secret love

Episode 5

As soon as Max returned to the palace, he went straight to the king. His clothes were still damp from the river, but there was no time to waste. Bowing respectfully, he began recounting everything—the sighting of the dragon, its immense strength, and how their weapons had been useless against it.

The king listened intently, his expression growing more serious with every word. Max’s voice was firm as he concluded, “We cannot defeat the dragon alone, Your Majesty. Our forces are not enough. We need reinforcements. We must seek help from our neighboring kingdoms.”

The king sat in thoughtful silence for a moment before nodding. “You are right, Max. This is not a battle we can fight alone.” He then turned to both princes and declared, “You and Herry will travel to the Kingdom of Philip. Their army is strong, and their warriors are skilled. If anyone can aid us, it is them.”

Max and Herry exchanged a determined glance. There was no room for hesitation. The dragon was a threat to the entire kingdom, and they had to act fast.

Without wasting time, they began their preparations for the journey. The royal blacksmith ensured their armor was in perfect condition, and their finest horses were prepared for the long ride ahead. As Max tightened the straps of his sword, his mind raced with thoughts of what lay ahead. Would Philip agree to help? And even if they did, would it be enough to defeat the dragon?

As dawn approached, the two princes mounted their horses, ready to embark on their crucial mission. The fate of their kingdom now rested on their ability to secure an alliance.

Herry and Max rode side by side, their horses galloping steadily as they made their way toward the Kingdom of Philip. The journey was long, but the crisp morning air and the rhythmic sound of hooves against the dirt road made it bearable.

After a moment of silence, Herry smirked and glanced at Max. “You saved everyone last night, brother. For that, I owe you a thank you.”

Max, gripping the reins tightly, gave a small nod but said nothing.

Herry wasn’t done. “Oh, and I heard that girl was in the forest too.” His tone was teasing now. “So? How did you feel when you saw her? Did it tickle somewhere inside?”

Max sighed, exasperated. “She often visits the forest. She told me herself.” His voice was calm, but he was clearly avoiding the question.

Herry chuckled. “That’s not what I asked, Max. Tell me—did you feel anything? A little flutter in your heart? Maybe a little warmth?”

Max shot him a sharp look. “We need to focus on our mission. Now, can you stay quiet and keep moving?”

Herry raised his hands in surrender, but the grin on his face didn’t fade. The rest of the journey continued in silence, with only the occasional sound of birds chirping in the trees.

After hours of travel, they finally reached the grand gates of Philip’s palace. The guards stationed at the entrance eyed them carefully before pulling open the heavy doors, allowing the princes to pass.

Inside, the grand hall shimmered under the glow of golden chandeliers. Philip’s king sat upon his throne, his presence commanding but not unkind. As Max and Herry stepped forward, they bowed respectfully.

Max spoke first, his voice steady. “Your Majesty, our kingdom is in danger. A dragon has appeared—an enormous, powerful beast. We cannot defeat it alone. We need your army’s support.”

The king’s expression shifted from curiosity to disbelief. “A dragon?” he repeated. “Surely, you must be mistaken. Dragons have been extinct for centuries.”

Max took a deep breath, keeping his gaze firm. “Forgive me, Your Majesty, but this is the truth. We have seen it with our own eyes.”

The room fell silent as the weight of his words settled over the court.