Knights of The Dauntless Princess

Chapter 39: Soup

After five days, Amara gradually recovered from her illness. She no longer had a fever, and her condition had improved somewhat.

The four young men shared their previous journey to find Louie's grandfather. They were not disappointed, but it seemed that he wanted to prove something before making a decision, and it all depended on the princess.

"He wants to see me?" asked Amara.

Louie nodded, "But you don't have to force yourself. That old man is really difficult to persuade and has a stubborn nature. If he doesn't want to, then let it be. Let's just find someone else."

"No. We should persuade him," Dravis suddenly said, and they all looked at him. "We need to have all the potential allies on our side. In a battle, you'll only meet two kinds of people: allies and enemies! Keep in mind that all allies of your enemies are also their enemies, and all your enemies are also enemies of your allies."

"Dravis is right. Besides, it would be a significant boost to our strength if they joined us because they have knowledge of warfare. People like them are the ones we should include in our mission; a farmer or a fisherman won't be able to handle such battles," Cyrus added.

Louie furrowed his brow and looked down. He clenched his fist tightly and couldn't complain anymore because he knew they were right.

"Wait a moment, what exactly were you and your grandfather fighting about to clash like cats and dogs? Why do you have so much animosity towards each other?" Ranz asked.

Amara stared at Louie with curiosity, "You fought?"

"They almost killed each other, princess! That really shocked us," Cyrus chuckled.

"Is that true?"

Louie nodded and sighed, "My mother and father were both soldiers of Emmett before they got married, but my father died during the war in Gustava. My grandfather was also a high-ranking officer at that time and was in charge of training soldiers in Bronwen. After what happened to my father, who was my grandfather's only child, he wanted me to become a soldier too. He forced me to train day and night and often punished me if I didn't obey. He always called me weak and cowardly, and that made me curse him. I didn't understand why he had to do those things just because I didn't want to become like them. I couldn't understand why I had to become a soldier. Isn't it better to help and save people? Why? Why do I have to kill them? Why can't everyone just get along?"

Amara looked at Louie and felt the sincerity in his words. Ranz, Cyrus, and Dravis remained silent and allowed Louie to vent his feelings.

"My mother was an army doctor; she was skilled in medicine, and she taught me everything she knew. My grandfather was furious at my mother since that's not what he wanted me to become, but I stood firm in what I wanted. I studied and researched, practiced, and improved my medical skills. I realized that... saving a life is better than taking one, so I ignored my grandfather's words and distanced myself from him," Louie added.

"Did you really ignore what he said?" Dravis asked abruptly with a seemingly cold tone.

They exchanged glances and waited for him to continue.

"W-What do you mean?" Louie asked, confused.

Dravis leaned back against the backrest of his seat, crossing his arms over his chest.

"Cyrus and already met you before. At first glance, I could tell your physical abilities were weak. You were thin and moved very sluggishly. We didn't even know why you were there until we found out you were Azalea's child," Dravis said. "If you truly disregarded what your grandfather said, why are you capable of fighting now? Why did your physical abilities change like that? What could have possibly crossed your mind to train hard while studying medicine?"

Louie gasped at Dravis's words and averted his gaze, clenching his teeth.

"I'm sure it's because of what your grandfather said. You desire to become strong and show it to him if I'm not mistaken. Hm, his way of teaching was effective," Dravis grinned.

"N-No—I didn't learn anything from him!" Louie protested.

"But you still take it upon yourself to improve in combat because of his belittlement," Dravis stated. "And I know that until now, you still wish to become stronger. You think that... until you defeat your grandfather, your abilities are not enough, right?"

"D-Dravis," Amara whispered softly.

Guilt was evident on Louie's face, and Ranz whistled, feeling the intense atmosphere during the conversation. Dravis stood up and turned his back on them.

"I'm not asking you to reconcile with your grandfather," he said, glancing back at Louie. "What I'm saying is, we need them because they can be strong allies."

Dravis started to walk away from them, and they watched him leave. Louie's fists were trembling, unsure of what to do. He wanted to follow Dravis's advice, but it seemed challenging for him to set aside his pride.

"Don't dwell on that," Amara suddenly said. Louie looked at her, and the princess gave him a sweet smile. "I believe there's a right time for everything. If you're not ready yet, that's fine. You don't need to force yourself. Forgiveness is more fulfilling when it comes from the heart."

