Aderas: Thought you could just run off, hm? Run away with some little urchin wherever you want to go? No. That's not how it works.
The prince stepped closer to the princess, whose eyes were streaming clear blue tears in fear.
Aderas: You're mine. And that means you're going to do as I please!
He raised his arm as to strike her, making Lissabelle jerk away, but Cal slammed his arm away from her as his eyes burned in anger just knowing that this was the man his love was to marry.
Cal: Who the hell do you think you are?
Aderas stared at the boy, shocked that such a young man would ever talk back to him in such a way.
Aderas: Ehem. I am the prince of the Western Kingdom. I have the right to do as I please.
Cal: So you think that just because you're royalty, you can treat this girl like a possession?
Aderas: Hmph. Who do you think you are? You cannot tell me what to do! I am a prince! You're what? A merchant? You're not even good enough to do this girl's laundry!
Lissabelle: H-his c-class doesn't matter!
Lissabelle hugged Cal tighter than before, glaring back at Aderas with her teary eyes.
Lissabelle: H-he's ten times the man you'd ever be!
Aderas froze. His eyes were cold with anger. Steam seemed to rise from his head.
Aderas: When you become my wife, you will hopefully learn how to hold your tongue!
He pulled the girl away from Cal, though she struggled and whimpered, trying to return to his side. Cal quickly pulled out his blade and pointed it to the man's chest.
Cal: Let her go.
Aderas scowled back at him as he shoved Lissabelle to the ground, letting her land in the dirt on her side.
Aderas: So it's a duel you want? Fine.
He pulled his long, shining sword from its sheath and pointed it at Cal, who simply shrugged and went toward him. Aderas tried to block his opponant's blade, but he was too late, and it had already sailed across his arm, leaving a streak of red blood accenting his white clothing.
Aderas hissed, but tried to ignore the pain. He lunged forward at Cal, aiming for the boy's chest, but was blocked. He tried to make contact again, but was blocked. The sound of clashing swords was rhythmic- every one of Aderas's offensive strikes was blocked quickly by Cal, resulting in a loud clang each time.
Guard: Would you like us to arrest him, your highness?
Aderas: No! I'll defeat him myself! Ah!
With the time it took Aderas to reply to his guard, Cal had time to find a weak spot in his armor by his shoulder and strike it, leaving a bloody gash. The prince doubled over and clutched the wound as Cal lowered his sword for a bit, resting his arm while he could.
Aderas: You've studied dueling quite carefully, I see.
Cal: And I see you haven't.
He smirked, letting Aderas's expression turn to a sneer. The prince lunged toward him again, aiming for his throat but being blocked once again by his young opponant.
Lissabelle: AHH! LEMME GO!
Cal looked over to see Lissabelle being dragged over to a carriage by a large guard. Though she was kicking and screaming, he didn't turn away from his task.
Cal: LISSA....!
But before he could run over to her and save the day, before he could even budge, he felt the cold steel of Aderas's blade plunge into his chest. He froze, still looking to Lissabelle, seeing her stop struggling to look back at him.
Lissabelle: C-Cal....?
Just seeing her beautiful hazel eyes fill with tears made Cal's do the same.
Cal: I...I'm sorry, Lissabelle...
Aderas pulled the blade from his opponant's chest and let the man collapse, his sword clanging as it hit the hard ground.
Lissabelle: CAL!!!!!
She began to struggle more than ever, now, trying to run to his side, wanting to speak to him, wanting to see that he was alright, though she knew in her heart that he wasn't. Despite her efforts, the guard shoved her into the carriage and locked the door behind her. She slammed on the windows, trying to escape, but it was no use. Before she knew it, she was off, returning to the home she despised. The last thing she saw through the back window was the body of Cal Mitchell, the man she loved, lying motionless as tears glittered his closed eyes.
Guard: Would you like us to just leave his body here?
Aderas: No. That wound isn't going to kill him. Bring him with you to the palace and lock him in prison.
Guard: Yessir.
Aderas: And have his wound bandaged. I want him to live a long time in that dungeon. Yes...living in misery knowing that his beloved princess is married to me...
Guard: Yessir.
Aderas nodded to his soldier and mounted his horse, riding off to his palace and his woman, victorious at last.
Jessina: Hm...I guess my sister was right about this place after all...It really is pretty....
Chase: Oh....Mm. Yeah, it's great...
Jessina: What is wrong with you?
Chase: Huh?
Jessina: You've been grouchy all day for no reason! What's the matter? Something's gotta be wrong.
Chase: I...I dunno what you're talking about...
Jessina: Liar. You've been acting so weird...
She rolled her eyes and sat down on a rock.
Jessina: Men. Hmph. Think that if they show that they have feelings they aren't men anymore...
Chase: It's not like that! It's...
He was interrupted by the sound of a scream coming from the other side of the lake.
Jessina: What was that?
The scream was followed by the sound of hoofbeats--lots of them.
Jessina: C'mon! Maybe they're in trouble!
She stood up, ready to run after her sister to save the day, but Chase pulled her back by the wrist.
Chase: No! Wait!
Jessina turned back to him with a raised eyebrow.
Jessina: They could be in trouble!
Chase: I know they are!
Jessina's heart sank.
Jessina: Huh...?
Chase: I...I...
Jessina: What did you...?
Chase: Aderas and his men threatened me last night while you were sleeping to tell him where we were headed.
Jessina: Why...why did you...!?
She slapped him across the face, madder than ever before.
Jessina: HOW COULD YOU BETRAY US LIKE THIS!?!?
Chase: HE SAID THAT IF I DIDN'T TELL HIM, THEN HE'D KILL YOU!
Jessina's anger subsided a bit, her rage turning to confusion.
Jessina: Ch-Chase...?
Chase: I couldn't let him do it....
Jessina: So...so what happens now?
Chase: Well...I dunno about you, but I'm not letting him get away without a fight...
Jessina nodded, ready to get him back.
Jessina: Let's go get my sister.
-PREVIEW!-
Mikona: Puu! I'm here to help Starlite give a preview for her next chapter!
What's this? LISSABELLE'S BACK AT THE PALACE?!?! CAL'S IN THE DUNGEON!?!?! JESSINA AND CHASE BETTER GET THEIR BUTTS OVER HERE BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE! TOMORROW ADERAS SAYS IS THE DAY HE'S GONNA MARRY LISSABELLE! THAT'S NOT GOOD!
Next time, Chapter 19, The Princess's Melancholy Return
Mikona can't wait!
Mikona: Puu! I'm here to help Starlite give a preview for her next chapter!
What's this? LISSABELLE'S BACK AT THE PALACE?!?! CAL'S IN THE DUNGEON!?!?! JESSINA AND CHASE BETTER GET THEIR BUTTS OVER HERE BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE! TOMORROW ADERAS SAYS IS THE DAY HE'S GONNA MARRY LISSABELLE! THAT'S NOT GOOD!
Next time, Chapter 19, The Princess's Melancholy Return
Mikona can't wait!
