Chapter 17 : The First Battle
775 Words
The horns of warning echoed across the palace of Aurelion Kingdom, their deep sound rolling through the stone corridors like thunder.
War had arrived.
Aria stood in the royal war chamber beside Adrian and Alexander. The large map table in the center of the room was covered with markers showing the positions of the palace guards and the approaching enemy forces.
Outside the tall windows, the city was in chaos. Bells rang, soldiers shouted orders, and the distant sound of marching echoed through the streets.
Lord Viktor’s army was moving fast.
Adrian leaned over the map, his expression calm but focused.
“How many soldiers?” he asked the commander.
“Nearly three thousand, Your Majesty,” the commander replied. “They’re advancing through the northern gates.”
Aria’s eyes widened.
“Three thousand?”
Alexander crossed his arms.
“Viktor has been preparing for this moment for years.”
Adrian nodded slowly.
“Which means he believes he can win.”
The commander pointed to a section of the map.
“Our forces are holding the outer walls for now, but they won’t last long if the enemy brings siege weapons.”
Aria felt her stomach twist.
“So this is really happening…”
Adrian looked at her.
“Yes.”
He stepped closer and lowered his voice.
“You should go to the inner palace. It’s safer there.”
Aria shook her head immediately.
“No.”
Both men looked at her.
“I’m not hiding while everyone else fights for my life,” she said firmly.
Adrian frowned.
“You’re not trained for battle.”
“I’ve been training,” she argued.
Alexander stepped forward.
“She’s right.”
Adrian looked at him sharply.
“She’s the princess.”
“And that’s exactly why she shouldn’t hide,” Alexander replied calmly. “The soldiers need to see their future queen.”
Aria blinked.
“Future queen?”
Adrian sighed.
“This is not the time to debate titles.”
Another loud horn sounded outside.
The battle had begun.
One of the guards rushed into the chamber.
“Your Majesty! Enemy forces have reached the outer wall!”
Adrian grabbed his sword immediately.
“Prepare the palace defenses.”
The room exploded into action as commanders rushed to their positions.
Aria turned toward the door.
“I’m coming with you.”
Adrian grabbed her arm gently.
“No.”
“Yes,” she said stubbornly.
He studied her for a moment.
Then he sighed.
“Stay behind me.”
Aria nodded quickly.
The three of them moved through the palace corridors toward the outer courtyard. The sounds of battle grew louder with every step—steel clashing, arrows flying, soldiers shouting.
When they reached the courtyard walls, Aria froze.
The battlefield stretched before her.
Thousands of soldiers clashed outside the massive palace gates. Fire arrows lit the dark sky, and smoke drifted through the air.
Lord Viktor’s army surrounded the palace like a dark wave.
Aria felt fear crawl through her chest.
Alexander placed a hand on her shoulder.
“Remember what I told you.”
She looked up at him.
“You are stronger than you think.”
Suddenly—
A massive explosion shook the gates.
Wood splintered as the enemy battering ram slammed against the entrance.
Adrian raised his sword.
“Archers!”
Dozens of royal archers stepped forward along the walls and fired arrows into the advancing army.
But the enemy kept coming.
Another crash.
The gate cracked.
Aria’s heart pounded wildly.
“They’re going to break through…”
Adrian’s voice remained steady.
“Not if we stop them first.”
He turned to the soldiers.
“Defend the gate!”
The battering ram struck again.
This time the gate shattered open.
Enemy soldiers rushed into the courtyard.
The battle exploded instantly.
Steel clashed.
Shouts filled the air.
Adrian stepped forward, cutting down the first attacker with a swift strike.
Alexander joined the fight beside him.
Aria stood frozen for a moment.
Then she remembered her training.
Don’t freeze.
A soldier rushed toward her.
Without thinking, she raised her sword and blocked his attack. The impact nearly knocked her backward, but she held her ground.
Fear surged through her body.
But something else appeared too.
Strength.
She swung her sword again.
The soldier stumbled back.
Across the battlefield, Adrian glanced at her and saw what she had just done.
A small smile appeared on his face.
“She’s learning.”
But the battle was far from over.
More enemy soldiers poured through the broken gate.
And somewhere beyond the battlefield…
Lord Viktor himself was watching.
Waiting.
Planning his next move.
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