CHAPTER 13: How did it happen?
/ You watch in horror as Vlad Cogred walks up to Victoria with the sword in her throat, but Victoria doesn't even back away or look scared.
Chris: Wait,
Vlad Cogred: What again? She knew the consequences of her kidnapping.
Chris: But ...
Victoria: Don't worry honey, I want to see where this is going.
Silyart: Me too. But I need to be somewhere.
Chris: Wait Silyart, do something.
Silyart: I wish but there is no mercy and she knew it.
You see Silyart gets on his horse and leaves.
Chris: Vlad if I speak as a Luxamina civilian. Can you free her?
/ Vlad Cogred turns to you as Victoria looks at you with more affection
Vlad Cogred: No, that wouldn't help.
Katharina: What if the princess orders her release?
Vlad Cogred: But ...
Katharina: Didn't I say it was an order?
/ You see everyone bow as Princess Katharina walks up to Victoria. Victoria looks Katharina up and down as if she doesn't need her help.
Katherina: You can leave my empire now, Captain!
/ Victoria looks at her crew behind her. They are trembling and she spits on the ground next to the princess's feet. Vlad Cogred gets up but the princess raises her hand and he bows again. Victoria looks directly into the eyes of the princess.
Victoria: I'll see you again, honey
Katharina: I think you've caused so much trouble for your crew and yourself, so I advise you to stay away from me.
Victoria: Oh my princess, don't take it the wrong way, but I wasn't talking to you.
/ Victoria tilts her head a little to look at you behind the princess then she winks. Aria's eyes widen as everyone looks at you. You swallow and Aria next to you whispers.
Aria: Wow, did she wink at you?
/ Before answering, the princess refocuses on Victoria and speaks again.
Katherina: Stay away from my empire and my friends too.
/ Victoria ignores the princess and takes her pistol from the holder and throws it at you.
Victoria: Take this, honey. It will come in need. We never know.
/ She looks arrogantly at the princess then turns around. She walks around shaking her ass sexually then turns her head to smile at you like she's teasing you. Aria's jaws drop.
Aria: Shit, I think she likes you.
/ You smile as you speak.
Chris: I can't believe I make cry a woman who doesn't even move a step from a sword.
/ Princess Katharina turns to look at you in confusion as Vlad Cogred rests his sword on the horse's stand and walks up to you.
Vlad Cogred: Are you saying that you both did ...?
/ Vlad Cogred is embarrassed to say the word in front of the princess so he gestures to you.
Chris: She's charming, isn't she?
Aria: You mean crazy.
Chris: Sure, but she'll be crazier if she finds out I took this from her.
/ You take the glowing bracelet out of your pocket and show it to everyone.
Aria: How did it happen?
/ You chuckle and Vlad Cogred walks up to take it from you, but you quickly put it back in your pocket.
Vlad Cogred: What?
Chris: I promise Prince Haruna to return it.
Aria: Wait, you mean Prince Haruna is the one who gave it to you?
Chris: Yeah, at the palace.
Katharina: Again, Chris.
Chris: Wait, you'll see him in Skiburg.
/ At the Skiburg Palace.
You quickly filled the queen with what is going on and you see the maid of honor approaching the princess.
Isabella: Are you okay? Your Highness.
Katharina: Yeah, Isabella. I'm fine.
/ The maid of honor claps her hands and all the maids join Isabella to accompany the princess to her room. You were distracted until the queen called you.
Beatrice: Chris!
Chris: Yeah, mom. I mean the queen ...
/ Beatrice's eyebrows rise and you consider in a moment what you just called her.
Béatrice: The bracelet?
Chris: Oh, here.
/ You lift it in the air so she can see it. She beckons you to approach her. You come closer and lift it again
Beatrice: Give it to me.
/ You look at the bracelet, then the queen. And you put it back in the pocket. Everyone's eyes widen and you speak.
Chris: I promise to return it to the prince of Luxamina. So I'll keep my promise.
