Her Trail

19.

All I could say that night is my sorry along with my silent cries as I feel their hugs on me, giving warmth I haven't experienced for weeks.

Because of that, the remaining days of our travel became fun in spite of my nervousness because we are nearing the center of the war. It was in the small kingdom in the middle of the two large empires. From what I learned from Sir Adalius, King Lasos, the King I met on Father's birthday ball, was the one who leads that kingdom.

"Are you ready? We are already nearing the border."

What brother said made my heart beats so fast I think it would explode!

I inhale and exhale to calm myself down and when the beatings of my heart became normal I answered my brother.

"Uh... I wanted to ask questions."

He nodded, listening to me.

There is something I really wanted to know but I am scared to ask because the answer will bother me a lot through this journey.

"A-Are you and Father going to be the front liners with the most skillful Knights?"

He examines my expression first before answering. Father is not here because he is in the chariot with Sir Adalius and Sir Betram, having a meeting.

"Yes. Together with Crown Prince, Elora."

Even Donovan?!

My eyes widened because of that but my shock was overshadowed by fear and worry for them, and even for Sir Betram.

"We are skilled enough not to be killed, don't worry about us, focus on the things you have to do there. How are you going to fulfill your goals if you continue to worry for us?"

I bit my lower lip as I lower my head. I felt so guilty that I question their worry for me weeks ago because even I, now that I felt it would lose my mind if I continue to think of it if I continue to overthink their situation on the war.

Hours after, we arrived at the place. Papa and brother went to me to the building, at the very center of our base. It is where the healers and strategist are residing, and on the building just beside it, is where the healers are going to take care of the injured patients.

Papa talk with some healers to tell them about my case, and the healers immediately nodded because it's the Duke... it is a Fleyr.

They all welcome me wholly after knowing that I am his daughter, I felt like they treating me like a VIP, and that bothered me because they should not. We are in the middle of the war.

Papa and brother went to me, on their side are Sir Betram.

"Be safe. Always remember that there are Knights outside this building, call them and they will come for you," Papa said and he kiss my forehead after.

"I love you, Papa," my tears are about to come, I think the heavy thing in my heart was lifted when I said that.

I saw how his eyes became bloodshot, probably controlling his tears hard not to fall.

When I look at brother and when he saw me looking back at him, he immediately grabs me for a tight hug. It made me sob a little more because of that.

"Make sure to eat your meals on time, hmm? Don't ever come out of this building and when there's danger, do the things I told you as we travel."

I nodded in the midst of our hug.

When it loosened, Papa drag me away from brother to hug me too.

"I'm still against everything but I told you that I am willing to suffer from worrying just to support you. But promise me that when we meet, even after wars of being on war, I won't see any scratch on you, do you hear me, Elora Ember?"

I nodded while crying.

That day, I cried myself to sleep, reflecting on everything I have done, reflecting the things I thought, reflecting all my realizations.

And when the next day went so fastly like a blink of an eye. I wore a white dress, like the color of the healer's capes.

They welcomed me to the next building warmly. I was so happy when I saw a familiar face mingling with the crowd of healers.

I was fifteen when I first met him if my memory is right. It was not a good encounter but I can say that through the years he became so gorgeous and so intelligent-looking!

Healer Halo felt my stare on him so his eyes went to my side, I wave my hand while smiling at him. He just look at me with that deadpan look, looking so strict as ever.

But since I will surely get bored and scares without anyone with me, I tried to walk towards him to initiate a conversation.

"Hi Healer Halo, nice to meet you again, do you still remember me?"

He rolls his eyes, "Of course, the only girl in the Fleyrs."

I pouted a bit because of his cold answer.

"Uhm, why did you decided to volunteer to come to the war? Isn't it scary?" I smiled cutely at him.

That made his eyebrows furrowed.

"And what about you? What is a little girl doing here messing up in the middle of the dangerous war? Are you even willing to be stuck up here for years or months?"

That made me pout more.

"Of course! Papa and brother are also fighting so I have to support them by helping you here. I believe that you already witness my skills even though I am not a healer."

He sighed.

"Yeah, right. Just don't bother me."

"Why?"

"You are so noisy and naughty."

I think if it is possible, my jaw would drop right on the floor now.

"I am not!"

"Yes, yes, go away already."

I wanted to pull his hair right now, I swear!

"You are so mean!"

He raises an eyebrow at me, "I know."

That was just one of my not-so-good encounter with him. Even though Sir Adalius is here, I haven't really seen him often maybe because strategists are really that busy.

From here, I can hear a loud explosion from the places they were fighting. I heard that some troops came to the west because the enemy's pack is heavy there. And I also heard that the cold war is already starting into a intense one.

A week came and we only received a few patients and they aren't that injured, just minor bruises, that made me breathe in relief because I don't want any of them to be injured seriously, but we cannot prevent blood from flowing when weapons are present.

I didn't really do much because the healers are enough for all of them. I just assisted Healer Halo, which he doesn't want me to continue but I am too hardheaded so he has no other choice but to accept my help.

Sometimes I read some books and sometimes I train with some Knights, I saw Matt near, he is only a rookie so they didn't let him come with them to the battle point. Because of that, he is occupying my free time for combat and sword training.

It was kind of hard because I am not physically fit, but I tried hard to exercise my muscles and joints to keep up with him.

