Aurein's POV
"Aurein will remain under General Zavier's command for the time being—until you return, General Voltaire," my father said.
I hated every word of it.
Serena leaned toward me, her voice low. "What are you going to do, Aurein?"
"I won't agree to it. Of course not," I replied without hesitation. "I want to go with General Voltaire—and I especially refuse to be placed under General Zavier. He'll make my life miserable. That much is certain."
"Then let's go," Serena said briskly. "We've heard enough. Time to step out of hiding."
I closed my eyes and drew in a slow, steady breath, gathering every fragment of courage I had left. This was it. There would be no turning back once I spoke.
Together, Serena and I revealed ourselves.
"Aurein? Serena?" My father exclaimed, surprise flashing across his face as his brow furrowed. "Why are you here?"
"I'm sorry, Father," I said, meeting his gaze head-on. "I heard everything. And I cannot accept being assigned to General Zavier's army. If you would allow it, I wish to accompany General Voltaire on the mission you entrusted to him."
"Aurein," my father said carefully, worry edging into his voice, "you know how dangerous that mission is. I will not allow you to be placed in harm's way."
"But Father," I replied, my voice steady despite the pounding in my chest, "I've already faced situations far worse than this. Look at what they've made me become. I'm stronger. Braver than I ever was before."
I took a step forward. "I want this mission to be part of that growth. I want to understand what is happening around us. I want to help stop this rebellion—if there is anything I can do at all to preserve peace in our kingdom."
"But Aurein—"
"I will not allow anyone to destroy our home," I said firmly.
My gaze shifted to General Voltaire. He was staring back at me, his expression unreadable, sharp with intensity.
"I will do everything I can," I continued, my voice unwavering, looking at him, "for the one I love."
Silence crashed down like thunder.
My father stared at us.
General Voltaire's eyes widened in visible shock.
And behind me, Serena pinched my back hard.
"Aurein! What are you doing?" she hissed under her breath. "You're slipping!"
"For the one you...love?" my father repeated slowly, his eyes flicking from me to General Voltaire.
"For the one I love—Ardentia," I said quickly, swallowing thickly. "I love Ardentia deeply. Our home. I don't want to wake up one day and find it no longer resembles the kingdom I grew up in."
"I understand your intentions, Aurein," my father said at last. "But I am afraid. If enemies attempt to take your life, what will become of our kingdom's future?"
"I am here to protect Prince Aurein," General Voltaire said suddenly.
The conviction in his voice made me turn toward him at once.
"I will not allow any harm to come to him, Your Majesty."
My father exhaled deeply.
"If you go, Aurein" my father said quietly—soft, but sharp as steel, "and anything happens to you... I will never forgive General Voltaire. And I will never forgive myself from allowing you."
"My decision is final," I said. "And even if you refuse me, I will run away if I must—just to follow General Voltaire."
My father shook his head slowly, a weary sigh leaving him. "I don't know whether I should be proud that you've grown so bold... or worried that your stubbornness has only hardened."
"I will take responsibility for both the prince and the princess," General Voltaire said calmly. "I will ensure we return safely—and with information. Despite their... stubborn tendencies, they will be valuable assets to this mission, Your Majesty. More importantly, if there are matters our kingdom must soon face, these two must see them with their own eyes—so they may be prepared when the time comes."
My father fell silent for a moment.
"I suppose I have no choice, then," he said at last. "I entrust Aurein and Serena to you, General Voltaire. You will depart for the Southern Region at dawn tomorrow. I will not announce your destination—doing so would invite unknown risks. Keep yourselves hidden. They must not recognize you."
He paused.
"I will arrange a carriage for your travel."
"You have my word, King Lucen," General Voltaire replied.
"That is all," my father said. "You may return to the courtyard and continue your meal."
"Thank you for your trust, Your Majesty," General Voltaire said, bowing deeply before turning away.
Serena and General Voltaire began to leave.
I did not.
I knew what was coming next.
Three.
Two.
One—
"Wait," my father said suddenly. "I have one more thing to mention."
See? I'd learned. He always did this—always had something to add at the last possible moment.
General Voltaire and Serena turned back.
"Rowan has already gone ahead to the Southern Region to prepare your temporary lodging, that's why he's not here to celebrate with us," my father continued. "He will accompany you and assist with the mission."
"Assist... or interfere?" Serena muttered under her breath, arms crossed, lips curling into a grin.
