Elena''s POV


    My heart was pounding fast and loud, so much so that it almost felt like it would burst out of my chest any second.


    His hazel eyes stared down at my brown eyes, almost capturing my soul in the process, and melting my strength made my legs feel weak.


    Oh, damn, how could he have this much effect on me?


    He tilted his head and looked at me seriously as he spoke in his deep voice, "Elena Dooley.


    This is the battlefield, it''s no ce for you.".


    My breathing hitched. I knew that I wasn''t an official warrior despite my


    background as a Custodes apprentice, but still, the information I have worth every


    hassle..


    I stared at his face, which was so familiar and yet so different from how I first saw him at the


    kingdom''s pce.


    His sharp jaws were now covered with a long beard, and I could barely see his lips. There''s a gaze on the side of his cheek near his temple, and his hair is tied in the back of his head with


    a cut fabric.


    But despite the change in his appearance, his godly face couldn''t be hidden by the beard on his face. And his hazel eyes glinted with a shade of brightness despite the dimness that


    masked it.


    Control yourself, Elena.


    Taking a deep breath, I stood up properly and replied with a slight bow, "It''s been a long time,


    Prince Deacon."


    "You''vee a long way. Why so?" he asked, finally taking a step back from me, giving me


    enough room to breathe back the air I thought I had lost moments ago.


    I looked around, finding the warriors and guards looking at me curiously. Thinking it wouldn''t


    be best for them to hear the details and cause premature panic, I cleared my throat and said


    instead, "I have intel about the battle that needs your attention."


    He observed me for a while, seemingly seeing if I was serious. Later on, he nodded and


    gestured inside.


    < Chapter 14


    "Alright then."


    +8 Points >


    With that, I followed him, making sure to keep at least a foot of distance between us. One, out of respect, out of respect. Though I was already appointed as a Princess, he didn''t know about that, so he was still higher rank than me.


    Secondly, because being so close to him was somehow making me uneasy.


    He stopped at one of the massive greenish-brown tents and pushed open the barrier fabric to


    enter.


    "Thank you," I said in gratitude after he kept holding the heavy barrier to let me in.


    My eyes wandered, and I saw the massive bed made of wood, with grasses on top of it, covered with thick fabric to make itfortable. The wrinkled nket made it obvious that he


    had used it for a long time.


    He sat down at one of the cut-off logs made into a stool, gestured at the other stool, and let


    me sit.


    In between us was a huge table filled with maps marked with stones and gs. I learned this from my childhood: the gs indicated the base of the enemy and allies, and they varied in


    color, while the stones were the obstacle.


    Weapons were also hung around the tent''s wall, while generated bulbs were tied on the tent''s


    roof.


    "Since you''re so positive it''s a military emergency, let me hear it." The prince spoke, stopping my wandering eyes from observing my surroundings, which had be a habit of mine over


    the years.


    After all, being vignt saves lives.


    Pulling out the printed letter from my bag, I handed it over to him. "This is the data from myrade, which I received four days ago about the rebellion being formed here. The packs and Rogues are joining hands."


    "Why didn''t you tell the King about this?" he asked in confusion as he read through the letter. He thenmented, "It would have saved you a lot of travel and hassle."


    I sighed, feeling helpless again. I remembered the disappointment in the King''s voice. "I did,


    but he didn''t believe me."


    "He didn''t? And why is that?"


    I thought for a while before I generally exined, "I couldn''t prove that it''s from myrade."


    < Chapter 14


    "And who''s that?"


    "Rendell West."


    +8 Points >


    As soon as I said Rendell''s name, his eyes flicked briefly after the prominent recognition, whichter changed to further confusion. "If I remember correctly, my brother admires him very much. He would have believed it without hesitation." Should I tell him?


    I mean, I''m already here, and he seems more open about the letter''s contents than the King. It


    wouldn''t bring harm if I told the truth, would it?


    After a few moments of hesitation, I heaved a sigh and exined, "Actually... It''s from my female seniorrade, Hester Adams. But I thought saying Rendell''s name would expedite


    everything. But the King didn''t believe me."


    It didn''t even take a minute before he closed the letter and put it back on the


    table.


    My heart ran wild. Did he not believe me as well? Would he send me back like the


    King?


    Anxiety ran through me, especially when he raised his hand and snapped his fingers.


    Immediately, one of the warriors outside his tent came in. "Prince."


    "Increase the number of guards doing parameters around the camp," hemanded, making


    me look back at him in surprise. I moved so fast that I almost had a whish. "Right away, Prince."


    "Y-you...believe me?" I stuttered in disbelief while staring at his bright, captivating


    hazel eyes.


    Raising his brow, he asked back, "Are you lying?"


    My eyes widened, and I hastily raised my arms to form an "X" shape as I vehemently denied,"


    No! No, of course not, but..."


    Leaning on his chair, he smiled and exined, "Hester Adams might not be as popr as Rendell West, but she''s still an honorable warrior. If she took the hassle of sending this


    warning, I''m sure it''s something to worry about.”


    I heaved a sigh of relief as the heaviness in my chest finally vanished. With his words, I finally felt my tensed body rx as I leaned my elbow on the table. "What''s wrong? Are you exhausted?" he asked worriedly, leaning forward to examine me, which wreaked havoc on the butterflies in my stomach.


    < Chapter 14


    +8 Points >


    Taking a few breaths, I exined, "I... I''ve never run for that long before. I think


    I''ve reached my limit."


    He let out a smile, stood up from his stool, leaned across the table, and suddenly tapped my forehead teasingly with the back of his two fingers, taking me back, especially when hemented, "Fool!"


    "Hey! I helped you! How-?


    I stutteringly tried to defend myself, but he suddenly let out a smallugh before


    his demeanor went serious.


    "Thank you," he whispered, face only inches apart from me while his hazel eyes stared deep into my soul, sucking my sense.