Prince of The Ruined Kingdom

Abigail opened the bathroom door and immediately shrugged off her soaked jacket. The cold air from the ongoing rain outside seeped through her skin, but she hardly paid attention. Something more important was on her mind. After peeling off the rest of her clothes, she stepped into the small shower stall and turned on the tap, letting the warm water cascade over her. She sighed deeply, allowing the warmth to ease some of the tension she'd been carrying since the beginning of this mission.

Closing her eyes, she let her thoughts drift through the events that had unfolded. She recalled the reason she was here, in this small town of Lilac, alongside a fugitive who happened to be the last prince of a fallen kingdom, Archemidas Evernoir. Her father's orders had been clear: find Arche and bring him back. But the mission had turned out to be far more complicated than she had anticipated.

The water continued to pour over her, soaking her white hair, which clung to her neck and back. As she massaged her scalp, her mind wandered back over the journey she had taken so far. Finding Arche was just the beginning; the real challenge lay ahead. Getting him to trust her enough to return home was not going to be easy. Abigail wasn't sure how much trust she had earned from Arche. He seemed anxious, constantly on guard, which was understandable given his status as a fugitive. Who could blame him? The world had not been kind to the last prince of a kingdom reduced to ruins.

Suddenly, she snapped back to the present, her instincts reminding her not to let her guard down. Even though she was in a locked bathroom, she needed to stay vigilant. She remained fully aware of the situation outside, keeping track of Arche's presence in the room.

Though she had taken precautions by locking the door, there was no guarantee that Arche would sit quietly and wait. He might try to escape. The thought of him sneaking out through the window crossed her mind, making her stay alert, though she didn't allow any panic to show. Her mission was to keep Arche under her watch until they made it to her home. Her father wanted him alive, and that was the most important thing. Abigail had no intention of disappointing her father.

As she washed the cold from her body, she began analyzing what else might happen on this journey. Lilac City wasn't exactly a bustling or remarkable place, but that didn't mean there weren't prying eyes. She continuously tuned in to the subtle presence of those around her. The people in the room next door? Just ordinary folks, maybe watching TV or relaxing. No sign of a threat from them.

Still, Abigail knew things could change in an instant. Every time she embarked on a mission, she was careful not to overlook the little details. Her ability to sense the presence of others had been finely honed over the years. There was a slight tension she felt now, but nothing indicating immediate danger. Not yet, anyway.

Her thoughts drifted back to Arche. She couldn't ignore the fact that she was dealing with a fugitive. The second prince of Evernoir, hunted by many. Who knew what Arche was truly thinking? Even though he looked like a confused kid, the world was full of surprises, and Abigail had learned never to underestimate anyone, especially in situations like this.

As she finished washing, Abigail began piecing together her plan. The next step? She had to get Arche back safely, that much was clear. But how could she ensure he wouldn't panic or try to run again? So far, he had followed her lead, albeit with intense caution. She sighed deeply. For now, she just needed to keep him calm and convince him that he was in good hands.

After her shower, Abigail dried herself off and stood in front of the small bathroom mirror, studying her reflection. Her eyes were a little tired, but she knew the journey wasn't over yet. There was no room for mistakes.

Once dressed in the clean clothes she had set aside, she thought about her father's words: "Bring Arche home. That's your mission." His words were always so firm, so unyielding. This mission was a heavy responsibility, but Abigail wasn't going to fail. Her father had always stressed the importance of family, and now Arche was a part of that—though he didn't know the full story yet.

Finally ready, Abigail opened the bathroom door and stepped back into the inn room. The air was a bit cool, but it didn't bother her. Her eyes immediately sought out Arche, who was sitting quietly in the corner, seemingly calm. She watched him for a moment, making sure he hadn't tried anything foolish while she was in the bathroom.

Arche glanced at her briefly, then returned to his own thoughts. Maybe he was still feeling nervous or uneasy, which was understandable. After all, he was caught in the middle of a situation he probably didn't fully understand yet.

"Done?" Arche asked awkwardly, breaking the silence.

Abigail simply nodded, not wanting to say much. She moved towards the bed, positioning herself close to the door, as if deliberately ensuring there would be no chance for Arche to make a quick escape.

"We'll leave right after this rest," she said, stretching her body slightly. "Tomorrow, we continue the journey. Make sure you get enough sleep. We've got a lot to do."

Arche nodded slowly, though his discomfort with the situation was still obvious. Abigail could sense it, but she also knew trust wasn't something that would come easily or quickly. The best she could do now was make sure everything went according to plan. And if something unexpected happened? She was always prepared.

Thoughts about the mission, her family, and all the possible outcomes swirled in her mind. With all that in her head, she let the silence settle over the room once more, leaving only the sound of rain outside, pouring over the small town of Lilac on this cold, quiet night.

