Princess Isalene could tell that Shaira was bored. She knew that Sharia was finding her new duty interesting but longed for battle. So far, Sharia has been her new personal guard for three days. This now marks the fourth one. Isalene was currently in her room taking her time to figure out what to wear. Sharia noticed this. Normally, so far it would take between ten to thirty minutes before Isalene left her room in the morning. Today, she has been in her room for an hour and twenty minutes, give or take. As far as the Warmonger could tell, the Kingdom rarely met with officials from other factions, and today was no exception. There wasn't any large event going on. From what she saw, there seemed to be a small party at best. The queen and king weren't even going to attend. Was the princess going? Maybe.
Before Sharia could continue with her thoughts, Isalene came out of her room, wearing a royal blue and white dress. Sharia looked Isalene over once before snorting and turning around.
"W-what?" Isalene pouted, hearing Sharia's snort.
"You look better in green, and that is coming from someone who likes dark color schemes."
Isalene stomped her foot and puffed out her cheeks more.
"Well, Marcus says I look good in blue!"
Sharia let out a small chuckle, turning around to face Isalene.
"...Marcus? Hmm. I guess now I know why you took an hour longer than normal."
Isalene blushed in embarrassment upon realizing she took so long. She also realized she wasn't helping to change Sharia's image of her. Unable to form any kind of comeback, Isalene stormed down the hallway with a smug Sharia behind her.
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Princess Isalene and Sharia The Warmonger arrive at a small party right next to the stables. Isalene, upon entering, looked around for what Sharia assumed to be Marcus. After a bit, Isalene frowned before heading outside. Sharia felt a twinge of annoyance at that. She wasn't announced nor did she stay to talk to some of the nobles here. Sharia doesn't know why she found that annoying but she did. Shouldn't a princess be a bit more, sociable?
Sharia followed Isalene outside into the stables where a horse race was currently going on. She easily spotted Isalene on one of the benches and took her place standing next to her, though she was considerably hidden in the shadows. This did not go unnoticed by Isalene.
"Why are you hiding?" Isalene asked. Sharia was silent for a moment before giving her a response.
"Seeing if an assassin will make a move if I'm not in the open. It'll be easier to catch them that keep you safer."
"...Wouldn't that put me in more danger?"
"What? You don't trust me? Besides, I sense no killing intent so you're fine. The moment I do, I'll track it down and make sure you're safe."
Isalene's only response was to pout some more. Her pouting was interrupted when the horse racers came into view, coming to a stop. Isalene looked up at them and smiled when she was someone dismounting a brown horse. He was not handsome but handsome enough to be noticed. He has some sort of charm to him though that made him stand out more. He looked to be a lower rank noble as well. He has nice short and kinda bushy brown hair, matching brown eyes, and nice tan skin.
'And that must be Marcus.'
Sharia snorted. She didn't get the idea of romance. She knows it can drive people to do crazy things but she just doesn't understand the concept. Why devote your all to someone that might not even do the same? Of course, Sharia is aware that she herself hasn't been in love with something other than war so she knows that she shouldn't criticize someone in love. In fact, the sooner Isalene gets married, the sooner Warmonger will be able to stop being her personal guard. She doubts Isalene will keep her around when she gets married. Besides, even though she finds this experience interesting, Sharia still longs for battle. She didn't earn the name Cruel Knight for being a weak fighter. The same could be said about her Warmonger title, only some people can be Warmongers and not fight. Of course, not all of them could be considered true Warmongers. At least, the majority of Warmongers agreed that a Warmonger should be on the battlefield.
"Rough morning?" Marcus asked Isalene, noticing that her hair wasn't as well kept as it normally is. Princess Isalene blinked in surprise before running her fingers down her hair. Marcus was right. She hadn't done her hair well this morning. Well, that was to be expected as she did it herself and not let her servants do it.
Even though she was trying to look her best this morning, she forgot to call her servants over. Why is that? Well, Princess Isalene already knew the answer.
"Sorry about that. I'm trying to do stuff by myself you know. And,"
Isalene looked around, making sure Sharia wasn't in hearing range, before she leaned closer to Marcus, causing him to slightly blush.
"I am trying to impress my new personal guard."
