Two Princesses, One Throne

Chapter 17

“You mean me?”

Everyone froze upon hearing Damien’s remark. Amara blinked her eyes, and frowned.

“Do you want me to punch you, Damien?” Amara asked almost annoyed. Damien shrugged his shoulders in response making Amara grit her teeth.

“Wow, Damien. I never thought I’d hear a joke from you.” Richmond commented tapping Damien’s shoulder in the process.

“But don’t worry Amara; Damien already got his eyes on someone, right Damien?” Richmond added which caught Amara by surprise. Amara looked at Damien and he glanced back.

“That was ten years ago. I don’t know if he’s still seeing that woman in secret but I tell you it was love at first sight.” Amara smiled teasingly as she commented, “Oh, I never thought my partner had actually fallen in love already.”

Damien didn’t say a word of defense or denial which caused disappointment to Amara. But it made Amara thinks that if Damien is secretly seeing that woman then Amara would know considering that they’ve always been together for the last ten years training or hunting.

But if he is seeing her while everyone is asleep then that is a different story. Amara secretly bit her lip to control her emotions. Damien’s never told her about a woman before and this is the first time she heard about it.

“Enough with the chit-chat let’s start packing so we could move along and reach the house before it gets dark.” Wilson said making everyone stood from their seats. Amara was too quick to get up and pack all her things. She intentionally made herself busy so Damien won’t approach her.

Amara knows that Damien finally understood what happened last night and sooner or later he would ask her about it, or not. She’s wishing it would be the latter though.

“Amara, this is your bow, right?” turning her head Rosella handed her the bow which has her name engraved to it.

Come to think of it, Damien gave this bow to her as a gift. Glancing at Damien’s direction Amara stared at him until he glanced back to her and their eyes met. Amara blinked her eyes and looked away.

“Are we all set?” Wilson asked the group. Looking around, Richmond answered, “Yes, everybody’s good to go.”

Carrying their own bag, the group traveled back to their home on the Dark Forest. As they travel, Amara kept her distance from Damien as much as possible. She may be a coward for not facing something that’s inevitable but for Amara, now is not the time for such a thing.

“Amara, you’ve been quiet the whole time. Are you okay?” Amara turned her head to the side when she felt Rosella’s slight nudge.

“U-uhm. Yes. I was just thinking.” Amara answered. Rosella sighed and placed her arm over Amara’s shoulder.

“It’s been ten years Amara, and I know you’ve been thinking about the kingdom and your evil sister but rash actions only leads to a certain defeat.” Rosella said making Amara smile.

“Thank you Rosella.”

~~~~~

The group traveled all across the river to take a shorter route and that is where they pass by a village. As they pass by the village, the first thing Amara noticed is the biggest and finest house at the far most end of the village. They were not supposed to stop, let alone get into any village but Amara wanted to see the village.

Barbara noticed Amara turning the other way as so she called her, “Amara. Where are you going? We’re not supposed to stop here----“

Barbara reached out for Amara’s arm to stop her from entering the village. Amara turned her head and said, “There’s something I needed to see Barbara. You guys can go ahead; I’ll catch up with you.”

Gently pulling her arm away, Amara entered the village leaving the group dumbfounded. Damien gripped his bow tight and followed Amara into the village. The rest of them glanced at each and sighed. Damien and Amara went to the village which left them no choice but to follow them.

‘I’ve been here before.’ Amara thought to herself as she looked around the village. As she remembered more than ten years ago, this village was supposed to be full of life. People from different villages and towns would always visit this village to see their famous festivities but now, it seems like the village is surrounded with a darkness.

The once lively and hospitable villagers are gone. Seeing the gates of the mansion from a distance, Amara’s eyes grew wide in horror and anger for she saw five people hanging in front of the gates. Their toes barely touching the ground as their hands were chained over their heads.

Amara’s hand formed into a tight fist, a single tear dropped from her eyes and what angers her most is the kingdom’s banner placed on top of the mansion’s roof; her father’s banner. Amara took a step forward but Damien pulled her back, as they hide on the corner. Seeing Damien, Amara was taken by surprise, she thought he went on ahead with the others.

“I thought I told you guys to go on ahead.” Amara said with a frown on her face.

“Do you really think I’ll leave you alone?” Damien replied and right then, soldiers on patrol passed by.

“We should leave this place.” Barbara said. Amara blinked her eyes not expecting to see the rest of the group.

“B-But I need to rescue those people chained in front of the gates.” Amara was about to leave but Damien held her tight.

“Princess.” Damien stared into Amara intently as if telling her not to do anything.

“Psst.” Hearing that sound, Barbara held her sword as well as Rosella and Wilson whilst Richmond had his axe ready and Damien with his dagger.

“This way.” the man whispered as he looked out for the soldiers on patrol.

“Hurry.” He once again whispered. Damien’s group reluctantly followed the man and he took them to his house.

“Thank you sir.” Rosella said, slightly bowing her head to show respect.

“Why did you help us?” Wilson asked.

“I saw your group enter the village. You’re lucky those soldiers on patrol didn’t see you because when they do, they will have you arrested.” The man answered as he sat on the wooden floor.

“My name is Koro. Please take a seat; I’m sorry if this is all I can offer.” Koro shook his head as he apologized.

“What happened here?” Amara asked the moment she sat on the floor.

“About nine years ago, sorcerers from the castle came and they took over the village. They’ve been enslaving us. Men and children were taken to the mansion and the women are asked to give birth one after the other.”

“Why?” Barbara asked.

“Right after they get the seed from the woman, the sorcerers will then have her pregnant again; I think you already know what I meant. They will do this over and over again until the woman can no longer provide a seed.” Hearing all these things made Amara grit her teeth with anger, her hand forming into a tight fist.

“What happens to those women who can no longer bear a seed?” Rosella asked.

“I don’t really know but I heard their Captain say that the women will be used to speed up the development of the seeds so they can deliver the babies to the castle.” Koro answered, voice sounded broken.

“Those who try to oppose them are punished. Just like those you see in front of the gates.” As Amara looked into Koro’s eyes there were sadness in them.

“The new Queen has polluted the kingdom.” Koro added.

“After King Edward’s death, everything changed. They said the princess survived the rebellion………………………” Amara was biting her lip as she look at Koro to prevent herself from saying anything.

“……………I want to believe she did so she could save us, but how long do we have to wait?”