Resolve

"Die!

Die!

Die!"

De didn't know how to react when Stefanie started brutalising Lazzlow with repeated curb-stomps. Although Stefanie wasn't aware of it, De was actually Stefanie's personal knight and guardian appointed by Stefanie's father; the now deceased king Stefan.

As such, De really didn't know what to feel upon seeing this truly tragic sight. However, that did not mean that she would do nothing. Within moments, De used her authority as Stefanie's personal knight to give orders to the knights who were witnessing Stefanie's outburst of anger.

"Everyone. Leave now."

When the knights heard De's orders they were almost as shocked as when Stefanie started to brutally curb-stomp Lazzlow's head. There were looks of concern on each of the knights as they seemingly wondered how to respond to De.

Soon, one of the knights spoke up on behalf of the others.

"My lady, are you sure about this?"

While trying her best to keep her composure, De proceeded to respond to the knights.

"Yes. I believe that her highness is only experiencing an episodic moment of anger. After all, she was subjected to an 'unwelcome return' when she finally returned to Porrand..."

De sighed sombrely before she continued.

"Perhaps it would be wise to give her some time alone."

"I see. But what about you, my lady?"

De turned her attention to stare at Stefanie as she answered the knight's question.

"I will remain here. I have a duty to uphold."

"Understood."

Out of the corner of her eye, De was able to catch the knights bowing slightly before they left the study, leaving De alone to watch over the raging Stefanie.

"Everything!

Was!

Just!

Perfect!"

Even though Lazzlow probably already died long ago, Stefanie did not relent on her merciless stomping, even as she started to spout random thoughts that she probably kept deep inside herself. It seemed as if she didn't even know or care what she was doing anymore.

"Why!

Did!

Everything!

Have!

To!

Be!

Ruined!"

Soon, the seconds of time that passed by turned into minutes and yet Stefanie didn't seem to be slowing down. However, De has already grown used to Stefanie's temper. She knew that soon, Stefanie will eventually calm down.

"Damn!..

It...

All..."

It was after a few long moments passed did Stefanie start to slow down before eventually, she stopped relentless curb-stomping the grotesque lump of meat that used to be Lazzlow's head.

Finally appearing to have calmed down, Stefanie staggered backwards before she fell on her knees and hands. Her arms trembled as she muttered seemingly random words to herself.

"I just don't understand... I just... don't... understand..."

As Stefanie repeated the same words to herself, De saw tears falling from Stefanie's face before it mixed into the pool of Lazzlow's blood.

Stefanie was crying.

In complete stark contrast to the savage beast that she previously was, Stefanie now appeared as a helpless lamb that has lost its way. It was moments like this that reminded De that Stefanie was only a little over 20 years old.

Despite her age, Stefanie had to endure hardship after hardship ever since the Drussian invasion.

First, she had to say goodbye to her father for the last time.

Then she made the painful choice of leaving her own kingdom.

And now, whatever emotions that Stefanie formed over the course of the recent months was given a chance to manifest itself.

The crying Stefanie in front of De was the result of such a cruel turn of events.

It was truly a pitiful sight.

And it was a sight that made De's heart ache.

As Stefanie's personal knight, De swore an oath to always ensure that to the best of her ability, Stefanie was always safe and happy.

But ever since the Drussian incursion, it has become increasingly difficult for De to uphold her oath. But it doesn't matter how difficult it was for De to uphold her oath.

All that mattered was that she kept trying to uphold it.

As for now, all De could do was continue to silently watch over Stefanie as the princess muttered to herself while crying.

"I just... I just don't get it. Why did... things have to turn out this way? They should have... should have welcomed me with open arms... Don't they realise that I only left Porrand so that I can return with a proper army?.."

Soon, Stefanie seemed to have remembered De's presence before she proceeded to face De and ask a question.

"How... how long was I like this?.."

When Stefanie turned to face De, the latter was given a clear view of the former's appearance. Other than Stefanie's trembling limbs, her face and limbs were stained with blood and her eyes were completely bloodshot, with the whites of her eyes barely visible.

Despite her bloody appearance, Stefanie still attempted to recreate her royal and majestic aura as she stood up and questioned De.

Of course, De would answer immediately.

"Forgive my rudeness your highness but... I would rather not say..."

Expecting for Stefanie to shout in anger, De mentally braced herself in preparation. However, to De's surprise, Stefanie was surprisingly passive and docile.

"I... I see..."

With her trembling limbs, Stefanie struggled to stand up before she placed both of her hands in front of her. Her eyes grew wider in shock while her hands continued to tremble the longer she stared at her bloody gauntlets.

"What's... what's happening to me?"

With her bloodshot eyes full of tears, Stefanie faced De before proceeding to ask a question.

"Am I a monster?"