I glanced at General Voltaire. His face remained calm, but I knew. He didn't like this at all. Still, it was my father's order—there was nothing he could do.
"Rowan is unaware that you will be traveling with General Voltaire," my father added. "I cannot say whether the accommodations will be sufficient—but I trust he will manage once informed. That is all."
This time, we all turned to leave.
Surely, he was done now.
"...Aurein," my father called.
I turned back again.
What now?
He was doing this far too often. Does he like getting attention?
"Be careful," he said firmly. His eyes gave him away—every line of his posture heavy with worry.
I smiled at him, soft and reassuring. "I will be. Please take care too. You and Mother."
"And don't be reckless," he added. "I know how stubborn you are... and you as well, Serena."
Serena immediately lowered her head in embarrassed surrender.
"Follow General Voltaire's orders," my father continued. "I want no complications."
We both nodded.
"General Voltaire," the king said, "you have my permission to treat them as you would your own warriors. There is no need for special treatment."
"Yes, Your Majesty," General Voltaire replied.
I shot him a sideways glance. As if he needed permission—he already treated me like one of his warriors.
Though... admittedly, with certain special benefits.
"I truly have nothing more to say," my father declared. "You may go."
At last, we walked away.
Still, I looked back at him.
My father stood there, hands clasped behind his back, watching us go.
He nodded once.
I smiled brightly in return—grateful for his trust, for allowing me to take part in this secret and dangerous mission. If nothing else, it proved how deeply he trusted General Voltaire.
If only... he could see things differently.
If only he would allow us to be together—openly. Legally.
The way my mother already did.
I knew he wouldn't be happy about it.
Not yet.
But someday—when I have proven myself enough—he will acknowledge it.
Us.
For now...
This is enough.
* * *
I had honestly expected him to refuse.
"I thought you would oppose me coming with you, General Voltaire," I said softly, staring at the floor as my lips formed a small pout.
"I do not wish to leave you with General Zavier," General Voltaire replied. "He might do something... undesirable to you. It is better to bring you with me, even if it is dangerous. At least then, I will not be tormented by worry over your safety while you are away from my sight," he said calmly, as if the words were not quietly unraveling me from the inside.
A smile curved across my face.
"You really do love me, General," I said, unable to hide it.
"I will never give you to anyone else," he said firmly. "You are mine alone. Remember that."
At that, I lowered my head, heat flooding my face.
"Ugh!"
The sound cut through the moment like a blade.
We both turned to see Serena glaring at us, arms crossed, eyes sharp with irritation.
"Am I invisible now?" she snapped. "I am still right here, you know! Flirting shamelessly—right in front of me, of all places!"
I couldn't help it. I laughed.
"I'm sorry!" I said between chuckles.
"That's it. I'm leaving!" she declared. "I am thoroughly annoyed by the two of you. If you need me, I'll be in my chamber, preparing everything for our vacation—" she paused, then corrected herself with a scowl, "—I mean, our secret mission tomorrow." With a dramatic flick of her hair, she turned and stormed off.
And just like that, it was only General Voltaire and me again.
"What should I bring?" I asked thoughtfully. "Hmm... what do people usually bring on secret missions? This is my first one, and I'm a little nervous."
"Just bring your sword and your courage," he said simply.
"That's it?" I said, incredulous. "What about clothes? We can't possibly wear the same outfit every day. What if this lasts weeks?"
"Aurein," he said patiently, "we are not going on vacation. You can buy clothes there if you want. Carrying too much will only slow us down."
"I see..." I murmured. "Wait—what about the training back here?"
"They will continue even in my absence," he said.
"Will you tell them?" I asked. "At least Ton-Ton, Asper, and Dante? That we're heading to the Southern Region?"
"No," he said at once. "I do not intend to inform them. And neither should you."
"Why?"
"This is a secret mission," he said flatly. "Do you understand what the word 'secret' means?"
"But at least they should know—just the three of them. They're our friends. In case something happens—"
"No," he interrupted sharply. "You will not tell anyone, Aurein."
"...Alright," I said quietly, nodding. "I won't. If that's what you want."
* * *
It was already dawn—the hour when training should have begun. Instead, we stood outside the palace with a carriage waiting behind us, the horses restless as they stamped against the ground. We were waiting for Serena.
"Did you already inform your warriors?" I asked.
"Yes," he said. "I went to them while you were asleep. I reminded them that I always know when they skip training or slack off. And that I would cut off their manhoods if they did."
