I’ll Keep Trying

One bright morning, under the sweltering heat of the sun, everything seemed peaceful—until suddenly…

This cliché…

“I like you, Valkyrie. Please marry me.”

Alexander was on one knee, his deep blue eyes locked onto mine with unwavering determination. The crown prince of the kingdom, proposing in broad daylight—while his guards stood at attention, watching.

Silence.

Then—

“What the—?!”

Magnus, Elara, and I reacted in unison, our faces twisted in disbelief. Weren’t we supposed to be parting ways now that the incident was over? Yet here we were, thrown into another ridiculous situation.

“What nonsense is this, Valkyrie?” Magnus scoffed, crossing his arms. His silver hair gleamed under the sunlight, his sharp gaze locked onto me like I was personally responsible for this madness.

I shot him an exasperated look. “So this is my fault now?”

Elara, for once, remained silent. She stood with her arms folded, lips pursed as she observed the scene like an uninterested audience at a terrible play.

Alexander, unfazed by the reactions around him, reached for my right hand and placed a lingering kiss on my knuckles. “Ever since you left, I haven’t looked at another woman.”

A shiver ran down my spine—not from romance, but from pure discomfort.

“Like I fucking care!” I yanked my hand away so fast I nearly smacked him in the face.

Alexander’s expression softened, his voice dropping to something almost pitiful. “Do you still hate me?”

Before I could respond, Elara suddenly leaned in, her soft whisper ghosting against my ear. “Do you want me to kill him?” Her voice was sickeningly sweet, her expression innocent—but that only made it more terrifying.

I took a step back. “You’re scaring me, El. Stop it.”

“Should I do it?” Magnus chimed in, swinging his wand.

I groaned, rubbing the back of my head. “Both of you, shut up.”

Alexander, oblivious to the murderous intent surrounding him, straightened his posture. “I’ve thought about this moment for a long time, Valkyrie. I don’t care if you reject me a hundred times—I’ll keep trying.”

“I became a witch so I wouldn’t have to marry you,” I said, hoping to make it clear.

“I know.” He looked at me, all pitiful and serious, like it wasn’t going to stop him.

“Besides, I already like someone else, Your Highness,” I added, trying to get out of this mess without making it worse.

His expression froze, and for a moment, I swear his brain just short-circuited. “What?” he finally stammered, looking like I’d just told him the sky was falling.

Elara and Magnus glanced at each other like they were about to start a competition or something.

I just made it up.

“Yeah,” I added, hoping he’d back off.

“Wait… someone actually caught your eye? Is he as wild as you? Like, also kind of crazy?”

“Seriously?! That’s what you’re focusing on?!” I reacted.

Alexander blinked, clearly still trying to process it. “Is it… Magnus?” he asked slowly, like his brain was overheating from all the thinking.

“What? No!” I said way too fast—and a little too loud.

Magnus narrowed his eyes. “Why not?”

“Don’t start,” I warned, pointing at him.

Elara raised an eyebrow. “Wait, if it’s not Magnus… is it me?”

My brain just short-circuited. “Elara!”

She shrugged like it was a valid question. “Hey, I’m cute. Just saying.”

“I don’t like any of you,” I groaned, ready to evaporate into thin air.

Alexander, still not giving up, clapped his hands together like he’d just had a genius idea. “Then I’ll prove myself worthy of your love! I’ll go on a quest—a dangerous one!”

“Please don’t,” I muttered. “We don’t need another royal causing a national crisis.”

He puffed up his chest. “I’ll slay a dragon.”

“There are no dragons left,” Magnus said flatly.

“Please let him,” Elara whispered to Magnus. “Maybe he’ll get eaten.”

I elbowed her.

Alexander, now fired up, pointed dramatically at the sky. “Valkyrie! One day, I’ll earn your heart!”

And just like that, he turned around and marched off—his guards awkwardly scrambling to follow.

The silence he left behind was… blessed.

***

"Fighting assassins was easier than dealing with him," I sighed, massaging my forehead.

“I give it three days,” Magnus said.

“Before what?”

“Before he comes back with a lizard and says it’s a baby dragon.”

I sighed. “I seriously need a vacation.”

Elara patted my shoulder. “Good luck, future queen.”

“Shut up!”

***

After that, I asked Elara and Magnus to head back first.

"Hey, you guys go ahead back to the Enchanted Forest without me," I said, trying to shake off the awkwardness.

Magnus raised an eyebrow. "What? Why?"

I glanced at the kids following us. "These kids…" I nodded toward them. "They’ll probably get bullied by other witches and wizards if I just drop them off."

I rubbed the back of my neck. "I need to check with Hecate first and make sure they're allowed to stay in the forest. I can't just leave them there without permission."

Elara looked at me, clearly curious. "So where are you gonna put them for now?"

I grinned. "I know just the place."

Both of them exchanged a glance. Magnus shook his head. "Please don't tell me you’re taking them to your family’s house?"

“Yes, they’ll be fine there.” I replied.

Elara gave me a nod. “Alright, Valkyrie. Don’t take too long. We’ll see you back at the forest.”

"Don't worry," I said, my smile softening. "I’ll handle it. You two go on ahead."

With a final glance at the children and a quick wave to the pair, I watched as Magnus and Elara made their way into the trees, leaving me to deal with the mess I’d somehow ended up in.

***

As Magnus and Elara disappeared into the distance, I turned to the kids, who were still staring at me like I had all the answers.

“Alright, you lot,” I said, trying to sound chill. “Let’s get moving.”

The kids followed, not totally distracted by the mess that had just gone down. I made my way toward the quieter part of the kingdom. I needed to get these kids somewhere safe and not in the middle of chaos.

"Are we... really going to your family's house?" one of the kids asked, glancing nervously at me.

"Yeah," I answered, trying to sound reassuring. "It’s the safest place I can think of for you guys right now. Trust me, you’ll be alright."

I hoped I was right, though. My family’s house wasn’t exactly your typical home—it was big, a bit grand, and definitely not for everyone. But it had been safe enough for me growing up, so I figured it would do for now.

Finally, I reached my family’s house—my father’s knight, Desmond, would be the first person I’d have to deal with.