You Need To Return, Eidrin

One week later, Groacia:

Romero had arrived in Groacia. He headed straight toward the palace to meet Eidrin.

Morning, Palace of Groacia:

Lucaris noticed Romero from the balcony of the palace.

Lucaris (thought): “Oh, isn’t that Romero? Why is he here? I’m already tired of that Eidrin, and now Romero is here too!”

Romero walked toward the palace entrance.

Guard: “Glad to see you, Romero.”
Romero: “Glad to see you too. Where’s Eidrin? Is he here?”
Guard: “Yes, Eidrin is in the courtroom with the prince.”
Romero: “Oh, I see.”

Romero then went directly toward the courtroom. Since Eidrin and Romero had already established peace and alliance with Groacia earlier, Romero had the right to visit and move freely inside the palace whenever he wished.

Inside the courtroom:

The king was absent because he was away from the country. Merlin was sitting on the chair beside the throne, while Eidrin stood beside him. Advisors were gathered around them.

Merlin: “So, we are gathered here to discuss the recent increase in terrorist attacks. We’ve been facing many assaults lately. We must find a way to defend ourselves and reduce them. Since Father isn’t present right now, let me conduct this meeting. Please share your sincere opinions…”

Suddenly, Romero entered the courtroom, shocking everyone.

Eidrin (shocked): “Romero!?”
Merlin (happily): “Oh, I’m so glad to see you, Romero. Welcome.”
Romero: “Thanks. I’m glad to meet you too, Prince Merlin.”
Eidrin: “Hey, why are you here?”
Romero: “Eidrin, I bet you’ve had a good time here. Now let’s return. I came to take you back.”
Eidrin: “What!? I’m not coming.”
Romero (serious): “Why not? You’re the one who always said your whole life was meant to serve Alexander. Now he’s growing restless because of your absence. You need to return — at any cost.”
Eidrin: “I said I’m not returning now.”
Romero: “What? What changed you all of a sudden?”
Eidrin: “I haven’t changed at all. I just realized that my presence itself causes trouble for Alexander. That’s why I started keeping my distance.”
Romero: “Why do you always care about others’ opinions when Alexander himself accepts you and considers you as his best friend? What do you think, Merlin?”
Merlin: “Wha… What? What can I say? Who am I to stand between you two? I’d be happy if my brother stayed with me forever, but if he has other duties, that’s okay too. It depends on him — he should decide where he wants to stay, right?”
Eidrin: “I’ve decided to stay here for now.”
Romero: “What did you say!? I’m not leaving without you.”
Eidrin: “Really? Do you dare to force me to go back?”
Romero: “Yes. Are you challenging me?”
Merlin (helplessly): “Hey, please don’t fight each other!”

Merina arrived just then, after hearing that Romero had come.

Romero: “So, you’re not going to return?”
Eidrin: “Not for now.”
Romero: “Okay then. I’m leaving for now. But I’ll come back — and next time, it won’t end like this!”

Romero turned to leave.

Merlin: “Hey, don’t go without eating.”
Romero: “Sorry, I’m not in the mood right now. I’ll eat next time.”

Merlin suddenly noticed Merina standing there. His usual carefree manner instantly turned formal and princely.

Merlin: “Stop. Romero of Francia — I’m giving you a choice. Choose wisely. Do you prefer to marry my sister, become the partial heir of this nation, and stay here… or return to Francia as Alexander’s guard?”

Everyone in the court was shocked by Merlin’s words. Lucaris, who was also present, was completely taken aback.

Lucaris (thought): “What is big brother saying? Has he lost his mind? If Romero says yes… No, I can’t even think about that!”

Merina, too, was shocked and excited by Merlin’s words. She looked at Romero hopefully, wanting him to say yes.

Romero stood silent for a moment, then replied.

Romero: “I’m sorry, my prince. It’s true that I love Merina… but I choose my friendship with Alexander above all.”

The whole court was stunned by Romero’s response.

Lucaris (thought): “This man… he’s very different from what I thought!”
Eidrin (thought): “Romero… I knew you’d say that. I would’ve said the same if I were in your place.”

