The Princess & The Twilight Blade

Leah

"It's time to get up, my ladies," I said as I walked across the royal bedchambers. My little sister's room hasn't changed a bit since I first became her attendant, save for the extra mound in the bed.

I pulled open the curtains to let the morning sun in, and groans came from the bed behind me… Lydia sat up groggily, her green eyes still heavy with sleep. Even after all these years, neither of them was a morning person. I wasn't fazed as the covers fell away from her torso, revealing her to be nude save the waterfalls of blonde hair that covered her chest. I've spent the majority of my life dressing and bathing her after all, and that hasn't changed even after Audrey became an irreplaceable part of our lives.

"Noooo… Come back…" The redhead in question moaned, her hand grabbing Lydia's arm and pulling her back down beneath the covers. "Five more minutes, Leah…"

I smiled to myself before quickly composing my expression. They may be like little sisters, but I'm still their attendant.

"I can't allow that, my ladies. Don't you remember what today is?" I moved around the bed, tugging at the blanket in an attempt to stir them, yet even without the cover, they curled up together, their limbs intertwined.

"It's supposed to be OUR day… can't we do what we want?" Audrey yawned. At this point, Lydia was awake, but was simply playing along with her betrothed's antics.

Today was the day they'd both been working hard for since graduating from the academy. The day they would finally be recognized by law in marriage, and inherit their new titles as Duchess Rose.

"Audrey… Don't you want to hear people call me with your last name? Lydia teased, her finger running down her lover's jawline.

"Of course I do!" That woke her right up. I had to stifle the teasing remarks I usually said, and instead pushed them both toward the bath once their feet were on the floor.

"We have lots of preparation to do, so no wasting time, my ladies!" I said. "You'll only have one wedding, and I won't let you sleep through it!"

"Like we'd do that…" Audrey mumbled, as if she just didn't try to do just that.

After they were washed and dried, I set them in front of the mirror and began to work on making them the most beautiful brides the kingdom would ever see. It took hours, and many people came to see them in the process. The royal family, their friends from the academy, their instructors, and even Audrey's parents and sister all stopped by to congratulate them. And finally… I stood beside the person I most cherished at the altar.

I was in charge of giving them the rings, and when the moment came, I stepped forward, holding back tears of joy.

"My ladies… Congratulations." I said happily as I held the boxes out to them, and as Lydia reached out for them, she took my hand gently.

"Leah… Thank you. You've always been by my side… Always there when I needed you…" I couldn't bear to hear such words from her, so I looked down in embarrassment. That was, until my body ran cold, and her grip on my hand tightened to an almost painful degree. "You were always there, except when I needed you the most." Her voice turned cold, and it sent a shiver down my spine.

"H-Huh?" I gasped and looked up in shock as the magic lamps all began to go out one by one. The crowded hall was now devoid of people, leaving only the two of us; even Audrey had vanished, leaving her spot on the altar empty. "W-Wait… No… Where did Audrey go?" I asked, my voice trembling with fear.

"She never returned from the frontline, Leah," Lydia said, her voice flat and calm. Her perfect makeup was ruined as tears began to run down her expressionless face.

"No! That can't be! The two of you worked so hard to be happy!" I cried out. I tried to pull myself away from her, but her nails dug into my hand.

"Happy? How can you spout such things when you left me alone?" Her golden hair withered and began to fall to the floor, and her tears turned red as blood, corrupting the white of her wedding gown with its color. "I'm dead. All. Because. Of. You."

"No… No. NO!" I screamed as pain filled my chest, and I closed my eyes to escape the horrific vision of my sister.

Yet, when I opened them again, I found myself standing in the middle of a burning street. Lydia stood in full armor, the same as I'd last seen her with kids gathered around her legs.

"I need you all to go with the pretty lady, alright? She's going to make you all fly!" She said excitedly to calm the children's nerves.

I opened my mouth to object, but my body moved on its own as I reached out to take the little girls from my sister. The kids crowded around me, and I felt my magic begin to activate.

No! Please! I won't leave her again! Please… Don't go!