"We're done for now," finally, Matt complimented me after weeks of training with him.

That made me really happy, so when I went inside the building I went towards Healer Halo to tell him the news.

"Guess what," I move my brows up and down, his face immediately crumbles at the sight of me.

He is always like this! He treats me like I am some contagious disease!

"I am busy."

"Listen to me first!"

He sighed, giving up, "What is it? Three two o—"

"Matt complimented my improvement!"

"Good for you, now leave me alone."

I frowned at him.

"I don't want to, why are you so busy anyway? Three weeks and the patients aren't that many."

He glared at me.

"We cannot be complacent just because the number of patients is small."

I know. I know. I can't believe he is this serious about his profession. But really, is this really what he wanted to do? Even the others. I mean, at their coming of age ceremony the power is bestowed to them and they had no choice but to live with it, and life-saving lives, I think it's sad to save for the sake of doing a job because when I chose my path back then, I did everything because I love doing it and I am happy with it.

He notices my sudden seriousness.

"Are you planning something?" he asked me, doubt is very evident in his voice.

"Of course not, I am just wondering if you guys are just obliged to be a healer because it was a path suddenly given to you or you really have passion for this field?"

He flicked his finger on my forehead, it made me exclaimed, "Ouch!" because it really hurt me!

I think my forehead is now reddish because of what he did. Because of that, I glared at him.

"What a puppy," he screamed.

Oh gosh! He compared me to a puppy! Why am I always getting compared to animals? I know puppies are cute but to say that I look like a dog is just...

"But yes, some must be doing this for the sake of using the power they were given, as for me, this has been my dream ever since."

My eyes widened, "Really? I can't believe that came from you!"

"Was that an insult?" He raises an eyebrow.

I giggled and nodded. He grimaced then he grab me to put his arm around my neck, my back is near his chest, and he acts like he is strangling me!

"What the hell, Halo!" I can't help but call him by his name.

He laugh from behind me, I frowned because he kept on acting like he was like trying to strangle me.

In that very same position, someone entered the room. My eyes widened when I saw Donovan standing at the door.

He is eyeing us with a dark expression and my heart beats really fast, I don't even know why I feel so scared because he really looked pissed and angry.

His eyes went to Healer Halo's arm around me, and his eyes went up to my face and eyes.

I gulp.

Good thing is, Healer Halo loosened his touch on me to greet the Crown Prince. I wasn't able to bow like he did because I think I was stuck right here while someone is looking at me so coldly, I couldn't even look at his eyes.

"I have to talk to Lady Elora about something," Donovan said, hinting the man with me to leave the room.

Healer Halo went out without a word, but he look at me to smirk, his eyes are dark.

I don't know what should I do the moment I and Donovan was the only person left.

"I came here knowing from your family that you came with them, I thought you were scared but I didn't know I'd be that surprised to see happily enjoying your days here with that man."

"He's a Healer here..."

I can't even look at his eyes because of nervousness. Never did the Donovan of my past life let me experience this kind of feeling just because he is very serious and mad for something!

"Uh-huh. You like him?"

He went nearer, to the point that one more step, our bodies would crush.

"What are you talking about—"

"Does your father knows about that? He is really strict with men wanting to have you, do you know that?"

I nodded, not finding my voice to say something.

"Do you also know that the whole Fleyrs is so selfish of you to the point that he wanted me, the Crown Prince, to stay away? When the Emperor asked for your hand to marry you off to me, Duke Dallas refused. And now, do you know what it felt like to see you in that position with a man?"

"Why are you even saying those..."

"Am I shallow? I don't even know why the sight of you being that close to him pisses me off, and I don't think I could ever calm down any minute now."

"He's a friend and he was the only one I talk to here so—"

"Sucks to be in the war, huh? I don't have time to stay here."

What he said to shut me up again. My knees wobble because of his serious gazes that I almost collapse, but he manages to catch me and now I am leaning on his chest.

He sighed.

"I know I am being unreasonable, I apologize for my behavior," even though he said those words, I can still feel his irritation, madness combined.

"Uh... am I supposed to apologize too?"

But... I don't know what for...

"No need. Just... don't let me see scenes like that again. I also wanted to be tied with you and seeing that really angers me. I can't believe I wasn't able to control my emotions, I don't even have the right."

I pouted and I look up at him, he is also looking down at me and our eyes met. I noticed that his other arm is embracing my waist.

"Why did you come here again?" I asked in a slow manner, calm and soft-spoken.

He smirked, "At first I was worried, but it turns out that I will be surprised more than worried because of what I saw a while ago."

He is still not moving on from that!

"We are just teasing each other..."

"Good for him, then? He can laugh around with you."

His voice became cold again. Oh my gosh, how am I going to woo him? And when did we became close again? I don't even know why I am acting like this!

"I wanted to stay here as well but I have to represent our empire..." he sighed.

"Be safe, Crown Prince."

"Donovan, Lady Elora, Donovan."

My eyebrows furrowed.

"But you are the crown prince!"

"I know, I am giving you an order to call by my name from now on."

I shake my head in disbelief, and he smiled because of my reaction.

"I can't believe I would want this moment that much... seeing you tamed and your eyes aren't hating on me like I did something so bad to you."

That made me shut up, and suddenly it brought back everything... just like why I hated the "Donovan."

I sighed and smiled a bit at him.

"You should not have mentioned that."