Resolute Resolve

"Are you thinking the same as I am?" I whispered to Piro, who stood closer to me, her eyes reflecting the same concern. We had both noticed the arrival of another person like Fiona, someone who might have posed a threat to King Harlan.

Piro took a moment before answering in a hushed tone, "Yeah, but for now, let's stay silent and listen."

And so, we stood there, discreetly observing the scene unfolding in the chamber of the palace court. The air was thick with tension, and a sense of foreboding hung in every corner.

Princess Vespa, her eyes filled with tears, spoke with a desperate plea, her voice quivering, "As Arin is here now, can't you do something to relieve papa from this poison?"

Before Arin could reply, everyone's attention was drawn to a different voice behind me. "He cannot," the approaching figure said.

I turned slightly and saw a strikingly busty lady clad in shimmering silver armor. Her radiant aura exuded confidence and authority, captivating everyone present. It was evident that she was a seasoned warrior, her armor adorned with battle scars, telling tales of her bravery. Beside her stood a nerdy-looking girl wearing glasses, which added to her mysterious aura, as if she were a shadow lingering in the lady's presence. She seemed reserved but observant, her eyes darting around, taking in every detail.

The busty lady spoke again, her voice commanding attention, "Because the poison belongs to the western side, right?" She pointed towards Arin.

Arin bowed respectfully, acknowledging her, "Yes! It's been a while, Captain Iriella."

He then greeted the nerdy lady as well, "And you, Vice Captain Foria."

Upon hearing this, Princess Vespa asked, her voice trembling with uncertainty, "So what about it? Why can't Arin do it?" pointing towards Captain Iriella.

Iriella's lips curved to answer but halted as Arin spoke up, "Lemme answer, Captain."

Then he explained, his voice firm but tinged with self-doubt, "I might be a genius sage, but only when I am aware enough about the occurrence. Here, I can attempt healing, but it may come with consequences."

His words pierced through the air, shattering hopes. The weight of the situation seemed to press down on everyone's shoulders. Queen Marissa broke down, saying, her voice choked with emotion, "So what do we do now?" Princess Vespa began to sob, her tears a reflection of the kingdom's despair.

The court erupted into chaos, with everyone wondering what should be done. The advisors scrambled to offer solutions, their voices overlapping in a cacophony of desperation and confusion.

Amidst the turmoil, Arin looked different in my eyes as he declared, determination burning in his gaze, "I will do something. I will go to the western side and learn about the poison's component."

I never thought a young boy like him could hold such audacity. After hearing Arin's unwavering resolve, some of the courtiers started ranting about how nonsensical it sounded. But their words seemed hollow, mere expressions of their own helplessness.

Even the busty lady, with a concerned smile, said, "Seems like you've been out of your mind from the long journey, young boy."

Yet, nothing could waver his decision. He swiftly answered back, "I'm not uttering nonsense. This is all we have left, and we gotta do it. We at least have to try."

The anger and disappointment of not being able to do something washed over him, fueling his determination further. He declared, his voice unwavering, "I will do this right away and make the healing elixir before tomorrow's dawn."

His words hung in the air, filling the room with a mix of hope and uncertainty. The courtiers exchanged glances, unsure whether to believe in Arin's daring plan or to dismiss it as a desperate attempt to find a solution.

The room fell into a tense silence, each second ticking away as the gravity of their predicament settled on everyone's hearts. Arin's bravery and resolve stood as a beacon amidst the darkness of despair, and though skepticism loomed large, there was a flicker of hope in the kingdom's darkest hour.

Amidst all this commotion, a voice broke through the tension, and Princess Vespa, wiping away her tears, stepped forward, her resolve evident. "I believe in Arin. Let us go," she declared.

The courtiers gasped in surprise and concern upon hearing the princess's words. Queen Marissa, deeply worried for her daughter's safety, said, "What are you saying, honey? You know that side is cursed."

The mention of the word "cursed" sent shivers down my spine, and I couldn't help but wonder about the ominous presence which Sylphalope had sensed earlier.

Princess Vespa's voice quivered with emotion as she responded, "I don't know anything, mumma. But if this is all that's left, I believe in Arin."

With unwavering determination, she walked towards Arin and said, "Let's go."

Arin, concerned for her safety, refused to take her with him. "Princess, I will go alone. You don't need to come with me."

Princess Vespa, her eyes filled with determination, gently placed her hand on his shoulder. "Arin, I understand your concern, but I can't sit back while you face this danger alone. You're not just doing this for papa; you're doing it for all of us."

Arin's resolve wavered, torn between his duty and concern for Vespa's safety. Sick of hearing it all, I went near Princess Vespa, determined to speak my mind. "If you may, Princess, let me go with Arin," I said, my voice steady despite the unease in my heart.

Piro reacted immediately, "Hey, what are you doing?"

I reassured her, "It's fine. We gotta let these people know the truth."

Hearing this, Captain Iriella locked eyes with me, asking, "What truth, and who are these people?"

"They are travelers. This girl is a clothes designer, and he is her friend. Princess Vespa found them interesting and brought them here," Arin explained.

But I couldn't let the deception continue. A word escaped narrowly and slowly through my lips, "Well, there's a bit of a lie there."

Concerned, Princess Vespa asked, "What do you mean there's a lie?"

I took a deep breath and began explaining what happened in the Mukcus Forest, where Piro and I encountered Fiona—an elf girl with a desire to kill, driven by the one licenses to kill - a mere act of stupidity. I revealed that these licenses were issued by the Republic of HarmonVale, which raised alarming suspicions. I was sure that the person they encountered here was the same one Fiona mentioned, someone who seemed to revel in the killings.

For a while, the people near me stayed silent, processing the gravity of the situation. Captain Iriella took my hands and led Piro and me to another small chamber, where Princess Vespa, Arin, Queen Marissa, Vice Captain Foria, and two elderly courtiers were also.

In the intimate setting, I continued my account, recounting Fiona's words, her hatred, and the threat which posed to King Harlan and the kingdom. The room grew heavy with tension as they absorbed the unsettling truth.