"Keep them safe until the very end!" She shouted the last words I'd hear her say, and I begged my body to listen to me. Yet, I still floated into the air with the children.

Stop her! Don't let her go!

But my head nodded, and my mouth opened to remind me of my biggest failure.

"I'll be back soon, my lady."

Lydia smiled sweetly at me, her eyes clear and beautiful as her lips moved. I shouldn't have been able to hear her as I was already flying away to deliver the children to the safe area. Still, a single word pierced my mind and heart.

"Liar."

***

I shot upright with a strangled gasp, my body dripping with sweat. I held my trembling hands in front of me as I fought with my dry throat for air.

"Leah…? Are you okay?" Lucia stirred from the bed beside me, her light brown eyes staring at me with concern despite having just been woken up.

"A-Ah. Yes, I just had a nightmare." Everything since that moment has been one.

"Was it the same as before?" My friend sat up and swung her legs to the floor as she moved over to comfort me. "It wasn't your fault. You know they would never blame you."

I knew she was right, but that wouldn't help to alleviate the self-loathing. Her hand lay on top of mine, and I gently removed it once I calmed down.

"I'm fine now, sorry for worrying you," I said curtly, trying to end the conversation. "It's late, and we'll be traveling another day before we meet up with the others... Let's go back to sleep." The auction had just been the day before, and we were staying in a safehouse on the outskirts of the city to keep an eye on how the guild was handling things, but it was time to move on.

"What a stubborn woman..." Lucia said with a heavy sigh, standing up from her position on the floor. "You've been particularly on edge the last couple of days, too. I wish you'd rely on me more."

"I do. You're my most trusted friend." I said.

"It doesn't feel like that when you try to shoulder everything alone like this." I flinched slightly at her tone and let out a slow breath as I filtered through my thoughts.

"It's just... I thought I saw them in the crowds the other day. It was only for a moment, but they looked so... Normal and happy." I chuckled bitterly at myself. "By the time the shock wore off, they were gone... How pathetic am I? Now I'm hallucinating..."

"You're grieving, Leah. We all are, and while time may heal, the amount needed is different for everybody. Don't be so hard on yourself." The kind look she always gave me in moments like this was the same as always... Completely unbearable.

"The remaining length of my life wouldn't be enough," I muttered. Lucia either didn't hear me or pretended not to as she stepped out of the room for a moment, then returned with two cups of cold water. I took one gratefully from her hands, and we sat on the edges of our beds facing each other in silence as I let the liquid soothe my throat.

Once I was done, I opened my mouth, but no words came out. Just thank her for being present! Ever since losing the girls, it felt like my connection to the world had been severed. Like I was now devoid of all human connection. I couldn't even talk properly to the princes that had once been like family to me. Every time our eyes met, I was only filled with an unescapable sense of shame.

"Lucia." I began, but my chest grew tight.

"Yes, Leah?"

"... Let's go back to bed. We need to report by the end of tomorrow." I couldn't say what was needed again, but I had grown accustomed to being a failure by now.

***

Lucia

After leaving Grunde, it took us the entire next day to arrive at the nearest village. The empire had left no shortage of ghost towns all over the continent during its conquest three years ago, but they now bustled with life once again. On the surface, it seemed that people were slowly reclaiming the lost land, but in reality, countless villages now served as the perfect front for our efforts.

We nodded at the guards as we entered the village gate, and plenty more people shouted kind greetings that I returned. From the workers, to the parents preparing dinner for their rambunctious children… Every person here was a part of our underground rebellion.

Leah and I made our way to the most prominent building in the center and stepped inside. The interior was simply decorated, with a large wooden table displaying documents in the open living room. A few people stood around it, discussing countless plans.

"Ah, you're back earlier than I expected. I read through the advanced report you sent, but I'd like to hear it from you directly as well." Captain Heingar said, his eyes locking onto us as we entered.

"Leah flew us practically the entire way," I said. I wish she would stop pushing herself so hard.

"That couldn't have been easy on your mana. You should go rest." The large man addressed my friend.

"No. I'm fine." She shook her head with that expressionless look that had become her mask.