"Princess..." Louie gazed at the princess, and since she was just right beside him, he couldn't help but stare at her rosy lips. Momentarily, he leaned in as if about to kiss Amara when, suddenly, Ranz and Cyrus grabbed Louie. They twisted his body in annoyance to punish him for his disrespect towards the princess.

"You shameless idi0t! How dare you do that to her!!!" Ranz shouted, choking the young man with anger.

"You perverted doctor! I regret forcing you to come with us!!! I'll kill you!!!" Cyrus snarled while pulling his leg.

"H-Help, princess! I... I can't breathe! Ugh!!!" Louie gasped.

"Hey! Wait! You might kill him!!!" Amara exclaimed worriedly.

"And that's what we really wanted!!!" Ranz and Cyrus said in unison. At first, the princess was startled, but later on, she just laughed at their bantering.

Night fell, and Amara stayed in her room; she needed to recover. She still felt a slight trembling in her body, but she knew she was getting better. However, Louie prohibited her from exerting herself and insisted she needed a week of bed rest. It was dinner time, and everyone was probably in the dining area. Amara missed the chaos and noise there, but she had to endure it until she fully recovered.

Several consecutive knocks caught Amara's attention at the door. She thought it might be Shiloh or Erica bringing her food. She answered them to come in and then excitedly waited for them, but as the door opened, she widened her eyes in bewilderment. It wasn't Shiloh or Erica but... Nina.

"N-Nina," Amara stammered.

Nina's face remained expressionless, and Amara could still feel that her friend hadn't forgiven her. Nina approached Amara's bed and placed the food she had brought in a small cabinet beside it. Amara just looked at her, waiting to see if Nina had anything to say to her.

"Here's your food. Go ahead and eat," Nina said coldly, avoiding her eyes to meet Amara.

Just as she was about to leave, Amara suddenly stood up and called her out, "N-Nina, wait! Are we really not going to talk anymore?"

"And what do you think we're doing now? Isn't this a conversation?" Nina replied sarcastically, still with her back turned to Amara.

"N-Nina... that's not what I mean. You know what I'm asking you," Amara said, her voice was cracking. "A-Are we really... not able to be friends anymore?"

It was then that Nina faced Amara, and her suppressed frustration seemed to erupt. "Friends? Don't fool me! That's what I also thought before, that we were friends! But is that how you really see me? Then why? Why do you keep trying to win over Ranz? You know! You know I have feelings for him, but why do you seem like you always wanted to prove to me that the one he likes is you and not me!? Is that the definition of a friend to you!? That's stupid!"

Amara was momentarily taken aback and gazed at Nina. Tears slowly welled up in her eyes. The princess let out a sigh and quickly wiped her tears away. She gave a bitter smile to Nina, but the pain and heaviness in her heart were evident in her eyes.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry if that's how you feel. I'm sorry if I've been insensitive, but... I just wanted to express my feelings too. I've never shown any motives towards Ranz or tried to attract him. I've never seen him as a guy I would like romantically, but only as a friend I can rely on. I don't know why you're saying these things to me, but I know in my heart that I haven't done what you're accusing me of. Nonetheless, you're still important to me. You're the only friend I've had who I know is genuine to me, not because I'm a princess or whoever I am," Amara said, picking up the bowl of soup Nina brought for her. "I am grateful that I got to know you, that I got to know all of you! I apologize if I caused any trouble, but I want you to know... how happy I am to be friends with all of you."

Amara smiled, but tears continued to flow from her eyes. Nina's eyes widened. Amara's words seemed to touch her heart, and she suddenly snapped out of her emotional outburst.

"S-Stop! Don't!" Nina restrained her and ran back to the princess, but... it was too late! "No! Amara!!!"

Amara suddenly fainted after gulping the soup, and all that remained in Nina's arms was her unconscious body. Nina hugged Amara tightly while watching the princess fight for her life.

"S-She knew I put poison in the soup I brought for her! What have I done!? I poisoned the princess! I poisoned my friend!? No!!! What foolishness is this!?" Nina cried, tapping Amara's face. "Amara! Amara!!! Wake up, please! For the love of all that's good, wake up! Forgive me!!! I beg for forgiveness!!!"

Nina clung tightly to Amara and sobbed uncontrollably. "Help!!! Help!!! Is there anyone who can help me!? Please!!! Please, someone help me!!! Lady Amara, don't die! Please!!!"