"You are leaving."
It is the first thing Camille says when they meet 2 days later after the request of him going to the north was approved.
"Yes. It is something I need to do." Kaizen answers.
"But why? You shouldn't have to go to the north. It is dangerous. Are they forcing you?" She questioned, a frown on her face.
"I am not being forced. I am going on my own will." He said. His word makes Camille's frown deepen. "Will you come back before my wedding?" She asked.
The question makes his jaw clench. "I will come. Before your wedding. I will make sure of it." He says turning to her. An unspoken promise. He was not planning to the wedding take place to start with. But Camille doesn't have to know about it just yet.
"You have to write to me." Camille begs with sadness filling up her eyes. And for a moment, Kaizen almost doesn't want to go. He won't be able to see her. For years to come, at least not with his plan. But as elders say, we have to lose something to gain something.
"I will write to you as often as I can. I will miss you Camille. If you ever need me to come back, if something bad ever happens all you have do is write to me and I will come back." Kaizen promises.
She nods feeling saddened by the thought of him having to leave but she wanted to support him in whatever he decides to do.
"If it is too hard there, just return." Camille says. It makes Kaizen chuckle.
I will return only when I have enough power to take you from my brother. Kaizen thinks to herself as he lays back on the grass.
Two days passes by after their talk and all preparations have been made for Kaizen to head to north. 10 knights are to go with him as the Emperor decided it would be inappropriate to send a prince alone for such a long journey. But Kaizen knew better.
The emperor didn't care about his safety. He wanted someone to keep their eyes on him. The emperor never fully trusted the Duchy of Stormvale after all.
It was early when they head out from the palace. Kaizen holds onto the reigns, determined about everything he had planned. As the group exits the capital, the last thought on his mind was Camille. Oh how he will miss her. But the thought of her makes him feel even more determined.
Was it obsession? Was is love? Something pure selfish? Something akin to greed? He didn't knew. Nor did he care. All he knew was that he needed Camille. To be his and his alone.
On the other side, Camille is woken up to her maid. "My lady, a gift has arrived for you." She hears her say.
Camille sits up with a yawn rubbing her eyes as she looks at the box in her maid's hand. "Who is it from?" She asks taking it.
"From the second prince my lady." The maid, Renee answers as she hands her the gift.
The mention of the second prince makes Camille feel widw awake. "Please give me some privacy." She request as polite as always even to her maid. Renee bows as she leaves the room.
Camille open the box. And her heart skips a bit when he sees a dagger. A beautiful one. A letter and flowers.
"Forget me not." She mumbles recognizing the flower instantly. She picks up the dagger observing it. It is small snd suits the size of her hand and she belatedly realise that it is a customized one. And she sees an initial etched on the handle. 'C.A' written in beautiful cursive.
She puts the dagger aside and picks up the letter opening it.
"Dear Camille,
If you are reading this I am sure I am already gone. Far from the capital.
I know I should have met you before I left, but I fear that if I saw you I wouldn't have been able to head to the north.
But it is not a lie when I say that I will miss you dearly.
I do not know how long I would stay in the north but I promise I will come back. No matter what.
Until then, please take care of yourself.
I am leaving this dagger with you and with hopes that it will protect you in moments of crisis when you need it.
The next time we meet, whatever happens, I hope you would stand by me.
Goodbye Camille. Until the next time we can stand in front of each other.
- Kaizen El Erindel"
Camille folds the letter as she gets off the bed putting the letter away in a box. She feels saddened that Kaizen didn't meet her before he went off on his journey but there was no use getting upset over it.
"Camille darling, get ready. Your father is heading to the royal palace. You are to accompany him." She hears her mother's voice from outside the door. "Yes mother." She answered. "Dress nicely dear. You will be meeting the crown prince today."
As she dresses up she makes sure to put the dagger. Hidden away from people's eyes. To be used if there ever comes a need to.