Marcus was taken back. Isalene got a new personal guard? How come he hasn't heard about it? He knew the King was holding a competition but he heard it wasn't finished. Besides, whoever this new guard was, Isalene clearly respected them. He couldn't help but want to meet them.
"What's their name?" Marcus asked. He couldn't see them anywhere so maybe they weren't on duty yet.
Marcus's personal maid, Dorean, was standing behind him as usual. Also, as usual, Princess Isalene was paying her no mind. Dorean didn't know if the Princess just didn't pay her any attention, thought she was above her far enough that she didn't need to acknowledge her presence, or disliked her for some reason. Dorean didn't really care. But when she overheard Princess Isalene talk about her new personal guard, she couldn't help but be interested in them.
"Oh. Their name is Warmonger," Princess Isalene informed Marcus. The name caused Dorean to shudder a bit. Surely she can't mean that Warmonger. After all, she is in prison. Besides, that war criminal and Princess Isalene together? Nah. There is no way such a pair could exist or even last.
"Oh. I assume they start working tomorrow?" Marcus asked. Princess Isalene looked confused at that.
"They already started working. They're behind you now."
Dorean froze and spun around. There behind her was Sharia The Warmonger, standing casually with her weapon over her shoulder blades. She wasn't much taller than Marcus but was taller than Dorean by a head. Warmonger was looking around but when they turned to face her, she turned to look Dorean. A flash of recognition flashed in her eyes, though her eyes were invisible thanks to her helmet.
"Ah. If it isn't Dorean Mallure. Long time since I've seen you. You don't look like you're in your late thirties."
Dorean shuddered at hearing her voice and at seeing her again.
"And your voice sounds exactly the same as it did fourteen years ago," Dorean spat out, trying her best to control her anger and surprise. Warmonger cocked her head before letting out a slow laugh.
"Ah. I see you're still angry over my capture. Shame your squad wasn't good enough."
Dorean and Sharia stared at each other a bit longer, Dorean glaring at Sharia while Sharia was giving the former assassin a asmued look. Sharia was the first to break their little "staring" contest first by casually strolling over to Isalene, paying Dorean no mind. Isalene looked more than a little shook and Marcus looked shocked and afraid. However, Princess Isalene quickly broke out of her little trance and smiled once more at Marcus.
"So, this is my new personal guard, Sharia! Sharia, meet Marcus Mike," Isalene introduced the two, grabbing Marcus's hand and offering it to Sharia. Sharia glanced at the hand and back at Isalene before sighing and took her weapon off her shoulders to free up her left hand.
"Sharia The Warmonger," Sharia introduced herself, shaking Marcus's hand. Isalene pouted a little in her head. She wanted Sharia too look good in Marcus's eyes. Sharia personally didn't care and she wasn't going to withhold important information about herself. Her title makes her what and who she is after all.
"M-m-Marcus Mike, Count of Theshvale," Markus nervously greeted back.
After the handshake was over, Sharia let go and started walking around aimlessly. She had assessed Marcus in that handshake. He was easily intimidated but seemed to have a strong enough will. He was a good fighter but wouldn't last long in battle, an officer at best. His hands were firm but not shaped enough like he has held and fought with weapons before. He might make a good strategist but Sharia doubted it. If anything, he would need to go to officer school and learn from the grounds up to help his courage problem. She also saw one big glaring weakness in him. He was weak. He would not get done what needed to get done. And while he isn't corrupt, and won't be corrupted easily with greed like most nobles were, Sharia couldn't see him as a better choice in the long run for taking over his house.
Of course, Sharia didn't care one bit for who the princess married. As long as it doesn't affect the Kingdom overall, or her, then she was perfectly fine if the princess married a sickly peasant. Sharia's duty was to protect the princess from psychical threats, not make her own choices. If she gets heartbroken or makes a decision she'll deeply regret, then that would be an enjoyment to Sharia. She knows she can't "corrupt" the princess to see things her way, but she can easily get corrupted by other people. Well, not greed. Sharia doesn't think Princess Isalene can be corrupted to be like a greedy noble.
