Saying that she was desperate wasn’t how she would’ve described the situation. Hurt? Maybe. Wistful, nostalgic? Not in a fantastic way, though. Emelyn felt like all that pain that she hid through all those years were taking over her, once again. Yet it’s not like she had a word in it. The young princess made the King believe that she was agreeing with him, as it was quite the contrary. She knew she couldn’t come over and pretend it wasn’t the case. Who knew how he could’ve reacted? 

Soon after hearing the explosions to the South, Emelyn rushed through the halls, seeking one of their knights. Jack was the best option, as he was the one that was more casual with her and that she knew the best. And most of all, he was less stressful than the others who kept on asking Her Majesty is she needed something. All of this was overwhelming, and sometimes she needed someone who would be casually laid-back. 

Even when a war started raging and Frederick prepared the troops to go to Wron. Yes, he was this kind of guy, and that’s what the soon-to-be-queen liked about him. Her Grace stepped through the halls with a perturbed expression, her eyes narrowing as her auburn hair fluttered with speed. Running in heels didn’t bother her, yet the fact Frederick was recklessly starting new wars for his own good annoyed her a lot. 

Jack was standing in the library, reading a book about frog anatomy. His brown hair fell in such a way that he could barely see anything, yet he found a way to look incredibly interested in what he was reading. Emelyn wanted to laugh at the way a serious knight was getting this focused-on frog anatomy, yet she wouldn’t complain that he was being relaxed, for once. The woman walked over and stood in front of him, clearing her throat as she nudged his shoulder. Jack immediately looked up and closed his book with an awkward grin, bowing to his soon-to-be-queen. 

“Good afternoon, Your Majesty. Is there anything you want to talk to me about?” The knight spoke in a calm voice after adjusting his hair to make proper eye-contact, standing straight, without an imperfection. Visibly, he followed along the knight’s guide for service, Emelyn thought. 

“Uh yes, good afternoon to you too, Jack. I was wondering if you and your troops had a plan...For, you know...Haven't the King announced the new war he was setting to Wron for his lands and everything?” The princess spoke as she looked at him blankly, her eyes betraying her nervosity and her concern. 

Jack seemed thoughtful for a second, his gaze lost in thin air. He squinted his eyes and bit his lower lips, tilting his head to the side. After a while of silence, the knight looked over at Emelyn, his expression growing more endearing.  

“Oh, we do have a plan, indeed, I’m sorry for my moment of thought, Sarah. So, yeah, but I was just consulting it right now, as you can see. This book shows the war technics to fight...um...Pyril, see!” Jack laughed nervously, showing the book about frogs. 

Emelyn’s eyes widened and she couldn’t help but look away, trying not to laugh. Her knight was playing a dangerous game by doing this, and he knew it. Yet he was casual enough with her not to let it show too much. Letting an amused smirk creep up her face, the soon-to-be-queen walked over, raising an eyebrow as she dropped her fists to her waist, staring right at him. Jack gulped and gestured to the frog anatomy novel once again, finding the floor interesting suddenly. Instead of scolding him like Frederick probably would’ve, the young princess simply smiled, looking around the room. 

“Well, good to know. Does Edward and I have to do something with it, since we’ll be ruling Kordania soon? Since His Majesty told you about it, I suppose he warned you about everything and every role that he chose, right?” “Sarah” asked with a warm smile and a calm tone, trying not to lose her cool. 

“Your Highness, I figure I’m not quite useful to you, considering how it took me a while even to remember my ideas. I even pretended this was all about the war, THAT book about frogs, when it’s impossible that it’s related. Since I don't want to remain a bother, I suggest you simply ask His Majesty for the details.”  The knight sighed as he sat back down and concentrated on his book, ignoring her completely. 

Emelyn blinked a few times and looked at him in confusion, sighing deeply. She was finding him quite funny, yet she was annoyed that he was refusing such a simple question by offering to ask the king himself. She didn’t like to talk to him, as he had the worst ideas and the worst state of mind that she had ever seen in her entire life. Instead of arguing with him, the young princess walked off to Frederick’s chambers, greeting some maids as they passed by. 

Her feet led her through the halls, her dress fluttering with the small breeze by the windows. From time to time, she would hear an explosion, gunshots, the noice of a bomb ticking and some screams. Emelyn felt like she was getting back into her nightmare, her worst one; she felt like she was living the same but being within the enemy’s clan. The soon-to-be-queen didn’t like to be part of that rebellion that wanted to tear Wron apart, thinking about all those citadians that would die, yet she knew she couldn’t go back. By accepting that royal proposal to make her revenge, she knew she had to make Mayain proud. Even though everyone was dead. 