A tense silence stretched as they stared at each other before the captain let out an exasperated sigh. "Have it your way."

He then filled us in on the other operations. Count Lamal's organization spanned the continent, and we had numerous groups still investigating other events that had yet to occur. Even with the head cut off, we need to ensure it doesn't regrow elsewhere.

"Prince Abel reported that his group will be destroying a slave auction in a few days." The captain explained. My heart twinged as I thought of Abel, and a wistful sigh escaped me. It's been weeks since we've seen each other… I miss him. Perhaps after his operation is finished, we can meet again and spend a few nights together.

I was slightly jealous that Hailey was in his squad, and I could've gone with him, but my worry for Leah had overpowered my desires. I knew Leah hated herself even more than Thomas Rose or the emperor for what happened, and I was terrified of what would happen if she were left alone. Whether I'm of any help or not, as long as my presence stops her from leaving this world early…

Not only had she lost Audrey and Lydia, but her noble house had been purged after Audrey's father had ascended as a grand duke of the empire and sat on the throne in Castle Venyth. He had mercilessly executed any previous supporters of the royal family.

My own family, being knights, had only sworn an oath to protect the people, and my father was quite strict in his beliefs. To him and my brothers, it didn't matter who was in power as long as they could fulfill their roles as protectors of the realm. As such, my house had sworn its allegiance to the empire. While I received only sparse communication from one of my siblings, I at least had the comfort of knowing they were still alive.

Even after the dust had settled, I also had my relationship with Abel now. Meanwhile, it seemed the only thing keeping Leah tethered to life was her burning desire for revenge, so I vowed to become another anchor for her in the hopes she would consider my feelings before doing anything drastic.

Leah and Captain Heingar were discussing our next move, but my eyes closed as I thought back to the past. Just like how I did everything I could to save Abel at the end of the war, I'd do the same for Leah now.

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

***

"Go! Get His Highness out of here!" General Wheeler shouted through the chaos. Magic and arrows flew through the air as countless screams pierced the air. The rear guard defenses barely lasted thirty minutes before the imperial army broke our line… and now the inevitable was drawing close. My sword cut through every enemy I encountered as I rushed across the bloodied ground. Abel's powerful lightning magic had been the only thing holding our defense afloat, but a fireball had slipped through, and he was now in critical condition. Minor injuries had already accumulated on his body, and he would not last at this rate. Anthony's squad had rushed to his aid, and our forces flocked to protect him as we retreated.

"Save his highness!"

"There's hope as long as the royal family lives!"

Tears mingled with the blood dripping down my face as the veteran soldiers threw themselves at the enemy, if only to buy us a few seconds. My armor was torn to shreds, and gashes opened on my body with every encounter as I desperately fought alongside Hailey and the others to break free from the battlefield. We dove into the trees, using the forest as cover in hopes it would slow down the mindless horde behind us. We all would've been dead if we were still on the plains.

I grunted as an arrow buried itself into the back of my shoulder, but I managed to keep moving. I used what little mana I had left to push the arrow out with water, biting back a scream.

"A-Anthony… Put me down…. T-That's an order…" Abel mumbled, barely coherent.

"No can do, Your Highness." Anthony gritted his teeth through his pain as he shared the prince's weight with Jack. All of us were barely holding on, and we were only creating distance thanks to the many soldiers staying behind in waves to delay the Imperials.

The number of magic spells and projectiles flying through the trees began to lessen, but we still wouldn't get away.

"Ack!" I paused as Hailey sprawled to the ground, an arrow buried in her calf. Damn it!

"Just go!" she screamed from the ground, already pulling the projectile from her body. I briefly considered doing just that until Audrey's face flashed through my mind. I cried out as I rushed back to her side, hefting her on my shoulder. We won't make it. The calm thought was out of place in my mind as I tried desperately to keep moving. As long as Abel survives… I've fulfilled my role as a knight.

Just as I was about to turn around for a final stand, figures rushed past me.