The rest of the party was spent with one tense former assassin, one scared yet still happy boy in love, one happy pampered princess in love, and one lazy Warmonger who watched the next couple of races as well as keeping an eye out for any threats. She had spotted Dorean when she first walked up behind Marcus and instantly recognized her as some kind of assassin. An enemy or a retired or undercover one she didn't know. Still, a risk is a risk. So Sharia walked up behind them, hiding her presence and blending into the crowd and whatever shadows there were. She was ready to throw her sword at the maid at any time. Luckily, it didn't come to that and Sharia made it undetected behind Marcus and the maid. Of course, Isalene noticed her then. She was right in her field of view after all.
Near the end of the party, Isalene found herself walking towards Dorean, Marcus's personal maid. Normally she wouldn't give Dorean much attention since Isalene didn't know how to speak to her properly but now her curiosity was getting the better of her. Isalene always thought that Dorean was in her twenties since she looked young but, apparently she is in her late thirties. At least, that is what Sharia said and Dorean didn't deny what Sharia said.
She found Dorean taking a small break under a tree. Marcus was currently busy attending to his horse and told Dorean she could get a break. Dorean noticed her approach and stopped smoking. Isalene never knew Dorean smoked. Normally, Dorean wouldn't smoke. However, after her recent encounter with Sharia again, her nerves needed a break. Since she still has to work, smoking was the best and fastest way to help clear her mind.
"Dorean, may I ask you a question?" Isalene asked.
"Sure, go right ahead Princess," Dorean replied in a scruffy voice and tough attitude. Dorean instantly realized her mistake. Smoking brought out how she used to act back in the days and, because she never thought Princess Isalene would speak to her, she spoke without thinking.
Princess Isalene blinked in surprise before giving Dorean a small smile.
"It's alright. I don't really care how you talk. In fact, I would prefer it if you continued talking to me like how you normally talk," Isalene requested, her beaming smile causing Dorean to look away, a small blush on her face.
'...Cute...That smile is unfair.'
"Sorry bout that. What do you wanna know?" Dorean asked. She expected it to be about Marcus since it didn't take much to realize that the two were in love. So she was surprised by what Princess Isalene asked her.
"What is your history with Sharia?"
Dorean was silent for a few seconds before she frowned.
"Sharia...was once a well-respected commander. My guild, the Grey Rose, was keeping an eye on her. We heard some nasty rumors about her after all. Well, that and she has no background in our Kingdom even before the kingdoms united. Well, that and her nickname was Warmonger. During one assignment, most of our guild was fighting a losing battle. However, it was because of Sharia that we managed to pull through. Later I learned that her winning streak apparently got our guild leader killed, but, because she saved us, we didn't do anything about it."
Dorean let out a long sigh and dropped her used cigar on the ground and stomped it out before getting a new one. She lit it up with a match and took a big drawl before continuing her story.
"Around two years later, I was off duty when I learned that Sharia was now a war criminal. Two days after I learned of that, I got the news that almost the entire guild I was in was killed in an attempt to bring her in. The Grey Rose didn't have enough members nor power to keep itself running and it was demolished. The worst part is that that Warmonger got to live and was put in the arena. I thought about entering the arena to kill her but decided against it. I would only get myself killed.
"That is my history with that war criminal," Dorean finished with a snarl, her hate obvious.
Princess Isalene and Dorean stayed silent for a minute, Isalene's expression unreadable.
"Thank you for your time," Princess Isalene told Dorean, doing a small bow before turning around to walk away.
"Princess! Wait!"
Princess Isalene stopped and turned around, a vacant expression on her face.
"Listen. I don't know why you chose Sharia nor do you have to listen to my advice but, reconsider your choice. Sharia is a dangerous war criminal who pushes her twisted views on others, whether they like it or not. She isn't completely loyal to the Kingdom and while she'll probably protect you, she won't help you. If you make a horrible decision or start doing something stupid, she will just watch. She will find your suffering amusing. She isn't someone who can change or someone who should be allowed to live. Her only love in life is war. So please, please reconsider having her as your personal guard."
Silence once again settled between them. After a while, Princess Isalene did her small bow again and left without another word, her expression dark and unreadable. Dorean let out a sigh and leaned back against the tree she was under more. She could only hope the Princess listens to her advice.