Left temporarily speechless by Stefanie's question, De had to think to herself for a few moments before she answered Stefanie's question.

"No... you're... you're just stressed. Ever since the Drussians invad-"

"The Drussians!"

However, it would seem that Stefanie came to her revelation after interrupting De.

"I understand now... it's all their fault! If they never invaded! Porrand wouldn't be the way it is now! Things wouldn't be the way it is now!.."

Stefanie paused for a moment before she continued. Her eyes grew wider as she seemed to have realised something before she once again screamed.

"I wouldn't be the way I am now!"

A hateful scowl replaced Stefanie's sorrowful expression as her temper seemed to flare up again.

"Damn them! DAMN THEM ALL! BASTARDS! ALL OF THEM! ALL OF THEM ARE BASTARDS! I'll kill them... I'LL KILL THEM ALL!"

Within moments Stefanie drew her sabre before she returned to Lazzlow's dead body.

"DAMN

THEM

ALL!"

Stefanie once again screamed at the top of her lungs as she hacked at Lazzlow's body with her sabre.

"I'LL

KILL

ALL

OF

THEM!"

Once again, Stefanie lost herself to another episodic moment of pure anger while De was completely helpless to do anything about it.

All De could do was watch silently.

Seeing this sight, a whirlpool of emotions swirled within De's heart.

Even as Stefanie's mental health continued to deteriorate, De still knew that couldn't possibly abandon Stefanie.

No matter what, Stefanie must survive.

She must live on.

If Stefanie were to die before giving birth to an heir, the Porrish Royal family which has ruled over the Kingdom of Porrand for centuries will become extinct.

As a royal Porrish knight and Stefanie's personal knight, this was something that De cannot allow to happen.

The royal bloodline must endure.

De must ensure that the royal bloodline doesn't end with Stefanie.

This was what it meant to a knight.

This is a knight's duty.

And De will uphold her duty.

Even if it meant the death of her.

...

Stefanie didn't know when it happened but she somehow ended up lying on her bed staring at the ceiling in her nightgown.

Judging from the lack of light coming through the castle bedroom's windows, it was most likely already nighttime.

From what Stefanie remembered, she was in the castle's study... but she can't exactly remember what she was doing there nor why she was even there, let alone how she ended up in a bedroom.

However, just before Stefanie could think even more of the situation-

"Grrrrggghhh"

A splitting headache caused her to grasp her head in pain.

"Your highness? Are you alright?"

Soon, the comforting voice of a female knight reached Stefanie's ears. Although she didn't know who it was, Stefanie still managed to answer the knight's question.

"Yes I'm alright... I'm just experiencing a... minor headache. What the hell happened to me?"

As Stefanie said this, she glanced at the female knight only to realise that it was De. On the other hand, De seemed to think to herself for a moment before she responded to Stefanie's question.

"You... exhausted yourself during the siege of Loblin... Although you were unharmed, you pushed yourself to the very limit and strained yourself in the battle..."

Stefanie weakly nodded her head in acceptance of De's explanation.

"I see... I exhausted myself in battle... that... that makes sense."

While Stefanie's memory was still somewhat foggy, she was still able to remember snippet of the siege of Loblin. She remembered when her crusading army took the walls and busted into the city...

But she can't seem to remember any fighting that would bring her to blink of collapse.

Nevertheless, Stefanie still trusted De, she was one of Stefanie's royal knights after all.

"And... did I made my kingdom proud? Did I make my father proud?"

Although De seemed to hesitate for a moment, she managed to nod affirmatively in response to Stefanie's question.

"Thank you... I don't... I don't deserve you..."

Like before, De once again only nodded to answer Stefanie's question.

After a short moment of silence passed, De coughed her throat before she started another conversation.

"The crusaders are restocked and ready, I have already set a course for the nearest cit-"

"Belay that order."

As De spoke, Stefanie came across a sudden realisation that prompted her to interrupt the knight.

"Recall any of our forces that we sent out and reconsolidate all of our resources back at the encampment."

"What do you wish to do?"

Stefanie placed her thumb and index finger on her bottom lip as she spoke.

"It has occurred to me that simply liberating each and every Porrish city from the Drussians will be a long and arduous task... we have a 250,000 strong army that's well fed with high morale... why don't we try something else instead? Something a lot more... 'direct?'"

A look of disbelief grew on De's face when she heard what Stefanie had to say. It seemed as if De didn't want to believe what Stefanie was planning.

"You don't mean?.."

However, there was no denying it.

"Oh yes... Plot a course for the heartland of Drussia."

An expression that was both a scowl and a smile took shape on Stefanie's face while she spoke.

"If we want to defeat our enemy... If we want to achieve our goals and truly liberate Porrand... Then we need to cut off the head of the snake."