Marco jumped behind us, creating a wall of water to block the chasing attacks. He coughed blood with the effort, a sign that he was out of mana and pushing his body past its limit. Russell and Marianne also stood between us and the encroaching danger. Besides us, only Anthony and Jack remained as they carried Abel forward.

"Go. We're out of options." Russell said as he and his wife crouched down.

"Wait… No!" Hailey cried out, her hand reaching for the couple in desperation. "Please don't! Please! I'm the traitor, leave me behind!"

Marianne looked up with a sad smile, tears welling in her eyes. "Hailey… It was only for a short time, but thank you for letting us experience the joys of having a daughter."

"You made a mistake. Children should be forgiven and given the chance to make it right." Russell said. "Hailey. Make it right. We'll be watching over you."

The girl screamed in anguish, and I could only nod in resignation at them as their magic began to activate. They were both earth mages, and the ground began to split between us. They both grimaced in pain as blood began to run from their mouth and noses, but they kept the magic going until the very end. All that remained was a massive fissure that extended for hundreds of feet in either direction, and dozens of feet across.

Hailey sobbed desperately, and it wasn't until their figures finally collapsed on the other side that she turned away. Marco stood and defended his fallen comrades until he could no longer.

The two of us moved as quickly as we could manage with the state of our bodies and minds, and we eventually caught up to Anthony and Jack. Abel had finally fallen unconscious due to his blood loss.

"We need to find somewhere to rest…" Anthony panted. Despite the truth of his words, we kept moving until we were sure we had lost our pursuers. The fissure no doubt stopped the last of our enemies in their tracks.

We eventually stumbled across a small trail and followed it until we arrived at a small town. The guards at the gate were startled by our appearance. All of us were covered in wounds and blood, and they held their weapons warily. Luckily, we were still inside Venyths' borders.

"This is his highness… Prince Abel of Venyth." I said as Hailey and I collapsed to our knees. The girl had succumbed to her injuries and passed out. Jack and Anthony were on the verge of doing the same. "Help him, even if it kills the rest of us."

The world began to darken as the guards rushed forward, and I finally let go as I saw them carrying Abel through the gate, shouting for medical attention.

***

The town's mayor had taken care of all of us, and after a few weeks of recovery, we managed to leave before the inspections under the new grand duke happened. It took us another month to locate Leah and Prince Luke, who were moving incognito between different cities. That was also when we learned of Lydia and Audrey's fate… Or lack of one.

"Audrey said she'd make it." Abel had said through gritted teeth before punching through the wall of the dilapidated building we had been in. "But… It's not confirmed, right? They could have escaped as well."

It was a hopeful thought, but one that slowly vanished as time wore on. If they had made it out, they would have found us soon enough… But they never did.

"Lucia, please pay attention." My focus snapped back to the present as both Leah and the captain looked at me.

"Sorry, I was just thinking."

The rest of the night passed with further discussion, and so did the following days, until we received a report from the other people who had been part of the auction operation. They had finally made it to the village, and their words reignited a long-dead hope in our hearts.

"We ran into adventurers in the storage room. One used a bow with white fire, and the other a sword with shadow and water magic. I'd say they were both young women judging by their statures, but I'm not confident due to the robes and masks." The man said.

"What did you just say?" The cold voice came from Leah as she grabbed the man by the shoulders. After he repeated himself three more times, she finally let him go and ran out of the building. I had planned to move out and join Abel in his operation, but this took precedence over that. I sprinted after my friend, and she took us both into the air as we rocketed back to Grunde.

Could it really be…? After all this time? Shadow magic itself was rare, but we had encountered one or two other users in the last three years. White fire, on the other hand, was something only we'd ever seen from the princess. All that in combination with their other attributes… It was too much to ignore.

***

Leah

I'd never flown so fast in my life. My mind was consumed with only one thought, to the point that Lucia had to shake my shoulder so I didn't fly us right over the city walls in broad daylight. Lydia… Audrey… My ladies. Please let it be them!

Once we were through the checkpoint, I used my magic to fly us right to the adventurer's guild doorstep.

