Ophelia went to get up but she felt Darius grab the back of her uniform forcing her to sit back down. "Sit Reeds." He smiled viciously at her, Ophelia felt sweat trickle down her face. "Don't want to make a scene now do we?" he asked motioning over to the others who weren't paying attention to what they were doing.

Ophelia swallowed and sighed, "I'm sorry I shouldn't have-." She went to apologize, "No it's fine." Darius replied cutting her off, "I thought it was hilarious." He crossed his legs grinning at her. "Hilarious as in actually funny or hilarious as in I might be killed by execution?" Ophelia asked carefully. "Actually funny Reeds." Darius replied calmly before sighing, "You're lucky you're so pretty. Had it been anyone else I would've had them executed." He remarked wistfully.

Ophelia felt conflicted hearing this, "Thank God I take after my mother I guess." She replied a bit sarcastically. Darius chuckled, "And here I thought I had been subtle with my interest in you." Ophelia opened her mouth to speak and Darius spoke up again. "In front of others Reeds." He added. "Yeah, you haven't been exactly subtle there either commander." Ophelia deadpanned, "What? Of course, I have." Darius denied, "Stragety tent." Ophelia deadpanned, Darius went stiff and looked off into the distance as if remember the incident.

"We nearly jumped each other," Ophelia spoke frankly a smile appeared on Darius's lips. "Yeah we did." he seemed really pleased with the memory. Ophelia felt her lips twitch she was beginning to understand why Hart called them both ridiculous. A snort left Ophelia's lips and Darius grinned at her, he went to say something when he was cut off.

"Good morning to you lot!" A voice called, Ophelia looked just up the road and saw a small group carrying the Hart Dukedom banner. She looked over at Darius who seemed annoyed, glancing down at their hands, she reached over giving a small pat on Darius's hand before getting up.

She glanced down at Darius who gave her a small smile before taking a deep breath and standing up.

"Marquees Valentine!" Darius called getting up, the alpha man who rode up front grinned. "There's our favorite commander!" Valentine replied as rain pelted down on his hood, "Dreary enough weather for you?" He laughed as his group came to a stop near their small setup. Ophelia assisted in unloading their cart, the other cadets wordlessly helped load up the cart they had brought with them. Darius and the other generals chatted amongst themselves with the Marquees.

As Ophelia lifted a large sack on her shoulder she noticed one of the soldiers from Hart staring at her. "Can I help you?" She asked, the soldier smiled at her, "No I just want to watch." he said softly eying her.

Ophelia stood there and looked over at Hyde who stood next to her. "Sexuality is very liberal in the Dukedom," Hyde explained a bit meekly. Ophelia felt her cheeks burn slightly, the soldier was obviously an alpha a bit on the smaller side as it were. "I see." She replied stoically, she felt a chill roll down her spine when she felt Darius's gaze on her. She didn't even need to look, she just knew she'd be given hell later on.

She could already hear it, 'my empress has flirted with another man, how will our nation stand at this point!' Ophelia sighed, she was never going to live down that little speech she gave. Finally, the cart was almost unloaded and Ophelia reached for the final crate when another hand reached over, she stepped back and the alpha smiled handing the crate to her. "It's a shame that you're stuck out here in the cold." He flirted shamelessly.

Ophelia took the crate and stared at the alpha man, he wasn't bad-looking, but Ophelia wasn't interested in alphas. "I'm fine thanks for your concern." She spoke flatly, hand placed over one of hers and the alpha smirked. "You sure, there's plenty of room on the cart now... You could come back to the Dukedom with me."

Ophelia felt her soul leave her body for a moment.

Taking a deep breath stared at the alpha before turning around and walking away. "Was it something I said?" The alpha questioned, "You're not crazy enough for her." Ophelia overheard Hyde reply. She decided to ignore it for now.

The exchange was light-hearted and friendly between the generals and the Heart Soldiers. The Marquees settled down at their pseudo camp for a moment with the small group that he had with him making the total sixteen present.

"So I've been hearing that you're needing so more bodies commander. Why don't you take a couple of my men?" Valentine offered, "I'm sure I can have a volunteer-." He remarked before the alpha who had flirted with Ophelia raised his hand.

Ophelia looked over at Hyde who she sat next to in the cart with the other cadets, "Don't look at me." Hyde replied. Ophelia then looked over at Darius who narrowed his eyes openly at the soldier. "Marquees we're doing just fine on men." He replied politely, "You sure? Leopold seems pretty excited." Valentine questioned, "We're fine." Hart spoke up, "Oh okay." Valentine seemed to finally sense the bad air of the conversation.