Soon she came closer to the king’s chamber, and she stopped right in front as she heard his voice. Visibly, Frederick was talking to someone, and he didn’t look so happy. Emelyn resisted the urge to eavesdrop, but seconds later she was leaning against the wall, listening to the conversation as it was going on. An argument? That’s interesting... 

“You do not understand, Edward! You will when you will be a king; you must make these decisions! I thought I would teach you the values of power, wealth and self-seeking. War’s the clue for our people’s happiness, and you must think of only yourself! How many times do I have to keep repeating this?” Frederick groaned as he slapped his hand on the table. 

With what she heard, the young princess figured that the king and Edward were talking about the war, yet she didn’t knew who took what side? The king seemed furious, the prince not speaking for now. Both looked like they were going to slap each other, just by their voices. 

“But how could you be so cruel, dad! Eleven years ago, back when I was six, you forced me to lead the troops to Mayain, and I never said I agreed! And now you’re getting even more greedy and trying to get Wron too! Imagine for Sarah, she gets here by force and must go through that! Will you force her to do something, too?” The prince responded in rage, his voice trembling with anger. 

“Shut up, Edward, she agrees with me! Everything that I have said and everything that I have done, she got along with it! Yet don’t pretend like I was forcing you to do anything because you ended up doing it! Are you happy that you’ll have another new land to conquer and more people on your knees?” 

The conversation kept on going back and forth, and the soon-to-be-queen couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Edward wasn’t happy with the idea that his father was getting into another war, and he was including her in that. In some kind of way, Emelyn felt a wave of relief, because he looked like he had a heart.  With what he said, it looked like he never agreed with Frederick’s greed and pride. Was Edward a good person? Since the soon-to-be-king was furious with the idea, it seemed like it. 

Soon when he’ll become the king, maybe he will be the heart of the kingdom. The one to save everyone from the tyranny of his father, to throw away his ancestor John’s cruel ideas. “Sarah” shook her head. It wasn’t because he didn’t get along with that that it made him a great person. Yet she couldn’t help but believe that maybe he had something good in him. 

Emelyn’s heart was tearing apart every time someone between those two had something more to say and that it concerned her, yet she didn’t stop eavesdropping. The young woman was too curious- she felt like it was kind of new that someone in Kordania had that kind of compassion, and her excitement was going over her. Maybe the argument wasn’t pleasant. Yet she learned a few things about what was hidden through those hearts darkened by greed and power. 

“You don’t know anything about me! You’re just a sadistic king with no heart that uses people for your own good! You really want me to become like you, and that if I follow along, I’ll rule along with that cruelty, and you know what? I don’t want any of that! I don’t want to be such a tyrant like you, and the simple opportunity that this may happen makes me hate you even more! As you pretend you have a heart, why don’t you kill yourself on that fuck1ng battlefield and let me rule it in peace?” 

Emelyn and both guys remained silent, and we could’ve heard a fly. The silence was defeating, as the princess felt like a third wheeling. She stepped aside from the door and removed herself from there, hesitating whether she’d walk off or not. Rather than interfering in their business, she knew she had to stay out of it. Edward was furious enough, as his father was fuming. The soon-to-be-queen knew it because she heard his heavy breathing, his clenched jaw, and his feet pacing around the room. Then, a few seconds later the sound of a hand reaching skin. “Sarah” froze in shock. Frederick has just slapped his own son. 

Not knowing what to do, Emelyn’s bottom lip quivered as she started walking off, yet she heard the doorknob open. She continued walking, shaking with fear as her trauma was taking her off guard. What did she just witness? Why did she even decide to eavesdrop on them? Feeling her nervosity taking over, the young woman kept on stepping away quickly, ignoring Edward that walked off as well. Yet soon after, she felt a hand on her wrist. Emelyn then looked over, her eyes wide, just to see Edward, his expression as furious as ever as he muttered. 

“You come with me. We must take care of that d@mn war that my father just added.” The prince spoke blankly, as he grabbed her along with him, making her stumble a bit as her breathing was heavy with concern. 

“Why should I come with you, Your Majesty?” Her Highness questioned as she followed along, his grip releasing on her wrist. 

Yet instead of responding to her, Edward threw a death glare, his ice blue eyes piercing through her skin. Emelyn found a wave of empathy in them, but she wasn’t quite sure. Rather then asking him so, she remained silent and walked next to him.