Ch 24: The Princess has now almost returned

The group had finally stopped for a brief rest, allowing the Princess to catch her breath and the others to shake off their lingering tension. They sat beneath the shade of a large oak tree, the sound of the nearby stream trickling softly in the background, creating a moment of peace amidst the chaos of their day. The Princess wiped her brow, her energy slowly returning as she took in the soothing surroundings.

After their break, they resumed their journey, the forest path opening up to reveal more signs of civilization. The warm afternoon sun bathed the landscape in a golden hue, casting long shadows along the trail as they walked. Gray kept a steady pace, Vanisa and Liza each clinging to one of his arms, providing him with both warmth and silent companionship. He couldn't help but feel a strange mixture of amusement and responsibility as they trudged on.