit us more." 

Hearing that, Drenald almost snapped, but Tarn gazed at him with his sharp eyes, not allowing him to utter a word.

For a person of Drenald's status, his personality was as crooked and corrupt as it could have gotten. 

Alex still wanted to be by Aurora's side so that Zivko wouldn't be able to act as freely. He already decided on protecting the Princess, as it obviously seemed she hadn't done anything brutal. 

Zivko heard everything, but he stood quietly, completely calm. In a way, it seemed as if he knew this was going to be the outcome.

'His Logic Concept is one thing, but what even is his Core Mechanism?'

To the Princess, he simply replied, "I appreciate it with all my heart."

The Princess got up from her seat as she looked at the two, "Now that everything has been decided, we must head back to the castle. You must already know of the situation outside." 

Alex nodded, Zivko did the same as he still held his silence. 

Now, he had to keep an eye on Aurora all the time. Whether it was midnight, or in broad daylight. Zivko was unpredictable.