"You're terrifying," I said with a laugh.
"Still," I added, "since we'll be in the Southern Region—which I've never visited—shouldn't we explore a little? I wanted to bring more clothes, but you wouldn't let me."
"Aurein," he said irritably, "we are there for a mission."
"But the Southern Region is famous for its beaches," I said earnestly. "They don't exist here in the Central Region. I just want to see one. I've never seen the sea in my entire life."
"...Seriously?" he asked.
I looked at him with my most innocent expression and puffed my cheeks slightly.
"Damn," he muttered, tilting his head back toward the sky. "How am I supposed to refuse you when you look at me like that?"
I smiled triumphantly.
"Fine," he said. "We will go to the beach. Once. I will decide when."
"Yes! Thank you, my King Voltaire!" I exclaimed happily.
"As long as you and Serena behave and follow everything I say, then we will go to the beach," he warned.
"Alright, servants, you can load my things into the carriage now," Serena said from behind us.
We turned—and both of us froze.
Behind her stood five female servants, each struggling under the weight of enormous luggage.
"W-what is all that?" I asked in disbelief. "Are you planning to live in the Southern Region? Why do you have so much?"
"Well," Serena said, counting on her fingers, "I need my clothes, proper attire, important belongings, cosmetics—and my pillows. I also brought my bed. In case of emergency."
"...Your bed?"
"If we get stranded in the forest, at least I can sleep properly," she continued. "And since Rowan probably thinks only General Voltaire is going, he likely prepared the most disgusting place imaginable. So I brought an extra folding bed and pillows."
"Did you bring something for me?" I asked hopefully, pointing at myself.
"I brought one extra bed," she said flatly. "You can share it with General Voltaire. That's what you want anyway, isn't it?" She raised a brow. "And knowing Rowan, I am absolutely certain he prepared something vile."
I scratched my head and laughed awkwardly.
She wasn't wrong.
"I also brought two mosquito nets," she added. "Not that I care, but if something happens to either of you, this mission fails. So I prepared properly."
I glanced at General Voltaire. He nodded in agreement.
"And," she continued, "I brought things for the beach. And no—you cannot stop me. Not even you, General Voltaire. I will go."
General Voltaire sighed deeply, massaging his temples as if bracing himself for a headache.
This mission was already testing his sanity—and it hadn't even begun.
"Let's go," he said. "We're wasting time. Aurein, Serena—get inside. I'll help the female servants load the luggage into the carriage."
Serena entered first. Before I followed, a strange sensation crept over me. I turned, eyes drifting toward the forest beyond the palace gates.
Something felt... off.
"Aurein," Serena called. "I'm sitting here so I won't get dizzy and the cushion here is softer on this side. Are you listening?"
I snapped out of it.
"S-sorry," I said. "Then General Voltaire and I will sit on the opposite side."
"Hurry up and get in," she said impatiently.
I cast one last glance toward the trees.
"Maybe it's just my imagination," I whispered, then stepped inside the carriage.
The carriage rocked as General Voltaire loaded Serena's things.
"Careful!" Serena called out the window. "There are plates, glasses, and breakable cutlery in there. I don't want everything shattered before we even arrive at the southern region."
"Yes, Your Highness," General Voltaire replied irritably. "My deepest apologies, oh noble princess."
She settled into her seat, then turned to me with narrowed eyes.
"And you?" she asked. "What did you bring, Aurein?"
"I... followed General Voltaire's instructions," I admitted shyly. "I only brought my sword and my courage."
She covered her face with her hand and groaned.
"Good thing you have me," she said. "Otherwise, how would the two of you survive?"
"We have each other," I said softly. "That's enough for me. I can endure anything as long as he's beside me. I love him."
Her expression twisted into pure disgust.
"Will love feed you when you have nothing to eat?" she shot back.
"Well... no," I admitted. "But at least we'll be happy."
She growled quietly.
The carriage door opened, and General Voltaire finally sat beside me.
"We're ready," he said. "We depart at last."
And then the carriage began to move.
Not long after, Serena reached into the small bag she was carrying and pulled out a pink veil.
"I'll leave the two of you to whatever that is," she announced dramatically, already yawning. "I'm going to sleep. Wake me when we arrive. I've had less than five hours of sleep, and that is absolutely disastrous for my skin—and my beauty." With a flourish worthy of a stage actress, she draped the veil over her head and covered her eyes.