With the subject dropped the Heart Soldiers left. Darius and Hart seemed exhausted while Lionel seemed amused, "I thought he was going to kill that Leo guy." Lionel remarked to Ophelia who was helping him clean up the supplies used to cook lunch. "Who?" Ophelia asked, "Your little boyfriend." Lionel teased, Ophelia wanting to mess with Lionel smirked. "Cadet Hyde isn't my boyfriend." She said loudly enough that the others could hear. "What?!" Hyde shrieked after hearing this conversation, he looked absolutely horrified. Then Darius looked over looking displeased with Lionel.

"Kid!" Lionel exclaimed looking betrayed, Ophelia chuckled, "Serves you right you old bastard." Ophelia sneered at him, "Lewis get over here." Darius called, Ophelia chuckled even more. "Reeds we'll talk later," Darius added, Ophelia froze and then snapped her head in Darius's direction, he didn't smile with his lips but Ophelia could practically hear his laughter in her head from the look in his eyes.

Ophelia sneered before looking away.

Lionel, Darius, and Hart spoke among themselves briefly before the party took off once again. The rain picked up again pouring down fiercely on the party. "We'll have to stop soon if this doesn't let up!" Lewis exclaimed looking over at Darius, "I suppose you're right." Darius spoke from under his hood.

Ophelia who walked near the group perked up swearing she heard a faint whistling. It got closer and she ducked, just in time for the arrow to hit Hart's horse. The terrified beast neighed in fear and bucked, Ophelia quickly moved over as Hart fell off his horse and caught him. The animal took off full speed down the road leaving its master behind. "Hart, are you okay?" Ophelia questioned. "I'm fine." he winced looking a little stiff. "We're under attack!" Ophelia heard Hyde shout, the generals turned around and saw a group of hooded bandits moving to attack the supply cart. Darius and Lionel sprang to action rushing over.

Lionel clashed with one of the soldiers, causing him to stumble back. Ophelia who had helped Hart stand up noticed the crest on his surcoat. "They're from clover!" She shouted notifying the others. "Clover?! Why the hell did they follow us out here?!" Lionel shouted in reply, "Worry about that later!" Darius responded effortlessly dealing with the enemy attacking him. Ophelia then ran over just about to draw her sword to join the fight, however, suddenly Lionel threw something at her.

Instinctively catching what it was, her eyes widened when she saw it was Darius. "Commander?" She asked, "He got hit!" Lewis shouted, "What?! When-!" Ophelia tried to question it had only been a couple of seconds, "No time! Run kid!" Lionel kicked a bandit off of him. Ophelia looked around seeing more bandits surrounding them. Without question, she dropped her rucksack wrapped Darius in her coat and took off.

"He's getting away!" One hooded figure shouted, Ophelia, glanced behind her seeing that they were begging to chase after her. It was clear now that the target hadn't been the supplies but rather Darius. Ophelia put everything into running for their lives. The ground was slick from mud and slush so it wasn't an easy matter. Without those morning runs with Lionel, she was sure they would've caught them. Darius shifted in her arms, she heard assumed he had ripped off part of his tunic as she ran.

"Reeds." He huffed uncomfortably, "They... They won't catch us." Ophelia promised continuing down the road, hearing the sound of horses coming closer Ophelia ducked into the forest sliding down a slick hill holding onto Darius firmly. She stumbled a bit making it to the bottom and continuing to run, her heart pounded in her ears. She covered Darius's face as the rain pelted her like knives. She was beginning to have difficulties breathing, wincing, and taking deep breaths she let out a cry running faster.

Ophelia's vision started to blur after a few more minutes of running, the rain was also getting into her eyes. Spotting a nearby tree hallow she ducked into it finding herself unable to run anymore. Panting she leaned back holding Darius close, she heard thunder crack over her head sounding like the roar of a lion.

Whatever prayer Ophelia said then must have worked, they got out of the tree hollow and Ophelia managed to find a cave. Ophelia stared down at the exhausted form of Darius. It was finally done... Ophelia sat the knife down, after several excruciating minutes. She finally got his wound closed, she looked down at disgustingly burnt skin. It looked terrible but at least the bleeding stopped. Darius leaned against her the corner of his mouth had blood... Her blood. He huffed softly and looked like he was on the verge of passing out, his eyes landed on the damage he left on her shoulder.

"Oh no..." he breathed, "I've damaged the royal body of the empress." He chuckled breathily wincing in pain. Ophelia winced before letting out a laugh, tears trickling down her face. How could he be such an ass after hurting so much? Darius looked up at her reaching up. He wrapped an arm around her neck and pulled himself closer to her. The two of them embraced holding each other close. Ophelia held him tight unable to stop the tears from rolling down her face.

She was so relieved.