________
Princess Isalene knew that there are two sides to a story. One can't just listen to one and decide everything. For that reason, Isalene made her way over to Sharia, who was waiting behind a nearby wooden cart that was there for decoration. Her hand was gripped on her sword tightly and Isalene knew Sharia was watching her interaction with Dorean, seeing if she was in danger. Surely Sharia couldn't be that bad if she was doing her job.
"Sharia, can you tell me what your history with Grey Rose was?" Isalene asked when she arrived by Sharia's side. Sharia looked down at her and was silent for a couple of seconds before nodding once.
"I knew, during my time in the Great Wars, that Grey Rose, a guild of assassins, was watching me. However, after I saved a lot of them in battle, they stopped watching me as much. I didn't save them because I wanted them to stop, no. I saved them because they were my allies in that battle, and they were good ones at that."
Sharia let out a chuckle, remembering the battle and the assassins she saved, before continuing.
"Then, when I was proclaimed a war criminal, the guild went after me. I killed them. It was a fight and I didn't intend to lose. They were tough but ultimately, weak. I won in the end. Later I heard that their guild was disbanded because of the lack of members and powerful supporters. I felt a little sad since the guild was great at what they did and fine warriors but, in the end, they were my allies once, and my enemies once. We fought and I won. It is as simple as that."
After Sharia finished, Isalene looked down at the ground for a while before looking back up and grabbing Sharia's hand, even though it was on her sword.
"Let's go. I want to take a nice long bath," Isalene told Sharia, a smile back on her face. Sharia was still for a couple of moments, confused, but picked up her sword.
"Alright. Let's get going then," Sharia said, stretching a little while Isalene started bouncing up ahead. With a sigh, Sharia started speed walking after her, not wanting to lose sight of Isalene.
It wasn't until later did Isalene realize she forgot to say goodbye to Marcus. However, she also found out that she didn't want to turn back and do so. Instead, she kept on walking, Sharia walking right behind her.
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Marcus Mike was attending to his horse when he noticed that Princess Isalene was nowhere to be seen. He had started talking to her and when he got no response, he turned to see what was wrong only to find her gone from where she was standing before. He found her after walking for a bit talking to his maid, Dorean. He couldn't tell what they were talking about but it seemed pretty important. After they were done, Princess Isalene started walking away but not towards the track or stables. He followed her and saw her walk up to her personal guard, Sharia The Warmonger, and talk with her for a bit.
Marcus frowned. He did not like Sharia. When he first saw her, he was scared. Her armor looked cruel and she wasn't paying Marcus any attention. He felt like an ant beneath her, and he hated it. His hate only grew when he learned that she was a war criminal.
'What is someone like her doing with Isalene!?'
Marcus couldn't figure it out. Moreover, Marcus could clearly see that Isalene was uncomfortable with her personal guard. Besides, Sharia was already a bad influence on Isalene. Isalene is a princess and should be treated as such. She shouldn't have to get ready by herself. Marcus feared how Isalene would change if she kept on spending time with that war criminal. He would get to the bottom of why that criminal was Isalene's personal guard and he will fix it.
Princess Isalene started bouncing back towards the palace with her personal guard following her. It seems that they were leaving. Marcus couldn't help but grow worried and angry when he realized that Isalene didn't say goodbye to him. She always did that. It must be because of her personal guard. At least, that is what Marcus decided.
"Hey, what did you and Isalene talk about?" Marcus asked, walking up to Dorean. He noticed that she was smoking.
"Oh! Nothing much. She wanted to know more about my history with that Warmonger," Dorean told him, though Marcus noticed she had a slight blush on her face.
"Are you sure?" Marcus asked, suspicious as to why Dorean was blushing.
"Yes. That is all we talked about, Master Marcus," Dorean confirmed, bowing. The cigars and matches were put away in her pocket and she was now back to business mode.
Marcus wanted to push. He knew that couldn't have been all they talked about. But right now, he wanted to go home and clear his head. He looked towards the palace doors where Princess Isalene and that Warmonger walked through. He would get to the bottom of this, and he would save his precious Isalene from any more harm. He made a silent vow that day, and in his mind, Sharia is his enemy...and Marcus wouldn't lose. He may be a Count but he'll show that criminal just who she is messing with.