General Voltaire and I watched her in silence.
Then we looked at each other.
At the exact same time, we chuckled and slowly shook our heads.
"This is my first time traveling, you know," I said quietly. "I'm nervous... and excited. But I'm happy that you're the one with me on my very first journey, General Voltaire."
"Then don't you dare leave my sight," he said, his tone stern—but threaded with unmistakable concern.
"I won't," I said gently.
"Good," he said. "Now rest. Or sleep, if you want."
"May I rest while sitting in front of you?" I asked shyly.
He didn't utter any word, but he opened his legs widely, as if inviting me to sit between them.
I moved without thinking, guided by instinct rather than intention, and settled between his legs. My back found the solid warmth of his chest, fitting there as though it had always belonged.
I placed my hands on my lap, fingers barely relaxed, and a moment later his hands closed over them—firm yet careful, grounding in a way words never could. He did not pull me closer, did not need to. His presence alone was enough.
We looked out the window together as the night slowly loosened its hold, dawn creeping in with pale gold light. The sky softened, the world quiet, and for a moment, everything felt suspended—unrushed, unguarded.
I exhaled, my shoulders easing at last.
If comfort had a shape, I thought, it would be this.
"I don't feel like sleeping," I murmured. "I just want to stay like this... while I'm still awake."
"If that's what you want," he said softly. His fingers began to move in slow, absent-minded strokes on mine. "Though I think you'll fall asleep sooner than you expect."
Almost on cue, a yawn escaped me.
"Do you have some kind of power?" I asked, laughing under my breath. "One that controls even my body—and my sleep?"
"That's what happens when you've had my white elixir," he said teasingly.
The words barely left his mouth before I felt it.
Instantly.
"Oh no."
"General," I hissed under my breath, "don't make me go into heat!"
"Am I?" he said, laughing. His gaze flicked downward on my bulge that I was trying to cover up—brief, knowing—and he grinned.
"My eyes are closed and covered," Serena suddenly said flatly. "But I can still hear you. Will you both shut up?"
General Voltaire leaned closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. "Do you want to do it here?"
"Stop it!" I whispered back, torn between laughter and sheer embarrassment.
"Please," Serena added without moving. "Not in front of me."
We both startled.
"I thought you were asleep!" I said quickly.
"How could I sleep?" she snapped. "You two are being unbearably flirtatious."
"Sorry," I said, biting back my laughter.
As if that weren't enough, General Voltaire continued teasing me—his hand drifting dangerously close to my little pony that's waking up—while I tried to stop him, half-laughing, half-panicking.
"General! I'm going to sleep!" I hissed.
"Alright," he whispered. "I'll help you sleep."
He turned gently placed his hand on my chin and turned my head towards the side.
And without warning, he leaned down and kissed me.
Right on the lips.
"General!" I whispered urgently, glancing at Serena.
He merely shrugged—and kissed me again.
My eyes snapped back to Serena, but she hadn't moved. The veil still covered her face.
Could she see through it?
My heart pounded.
At last, he leaned back, settling into his seat, his gaze returning to the road beyond the window. I followed suit, pretending to be deeply invested in the view—while my fingers quietly played with his hand.
He let me.
And just like that, the carriage continued on, carrying us forward—toward the Southern Region, toward a secret mission... and toward whatever trouble awaited us next.
* * *
Third Person POV
Deep beneath the forest, hidden behind stone walls that had never known sunlight, a clandestine chamber pulsed with quiet urgency.
Six figures stood within the darkness, their faces half-devoured by shadow, the air thick with secrecy and unspoken intent. Torches flickered weakly along the stone walls, casting distorted silhouettes that trembled like guilty thoughts.
Dante stepped forward.
"I saw General Voltaire, Prince Aurein, and Princess Serena," he reported calmly. "They have already departed for the southern region."
A pause followed.
Then their leader spoke—measured, deliberate, dangerous in its restraint.
"That is good," he said. "I want you to follow them there."
Dante inclined his head slightly, listening.
"Warn our members stationed in the south," the leader continued. "They must remain alert. Voltaire is not to obtain a single piece of useful information."
"Understood," Dante replied without hesitation.
"To hasten your journey," the leader added, "you may use one of my horses."
Dante bowed. "My thanks."
And with that, he departed—leaving the shadows behind, though they lingered long after his footsteps faded.