"Leah, wait—!" my friend started, but it was too late as the front doors flew open in my haste. The attention of every adventurer in the building focused on us, and I heard Lucia mumble behind me. "Damn it… There's no point causing a scene."

It had been nearly a week since the auction, but I still hoped and prayed that they were there. I ignored the glares from the gathering crowd and searched their faces for any trace of familiarity. When I didn't find any, I stormed right up to the counters, and the unlucky receptionist flinched as I slammed my hands on her desk.

"Have you seen two girls? One with blonde hair as bright as the sun, and the other a breathtaking red?" I asked in rapid succession.

"H-Huh? Wait—!" She started, but I interrupted her.

"It's a yes or no! Tell me already!" I shouted angrily. I was aware of my impatience and rudeness, but I just couldn't contain it. If it really is them…

"P-Please calm down! It's against policy to disclose personal information—"

"I don't care! At least tell me their names!"

"Leah! I know how you feel, but you need to calm down!" Lucia grabbed my arm, trying to pull me away from the frightened woman. In the commotion, I didn't even notice someone approaching me until a second set of hands roughly grabbed my shoulder.

"Hey! What the hell are you doing—!" As soon as we faced each other, both our eyes widened in recognition. "You!"

"You were at the auction," I said, the gears of my mind turning. The woman I had fought to a standstill stood in front of me. Wait… If they were all there, maybe she would know!

I grasped her arms in desperation. "Do you know two girls?! Their names are Audrey and Lydia! Please!" I was practically begging at this point, my head bowing as tears began to prick at my eyes.

There was a moment of silence before the woman pried my hands from her body and turned toward the receptionist with a tired sigh. "Sorry about the trouble, Liz, I'll take care of it."

"Thank you, Cassandra." The employee replied, having recovered her sense of professionalism.

"You two, follow me." The woman named Cassandra said, gesturing for Lucia and me to follow her up the stairs and into an empty meeting room. Once the door closed behind her, she turned toward us with a sharp glare. "You have a lot of nerve showing up here like that."

I finally started to calm down from the frenzy that had overtaken me the moment I heard the report, but decided to let Lucia talk first.

"I apologize." My friend said with a smooth bow. "We heard news of our missing family… We let desperation get the better of us."

Her eyes narrowed suspiciously, but she sat calmly to listen to us. "Is that so? Is it related to those names she mentioned before?" She gestured to me, and I nodded, still trying to fight my tears.

"Yes." Lucia continued. "They are our… Sisters. Audrey and Lydia." She went on to describe their appearance and the magic they possessed. "They would both be around twenty-one now."

"Oh? Is that right?" Her eyebrow raised at the end, and she folded her arms in thoughtful silence for a minute, just looking us over with an appraising gaze. "And what makes you think they are adventurers?"

Lucia and I shared a glance before she began to explain. "We got a report from one of our people at the auction. They said they ran into two masked adventurers in the storage room with the animals."

"That could be anyone." The adventurer scoffed.

"Obviously, the dress code made it hard to note appearances… but the magic was nearly identical to that of our lost sisters."

"There are plenty of magic users." She retorted.

"White fire and shadow magic," Lucia said back. "Those were their specialties." This made the black-haired woman pause, and I could tell in her momentary surprise that she knew something.

"Please," I said quietly, my hands shaking in tight fists against my lap. "I'm begging you. If you have any information, please share it with us. We've been waiting for them for so long…" I looked into her eyes with desperation, and she held my gaze for a while before sighing and relaxing into her chair.

"Who would've thought…" She muttered, and Lucia and I waited with bated breath. "Fine. I know them."

My heart practically stopped at those words.

"R-Really?" I asked in disbelief.

"There's only one issue." Cassandra continued. "The girls I know are younger than what you said." She then went on to explain her relationship to them, how she was their examiner, and how they ended up on the quest together. But what really shocked Lucia and me was that they both seemed the same age as when we last saw them.

"How can that be…? It's been three years…" I whispered, covering my mouth in disbelief. Wait… More importantly… They are alive! My ladies… I've finally found them!

For the first time in years, it felt like my world began to move again. I looked up at the woman who had once been my enemy.

