The Courtesan

Chapter 76

KRON

I predicted the war would only get muddled from there and I was right. The locals at Turia had long been evacuated and it had become a battlefront. Since the army steadily emerged from their territory, their supply lines weren’t a problem so they could keep on attacking. The situation just happened to be the same for our army since we were encroaching from our home too.

“Your highness, what are you spacing out for?! We need to retreat!”

“Right!”

Following Reid’s cue, I ran to the backlines and into the camp. They had it settled there and we would be ready to advance in a few days.

“You did well today your highness.”

“Thank you. It was all thanks to your guidance, Captain Plato.”

“Your highness has proved to be an excellent student.”

I smiled, nodding. His face was straight as always but this time, he had a feeling of urgency radiating from him.

“Is there a problem?”

“I would have to leave in two days. Our young lady is getting married.”

Reid spit the water he was drinking, coughing loudly. I held my jaw in place mentally so he wouldn’t be offended. He was very fond of her.

“M-Married?”

“Yes. I received an invitation a few days ago. I would only take a few days and my lady has specifically requested I be there.”

“Sorry to bother you captain, but she’s really getting married?”

“Of course. I received an invitation signed by the Houses of Tiller and the Horps Duchy. She is being married off to the Duchess’s adopted brother.”

Reid choked again, this time on air. There was no record of the Duchess having an adopted brother.

Don’t tell me… they had to find someone to marry her? That makes sense.

“You may leave then. I’d take care of things here.”

“Alright… Before I leave, your highness, I have a question for you.”

“Hmm, what is it?”

“When will you get married?”

“Oh that... my father hasn’t chosen a bride for me yet. The last engagement failed so he’s still on it.”

“Your highness, do you hear yourself?”

“Pardon?”

“Until when will you continue to depend on your father for everything? You are past the marriageable age already. The people will not trust your leadership until they can see you will be an exemplary leader in all areas. If you go on like this, letting your father decide everything for you, you’d have so much more trouble waiting for you in the future.”

“Captain Plato, I’ve thought this before but you aren’t afraid to say what is on your mind, even if it’s about my father, the King.”

“Every leader needs a critic and someone to keep them in check. My general happens to be such a person so I don’t need to fear him without reason. You’re the only one still afraid of your father even though you’re the one person who shouldn’t be.”

“Well, my father is a very frightening person.”

“Good for him then. What do you want to become, a shadow of your father? Do you want to blossom after he’s long gone and have people compare you to him for the rest of your life just because you’re doing the same things he did? Do you want to live such a mediocre life?”

“... No…”

“Your highness, in as much as I don’t like your father, he’s a great man. He showed extraordinary prowess when he was a child and many predicted he would someday take over the throne, which he did. He’s a man we have watched grow stronger and stronger without limit and if he isn’t put in check, he would become too powerful to be contained. This is the man you are up against. However, he is not your biggest opponent. Your biggest opponent in your lifetime is you.”

He placed a firm hand on my shoulder.

“Your highness, your potential is endless, perhaps even greater than your father’s. Until you realize that and make better goals for yourself, you will continue to remain in your father’s shadow until you break free yourself.”

He turned around and left the tent with a steady gait.

“Reid, did he just... talk to me like a good father would?”

“I think… he did.”

The both of us stared into space for a long time.

“Do you think I can make him my father?”

“I don’t think you have to go that far, your highness. Perhaps a mentor?”

“I think that’s fine.”

Still, it was weird to imagine the daughter of the Tiller house getting married. There was always the slightest possibility that she was getting married for love. It sounded very ridiculous.

“Reid?”

“Yes, your highness?”

“Do you think I’m fit for marriage?”

“For starters, you snore very loudly when you sleep. You can barely do anything useful except carry a sword and your princely duties, you know almost nothing about charming women; you’re just really handsome and you’re very insensitive. I doubt love is a thing of value for you.”

“It isn’t for my father.”

“Your highness… it can never be for your father. Did you even listen to Captain Plato at all?”

“... You’re right. Well, at least I’m handsome. ”

Reid slapped his forehead.

“Your highness, I think one of your problems is a lack of brains.”

“Oi! That’s going too far now!”

He laughed and backed away. I was about to berate him more but then, the ground shook violently. We heard a trumpet and immediately went alert. The camp was under attack.

Putting on our armor as quickly as we could, we rushed out of the tent. We ran to the frontlines and our eyes widened in horror. Marching towards our camp were about a hundred elephants loaded with heavy artillery. We didn’t have the resources to defend against that.

Don’t tell me... this is how we lose Turia?

“Your highness, thank the gods you’re here! What do we do?!”

“I-Is Captain Plato still around?”

“He just left. His Majesty is back at the border! We’re doomed, your highness, doomed I say!”

With that statement, I realized panic was already spreading throughout the camp. We were facing imminent destruction without defense. I had to make a choice and a quick one.

“WE RETREAT! HEAD FOR THE BORDER! WE’LL HOLD THEM OFF WITH THE MAIN TROOPS! GET READY TO RETREAT!”

They sprang into action immediately. The captains directed the retreat while both I and Reid waited behind.

“Your highness, are we… going to die?”

“I don’t know. We can only pray we survive this. I just have to accept I have failed.”

I felt a strong arm on my shoulder. When I turned, it was like I saw an angel. Captain Plato was back.