2 CHAPTER 1

"... What."

" 'WHAT'?! That is your only response to that?! I spent three days coming up with that line, and your only reaction is 'WHAT'?"

The princess seemed beyond irritated, the corners of her lips twitching dangerously. Leysa's mental walls immediately went up as she replied defensively," Well, how else am I supposed to react?! The Crown Princess of the Yezekael Empire drops down on me from a tree in the forest and demands my help,while I was just peacefully trying to get myself dinner! How would you react to that?" Suddenly remembering who she was talking to, she sheepishly added, " Your Highness."

In the few seconds of silence that followed (which seemed like an eternity), Leysa absently took note of the royal's appearance in detail. Somewhat medium height, lush brown hair, tanned skin and unusually large eyes which made even her normal gaze seem like a stare right into the depths of Leysa's deep, dark and crusty soul (It wasn't her fault that her spirit animal was a sixty year old chainsmoking waitress). All in all, paired with her round glasses, the Princess was indeed a sight to behold.

Gaze shifting lower, Leysa's eyes fixated on the crest once again, taking in the moonlike sigil of the Yezekael family, sitting clear as day on the princess's outfit shoulder.

Her train of thought was suddenly interrupted when she heard the princess speak, "You're not gonna turn me in, are you?"

Startled by the slight tremor in her voice, Leysa looked up to see the princess trying to mask her nervousness, eyes giving away her actually feelings despite her confident demeanor. She stops to ponder for a few moments, then takes a few more to convert her thoughts into words. "Well, your Highness..." she starts slowly, choosing her words in a very careful manner, "you ran away from the castle, and you clearly had your reasons for doing so... but I am a member of the Royal Legion, and as a member, it is my duty to return you back to the castle. If I do not do so, I might face serious repercussions. So I am in a dilemma."

'That will keep her mind busy,' Leysa thought, smirking inwardly. 'I don't wanna face problems right now.'

But the princess hardly seemed fazed by this statement. On the contrary, she appeared more confident than before, a slightly triumphant smile appearing on her face. "I am sure you'll change your mind once you hear my reasons."

"Oh? And what exactly are your reasons, Milady?" Leysa inquired testily, unable to keep a note of irritation from her voice.

The smile disappeared from the face of Zion Yezekael and a look of resolve took root in her eyes. Slowly she opened her mouth.

"◼️◼️◼️◼️◼️◼️◼️◼️◼️◼️◼️"

Leysa's eyes widened as her mind processed the words for a few seconds, then, throwing caution to the wind, asked in disbelief, "And you intend to do that alone?"

The princess sighed. "I know that sounds foolish. Which is why I need your help."

Leysa felt impatience take grip of her again as she stated, "I am but a single person, Milady."

The princess chuckled at that and gazed at Leysa with a hint of mischief. When she spoke, her voice held an unusually ethereal quality.

"Correction. You are a but a one man army, Leysa Silas. Word of your feats is spread across the entire empire. Even the nobles speak your name with reverence."

Leysa felt shocked (not for the first time that day), then put her mental gears in action. The princess grinned, knowing she had won the hunter over. After a few moments, Leysa spoke, her voice filled with determination." Count me in, your Highness. But I think... We may need a team."

The princess leaned forward in a conspiratorial manner, smile getting wider. "I'm interested."

"But I still wouldn't be sure, Your Highness. It all comes down to one person."

The princess seemed taken aback, then asked disbelievingly, "Not you? So who would that be?"

Leysa felt a small smile tug at her lips as she said, "I think it's time to pay the swordsmith a visit."

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CHAPTER 1 END