chapter 17
1003 Words
Silitsia intervened and added, as if doing some calculation, "And that means ten more days of travel."
Samon narrowed his eyes and shook his head in surprise. "You're crazy! The Kingdom of Iris is surrounded by werewolves. The moment you step into the forest, they'll tear you apart! Werewolves are extremely dangerous, especially during a full moon. You're defenseless against them."
Andres dismissed Samon's warnings with a look of indifference. His eyes narrowed, his voice resolute: "We have to try. We have no other choice. Besides, it's our duty. We can face any challenge when necessary."
Alessandra turned to Andres and nodded in agreement. “Sometimes you have to face dangers instead of running from them.”
“Besides, we’re not that defenseless,” Rodrigo said playfully, shrugging.
Samon felt a deep sense of anxiety as he saw the group's determination. He thought for a moment, unsure of what fate had in store for this group. "So, what kind of plan do you have? How do you plan to survive the werewolf attack?"
This time Andres looked at Samon with a serious expression on his face. "We don't really have a plan. But we'll find a way. As always, we'll act together."
As the night wore on, the drinks on the table began to dry up, and the air grew colder, and the group finished their drinks and ended their conversation. Everyone retreated to their rooms to prepare for the morning's journey. As silence fell, Silitsia's mind was restlessly circulating. The looming shadow of war prevented her from closing her eyes throughout the night. She tossed and turned in her bed, finally rising and feeling the need to do something. She needed to be better prepared for the challenges war would bring.
She stood in front of the small mirror in her room and studied the silk fabric she wore for a moment. Elegant, but unsuitable for battle. Silitsia felt she needed a more austere garment, one that showcased the strength behind the elegance. She decided to design a warrior's outfit herself.
Grabbing the materials she found in her closet, she set to work. She chose a pair of black leather trousers; their robust construction would provide both protection and freedom of movement. Over this, she donned a form-fitting jacket, also made of black leather. Underneath, she opted for a loose, soft-touch white shirt; the shirt's wide sleeves balanced the stiffness of the leather jacket. Low-heeled black boots, reaching to her knees, reflected both her warrior spirit and her practicality. These boots would allow her to move quickly on hard ground but also be suitable for comfortable walking.
Silitsia paused for a moment as she gazed at her long, lustrous hair. It was unfit for battle in this state. She decided to style it like a hero ready for battle. She parted her hair in two and began carefully braiding one section into thin braids, leaving the other section loose at the back. The wavy half of her hair, almost to her shoulders, was white, but the roots were slightly blond; this transition of color gave her a mystical air. The braids, however, expressed her inner warrior spirit.
They requested the care of their horses. Then they sat at a table and waited for something to eat and drink. However, the chatter and glances at other tables didn't allow them to relax. They had attracted the attention of the wingless people in the place, and Silitsia's presence, in particular, created tension everywhere.
Then, unable to resist, one of the villagers approached their table. This middle-aged man, with a tired, anxious expression on his face, had a look of mixed curiosity and fear in his eyes. He approached the table with slow steps and, his head bowed, silently gazed at Silitsia. Then, mustering his courage, he spoke:
“Excuse me,” he said in a slightly shaky voice. “Are you… him?”
Andres, who was sitting next to Silitsia, immediately
attention snapped, while Rodrigo watched the situation with a faint smile. The man's question created tension in the atmosphere. The villagers' eyes were fixated on Silitsia, as if holding their breath.
Silitsia took a deep breath. She locked eyes with him. She knew this moment would come. Now was not the time to run or hide. The answer everyone was waiting for was clear, and she would no longer conceal her identity. She spoke in a firm but calm voice:
“Yes,” she said. “I am Kanita, the princess you call cursed.”
The man widened his eyes in surprise. The whispers coming from the other tables suddenly fell silent. At that moment, everyone in the place was silently watching Silitsia. The whispers had given way to a deep silence. Silitsia's clear answer was,
It had a great impact among the villagers.
The man hesitated for a moment, then stepped back, bowing his head slightly. “The prophecy was true… The wingless princess is among us…” he said, and slowly returned to his table, causing the whispers to resume. The villagers looked at each other, their eyes watching Silitsia with eyes unable to accept her identity.
Rodrigo glanced at Silitsia and smiled slightly. “I think things got a little messy,” he said playfully.
Andres frowned at Rodrigo. “This is a serious matter, Rodrigo. If things go south here, we could get in trouble for revealing the princess’s identity.”
Silitsia remained calm despite the tense atmosphere. "I'm tired of running and hiding. If there's going to be a change, I'll make it without hiding my identity. Everyone should know who I am."
Rodrigo shrugged, "It's up to you, princess. But remember, there are as many enemies as friends in this world."
Silitsia returned to the table with confidence, ignoring Rodrigo's words. It would obviously take time to learn who was friend and who was foe among the people in this village.
A man sitting in the shadows suddenly spoke up
"So, do you control the elements, princess?"
- Writer
