Shina let out a deep breath. This condition was weird, unpredictable. In exchange for something as precious as her freedom, Dheinyrus only wants a strange book? Even if the said book could actually be a universal power, an artifact of infinite value, his instruction didn't even require her to search for it.
'Still...'
She looked at his eyes and spoke.
"Okay. I promise."
She wanted to hand him the book right away if she had it. Being indebted was something Shina wasn't fond of, and she wanted to repay his favor immediately. But in the back of her mind, she wanted to see how he would react when she hands him the book.
"Well then," she said, turning around. "I better get going."
Putting her hood back on, she jumped sideward and kicked the wall, launching herself to the opposite wall. Doing this repeatedly, she gained altitude and reached the top. But when she was about to jump to the other side, Dheinyrus spoke, making her stop.
"There's one more thing."
Curious, she looked at him and listened.
"What is it?"
Dheinyrus uncrossed his arms and stepped closer, looking up at Shina.
"While enjoying your freedom, you can still serve the empire. Being the princess isn't the only thing you're good for."
He paused.
"I believe there are better ways for you to help your people."
The girl stared at him, speechless. Her eyes widened and her heart started pounding against her chest for an entirely different reason. A reason she couldn't explain.
'W..What is this..?'
Shina clenched her fist, she looked at the empty streets between her and the city gate. Once she crosses, there was no turning back. This decision was going to change her life forever.
"Go," Dheinyrus said firmly.
Although she didn't want to admit it, she was scared of making such a giant leap. She was alone and couldn't confide in anyone. The consequences of her actions will be solely her's to bear. Midway, she even considered changing her mind.
Tears began flowing through her face once again.
"Thank you..." she muttered.
Having someone tell her those words brought her unimaginable amounts of reassurance.
"Dheinyrus, thank you so much."
And with that, Princess Shina vanished into the night.
***
< THE NEXT MORNING >
...
...
"The princess has been abducted!!!"
Battalions of soldiers marched the streets, the roads and the outskirts. Fretful whispers occupied the city and neighboring towns. Some people were being questioned and interrogated just beside the messy tables and chairs scattered across the streets.
The festival lingered in the area. Meat bones, wine barrels, they lay everywhere. But all the fun and laughter were instantly replaced by fear and anxiety.
By dawn, the imperial escorts had started to worry about the whereabouts of the princess. And when the sun had completely risen, they declared her missing.
"No... no, no, no, no, no—this can't be happening!!!"
Vedis thrashed the vases and piles of paper from the table in his office.
Just outside the window, the chaos was visible from the high chamber. Panic drove the masses disorganized.
"How could this happen?" he grabbed his hair, turning to the imperial guards lined up in front of him.
"I had ten of you useless fucks watch her!!! How?!"
The guards were on the verge of pissing themselves when a knock on the door interrupted the emperor's rage. He immediately turned, hoping for good news.
"Come in!"
The door opened to his scribe. After her, four young men and a woman followed, entering the emperor's office.
"We have arrived, your highness," declared Thevon Luxier, Light Clan's heir. His magic was unmatched in the whole empire. He was undoubtedly the strongest mage of all.
"Greetings, Emperor Vedis," intoned Augros Uthalonica, Rock Clan's heir. The Uthalonicas had perfected their martial arts, deeply engraving to their souls the ways of fighting. Be it with a sword, a bow, or just bare hands and legs, their combat skills were unparalleled. And Augros stood at the top as their best fighter.
"This really is a problem. How tragic." remarked Jaizen Hemmethe, Craft Clan's heir. Their wisdom was unique and peerless. Only within their clan would you be able to find advanced machineries, inventions imbued with magic that had helped the empire prosper. They also served as protectors. Jaizen, a renowned engineer, brought to life the most impossible tools and inventions.
Dheinyrus Theocheirós, Divinity Clan's heir, remained silent. Out of the mentioned powerhouses, he was hailed as the strongest of them all.
Dhein looked beside him where a beautiful woman stood. She had a pale, blonde straight hair that simply fell to her back. Her body was draped in sophisticated fabric that extended to her feet, covering her entirely.
'A woman?' Dhein asked in his mind. If memory served, he did see her at dinner last night among the Wixorns. Was she the heir to the Spirit Clan?
'Isn't the prize for winning marrying the princess?'
He stared at her.
'Woah... is she into that?'
"Thank gods, you've arrived!" Vedis cried, looking at the scions.
"First, I called you here to apologize. Even though I offered my daughter as a prize in the tournament, this dreadful day came!"
"And so, I have no choice but to call off the tournament. My sincerest apologies."
Thevon opened his mouth and raised his hand, dragging the long sleeve of his white cloak.
"No need, your highness. I believe that like me, my friends here are also only concerned about Princess Shina's safety."
Dhein looked at him.
'Friends?'
The emperor let out a deep sigh.
"I am grateful. But then again, I can't let your efforts go to waste."
He looked at them one by one.
"I am desperate to find my daughter, as you can tell. I can't just wait and leave it up to my soldiers."
"I need your help. Your abilities and skills will greatly contribute with the search, I believe that."
"And so, instead of having a tournament, I hereby declare:"
"Whoever finds Princess Shina and brings her home to me will be chosen as her husband. Bring me my daughter, and I will give you my blessing the same day. Your son will inherit my throne."