Leo POV
I woke up from the sun shining on my face. I slowly opened my eyes to adjust to the light.
I looked beside me and saw that the space where Alia should have been was empty.
I sat up and looked around and saw that Alia's clothes were also gone. The clothes that I wore that I recklessly discarded last night were neatly folded at the end of the bed.
It's like last night didn't happen. If I didn't feel sore I'd think that everything that happened last night was all a dream.
What did I expect? Alia can't stay the night. People would talk when they find out she's absent from her chambers in the morning.
I stretched and groggily stood up and headed for a bath. After that, I brushed my teeth and while brushing I saw my reflection and saw a bruise on my neck.
"That little-" I shook my head with a smile. She marked me.
I continued getting ready and tried to cover the bruise with my hair as best as I could.
When I was done, I walked out of my room and headed for the forest to see what the other girls were doing and check how far they are on their training.
I still have a little time before the King calls for me for a meeting.
I turned in the hallway and suddenly stopped when I was faced with the King and Princess Alia.
"Your Highness" I bowed and looked up through my lashes and saw Alia hiding a small smile while looking at me.
"Leo" the King greeted me "I'm expecting you later this afternoon" he reminded.
I nodded "Yes your Highness, I'll be there" I replied.
The King nodded before walking past me and I felt Alia's feminine hand lightly brush mine.
I looked back at her and saw her wink at me before walking beside her father.
I shook my head and tried to ignore the tingles that ran through my body. That girl.
I walked out of the castle and felt the heat of the morning sun against my skin. I continued walking until I was in the forest, I could hear my boots crunch a couple of dried leaves.
I continued entering the forest until I finally heard women training. I saw Danielle first "Dan!" I called.
She looked behind her and saw me. She walked towards me with her hands in her pockets "Any news? Are they still going to throw you in the dungeon?" She asked with a neutral face. I swear this girl has no emotions.
I grabbed her elbow and pulled her into a quiet area making sure no one can hear me "We'll talk about it later this afternoon, but for now I need a favor" I told Danielle.
Her right eyebrow rose in question "What is it?" She asked.
I checked the surrounding before looking back at her "I need you to go through with the plan with or without me. I know there's still time but after the meeting later, I don't know if I'll get to speak to you again" I said quietly.
Danielle is one of the only few people I can trust right now.
Since Kit, Josh and Ramona are knights, they are basically owned by the Longfords now.
I know they will help me if they could since they are also boiling with anger from the information that we found out about the Longfords but Josh and Ramona are already staying at the other Kingdom with the request of Prince Bryce, and Kit is still recovering.
The only reason I wasn't requested to go to the other kingdom even though I'm now a knight is because of my ongoing case.
Danielle narrowed her eyes "What happened?" She asked.
I sighed "They want me to marry one of the Westbrooks to keep me out of the dungeon," I said.
She nodded "I guess that makes sense. They're one of the most powerful in the kingdom. If that's done, what's the problem?" She said.
I bit my lip "The decision is still not final, they could throw me in a cell after the meeting. I could still possibly get thrown in the dungeon. I just want this to be over and keep everyone safe" I confessed.
Danielle was starting at me "You know it's not your job to keep everyone safe Leo. This is a fucked up world. Fucked up things will always happen, most beyond our control" she said like she was remembering something from her past.
I nodded "I know, but when my mom died. I was hoping that someone could've saved her because I couldn't do anything. Now I could, so I'm going to be that someone to these kids who were like me, helpless" I replied.
Danielle stared at me and finally nodded "You're a good person Leo. Don't let this shitty world change you" she said and patted my back "I'll take your post when the war happens, don't worry about it. We still have a week to prepare anyway. Let's just hope for the best" she said.
I smiled at her "Thank you, Danielle I owe you one. If I'm not incarcerated when the war happens, I'll take out the Longfords myself" I said.
She nodded and smiled slightly "I don't doubt it. See you around, Knight of Roses," she said before turning towards the forest, but then she looked back at me slightly "Nice hickey by the way," she said with a smirk before walking away.
I panicked and moved my hair to cover the hickey again. Alia is going to be in trouble when I see her. That girl didn't even leave me some of her makeup to cover it up.
"That's the most emotions anyone got out from her" I heard behind me and saw Isabelle standing and watching Danielle walk away.
"Oh hey Isabelle, how's training? I hope Danielle's not giving you a hard time" I said.
She snorted cutely "It's fine. Danielle's giving everyone a hard time so" she shrugged.
I grimaced "Sorry about that. Danielle is not really a people person but we can't doubt her skills" I said.
Isabelle nodded "I know. I watched everyone improve because of her. Even me and I'm the clumsiest woman there" she chuckled.
I laughed "You're not that bad" I replied "Well, I better get going, I just wanted to check on you guys," I said.
Isabelle nodded "Thanks. I better get back to training, before Danielle sees I'm late and throws a fit. Bye," she said before running towards Danielle but not before almost tripping on a branch.
I chuckled. Okay, maybe she is that bad.
I headed back to the castle to handle some planning before the meeting. We need a backup plan in case I couldn't fight with them.
I trust Danielle's skills but she can't do this on her own. I need to make sure I'll be present when the war happens or we need a fail-proof plan B when I can't.
I walked through the hallway heading to my room when I passed by Alia's room.
I looked at both sides of the hallway making sure no one is there before opening Alia's door slowly.
I saw her in the middle of all her dresses there were scattered on the floor.
"Well, this brings back memories," I said smiling slightly.
She looked up smiling "It does, doesn't it" she chuckled softly "It feels like decades ago. Back then I was getting ready for a dreaded date with Charles, and now I'm-" she stopped and her mood suddenly shifted.
I knew why she did. She remembered that she's married.
I cleared my throat "What are you getting ready for?" I asked. Ignoring the sudden gloominess of the room and tried to remove Bryce from my brain.
He doesn't matter, especially after we take him down.
I heard her sigh "My father asked me to make sure I look my best. I guess this meeting is going to be a big deal" She said while looking around for a dress to wear.
I looked at her confused "The King said it's going to be a regular meeting to discuss and finalize everything about my case" I said.
Alia stood up from the floor "Change of plans, I thought they already told you. The Longfords are arriving this afternoon to join the meeting. I just heard about it a couple of minutes ago, so I think my father also just heard about it" she said.
My eyes widened. The Longfords are arriving. We were sure that they weren't arriving until next week. Our plans were based on their arrival. Fuck. The war is going to happen today.
"I need to go" I made a move towards the door but Alia held my wrist. I looked back at her questioningly.
"Wait, I'm coming with you," she said and I nodded, then we both headed for the door.
We passed by a couple of people in the hallway and we acted like nothing's wrong, but it feels like everything is falling apart.
The Longfords is planning something. I can feel it.
"We need to warn Danielle," I said before Alia and I ran out the door heading for the forest.
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A/N: Being quarantined gives me more time to update lol. Stay safe everyone. Thank you :))