The Oscorians are Back

In the evening, the castle prepared a grand feast in celebration for the Diana's visit and everyone gathered in her honor... except for Christopher and his allies. It all the more angered Diana, for the son of Theo refused to grace the celebration of his presence.

She had put on an elegant dress, let down her golden hair, making her look even more lovely. Yet, her charm would not be appreciated by the man she came to Aeros for. Christopher was nowhere to be found.

As she took the seat next to the ruler of Aeros, she asked, "Master Theo, where is Chris? How is he supposed to turn my way, if he isn't even here?"

Theo sighed and answered, "I'm sorry, Diana. Rest assured this... attraction he has with that woman... it is only temporary. I am also trying to find out more about the woman. Perhaps, I can sway her to leave my son."

"Oh, how unfortunate," said Diana. While she pretended to be calm, her insides were screaming in frustration.

Theo tried his best to appease Diana, but after minutes into the gathering, she stormed out of the great hall, secretly in anger. She excused herself, saying she wanted to rest.

Ten of her command followed her around the castle as she went in search of Amanda. She threw in threats left and right, yelling at the servants she would come across to, demanding for the whereabouts of Amanda.

Some of the servants hinted that Amanda was staying in the west wing, near to Cassy's bed-chamber. Diana stormed into the said direction, but to her dismay, the west wing was being guarded by Christopher's trusted men.

She immediately took out a sword from one of her followers and raised it toward the guard. She ordered, "Let me through. I want to speak to the woman who is trying to steal my betrothed!"

Christopher's men on guard were ready to burst into laughter just hearing the word betrothed. Nonetheless, they held themselves from doing mocking the beauty in front of them, knowing Diana was a vengeful one. They had already witnessed Diana argue with Cassy, and they knew the woman had no restraint.

"The young master and Amanda are not here. We don't know where they went," said one man on guard.

"Ahhhhh!" Diana yelled, thrusting the sword against the guard.

The guard could only defend himself, stepping back and taking out his own blade, blocking her every attack. Diana was trained in handling a sword, like most of those elite families.

"Stop this!" Diana turned to find Christopher, holding Amanda's hand.

Christopher arrived in time to witness Diana strike at his own men. He shot an angry glare at her and said, "I knew you would do this! One day, my father will see you for who - "

"It's not like that, Chris! He - " Pointing the sword to the guard, she explained, "He was being rude to me! You can ask my men!"

"Of course, your men would say anything you tell them!" Christopher retorted.

"I swear! What reasons would I have to fight against an ally? Aeros is our ally! I was just looking for you - " She countered, trying to cover-up her actions.

"Then! What brings you here - here to the west wing? Everyone knows my quarters are on the opposite side." Christopher pushed Amanda behind him as he took out his sword. Only then did he say, "If you ever hurt Amanda, I will not hesitate to wage war against Plethora!"

"You often threaten us with water, but what you do not realize, is that we Aeros, are stronger in arms that your people! If I have to, I will take Plethora by force!"

From behind Christopher, Amanda could see Diana's face turned red. She was obviously agitated at Christopher's threat.

Diana sighed heavily. Her chest dramatically raised as she took each breath. After handing out the sword to her men, she slowly turned back to Christopher and said, "Of course, we would not want... that. We - we would never win against Aeros."

It never occurred to Diana that Christopher would go through such length for a woman who was a mere commoner. Plethora would never win against Aeros, not with their army of winged men. Not with their extensive experience in fighting against Oscoria.

Diana and her command walked away, but they did so even more inflamed towards Christopher and Amanda. After getting across the west wing, Diana said, "No holding back. I'll deal with the consequences later. That woman must be killed!"

"Yes, lady Diana. We will once an opportunity is presented to us," responded one of Plethora's men.

Christopher and Amanda stood in the halls of the west wing for some time, until Amanda finally spoke, "Wow! She is the kind that you won't ever regret to... diving your blade to."

Her eyes tightened as she silently said, 'Would be nice to try.'

"Tomorrow, I will train you how to handle a sword," said Christopher. "I will have to bring you wherever I go until that woman has left this castle."

"Oh." Her lips formed into a circle before saying, "That... includes every night?"

Her face flushed in the dark halls before Christopher wrapped an arm around her shoulder and whispered to her ear. He said, "I'll climb up the window as usual."

The next day, Christopher woke up almost at dawn with Amanda in his arms. He heard noises from outside that he got up to see from Amanda's stone window. The sun has yet to rise, but he could make out the figures below.

He watched as soldiers rushed to the front, some already flying out north to side of the nation. He felt his heart raced, realizing there may be another attack.

He dashed to wake up Amanda and said, "I think there is trouble. Get change and go to Cassy. I need you to go to her room for safety My men will have to join me in battle, should the Oscorians be attacking again."

Still half asleep, it took seconds for Christopher's words to sink in. As soon as she realized this, she bid goodbye and watched as he jumped out of the window.

She scrambled to get changed and went looking for Cassy. Christopher's soldiers were still guarding the west wing of the castle when she stepped out of her room.

One man said, "Miss. Please go to lady Cassy's room."

Before Amanda could knock on Cassy's door, it opened for her. Cassy grabbed Amanda's hand and said, "Stay here with me, Amanda. We are going to be best buddies today."

From the courtyard below, Christopher rushed to the center where Kyle was prepared for battle. He said, "The Orscorians are back, but they are not necessarily attacking. They are standing by the last village to the north. One of our men flew in to report. They are demanding to speak to your father. Master Theo is already on the way to the northernmost village."

"Don't you think it's too late for peace talks?" Christopher said sarcastically.

"They want the same thing... Just like the last," said Kyle.

Shaking his head, he said, "They want me? Why does every nation want me?"

"I don't know, but all the more reason to keep you," said Kyle. "Brother, their desire for you intrigues me. If they want you so badly, there as to be a deeper reason."

From another side of the castle, Diana looked down at the soldier formation below. Recognizing that Christopher's men were fleeing to the north, a smile became painted on her face. She said, "This is my chance to get to Amanda."