The Princess'choice II

Journey to the past

Emmett

As agreed with Sébastien, we prepared for the journey next day. We were ready to depart and my family came to wish us good luck.

-Are you sure you don't want to inform the Emperor of Emelest empire about your arrival?

- Hundred percent! If we inform them they have all the right and authority to make me stay in the castle, and we cannot do what we are there for. Also, if we tell them why I'm there, they'll join the search and if he is only half as cruel as Conrad said, Prince Damien will kill the witch before we can even meet her. - Sébastien sighed but father pat his back.

- He is right son. I don't like the risk either, but right now this is our best shot.

- Don't worry about us, Conrad knows a shortcut and he has childhood friends there. We won't be alone! - my parents hugged me and before we departed Lizzy hugged me tight.

- Take care of him! - she said softly and I chuckled caressing the top of her head.

- I'll bring your knight in shining armor back in one piece! - she grimaced and we left with our friends and family waving us goodbye.

- With my shortcut our journey will take a week only.

- That gives us a week to find and convince the witch. - I said and Conrad looked troubled.

- What if she doesn't want to cooperate your Highness? - he asked and I shrugged.

- We can't force her.

- What if she already cooperated with her brother?

- Would you in her case? - I asked and Conrad tried to look really pensive, but the answer was written all over his face.

- No.

-That's what I thought. Let's go! - we hit the road with our horses almost flying. I was curious to see that witch myself and we were pretty short on time. Conrad knew the way like the back of his palm. I was impressed considering that he was still young when I found him on the battlefield four years ago. Today he was already a young man with his seventeen years. There was still a lot to improve, but he had the determination to do so. We were sitting at our campfire after two whole days of riding. While we warmed up I asked.

- Do you remember how we met? - Conrad, who was busy roasting the rabbit we caught, smiled warmly.

- How could I forget? I was malnourished, beaten up, and literally fighting for my life on the battlefield and it was only the beginning of the war.

- You looked pretty shitty back then.- I said teasingly.

- That's so nice of you... - he said and rolled his eyes.

- If I haven't thanked you for this life, I want to thank it now. - he said looking into my eyes. I grinned.

- You have thanked me already countless times. You are already part of our family sort of. At least we consider you as a younger brother with Sébastien. Only if you weren't looking at our little sister with such a lovesick puppy eyes... - I said and I just wanted to tease him, but Conrad blushed and hang down his head.

- My adoration towards her Highness is on bases as a knight can adore his master. - I felt bad for the little guy and sat next to him patting his back.

- Chill, boy. You are both young and you have the potential to make great things in life. If you want her, you can fight to be the man she could rely on. That's the most important, the title and wealth only comes after love and loyalty. So, if your feeling towards her are serious, fight for her. We won't stand in your way, but if you betray her, I'll personally hunt you down.- Conrad looked at me and extended his hand. I shook it and he said.

- That's exactly what I was expecting from you. But I'd rather die a painful death than betray her.

- Even if it would be as painful as your sister's? - Conrad looked in front of him and smiled.

- She is my hero. That would be an honor, but if the odds are at my side and God as well, I want to cherish and love Anna until my sight and heart betrays me. - I pat his head and felt at ease. At least Lizzy' s feeling weren't one sided and this little man was brave and intelligent enough to make a great match for her if she wants to.

- I hope I can wish for the same one day. But first I need to meet the woman who can turn my world upside down. - Conrad laughed and said.

- Maybe you have met her already, you just don't remember. - I laid down, and him as well. With my eyes already closed I said.

- If I had met her already, there is no way I'd forget about her so easily. - Conrad chuckled and we fall asleep. Next morning we continued our journey and thanks to Conrad we arrived to the border in just seven days.

- Where should we start the search? - I asked him and Conrad grinned.

- I have a great feeling about this day your Highness, let's follow that road! - he said and we rode deeply into the forest. I had a weird, excited feeling about today as well...