The Major personality changed, and he seemed to be angry at Dominic’s behavior. I felt the edge of the sword touching my skin, while trying my best not to let even one expression of pain pass through my face. I knew that if Dominic noticed anything, he would kill Clark without hesitation, and I didn't want that to happen. There was no need for blood to be spilled.

Dominic then hesitated for a moment. He was looking for the right answer for Clark, who seemed more and more nervous.

-Think Major Clark. The answer is right in front of you. What does Orion fear more than anything? He knows that new times are coming, and that rebellion is inevitable. The prophecy is true, and the world will finally know about it. - said Dominic, using enigmatic words.

-Don't give me that nonsense! These things are just nonsense, invented by people who do not accept the government. There is no other Heir besides Emperor Orion. -Clark shouted.

-That is correct. -Spoke Dominic. -There is no Heir.

These words were enough to leave Clark in shock. He put down his sword turned my face to his direction. At that moment, Dominic found the opportunity to attack him and I jumped away from them while their blades clashed with each other. Both were fighting with skill; however, Clark couldn't defend himself for more than a few minutes from Dominic and after a nice blow, the Major’s sword fell into the ground with a loud noise.

-Indeed, a true General. -said Clark. -But your victory doesn’t make all the nonsense you said true. I refuse to admit that an Heiress really exists, and that Orion is hiding this information from his own allies. Finish this battle Dominic Knight.

-Dominic! -I shouted, interrupting a last blow from his sword. -Leave him be and let's go. Please!

He looked at me and then turned to the Major. He kept his sword still positioned in the direction of Clark, waiting for a counterattack. But the man did not move. He looked at Dominic, incredulous with his pity.

-Now it's up to you to decide to which side you want to bet your life. Open your eyes Major. -Spoke Dominic, turning his back to him and coming towards me. -Let's go to Althea. -He said smiling.

While following Dominic’s lead, I took one last look back and saw Clark still on the ground. He looked defeated.

After few minutes walking, we finally reached the forest that would lead us to our hidden boat.

-Good I followed you. God knows what would happen if I wasn't there to save you.

-I would find a way. I fight very well you know. And I've been training recently. -I responded by pretending to be outraged at his disbelief. Dominic finally opened a smile and shook his head.

-Find a way? You want me to believe on that? So first tell me: How did you manage to find the only dead-end street in whole Lyrus? I see that you are very good in finding a way. -he questioned still smiling. All my blood went up to my face, while I tried not to die of embarrassment.

-How was I supposed to guess that? -I replied angry and moving away from him. But he was undeniably faster than I was and reached me with only one step, blocking my way forward.

-You couldn’t guess. So, don’t be angry Althea, I am just teasing you. -he said holding my face with both hands, making me face him. He passed his arm over my shoulder and led me back to the boat. It was impossible to resist his charm.

-Will the navy not come after us after today's incident? -I asked.

-Yes, but I don’t think they will move that fast. We will leave tomorrow at dawn and I believe that Major Clark will still be in shock. Sooner or later, this would occur. Now that we are on our path, the news that the other Descendant is alive and fighting against the Government will spread and a revolution will be inevitable. The world has been waiting for the Heiress for quite a long time. Therefore, I intend to make the most of these last few days of peace that we have together.

-Don't get your hopes up. I think your days of peace are already over. I am afraid that I will need your services for quite a while, Mr. Dominic Knight.  -I spoke laughing. No word I had said was a lie, but I was still a little embarrassed when I said them.

-It is my biggest pleasure to be at your service, Lady Althea. -he said, touching my hair. His touch gave me goosebumps, and I was sure that he was aware of the effect that he had on me. And that he did it on purpose, for fun. I decided it was time for revenge.

 I then took the hand that he was touching me and held it gently. It didn't seem to affect him, so I decided to play a little dirtier.

Trying to be the most delicate and unintended I could, I pulled Dominic closer to me and leaned my head close to his shoulder, caressing his hand. I finally felt his body entering in shock. That had been enough to prove that I was not the only one who was affected by the proximity between us, so I moved away a little, but he pulled me back to himself.

-Don't. -he said.

I didn’t resist. I knew for some time that it was hard to stay away from Dominic. There was no way to avoid that. I would do whatever he asked.

He then touched again my face and looked deeply in my eyes. His green eyes were like emeralds and had such an intense gaze that I couldn’t stop staring at them, while wondering what Dominic had in his mind when he had such expression.

Suddenly, he took a deep breath and turned around, continuing his walk through the forest. It took me few seconds to come back to reality and start moving as well. We walked in silence until we reached the boat, where Joseph was sitting and waiting for us.

-Oh, my God, how long it took you! Don't tell me you got lost Althea! -said Joseph, holding back the laughter.

-Shut up. -I mumbled.

-Don't tell advantage Joseph, I know you were right. -Dominic said joking. My mouth opened in shock and I looked at Joseph full of anger. It was obvious that he had a vision of me lost in the city and told Dominic to rescue me. No explanation was needed about the incident, but they insisted on going into details and discussing my entire trajectory from the moment they left me alone.

-Well, thanks to you guys I'm safe and sound, now enough of rubbing my little detour in my face, ok? -I said annoyed. -How about we eat something?

