Southeast

I did promise to serve the country, but I vowed to love you.

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It's been a week since the nullification of Xael and Charles' marriage agreement. As usual, everything proceeded like how the story was supposed to be.

Charles saved the people from the bandits, coincidentally saved the incognito prince, and today is the day when he's going to be acknowledged by the king.

In these several days, Xael could only maintain her strict appearance that would go in daze from time to time.

This wasn't the least bit suspicious in front of her family's eyes, after all, who wouldn't be bothered when you're suddenly surprised with the one you've love for years with a marriage cancellation.

Her performance was definitely flawless, she would keep that fragile stance but when she's alone, Xael would either practice her martial arts or talk with her son, Xyther who could still only say 'mamie'. She would even try to search her husband through Willow but how big do you think the Ethereal Void Space is? It's bigger than thousand of galaxy combined!

While passing by the family's library, Xael didn't mean to eavesdrop but happen to hear the obnoxious noise. Voices as clear as swamp water continuously irrupted inside.

"Brother! Have you forgotten your duty on the Capital? Where would you even pull the time for this?"

"What about you?! Didn't the king entrusted the north border on you? What are you trying to rectify on my judgment for?"

"I can do both of them!"

"Hah! Since when did the north and the south become side by side? Or did you become foolish enough to half your troops!"

Xael was now confused, she searched through the world status and these happening didn't occur in there. A damn! I encountered another loophole! I still haven't directly raised a hand against the world's child, why is the world reacting this way? Did the world's rule died? It should still be in a half asleep form!

Xael's endless inner talk was taken in halt when General Atticus' ear shattering voice travelled even outside the room.

"You're old enough to cater your own grandkids and you're still yapping with each other! Where are your manners? Your discipline?"

The room was then in silent, the brother's were acting as if they're tongue has been cut off until Sigvard figured something out.

He asked, "You're not planning on sending Xael, are you father?"

The old man remained quiet, not denying means admitting. The brother gasped not believing their father's decision.

"That's insane!" They exclaimed simultaneously. Not waiting for the response of her Grandfather, Xael intruded quite rudely on their conversation. She opened the door before she asked, "Send me to where?"

When Xael glanced at her Uncles, she only was able to see their gaze reverting. The air of avoidance was very obvious, only General Atticus was able to answer her.

"To the southeast border. A young man who studied under my wings finally returned to the country. He's also a Lieutenant General, I was supposed to meet him but the king sent me to do something on the north border with your uncle so I can't---."

"Okay." Xael answered.

Confused, Sigvard asked thinking he might have heard her wrong, "What okay?"

"I have some free time; I'm bored in the manor, so okay. I'll do it."

Sigfred snapped from his dazed, it's clear that he's not pleased with the idea and Xael could figure out why.

It's not that the southeast border is dangerous, it would be but it's not like anyone beside Xael knew, but because it is the border where the kind assigned her pathetic fiancé and where the story will evolve.

"Xael, that..."

Xael's stern face became even steelier repeating a line her General Atticus has said. "Grandfather, I'm old enough to cater my own kids, things like this, I could handle it."

"You were crying like there's no tomor..." Sigfred almost laugh to himself before his sentence faded seeing the glare from his niece. "I'm sure you could do it! Tsk, that lad! Just because he has the backing of that nasty prince, he was actually able to eat bear heart and leopard gall bladder* and cancel the marriage by himself."

So it's still because of that prince. Xael nodded in understanding.

"Let's not dwell on the past. I have no time for that."

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Without a hitch, Xael prepared to go to the border. It took a week before it's complete and another week for her to finally reached the border with the current fast pace of the land travel.

✽―――――✽

It's been two weeks after Xael arrived to the camp, exactly a hundred days before the time limit comes up.

Honestly, having five months on her disposal was actually very gracious of the system. Saying that, in this mission world, Xael could actually take it easy.

And by taking it easy, in these past two weeks, Xael was leisurely sitting under a majestic gazebo, sipping her tea from time to time.

Exactly like what she has been doing on the field, while wearing her veil, Xael was watching the soldiers, training themselves under the stupid scorching sun as if they were kids just playing.

Sweat permeates the air of the northern grassland. It smell vigorous and sturdy, the scent of rough physical activity.

At first, it was very peaceful as it could. Only soft glances and few murmurs of non detrimental things until the aspect of Xael and Charles being former tied by marriage agreement broke out.

Judgmental eyes didn't stay away from her, from being a beautiful mysterious lady that would only gaze from afar to a stalking witch who didn't know how to give up, her reputation stirred like a storm.

Hearing it direct, to back stab and even to obvious spiting, Xael would ignore it and would only sit not even bothering on turning her head. She was not stiff; on the contrary, calm atmosphere is evidently emitted by her.

Even Charles who's having doubts about his feelings was swayed by the whisper from his surroundings. In his heart, only disgust remains.