Merina became heartbroken. Tears rolled down her cheeks, though she tried not to show it in front of others and quickly left the court. Merlin stood silent, and Lucaris quietly walked out.

Outside the palace, as Romero prepared to leave, Merina ran up to him.

Merina (crying): “Romero, how could you say that? You’re the one who said you truly love me!”
Romero: “Yeah, I did — and I still do. But I can’t abandon my duties. I owe my life to Alexander, and staying here as a partial heir would be like betraying him.”
Merina: “But you’re the only man I’ve ever loved! How can you say this to me? Are you saying it’s all over?”
Romero: “I don’t know what to say. But I’m the one who fell for you first, right? You only fell for me after I confessed. So… I think you can move on. But you’ll still be the only girl in my heart forever.”

Romero then walked toward his horse. Merina burst into tears and ran back to her room.

When Romero reached his horse, Eidrin was standing there.

Eidrin: “So… you’re the one who told me, ‘A man should never let tears fall from the eyes of the woman who loves him,’ right?”
Romero (serious): “Yeah. But I have my own reasons — you didn’t. See you again, my dear friend......”
Eidrin: “Alright. Tell Alexander that I’m still his friend — and that I’m not working against him.”

Romero then returned to Francia. Upon reaching there, he didn’t tell Alexander about what had happened in Groacia.

Alexander’s condition had worsened. He gave less priority to ruling the nation and spent most of his time drinking alone in his room. Romero also noticed that Alexia seemed sad all the time.

A few days later — Northern boarder forest, Francia:

There was an attack on Francia’s northern border. Romero and other soldiers were sent to handle it. Though Alexander, as king, didn’t have to go, he still joined them — as he cared deeply for his soldiers.

A fierce battle broke out between the Francian soldiers and the attackers.
Romero swiftly took down everyone who came his way. The soldiers managed to hold their ground with some struggle, and Alexander fought as best as he could.

Romero: “Xander! Watch your back!”

An arrow was flying toward Alexander, but Romero dashed at lightning speed and sliced it midair, saving him.

Romero: “I’ve always told you to be careful in battle. Don’t lose focus, Xand—”

He stopped as the other soldiers stared — shocked that he called the king by his name.

Romero (correcting): “I mean… my King.”
Alexander: “It’s alright.”

They continued fighting. Alexander managed to knock down one attacker. The attacker fled into the forest — and Alexander followed. But suddenly, dozens of enemies surrounded him.

Attacker 1 (laughing): “Who would’ve thought the king himself would show up?”
Attacker 2: “Yeah, it’ll be an honor to kill the king with my own hands.”
Alexander: “Is that so? Then come on!”

Alexander faced them bravely, but he was outnumbered.
Romero, still fighting elsewhere, suddenly sensed something wrong.

Romero (thinking): “No! I can feel that Xander’s in danger!”

He rushed in and took down all the enemies surrounding Alexander.

Alexander (thinking): “What’s happening to me? Why am I this weak now? I can’t even defend myself…”

That night, Alexander’s chamber:

Alexander sat drinking beer alone in his room. Romero entered.

Romero: “Xander, you’ve had enough. What’s wrong with you? You’re becoming irresponsible these days. You weren’t like this before.”
Alexander: “Yeah… I feel like I’ve lost my strength. You and Eidrin were always there to guide me. But now… only you remain. It feels like I’ve lost half my power.”
Romero: “...”
Alexander: “Romero, can you do me a favor?”
Romero: “What is it?”
Alexander: “Bring Eidrin back — at any cost. Can you do that for me?”
Romero: “If that’s your wish, I’ll make sure it happens.”

That night, Romero sent a private letter to Eidrin through an eagle. It reached him two days later.

The letter read:

“Eidrin,
I want to talk to you privately.
If I come to the palace, I won’t get enough time for it, so I’ll wait for you at the valley near Groacia’s eastern border — one week from the day I send this letter.
I’ll be waiting, so please come. I’ll be expecting you there.
— Romero”

Eidrin (thinking): “Why does he want to meet me there? But if he’s calling me, I must go. What could he be planning…?”

To be continue........