* * *
When Dante returned to the small hut he shared with Asper and Ton-Ton, the night was still and heavy. Both of his companions were asleep, sprawled carelessly across their bedding.
Careful not to wake them, Dante moved quietly, gathering his equipment with practiced precision.
He did not notice the moment Asper stirred.
Nor did he hear the soft shift of weight as the smaller man sat up, eyes narrowing as he watched Dante's hurried movements.
It was only when Dante turned that he froze.
Asper was right there.
Dante stepped back instinctively.
"Where are you going?" Asper asked, still half-asleep, stifling a yawn. "Why do you look so startled?"
"I'm just organizing my things," Dante said evenly. "Go back to sleep."
Asper's gaze drifted downward—to the dark cloak Dante was wearing.
Suspicion sharpened his expression.
"I don't believe that," he said. "Fixing your things at this hour? And I saw you leave earlier." He tilted his head. "Actually, I haven't said anything before, but I notice it often. Late at night, you leave wearing that black cloak."
Dante's eyes widened.
He hadn't even realized he was still wearing it.
"Admit it," Asper pressed, narrowing his eyes. "Where do you go, huh?"
"Uh..." Dante hesitated.
"Don't tell me," Asper said suddenly, eyes lighting up. "You're meeting someone?"
"Meeting?" Dante echoed, alarmed.
"A woman?" Asper teased. "A secret lover you visit every night?"
"There's no one!" Dante laughed quickly.
Asper studied him for a moment longer, then sighed.
"Fine," he said. "Wherever you're going, just make sure you don't get yourself killed. I worry about you sometimes, you know? You seemed to be distressed lately."
"Oh, thanks..." Dante uttered completely bothered. "But do not worry about me that much, Asper. I am fine."
He glanced at Dante's bag.
"And don't deny it. You're packing because you're following General Voltaire, aren't you?"
Dante blinked. "How did you know?"
"I wanted to follow him too," Asper admitted. "But I didn't know where he was headed. I want to help with his mission."
Dante exhaled slowly, eyes dropping to his bag.
"I know where he's going," he said quietly. "He's with Prince Aurein and Princess Serena."
Asper's face lit up. "Seriously? Nice!"
"If you want," Dante added after a pause, "you and Ton-Ton can come with me."
"Really?" Asper grinned.
Dante smirked, placing a hand atop Asper's head and ruffling his hair.
"We can support them if things go wrong," Asper said eagerly. "We'll go undercover for now—since General Voltaire would definitely scold us. But hey, this counts as training too, right?"
"You're right," Dante said. "And going alone would be boring."
Though in truth, he had little choice.
Asper was already noticing too much. Leaving him behind would only invite deeper suspicion.
"Then let's go!" Asper declared. "Our squad's first mission!"
Dante smiled—but something tugged painfully at his chest.
Asper hurried over and shook Ton-Ton's massive form.
"Ton! Wake up! We have a mission!"
"One more plate of grilled meat..." Ton-Ton muttered in his sleep, chewing air.
"Ton-Ton!" Asper shouted, attempting to push him over.
He didn't budge.
"Dante! Help me wake him up!"
Dante watched them with an amused shake of his head before stepping closer.
As he sat beside Ton-Ton—
"Make that two more plates of meat for my dear friends Asper and Dante..." Ton-Ton murmured dreamily.
Asper laughed outright.
Dante smiled too—masking the quiet heaviness in his chest.
"Ton-Ton," Dante whispered near his ear, "wake up. We have a mission. We're following General Voltaire to the southern region. And I heard there is a delicacy that can only be found there."
Ton-Ton's eyes flew open.
"Food?" he gasped.
Asper groaned. "Only food could wake you!"
"The southern region?" Ton-Ton asked, sitting up. "That's where we're going?"
"Yes," Dante replied.
"Wait? How do you know?" Asper asked.
"Well..." Dante scratched his head. "I went out to follow General Voltaire earlier—to see what he was planning."
Asper and Ton-Ton exchanged looks, then nodded, seemingly convinced.
"But wait," Asper said. "How are we getting there? The southern region is far."
Dante paused.
He had only one horse.
And three people.
"My older brother has delivery carriages for his daily work, one is his back-up," Ton-Ton said suddenly. "Two carriages, but only one horse. Though... he uses that horse every day."
"That's fine," Dante said. "I have a horse we can use."
"Perfect!" Asper beamed. "Let's pack and go!"