-That’s not a bad idea. Let's forget about that for a moment. -said Joseph. -Later we'll have to prepare a bigger dinner too, since Heath is coming to visit us.

-What were you talking about at the shipyard? Does Heath intend to join us? -I asked as we entered the kitchen. Joseph and Dominic took some ingredients from the closet and the refrigerator and started making sandwiches.

-Joseph doesn't want to spoil the surprise, so I don't know if this will happen. But he is having a lot of problems with the navy and seemed to like my offer to accompany us. But he is also a little hesitant. He still doesn't know where we are going and doesn't know that you are the Heiress. I intend to tell him everything today. - said Dominic. -Will we do well Joseph?

-I can only say that Heath will react well when hearing the truth. If I tell too much, we run the risk that it will no longer happen. -responded Joseph, focusing on cutting ham. I could see a little smile on his face when he turned around.

-That's good news...

-How about going for a swim then? -Dominic said out of nowhere. I gave him a surprised look.

-Joseph? -I asked, hoping he would have some bad news about Dominic's plans.

-Ah, don't worry. No accidents today. But I think the two of you will go it alone. I'll stay here and prepare dinner. -he answered.

-I can help you! - I spoke, almost begging. For some reason, I was scared of being alone again with Dominic. My heart was still recovering from getting too close to him earlier at the forest.

-No need for that. The dinner will be a surprise for you. And I want you to enjoy the day as well. -he with a smile. -It's not always that we can rest.

We finished eating and I gave up convincing them to change their minds. I got up from the table to get ready, and before turning my back to the boys, I could see Joseph wink at Dominic, who was smiling back. It was obvious that everything went according to their plans. I went down to my room still annoyed and changed to my swimming suit.

I went back to the kitchen and found Dominic ready, sitting next to Joseph. While they both looked very cheerful, I remained with the frowning expression.

-I think we should wait a little longer. It's not good to get in the water after eating. -I spoke as my last argument.

-Half a sandwich is not food. Give it up, I won't change my mind. Come here. -shouted Dominic, already reaching the other side of the beach, running on the sand.

-Oh my God. Please don't let him kill me. -I whispered. I got off the boat taking care not to get out of balance and walked in his direction.

-It took you quite a while lady Althea. -said Dominic sarcastic. - Will you enter the water for good or for bad?

-Hmm… certainly not for good. - I spoke. He opened a smile at the same instant.

-Then for bad shall be.

I ran away from him at the fastest speed I could. I knew he would reach me fast, but this time he seemed in no hurry. We were like two children playing on the beach and I couldn't stop laughing! But Dominic's physical stamina was much greater than mine and I soon found myself breathless, unable to take another step.

-Already tired? -he said, stopping by my side.

-No. I just decided to take a quick break to admire the sea.

-How about admiring it even more closely?

-I refuse. -I said, while “cheating” and knocking him down in the sand using my powers. But Dominic was fast in his reactions and didn't fall alone: he took me with him. I fell right on top of him, which cushioned the fall.

-Hey! That is not fair! -I spoke, without getting up. -Now you managed to get me really angry. You’re in trouble.

I held him against the sand, in a useless attempt to stop him from getting up. He looked at me in an expression of "as if you could hold me". In a single movement he managed to free himself and reverse the situation. He threw me on my back in the sand and held me in a way that I couldn’t get up.

-You're the one in trouble. -he contested. At that moment, I knew he would throw me in the water and that I couldn't run anymore. But we remained in that position for few seconds, looking at each other in silence.

-Do I see a little pity in your eyes? Will you have mercy? -I asked with a hopeful smile.

-Pity? Not at all. I was just enjoying the moment admiring your face up close, while you are still not mad at me. But I know you will forgive me.

He got up and took me along. I was no longer fighting against it, it was useless. As the first time, he picked me up in his lap and I held onto his neck.

-If I die, I will haunt you for the rest of your life. -I said.

-Of course. Hold your breath. -he said as we went deeper. He dove in and I could feel the freshness of the water, cooling down my body.

After quite a time playing in the water, we went back to the sand and laid there, looking at the blue sky.

-So, was it so horrible? – asked Dominic.

-I must admit that I had fun, even though I feel a little childish for my age.

-I'm glad to see you smiling. I hope that little by little you will be able to forget the darkness.

The wind blew from the horizon and softened the heat of the sun. The day was very pleasant and quiet. I was having so much fun that I even forgot about the meeting with the marines that morning. Indeed, that “new life” was not at all like the darkness.

-Dominic, can I ask you something? To satisfy my curiosity… How old are you and Joseph? And Heath?

-If I am not wrong, Heath has twenty-nine... almost thirty years old. Joseph is twenty, so not much older than you. I am a little… older. -he replied, with a concerned look in his face.

-Eighteen?

-Seventeen. Since a month ago.

-Very old indeed. - I said laughing at his concern. Dominic was a little more than 1 year older than me, since I now knew that I was going to be 16 years old in few months.

The sun was already touching the horizon and the wind became a nuisance without the heat. We got up and went back to the boat that was covered with the smell of dinner. I took a quick shower, got dressed, and went upstairs to wait for Heath.