***

Arche stood in front of the inn's wardrobe, his body wrapped only in a towel around his waist. The steam from the bathroom still lingered in the room as he rummaged through the closet, searching for clothes he could wear. The inn was simple but fairly clean, and the clothing available was a welcome change from the tattered rags he had been wearing for days.

Holding a fresh shirt he had just pulled from the wardrobe, Arche felt a bit awkward. It had been ages since he last wore something clean and comfortable, and the sensation was strange. Just as he was about to put on the shirt, he felt a gaze on him. Instinctively, he sensed the need to be cautious. Abigail, seated in the corner of the room, was watching his every move. Yet, she didn't make any attempt to approach. There was something unsettling about the way she looked at him, a sort of intensity that made Arche feel a little uneasy.

Unbeknownst to him, Abigail was surprised by what she saw. From his youthful face, she had imagined a frail boy, much like the other fifteen-year-olds who had grown up in hardship. But what stood before her was different. Though he didn't resemble a battle-hardened warrior, Arche's body looked toned. His muscles weren't bulky, but they were firm, especially in his arms and chest. The scars crisscrossing his skin, from small scratches to deeper marks, told a story of a life lived through hardship and danger.

"I didn't expect that," Abigail muttered to herself, loud enough for Arche to hear.

He turned quickly to her. "What?"

Abigail hesitated before answering, her attention caught by the strange metal structure that seemed to spiral along his spine, merging with his skin. This was no ordinary iron or steel; it shimmered with a faint purple light that was almost invisible unless closely examined.

Curiosity drove Abigail to rise from her seat and step closer, her eyes fixated on the mysterious metal. Although she couldn't quite figure out what it was, something about it felt significant—more than just an ornament or a form of protection. Without thinking, her hand reached out, fingers lightly brushing against the metal on Arche's back.

Arche jumped in surprise, nearly dropping the shirt he held. He turned around swiftly, his face flushed with embarrassment and a hint of panic. "What are you doing?" his voice came out in a tight whisper.

Abigail raised an eyebrow, unfazed by his startled reaction. A mischievous smile crept across her face. "Just curious," she replied casually. "The metal on your back… I've never seen anything like it before."

Arche looked confused for a moment but quickly understood what she was referring to. "That… that's none of your business," he stammered, hurriedly putting on the shirt he still clutched. His hands trembled slightly as he tried to hide his nervousness.

Abigail observed him, her small smile remaining intact. "Not polite, huh?" she mused with a light laugh, not taking her eyes off him. "I'm just surprised. From the outside, you look like a street kid who wouldn't last a day in a place like this. But it turns out, you're stronger than I imagined. Given all that, I bet you've been through a lot."

Arche avoided her gaze, feeling increasingly uncomfortable. The shirt he just put on was still damp with sweat from his anxiety. "You… you shouldn't just touch me like that," he said, his voice soft but firm. "I'm a prince, you shouldn't act this way."

Abigail laughed again, this time a bit louder, though still controlled. She took a few steps back and looked at him with amusement. "Oh, so now you remember you're a prince?" she teased. "Shouldn't a prince be more assertive about preserving his dignity?"

Her words made Arche even more anxious, but he was at a loss for how to respond. He knew Abigail was just teasing, yet he couldn't shake the discomfort creeping through him. His hands fumbled as he attempted to button his shirt quickly.

"I wasn't trying to fight you," Abigail said, her smile softening, her tone shifting to something more serious. "I was just trying to understand who you really are. You're not just the last prince of a fallen kingdom. There's more to you than that. And that makes me all the more curious."

Arche looked down, trying to avoid the intensity of her gaze. "There's nothing you need to know," he muttered softly. "I just want to survive. Nothing more than that."

Abigail tilted her head slightly, intrigued by his brief response. "But just surviving won't explain all of this, will it? What are you really searching for?"

Arche fell silent for a moment, the question echoing in his mind. What was he really searching for? Was it just survival? Or was there something deeper he was seeking, something he couldn't quite articulate even to himself?

"What else but my siblings," Arche finally replied, his voice distant. "Ellora and Lily."

Abigail stared at him now without a smile. "Ah, Princess Ellora and Lily. Perhaps you'll find clues about them with me."

Arche lifted his head slightly, looking at Abigail with doubt in his eyes. "And how can I be sure you won't trap me like everyone else who's been searching for me?"

Abigail met his gaze, her eyes filled with conviction. "You don't have to trust me completely. Trust your instincts. And if your instincts tell you to run, then do it. But until then, just try to listen to what my father wants to say. That's all I ask."

Arche fell silent again, pondering Abigail's words. There was something inside him urging him to trust this girl, even if only for a moment. Though he wasn't entirely convinced, he nodded slowly.

"Alright," he said, his voice firmer than before. "I'll go with you. But if I feel something's off, I won't hesitate to leave."

Abigail smiled again, this time more genuinely. "That's a fair deal."