/ Everyone is panting. The Queen looks at you then looks at Vlad Cogred.
Béatrice: What is he talking about?
Vlad Cogred: Apparently, Prince Haruna gave him the bracelet and told him to return it.
Chris: Apparently?
Galvert: It's absurd. The son heir to the throne of Luxamina is dead.
Chris: What? How?
Vlad Cogred: Well, I'm not sure that theory is valid. Because I saw him too.
/ The queen sits in her chair in frustration and whispers to her butler. And Galvert screams
Galvert: ALL, END OF DISCUSSION.
/ Everyone is leaving.
Outside while you are looking for Rose, you see the princess practicing at throwing arrows, she's alone. You walk towards her.
Chris: Is everything okay?
/ She stops and looks at you.
Katharina: Yes. Why?
Chris: I don't know. Sometimes you are under complete surveillance and now you are alone here.
/ Katharina laughs and shoots another arrow.
Katharina: No, it's not like that. It's because I needed to relax. I come here or go to the library if I need to be alone.
Chris: Oh, sorry to bother you. I will ...
Katharina: No, I like your company. By the way, why not practice a bit too?
/ You laugh awkwardly.
Chris: I don't know how to shoot an arrow.
Katharina: Then I'll teach you.
/ You approach her and she places the arrow in the bow and gives you the bow. She touches your palms and beckons you to the target. She whispers to your ears
Katharina: Now relax your shoulder and aim for the target.
/ You turn to look at her deeply to your right as she does the same. You get lost in her gaze. You lean close and she speaks.
Katharina: Eyes on target, Chris.
/ You shake your head and look at the target. She laughs and gives you some space. You shoot and miss.
Katharina: Try again!
/ You take another arrow and try, another and another until you finally master. Behind you the princess applauds
Katharina: Wow, you learn fast.
Chris: Thanks to you. So I'm your friend, huh?
Katharina: Of course. But...
/ She walks on her dress and falls in your direction and you move fast and catch her. Her chest against yours. she lifts her face to look at you. You stay in that position. You remember if someone finds you in this position. You will be in trouble but she impedes you.
Katharina: But...
Chris: But?
Katharina: You know you can be more than just a friend
Chris: What do you mean?
Katharina: Kiss me, Chris.
/ You spread your eyes in confusion. And she runs her fingers behind your neck and whispers.
Katharina: Come on Chris don't make me beg you.
Chris: But what if someone walks in
Katharina: Please, do it.
/ Suddenly her voice changes, which makes you feel more confident and makes you forget about the troubles you will be having. You lean closer and kiss her gently. You split up and look at her again. She smiles and you touch her cheek and give her a long, passionate kiss until you hear some shouting coming from outside. You separate.
Chris: Did you hear that?
Katharina: Those are knights of the gate. But I don't know what's going on?
/ You walk towards the doors as you approach. You hear Vlad Cogred's voice.
Vlad Cogred: And why should I believe you?
/ You see knights pointing their swords at Prince Haruna on his horse. You run towards him but a knight stops you.
Knight: No physical contact with him.
Chris: What?
/ Vlad Cogred turns around and sees you. You scream at him
Chris: What's going on ?!
Vlad Cogred: We have to prove that he really is the Prince of Luxamina
Chris: I can prove it! I feel it!
Vlad Cogred: We have to prove it in another way.
Chris: How?
Vlad Cogred: We don't know yet. And we won't let him return to the woods again until we figure out how and we will never let him leave Skiburg if he isn't the prince of Luxamina. We will have to kill him
/ You look at Prince Haruna and he seems calm. You swallow and look at the princess. She catches your eyes and her mouth desperately.
Katharina: I'm sorry.
Chris: Oh, boy...
The Prince of Luxamina has just arrived but they have to prove that it's him. Will they prove it? Will they keep him at Skiburg? Or kill him? Who is the mysterious woman at the gala? Where is the other glowing bracelet? Find out in the next chapter.
Chapter 14: Prepare for what may come.