He held out his fist.
Ton-Ton placed his own massive fist atop it.
Dante hesitated—then smiled, joining them.
"To our first mission as a squad," Asper said proudly.
They nodded together.
"Let's go!"
* * *
Aurein's POV
I woke to the gentle warmth of sunlight brushing across my face, the kind that slipped through half-drawn curtains and felt almost deliberate—like morning itself had decided to check on me.
When I opened my eyes and turned to look at the General's face, I noticed that he was already awake, of course. Sitting upright behind me, broad shoulders still, posture flawless, his gaze fixed on the carriage window as if the morning itself were a battlefield he was calmly assessing. The pale gold light traced the sharp line of his profile, catching on his lashes, softening him in a way that felt unfairly intimate.
"Did you even sleep?" I asked him softly.
He turned to me slightly, the corner of his mouth lifting. "You're awake," he said. "No. I wasn't sleepy. Besides, I need to stay alert."
I sighed dramatically. "Does the word sleep even exist in your vocabulary?" I asked. "Do you still remember how to do it?"
He chuckled, low and warm, and finally looked fully at me.
Then, without a word, he leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss to my forehead—brief, instinctive, like it was the most natural thing in the world.
So naturally, I kissed him back, right on the cheek.
"Ahem."
The sound snapped me out of the moment so fast I nearly jumped.
I turned my head and froze.
Serena was staring at us—arms crossed, brow arched, expression twisted somewhere between irritation and theatrical offense.
"You're awake already!" I blurted out.
"Oh, I've been awake for a while," she said flatly. "You were just too busy gazing lovingly at General Voltaire while sitting comfortably between his legs to notice me." Her eyes flicked pointedly between us. "And you really had to kiss in front of me, didn't you?"
Heat flooded my face so fast I genuinely thought I might combust on the spot. My body reacted before my pride could stop it—I started to rise, desperate to escape my own mortification—
—but his arm slid around me, firm and decisive, anchoring me in place like there was never any doubt I belonged there.
"Just stay here," he said, effortlessly calm. "Don't go anywhere."
"...O-okay," I replied, my voice shrinking into a shy little whisper that betrayed me completely.
Absolutely humiliating.
"Tch. Disgusting. Revoltingly flirty," Serena groaned, covering her face. "You two are so annoying."
"Serena," I said sweetly, unable to resist, "if you're jealous, you can just admit it."
"I am not jealous," she snapped instantly, shooting us a glare sharp enough to wound. "Absolutely not."
Then she rolled her eyes—dramatically, violently, with such commitment that I half expected them to disappear into the back of her skull forever.
A moment later, the carriage slowed and came to a stop. I glanced outside and realized we were surrounded by dense forest—towering trees, filtered light, the quiet hush of somewhere far from the palace.
"We must have arrived," General Voltaire said calmly. "Put on your cloaks."
Serena immediately reached for hers—a soft pink cloak that somehow managed to look extravagant even in the dim forest light.
General Voltaire handed me my blue cloak, and he asked, "Would you like me to put it on for you?"
I nodded eagerly. "Mm."
"Oh, for the love of the gods," Serena groaned. "Do you two really need to flirt while putting on cloaks? Sometimes I wonder if it was a mistake coming with you at all."
I grinned at her. "You know, Serena, if you want, I can put on your cloak for you," I said. "Though honestly, I'd rather make you even more jealous."
"Hmph," she huffed, turning away.
Once our cloaks were secured, Serena peered out the window again, tapping her foot impatiently.
"So," she said, "is Rowan coming here or not? Why isn't he here yet? Is he deliberately being late because he knows the only person he's meeting is General Voltaire?"
Almost on cue, the sound of galloping hooves broke through the forest air.
A horse approached quickly and came to a halt beside our carriage.
"Finally," Serena muttered.
The rider dismounted and bowed politely. "It is an honor to welcome you, General Voltaire, Prince Aurein, and Princess Serena," the man said. "I was sent by Lord Rowan to escort you to your lodgings."
I frowned slightly. "Where is Rowan? Why didn't he come himself?"
"He had urgent matters to attend to," the man replied. "He will arrive later with his father, Duke Kristoff."
Serena sighed loudly. "So what—do we follow you? Are we getting down now?"
"You may simply follow me," the man said.
He mounted his horse again and rode ahead, and our carriage followed.
Not long after, we stopped in front of a... structure.