And just like that, the conversation came to a close. Abigail returned to her spot on the bed while Arche finished getting dressed. One thing was clear for both of them: their journey was just beginning, and many unforeseen events still awaited them ahead.

***

I could still feel the cool breeze blowing from the Evernoir palace gardens, the scent of fresh flowers surrounding me as I trained with my sister, Ellora. She was an incredible sorceress. Every movement of her hands commanded the elements, effortlessly reshaping the world around her as if nature itself obeyed her every command.

"Look at this, Arche!" Ellora exclaimed, her confident smile brightening her face. In her hand, a ball of blue light swirled, dancing in the air before suddenly transforming into dozens of tiny fire sparks that twirled gracefully, creating beautiful patterns.

I tried to mimic her, focusing my energy as she had taught me. But just before I could succeed, I felt a sudden force push me. I lost my balance and fell into a deep chasm, screaming in fear.

I jolted awake, gasping for breath, cold sweat trickling down my forehead. The room was dark, illuminated only by the faint glow of the moonlight streaming through the window. I had fallen from my bed and found myself on the cold floor, momentarily disoriented. Then I looked up and saw something I definitely didn't expect.

Abigail.

The girl was staring down at me from my bed, her expression a mix of anger and an odd hint of embarrassment. Somehow, she had ended up on the bed that was supposed to be mine.

"What are you doing there?" I blurted out, trying to grasp the situation.

Abigail's face flushed deeper. "What am I doing here?! I should be the one asking that! You must have done something while I was asleep!"

"What? No! I didn't do anything! You're the one who moved to my bed!" I retorted quickly, feeling a pang of panic. My heart was still racing from the strange dream, and this situation made everything even weirder.

Abigail glared at me, crossing her arms over her chest. "All guys are the same! Perverts!"

I felt my breath catch in my throat. "Hey! I didn't even touch you! Look, I marked my bed with my dagger last night. I put it under my pillow!" I quickly reached for my pillow and pulled out a small dagger I usually kept for protection.

Abigail paused for a moment, her eyes on the dagger before shifting back to me. Her expression fluctuated between embarrassment and anger. "I… I didn't know about that. But still! You must have done something!" she said, her voice sounding a bit shaky now.

I sighed deeply. This girl was impossible to understand. "I swear I didn't do anything. You're the one who moved to my bed, not the other way around. If you still don't believe me, I don't know how else to explain it."

Abigail continued to try and maintain her angry facade, although her cheeks were getting redder. She seemed to be feeling increasingly awkward about the whole situation. "Y-you still need to apologize!"

I frowned. "Apologize? For what? I didn't do anything!"

She glared at me more intensely. "Y-yeah… but… still!" she responded, although it didn't sound very convincing.

I shook my head slightly, unsure of what to do. "Fine, I'm sorry," I finally said, even though I didn't fully understand what I was apologizing for. Sometimes it was easier to go along with her than to try and counter her bizarre logic.

Abigail seemed to relax a little after I apologized, but her cheeks remained flushed. She huffed, then quickly turned her back to me, lying down on the bed again and pulling the blanket up to cover half her face.

"Typical… guys," she mumbled under her breath, though I could still hear her.

I sighed, not wanting to drag out the situation any longer. "Okay then, can you explain why you suddenly ended up in my bed?"

"I didn't move to your bed on purpose!" she retorted, her voice muffled by the blanket. "Maybe I just shifted in my sleep… or the bed was too small!"

I glanced at the bed she should have been sleeping on. It was a bit small, but definitely big enough for one person. "That bed is plenty big, Abigail."

Abigail grumbled again, refusing to look my way. "You talk too much. Just sleep."

I let out a soft sigh, deciding to drop the endless argument. "Alright, alright," I conceded, sitting back on my bed and trying to lie down again. But the thoughts of the dream still lingered in my mind.

That dream felt so real. I could see my sister, Ellora, clearly. She always smiled whenever we practiced magic together. She was my beloved sister, someone I had always thought would be by my side forever. But now, only dreams like that remained of our memories. And that dream ended with me falling into a chasm—almost as if reflecting how our peaceful lives had shattered in an instant.

I stared at the ceiling, feeling a growing emptiness inside me each day. What had happened to my family? Would I ever find them again?

As I sank deeper into my thoughts, Abigail suddenly opened her eyes slightly and spoke softly without turning to face me. "Why are you so quiet? Just sleep. We need to leave early tomorrow."

I turned to her in surprise, realizing she was still paying attention to me. Despite her harsh words and annoying demeanor, I could sense a flicker of concern in her voice.

"Yeah… you're right. Tomorrow will be a long day," I replied quietly.

Before long, the room fell silent again. Abigail had fallen back asleep, while I remained awake. Even though my mind was racing with a million thoughts, I decided to try to sleep again.

But deep down, I knew... this journey had only just begun.

***