Chapter 2: The Borders

She went to her room full of madness; thankfully, her father followed her.

"You know your mother knows what is best for you," He said as he approached her windows and opened them, welcoming the moon's light to her chambers.

"ahh~ it's a crescent moon outside," her father said.

She smiled and approached him by the window.

"You do know that you have a unique birthmark on the back of your right shoulder," He said.

"I heard I have one, but I haven't seen it yet. All I see is the unique three moles on my left wrist with a triangular shape," Ayla told him as she looked at her wrist.

"If only there were no wars, we could freely move to our neighboring countries. I would like to see their wonderful creations," Ayla shared her thoughts of traveling with her father.

"That crescent moon shape mole on the back of your right shoulder was one of a kind," Her father said

"I didn't know that it was a crescent moon," She said in amazement.

"Please hide that birthmark for all your life. I just wish you to live a long and be happy," Her father said.

"I can see that you and mother had an agreement," she told him as she already knew that he approved the marriage between them.

"The world we live in is very harsh; they will not spare the aged, the children, and even infants. I want you to be protected, and the noble will grant you that security," He said, holding his daughter's hands.

"I can protect myself," she said with range, leaving her father in her room.

She was mad at the sudden decisions that her parents made. That's why she stole her father's horse and headed to somewhere far from her home.

"I will not do what they told me to do. I am in control of my life," She said.

The only thing she didn't know was that she was lost in nowhere. She was leading to the seaside and saw ships preparing for departure.

"What are these men up to?" she asked and got off her horse.

She went to see them by the cliff and saw that their ship had a flag different from theirs. She observed for a while.

"Why are there so many armed men?" She asked herself as her eyes were focused on who was governing them.

"It was to protect an envoy from Serdruan," A male voice came from behind.

She looked back and saw him with a sword.

"I do not wish to harm you but are you a spy?" He asked as he was about to draw his sword.

"Please spare my life; I am just a nobody," she told him as she raised her hands.

"I cannot guarantee that," He said as he drew his sword to her throat.

"Speak. Are you a spy from the castle of Kaastiana?" He said as he raised her sword, touching the woman's chin.

"I repeat! I am not a spy! I am just an ordinary girl," she said.

"Usually, people get scared when I point a sword at them, but you are not shaken by it," He said as he observed my eyes.

"Well then, I will spare your life," He said as he withdrew his sword.

"Serdruan and Kaastiana have long been enemies because of the pledge that Serdruan will support Egothedia by all means," The man said to her.

"Why did you spare my life when you are from Serdruan? I am a female of Kaastiana, and why are you telling me this?" She asked him, and this time she was scared.

"You have a lot of questions that I cannot answer. But I can only answer this, I spared you because I do not want an innocent life to be taken away without any justifiable reason," He said as he smiled at me.

He has very dark blue eyes, a pointy nose, perfect ash wavy hair, and very very alluring thin plump lips. She saw him in a moment by the reflection of the moon's rays, but she did not see his entire face.

They sat there by the cliff and watched the stars in the sky. The crescent moon was flashing through them.

"What's your name, by the way?" He asked me

"I am Ayla. What about you then? " she replied

"I am--- E--Elijah" He said

"I can feel that you are hiding your identity," She said as she laughed at him.

"It's better if you don't know my name," He replied.

"Well, that's unfair! You know my name, but I only know a name that's not yours," She said as she saw a shooting star.

"Wah!! Did you see that?" she asked him as she mistakenly held his arm

"Shooting stars on a lovely night! How wonderful," He said as they enjoyed the gifts from heaven in their eyes.

After a while, the guards were ravaging, and they heard the metals clanking each other. They are running, but why?.

"The Prince is missing! Search for him! If Kaastiana is plotting something against our Future king, inform the King of Serdruan of a possible war between our countries!" the general shouted, making her even more scared.

"I guess I will go now and search for the prince." He said as he stood up and gave her a hand.

"Go back to your home, and please be safe. A girl like you is supposed to be protected," He said as he went to her horse and dragged it to where she was.

"A girl like me?" she asked.

"I can see that you are noble and have a crest of the Kaastiana's seal on your horse; that means you are somewhat powerful," He said as he tapped her horse's head.

"May I?" He said as he offered her his hand for her to ride on her horse.

"Well then... Thank you for accompanying me, Elijah-even though that's not your real name," She said and turned her horse around.

"Keep safe," He said

"You too," She replied and started galloping away from him.

Such a gentleman