A very small structure.
A barn.
The moment we stepped down, Serena crossed her arms so tightly I thought she might crack the air itself.
"I told you," she snapped. "Look at this! This is what Rowan prepared? He plans to let General Voltaire stay here? In a barn? What does he think the General is—an animal?"
I couldn't help laughing. "It seems Rowan is truly furious with you, General Voltaire," I teased.
He glanced at the barn, completely unbothered. "I'm not surprised," he said calmly. "Honestly, I was expecting something even filthier. This is perfectly fine with me."
Serena stared at him like she was personally offended by his tolerance.
"Please, let us go inside," the escort said politely.
And with Serena still grumbling under her breath, we followed him into the barn—our absurd little refuge, and apparently, the next stage of whatever chaos awaited us next.
The moment we stepped inside, all three of us froze.
This was... not what I expected.
From the outside, the structure truly looked like a forgotten barn—weathered wood, uneven beams, the kind of place that smelled of hay and neglect. But inside, the illusion shattered completely.
Warm lantern light greeted us, soft and golden, reflecting off polished wooden floors. The walls were lined with aged timber, not rotting but carefully treated, their deep brown tones giving the space a quiet, old-world charm. Simple furniture filled the room—a sturdy table, neatly arranged chairs, shelves stocked with necessities. It felt less like a barn and more like an old-fashioned countryside house, the kind meant to shelter people, not animals.
Serena's eyes widened as she slowly turned in place.
"Actually... this isn't bad at all," she said, clearly surprised. "It looks like an old barn outside, but inside, it's completely livable. This isn't a barn at all—more like a cozy, old-fashioned house."
I let out a small laugh of relief. "You're right," I said. "I guess Rowan wasn't truly despising you after all, General Voltaire."
"Perhaps he has finally learned proper manners," General Voltaire said, teasing lightly.
The escort bowed. "I will now inform Duke Kristoff and Lord Rowan that you have arrived," he said. "Please rest for the moment, and feel free to bring in your belongings."
With that, he exited, leaving the three of us alone.
"While we wait, I'll go fetch our luggage from the carriage," General Voltaire said.
"I'll help you," I offered immediately.
"No need," he said. "I don't want you carrying heavy things."
Serena clicked her tongue. "Do you two ever stop?"
"If anything feels off, call my name," General Voltaire added calmly before heading outside.
Once the door closed behind him, only Serena and I remained.
To pass the time, we began inspecting the place—checking the sink, the small bathing area, the shelves, making sure everything worked.
"I honestly thought Rowan would actually let General Voltaire stay in a barn," Serena said as she examined the room. "Maybe this is a house pretending to be a barn for a mission like this."
That was when something caught my attention.
"There's a back door," I said slowly. "Did you notice that?"
Serena turned. "Let's open it. It's too dark in here anyway. And a bit warm, so the fresh air could go in."
We stepped closer and stopped just short of the door, staring at the knob.
"You touch it," Serena said flatly. "It looks greasy and disgusting."
"I refuse," I said instantly. "That's revolting. What if it's covered in something horrifying?"
"Hurry up!" she said, grabbing my hand and trying to force it forward. "It's getting hot in here!"
"No!" I protested. "That's door knob is disgusting! I'll throw up if I touch it!"
"How are we supposed to survive without General Voltaire if we're both like this?" she snapped. "Someone has to adjust—and that someone is you! Now, open the door!"
"I will not adjust!" I declared, pulling my hand back.
Then suddenly—
"Serena," I said slowly, my nose wrinkling. "Do you smell that? Something... foul. It's coming from outside that door."
She inhaled sharply, then grimaced. "That's awful," she said, pressing a hand to her head. "Why do I suddenly feel... sleepy?"
Before I could answer, a heavy drowsiness washed over me as well, my limbs growing weak.
Serena collapsed without warning.
"Serena..." I murmured, my voice thick, sluggish.
I tried to move toward her—but the back door creaked open.
A figure stood before us.
My vision blurred, the edges darkening. I couldn't make out his face.
"General Voltaire?" I asked weakly. "No... you're too small. Who are you...?"
"Seize them," the man commanded sharply. "Take them to the hideout immediately."
"Wait..." I whispered, my strength slipping away. "Ge—General... Volt—"
The world went dark.
Thud!
I felt my crown fell on the floor and I lost consciousness before I could call his name.
End of Chapter 37