Why Aren't You Offended After an Argument?!

As we returned, I tried to memorize as many details as possible, including the route to the basement. I assumed that if this was where they kept the prisoners in their cells, it must also be on this level. However, I didn't think that after that little quarrel with Michael, it would be practically impossible. I was constantly guarded by servants. The change in the young king was downright terrifying, and only because I had every right to doubt his sincerity. After all, he hadn't provided me with any evidence to the contrary, that Renet was safe. And the longer I didn't see him, the more nightmares I suffered. The longer I trained for the battle, the worse I felt mentally. I couldn't neglect my physical health, just in case I had to act. I wanted to believe it was only because there was a risk that by then I wouldn't have enough hatred for our Neighbors to fight them without hesitation. But I sensed there was more to it, as I was being forced to eat with the king. At times, he seemed kind and as if he cared about our relationship returning to its former state, yet at the same time, he wasn't entirely honest about it. As if I were the reason he was fighting some internal battle.

I tried to convince myself, but I was starting to feel a bit like a hostage or a princess trapped in a tower. I didn't dare even mention Renet, even though I was so worried about him, especially with the young king's change of behavior. So I focused on training, because nothing else came to mind. I couldn't even imagine participating in a battle.

The weapon developed by the local engineers seemed strange to me, like a large semi-automatic crossbow with five arrows with specially reinforced tips designed to make it easier to penetrate the Dragonids' tough, scaly skin. I suspected it, but it wasn't until someone said it aloud, in such a proud tone, that it chilled me. Of course, if it weren't for the fact that I was forced to use it to kill and he wasn't injured, I would have gladly learned to shoot it. Surprisingly, it didn't bother me, so I couldn't even use it as an excuse just to get out of the fight. Has coming here somehow healed me? My ankle was also getting better; I was slowly giving up crutches, though I still had to be careful with it.

The king often watched me, and it terrified me. I didn't want to be subjected to such forced expectations again, especially since they were completely out of sync with my inner self. He made it clear that he needed my skills, which I refreshed quite quickly, much to my surprise. It did take a while to get the feel of the weapon, but with each shot I got better. I kept telling myself I was only shooting at the target, yet sometimes my mind imagined I was aiming at a living creature instead. After something like that, I always wanted to throw my crossbow on the ground and just leave; after all, I hadn't officially enlisted in the army.

After a few days and another bull's-eye, someone whistled behind me. I remembered then that so much time had passed before Hans arrived, which painfully reminded me that this was just another day with Renet imprisoned and the departure drawing ever closer.

"You didn't boast of such skills." He laughed, offering me his hand. I shook it hesitantly. "How are you?"

"I've been better," I replied, making sure the person assigned to watch over me wasn't about to intervene. "Did you get here without any problems?"

"Yes." He smiled, but then soured a moment later. "And unfortunately, I had to run into an old college friend right away. And I wanted to avoid that at all costs."

"Fierce rivalry or a failed relationship?" I asked, partly out of curiosity, partly out of a need to think about something else, and not necessarily something related to the war.

"First the first, then the second. A short but turbulent story."

"Now I want to hear it even more," I announced, intrigued.

I raised my weapon so no one would accuse me of not training hard enough to defend the king's back well in battle. I fired a shot close to the center, but I didn't aim properly. Still, I had to become aware of the fact that this wasn't a shooting competition; my targets would be constantly moving, and I would be at risk myself, so I couldn't be solely accurate. I also needed speed without losing accuracy. A difficult art, but what else was left for me?

"I don't know if it's worth it," Hans muttered. "Although, if you don't know her, what's the harm? Besides, that's history too." He cleared his throat and adjusted his glasses. I didn't want to mention that I actually knew her. "You see, Martha is a very ambitious and capable beast. She was unmatched in her studies and couldn't forgive me for achieving similar results but with less effort. Which wasn't true. I worked just as hard, and I just didn't flaunt it so much and didn't snap at everyone who approached me."

"Is it that bad?" I was surprised, because the impression I got of her during our brief meeting was not like that.

"Zero interpersonal skills. Focused on her goal, she pursued it at all costs, even the complete destruction of her social life; for her, that was something that could distract her and ruin her success."

"She must have been very lonely after all," I noted.

"Exactly." Hans sighed heavily and looked up at the sky. I took advantage of that moment to fire another shot. "She finally broke down. I think I was the only one keeping an eye on her at the time, and I noticed it. I helped her, and then it just happened that we started getting closer."

"How long were you together?"

"Less than three years. Those were wonderful times, and I'm only saying that from the perspective of an older person. Ahh, I'm still glad she made it."

"What happened?" I reloaded, and another pack of five arrows was ready to go. "Looking at you, it seems to me that things must have been good between you."

"Sometimes you just don't know what's wrong, but we had a lot of differences. She wanted to stay here. I wanted to go back to my hometown. I dreamed of a family when she wouldn't even hear of it."

Hans shrugged, and I patted him on the back. He didn't need comfort; he'd long since come to terms with his loss and understood the workings of this world. He might have felt a little regret, but he tried not to show it. I couldn't help them, but I wanted to let him know that I wasn't going to agree with anyone, just that I simply understood.

"Everything started to fall apart, the doctor continued. Finally, I decided there was no point in struggling and wasting each other's time. I broke up with her, tried to make it as painless as possible, but…"

"The truth is I broke up with you, Hans." His ex-girlfriend had clearly been listening to us for a while and decided to correct some information. We turned to her. "It's almost dinnertime. His Majesty is waiting. I'd advise you to hurry."

I nodded and patted Hans on the shoulder, wanting to send him as much good luck as possible, that he might even live to see the beginning of this campaign. Martha smiled at me, as if trying to tell me something, but I couldn't decipher what. But I had the impression that she was full of pain.