Claire de Lune: The Fallen Kingdom

When the tiny kingdom that is famous with cursed kings, Lorvill, declared war on Etrill Kingdom, the strongest kingdom with the largest conquered land, peasants were left wondering.

'How can that happen?'

Around that time, internal strife was happening all over Etrill Kingdom. Arguments between the Prime Minister and the King, revolt from the nobles, and the coup that were planned by the peasants who were tired of the economy. The tiny Lorvill Kingdom that was known for its glory was bashed by the current situation in its neighboring Etrill Kingdom.

"Defend the princess, the priceless treasure of our kingdom."

The king commanded. The knights in charge focused their gaze on the princess.

"For the moonlight of our ancestor, our blades are covered by the blood of the brave knights who have fallen before us, to honor those souls, we shall declare war on Etrill Kingdom."

The king lifted his sword, followed by other brave knights that were bathed by the moonlight, pointing their swords towards the Etrill Kingdom.

"For Lorvill People!"

"For Lorvill Kingdom!"

"Long live King Anderaint the VII!"

"Long Live the King!"

The princess was escorted outside of the kingdom. Her little arms and legs sway in the air as her servant hugs her from behind. Riding the horse, her innocent eyes looked at the face of her servant and then looked at the back of the knight who was riding the horse, steering it far away from the gate of the kingdom. 

"Where are we going? Won't the castle be safer than the forest!?"

The servant screamed as a tree branch sliced her calf. The knight glanced back as he realized it.

"No! The king decreed that its people not panic! The princess is the jewel of our kingdom!"

Really, it doesn't make sense if that is the only reason. Won't the Lorvill Kingdom win if we strike first? Does the king realize that this war will only bring destruction to the kingdom?

"Is the kingdom collapsing?"

While spurring the horse to go faster, the knight kept his silence as he heard the servant's question. His silence seems to confirm the servant's worry.

"No… it's not possible, right?"

Her eyes widened as she looked at the silent knight whose face was full of worry, shifting her gaze to the sleeping princess in her arms with peace in her face, wrapped in white pure cloth.

Her homeland will be destroyed as soon as the war with the Etrill Kingdom has started.

'If the king knew the end, why would he keep fighting? Why did he choose to go on this destructive path?'

SWOOSH!!!

The sound of wind can be heard going straight at them, at the same time, a tiny arrow can be seen coming closer to the knight.

"Akh!!!"

"Kieeekk!!!"

His reflex made him pull the horse handle before he even realized it, forcing the horse to stop while whimpering in shock, an arrow has made its heart as its nest.

"Kyaaaaak!!!"

They fell from the mount. Not a second after, another arrow stabbed itself to the horse's leg. The horse neigh can be heard throughout the woods before a sword was thrown at the head of the horse.

Brak!!!

Luckily, the princess is still in the servant's embrace. However as they fell while galloping, the servant's head had hit the ground first, bleeding from a wound in her head.

With no time to wallow in pain. She immediately checked on the princess, and then focused her gaze on the knight.

The little princess seems fine, the prodigy kept her calm and did not cry even though she was in a perilous situation. While the knight …

There is no response from the knight. His eyes wide open, blood keeps spurring out of the corner of his lips. His chest seems caved in, fresh blood keeps surging out, the soil he laid down dyed red. 

"Kyaaaak!! Edward! Edward!! Wake up!!!"

The knight, Edward, is gone, his body is still warm as the servant keeps swaying his dead body. She cried, as she had never even touched a blade and without any form of self defense, she knew what her end might be.

'An attack! How can I protect the princess? I can't even hold a sword. If the princess dies…'

The servant turned around. There is no follow-up attack, creating a terrifying atmosphere as the forest which the little princess used to play in seems cold and alien.

She forced her body to move.

"Kh–!?"

She can sense a strong pulse from her right ankle and head. Yet, without any leisure to check on her body. She embraced the princess' tiny baby body, and tried to run.

Srak!

Not even a step, her body stopped as a shadow suddenly appeared behind her. Her heart stopped, her eyes cold with shock and agony. 

She tightened her grip on the princess, not letting death fail her duty. The princess' eyes opened, looking at her dying servant with her clear red pomegranate eye.

"A–"

Not letting the princess make the slightest sound, a stabbing sound echoed through the forest.

Crat!!!

"Agh!!"

Blood sprayed on the princess' ashen complexion, making her eyes narrowed as her face was covered from blood, her body froze in place as she felt the servant's embrace tightened. 

The servant's chest has been impaled by a sword, its blade only a finger away from the princess' pomegranate eye. 

"Pri– princess …."

Srak.

The servant's body swayed before it fell lifelessly, the heavy body fell down towards the princess as the sword seemed to be pulled back. The weight is overwhelming the tiny princess, making her staggered back.

Falling on her knees, the princess rolled on the ground before stopping right beside a leg.