Ambush

*Spencer Manor, the Duke's study*

"Your father and I will go back to the palace tomorrow to break their engagement after we got the power we need. And Aeneas, prepare some strong knights and servants to serve and bring Ara to the Great Empire." The Duchess said.

"What?! Honey, you want Ara to leave?!" The Duke asked.

"I have this feeling that we must do it. I think this Kingdom is getting too dangerous for Ara."

"But mother, isn't it too much? You must be misunderstanding something. Ara will be safer if she's staying at the Manor! I can ask many Spencer Knights to guard her. Double or triple the servants to look after her-"

"No matter how strong our walls are, we will still receive some damage. Not many people know this, but your real grandparents are living in the Great Empire. If Ara stays with them, no one in the Kingdom can freely harm her-"

"Wait, mother. What do you mean about our 'real' grandparents?" Aeneas asked, puzzled.

The Duke sighed.

"Son, the founding Emperor chose all of his most trusted generals and officials to look after every Kingdom. Our ancestor, the first Duke Spencer, was one of them. So ever since the Great Empire was established, all of those chosen families were told to hide their true identities and watch over a Kingdom. Once they retired, they could go back to the Great Empire and live there." The Duke explained.

"You mean...?"

"Yes, your grandparents aren't dead and are currently at Athena, the capital city of the Great Empire."

Aeneas sits on the couch and tries to process everything. Then they continued their discussion.

They prepared everything before sunrise, and Ara already left an hour ago with the chosen knights and a servant before the Duke and Duchess visited the palace to meet the King.

*Present time*

"I see," Ara said, looking depressed.

"A-Are you okay, my lady?!" Joana and Robel quickly asked worriedly.

'Mother, Father, Brother Aeneas, why didn't you notify me first?~' Ara thought.

"Oh... I'm fine. I think I'm calmer and better than before, really." She responded sarcastically.

'She's not okay...' They both thought.

"Can I take a look at the identity plate?" Ara asked, and Robel quickly gave it to her.

'Hmm... this plate does look valuable. It is made from high-quality jadeite. The Emperor is indeed rich-rich.' Ara said as she looked at the identity plate.

Ara gave it back to Robel.

"You better take good care of it, Robel. That identity plate is made from high-quality jadeite, which is considered one of the rarest and most expensive gems in the world." Ara said and looked outside.

Both Joana and Robel were surprised.

"EH!? T-Then, my lady! You should be the one who should hold this identity plate!" Robel said, panicking.

"Ehm, no."

"M-MY LADY!"

'I should tease the both of them more often,' Ara thought, laughing at them deep inside.

*At the palace*

"What do you mean, sister?! We agreed not to intervene with the children's businesses!" Eldric, the King, yelled.

"But if we won't interfere, this issue will get bigger and harder to solve. Your highness, both nobles and the Temple already permitted us. So, you don't have any other choice." The Duchess said.

"B-But aren't you here to get my permission?! I'm the King of this nation! The final decision is on me!"

"We only came here to inform your highness. We don't have any intention to ask for your permission as we know you'll strongly disagree with this-"

"LOUISA!" The King yelled, mad.

"That's all we have to say. I'll be leaving now, your highness." The Duchess said and was about to leave when the Royal Knights stopped her.

"DO YOU EVEN RESPECT ME AS THE KING?!" He yelled again.

The Duchess stayed silent and knocked down every knight that tried to fight her. Then she turned around and glared at him.

"I hope that answers your question, your royal highness..." The Duchess said and left him speechless.

"Your highness, the Princess is escaping," a man suddenly appeared and said.

"WHAT?!"

"What is your order?"

'Since she's not planning to continue this engagement, she'll become a threat someday. And her arrogant mother... Louisa, this is your fault.' The King thought.

"Kill."

"Yes, your highness," the man answered and left.

***

Ara decided to take a break in a nearby town as everyone was already hungry.

"My lady, we apologize, but these are the best dishes that we could serve for you." The inn owner said.

"What are you apologizing for, sir? These dishes looked so delicious, and I bet their tastes are as good as what they look. Besides, I should be the one to apologize for visiting without prior notice. It looks like you were too stressed and pressured from preparing everything." Ara said awkwardly.

'If they wanted me to leave secretly, they should've chosen the most average-looking carriage! That carriage still looks so noble!' Ara thought.

"You're too humble, my lady. We're grateful that you chose our inn." The inn owner said.

"I'm just stating facts, sir. Also, you don't have to serve us yourself. You can send someone, and please relax~."

"O-Oh, understood, my lady."

'Is she unsatisfied with me?' He thought and was crying inside.

The inn owner left and ordered his most skilled workers to serve Ara. Meanwhile, Ara was wondering why the others weren't there.

"Joana?"

"Yes, my lady?"

"Where are the others?"

"Oh, they're downstairs. The Duke ordered them to guard every corner wherever you are." Joana answered.

"What?! I thought they said that they were hungry!"

"B-But my lady, the Duke ordered them to-"

"Joana, call everyone and tell them to come here. Now!"

Joana called all knights, and they all went to the room where she's currently staying in.

"My lady, is there something wrong?" Robel asked.

"Sit."

"Pardon?"

"I said sit! You said you're all hungry. That's why I ordered so many dishes! Ignore the Duke's orders, at least whenever we eat. You also need food and water to live, you know!"

"But-"

"No buts! Sit! It is an order!"

Everyone had no other choice and ended up eating with Ara.

"My lady, I want to ask. Why are you treating us like this? It's disrespectful for us to sit on the same level as our masters. You even let us eat with you." One of the knights asked.

Robel quickly glares at him, and he gets intimidated. Ara quickly hit his shoulder.

"Stop, Robel. He's just asking questions."

"But, my lady," Robel said and pouted.

The rest of the knights were shocked to see him act like that.

'I admit. Sir Robel does look like a puppy sometimes.' Ara thought.

"About that. I order you to stop treating me like normal. We're secretly traveling, and we must keep low as much as possible. Besides, my family isn't here. Don't be scared. I want to get closer and be friends with you all. I also feel bad that you guys had to guard me without taking a break. We're all humans, after all. Do you understand?"

"Yes, my lady!" They all answered with a big smile.

Ara smiled back at them. Then she felt the same bloodthirst aura as what she sensed at the banquet last night.

"MY LADY!" Robel and Joana yelled.

Ara was about to dodge when Joana hugged her, and they fell to the ground, while Robel caught the arrow that was going to hit Ara. Then all windows broke, and men in black got in. All knights quickly stood up and grabbed their swords, ready to fight.

'Steel?' Robel thought as he looked at the arrow.

"Assassins!"

"Protect her highness and get ready to fight!" Robel yelled.