(Sorry I made a mistake that I didn't realize)
"Your Majesty!" Navier's voice rang out, laden with panic and concern as she hurried to Claude's side, her eyes wide with fear.
Despite the pain that seared through him, Claude maintained his regal poise, his hand firmly gripping the wound on his abdomen.
His attempt to reassure her was reflected in his voice, though the pain was unmistakably etched in his eyes. "I'm fine," he assured her, his tone steady, a mixture of calm and agony.
Navier's heart raced within her chest, her gaze darting around in search of the unseen assailant.
Another sound reached their ears, and they both instinctively tensed.
Swish!
Reacting with swift agility, Claude twisted his body, evading the oncoming arrow in a desperate maneuver. The arrow found its mark in a nearby tree with a resounding thud, emphasizing the danger they were facing.
'An ambush? Who could be behind this?' The thought crossed his mind, his expression darkening with a mix of frustration and vigilance.
Beside him, Navier stood frozen, her breath caught in her throat, her sense of security shattered by the sudden attack.
"We must get out of here-" Navier's words were cut short as another arrow whizzed past them, a hair's breadth away from its target.
♕
Claude's resolve solidified, his grip on Navier's hand tightening as he propelled them into action, sprinting away with her through the forest, arrows narrowly missing them as they weaved through the trees.
"Emperor...! I don't memorize this forest!" Navier's voice trembled with urgency as they continued to dodge the rain of arrows.
Abruptly halting in their tracks, they were confronted by the sudden appearance of a masked figure emerging from the underbrush.
The intruder brandished a sword, and Claude positioned himself defensively, placing his body between Navier and the potential threat. His gaze, once calm, now bore a fierce determination.
"Who are you?"
The words left his lips with a sharp edge, his magical power coalescing in his hand as he readied for a confrontation.
The masked assailant remained silent, their intentions veiled, as they lunged at Claude with a swift strike, and he deftly avoided the blade's deadly path.
The masked assailant's attack was swift and calculated, their sword aimed for Claude's vulnerable spots. Claude's movements were precise, his defensive maneuvers allowing him to narrowly escape each strike, his eyes focused and unwavering.
Navier watched the intense struggle with wide eyes, her heart pounding in her chest as fear and concern for the emperor gripped her.
As he assailant's attacks grew more aggressive, their determination evident in every swing. Claude's brow furrowed in concentration as he could still feel the strain in his muscles and the ache from his wound.
♕
Then, in a moment of quick thinking, Claude saw an opportunity. With a swift parry, he turned to her with a firm grip on her arm, his voice urgent yet steady.
"Stay close to me," he instructed, his eyes locking with hers. Without waiting for her response, he scooped her up into his arms, his muscles tensed as he moved with remarkable speed.
Navier's eyes widened in surprise as Claude suddenly swept her into his arms, his movements fluid and swift. Through the dense forest, he navigated with an expert grace, skillfully evading trees and obstacles, all while holding her securely against him.
Her heart raced within her chest, a mixture of fear and exhilaration coursing through her veins as she clung to him, her fingers finding purchase in the fabric of his attire.
The world around them seemed to blur into a whirlwind of motion, a dance of danger and escape unfolding before them.
Though the situation was dire, Navier couldn't help but notice the strength of the arms that held her, the muscles beneath his clothes firm and unyielding.
Though she longed to voice her ability to run on her own, the urgency of their circumstances silenced her words. The forest echoed with the sounds of their hurried escape, the adrenaline masking the rustling leaves and the distant calls of birds.
Amidst the chaos of their flight, Navier couldn't help but feel a tinge of embarrassment. Being carried by the emperor in such an intimate manner was a
moment she hadn't anticipated, and a rosy hue colored her cheeks.
She stole a glance at him, finding his expression resolute as he pressed forward, his gaze fixed on their path ahead. Claude's eyes scanned their surroundings with a practiced vigilance, assessing potential routes and strategies.
The sight of a nearby cave caught his attention, uncertainty flickering briefly in his eyes. He shifted course towards the shelter it offered, a decision made in haste yet filled with calculated caution.
The two of them entered the cave, their heartbeats slowly normalizing as they huddled in the darkness, hidden from view.
Navier's cheeks retained a pink hue, but it wasn't solely due to their previous proximity. Anxiety and tension lingered in the air, weighing down their silence as they observed the entrance.
Outside, the masked assailant continued their search, and Navier's gaze flitted between Claude and the entrance, her mind racing with questions and concerns.
With a soft sigh, Claude finally released the tension that had been coiling within him, gently placing Navier down. She smoothed the fabric of her dress, her lips parting to break the silence that hung between them.
"There's an ambush," she admitted, her voice a whisper tinged with seriousness. "This is something I hadn't anticipated. Why would anyone wish to harm us?"
His brows furrowed, his gaze distant as he pondered her question. "I don't know," he admitted with a faint shake of his head. "But our priority is to find a way out once it's safe."
As her gaze roamed the confines of the cave, her expression darkened with a mix of anxiety and frustration.
The unfamiliarity of their surroundings only added to their predicament, leaving her with a sense of unease.
'We're lost...'
♕
"Have you failed in completing your task?"
The inquiry was delivered with an icy precision, the man's visage etched with a coldness that mirrored his disapproval.
In response, the masked individual lowered his head in a deferential bow, a silent admission of his shortcomings.
Leaning casually against the wall, his arms folded in a display of casual authority, the man regarded his subordinate with a mixture of disdain and contemplation.
"How profoundly disappointing..." His voice carried a tinge of bitterness, underscored by a veneer of neutrality that masked his true emotions.
He pushed himself off the wall slightly, shifting his stance as he regarded the scene before him. The air was rife with tension, each word weighed with the gravity of expectation and disappointment.
"While the object of your task remains within the Eastern empire, you must ensure its completion," he declared, the authority in his voice brooking no opposition. "Failure to do so will result in the forfeiture of the substantial compensation you covet."
As his words hung in the air, the masked figure's throat tightened, a mixture of unease and determination etched onto his features.
A bead of sweat traced a path down his brow, a physical manifestation of the internal struggle between his apprehension and his unyielding resolve.
With a deep inhalation, he bowed even lower, the submission in his posture palpable.
"Yes, my king."