"Where are they? I need to see them right now." At my request, the woman shook her head sadly.

"Sorry to say, but you just missed them."

"What do you mean? They aren't in Grunde anymore?" Lucia asked with frustration.

"They aren't," Cassandra confirmed. "They took an escort quest heading west a few days ago. As it so happened, the girls also said they were looking for their lost family… And that Yamada was their eventual goal."

West would take them back to Venyth… And if Lydia is trying to contact Lady Hina… though, getting all the way to Yamada is practically impossible with the blockades. Likely, they are just looking for any leads they can find.

"Thank you! Thank you so much…!" I was shedding tears of joy now, and I stood up immediately to go after them.

"Hold it right there." Her icy tone froze me in my tracks, and I began to remember just where we were… and what we had done. "Both of you are technically criminals for interfering with an official guild quest. Did you really think you could just walk out of here?"

"Is there a warrant out for us?" Lucia asked, her hand tightening around the hilt of her sword.

"No. But as a high-ranking adventurer, I have the authority to detain you." I sensed wind magic in the air as it circulated through the room.

"You won't stop us. Not when we're so close to seeing them again." I said threateningly. "Even if you claim to be their friend." The atmosphere grew tense as the standoff continued.

Finally, Cassandra let out a long sigh, and her magic dispersed. "I'm only doing this because those girls looked so heartbroken before. Go, before I change my mind." Before we left the room, she stopped us one final time. "Whatever you're involved in… I hope you think twice before dragging those girls into it."

"You don't need to tell me. Everything I do… I do for my ladies." I said quietly, then let the door close behind us.

***

Luke

"Come in," I said tiredly as a knock sounded at the door. It opened, and a brown-haired man with glasses stepped over the threshold before letting the door swing closed. "Simon."

"Your Highness." My sister's attendant bowed gracefully. I really wish they would stop calling me that. It stung every time, being reminded of my failings. "I have a message from Lord Isaac."

"Is that so? Another prediction?" I asked, looked back down at my documents. Isaac Beldonna has been saying nonsense for the last three years, but both Abel and I have lost complete faith in their family's magic. It was because of their advice that we lost everything; I no longer had an interest in listening to his ramblings. Mother and Father both took their words to heart, and I would not make the same mistake.

I brushed some long blonde hair out of my eyes and grumbled. I should cut it soon… It reminded me of both Mother and my sister.

"He said it's time." I glanced up and noticed the seriousness in Simon's eyes.

"Don't tell me you believe him now?" But Simon shook his head.

"Of course not, but this time it's different. It wasn't like his other predictions. For the first time in three years, he actually looked at me."

That grabbed my interest. Ever since the kingdom fell, and Duke Beldonna was executed alongside most of the old royal faction, Isaac had fallen into a state of insanity. It was almost like his future-sight began to run rampant, and not even he could make sense of it. It was most of the reason why I dismissed his words, but even if he were sane, I'd still be doubtful. Nevertheless, I would not abandon him just because of something like that.

"Is that true?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Yes. We even had a full conversation. He said we should be receiving the news we've been waiting for within the month."

I sighed and slumped into my chair. That doesn't sound much different from his usual statements.

"Then we'll just have to wait and see, I suppose… Though I'm quite out of optimism at this point. We need to focus on our plan to remove Thomas Rose." I said bitterly, dark hatred burning in my heart for the man who killed our parents.

"Of course, Your Highness… Still, I'd like to inform the others."

"Do as you wish." I'm sure Abel and Leah won't think much of it anyway.

Once Simon left, I was once again alone in my makeshift office. We were currently on the outskirts of what used to be my kingdom in preparation for finally exacting our revenge. Once that fake 'Resistance' is taken care of, we can finally move once again.

I bent down and removed an envelope from my desk, releasing another sigh.

Now what do I do about this? The letter had a single line on it, with the sender's initials, and it was someone we haven't been able to contact since she was locked away in Castle Venyth three years ago.

Grand Duke Rose will be dead by year's end.

- S.R

Half a year, hm? Just what are you planning?