secret love

Episode 4

The king looked at his sons with a serious expression as he set down his goblet. His voice was firm yet calm as he spoke.

"I need both of you to go to the forest today," he said, his gaze shifting between Herry and Max. "There have been reports of a dragon sighting."

Silence followed his words. The weight of the statement hung in the air, the mention of a dragon enough to stir unease. Max’s grip on his fork tightened slightly, while Herry exchanged a knowing glance with his brother.

A dragon… in their kingdom?

The king leaned back in his chair, his fingers tapping lightly against the table. His expression remained firm as he continued,

"We have only heard of dragons in stories, mere legends passed down through generations." He paused for a moment, his gaze sharp. "But now, one has been seen there. That is why it is necessary for both of you to go."

His words carried a sense of urgency, making it clear that this was not just a simple rumor to be ignored.

Max and Herry wasted no time. As soon as the king’s command was given, they gathered the royal army, their soldiers standing in disciplined rows, awaiting orders. The crisp morning air was filled with tension, but also with determination.

Max, the captain of the royal forces, stepped forward. His sharp gaze swept over his men before he spoke, his voice steady and commanding.

"We must stay together. No matter what happens, we will defeat the dragon. It could become a great threat to our kingdom." He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in. "And as for the people—they must not hear of this. We cannot allow panic to spread."

His soldiers, eyes blazing with resolve, clenched their fists in unison. Their voices rose together, strong and unwavering.

"We will defeat the dragon and return victorious!"

With their mission clear, Max and Herry led the royal army toward the dense forest. The sound of hooves echoed through the vast plains as the soldiers marched in perfect formation. The wind carried the scent of damp earth and pine, while the towering trees loomed ahead like silent spectators to the impending battle.

As they entered the forest, the sunlight barely filtered through the thick canopy, casting eerie shadows on the ground. Every soldier remained alert, their hands gripping their weapons tightly. The only sound was the rustling of leaves and the distant calls of unseen creatures.

Max rode at the front, his expression unreadable, but his mind was sharp. He knew this mission was unlike any other. A dragon was not just a beast—it was a legend, a force of destruction. And now, it was their responsibility to face it.

As the search for the dragon began, the soldiers split into smaller groups, each covering different parts of the dense forest. The air was thick with tension, every rustle of leaves making them wary of an impending attack. Max, leading a few of his best soldiers, ventured deeper into the woods, following the faint sound of flowing water.

After riding for a while, they reached a clearing where a majestic waterfall cascaded down from a rocky cliff. The sunlight filtered through the trees, making the water sparkle like a thousand tiny stars. Max signaled his soldiers to halt, his sharp gaze scanning the surroundings. But what he saw next made him freeze in place.

There, beneath the waterfall, a young woman stood, her long hair flowing like silk as the water cascaded over her. She seemed unaware of their presence, lost in the serenity of the moment. But Max’s heart pounded for a different reason—it was her.

The very same girl from the village.

Max and his soldiers stepped closer, their presence making the girl freeze in surprise. She was dressed in a flowing blue frock, the fabric damp from the mist of the waterfall. Her wide eyes reflected both curiosity and fear as she took a step back.

"You? How are you here?" she asked, her voice laced with confusion.

Max steadied his racing heart before speaking. "You’re the same girl from the village, aren’t you?"

She hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Yes, that’s me."

Frowning, Max questioned, "What are you doing here?"

The girl relaxed slightly. "My village is near the forest, and I love coming here. I visit often."

Max’s expression hardened. "You shouldn’t come here anymore. It’s dangerous."

She tilted her head, puzzled. "Why?"

"A dragon has been sighted in this forest," Max stated firmly. "It could harm you."

Her eyes widened in astonishment. "Dragons? They’re real?"

Max let out a frustrated sigh. "This isn’t the time for questions. You should leave. Now."

Understanding the urgency in his tone, the girl nodded and took a step back. "Thank you for the warning, Your Highness," she said softly, bowing slightly before turning to leave.

Just as she was about to disappear into the trees, Max called out, "Wait!"

She turned back, looking at him expectantly.

"What’s your name?" he asked, his voice quieter this time.

A small smile formed on her lips as she answered, "Aria."

Max repeated it in his mind, as if holding onto something precious. "Aria..." he murmured, watching as she disappeared into the depths of the forest, leaving behind only the echo of her name in the cool evening air.

As Aria disappeared into the forest, Max and his soldiers resumed their search for the dragon. The tension in the air was thick, each soldier on high alert. Suddenly, a lone soldier, separated from the group, came running toward Max, his face pale with fear.

"It’s here! The dragon is behind me!" he gasped.

Max’s heart pounded as he turned to see the massive dragon emerging from the shadows. It was far larger than any of them had imagined, its glowing eyes filled with an untamed fury. The soldiers raised their weapons, but Max knew—they were useless against such a creature.

"We can’t fight it head-on," Max commanded, his voice steady despite the fear clawing at his chest. "For now, we need to hide. It’s too powerful."

The soldiers obeyed without question. As darkness fell over the forest, they took advantage of the night, slipping behind trees and into the thick foliage. But just as they thought they were safe, the dragon’s keen eyes locked onto one of the soldiers. With a deafening roar, it lunged forward, wings beating violently as it chased its target.

Max couldn’t stand still. He sprinted after the dragon, determination burning in his eyes. "Over here!" he shouted at the top of his lungs, waving his arms.

The dragon paused, shifting its attention to Max. It let out another thunderous roar before charging at him instead. Max ran as fast as his legs could carry him, leading the dragon toward a small cliff. Below, a river rushed through the valley. He barely had time to think—one wrong step and he’d be finished.

With the dragon right on his heels, Max made a split-second decision. Taking a deep breath, he leaped off the cliff, plunging into the cold waters below.

The soldiers watched in horror, their commander disappearing beneath the surface. The dragon, unable to follow, let out an ear-splitting roar of frustration before retreating into the night.

A tense silence followed. Then, movement in the water.

Max resurfaced, coughing but alive. Relief washed over his men as they rushed to the river’s edge, pulling him to safety.

"Commander, are you alright?" one of them asked, worry evident in his voice.

Soaked and shivering, Max managed a tired smirk. "I’m fine," he assured them.

The soldiers let out a collective sigh of relief. "Thank you, Commander," one of them said. "You saved us all."

Max simply nodded, his thoughts still racing. The dragon was still out there, but for now, they had survived. With that, the group began their journey back, the weight of the night’s events heavy on their shoulders.