"Go! Attack!" A voice yelled hastily. The small group nodded and charged forward with their swords. Loud voices filled the air as they fought innocent people, the swords cutting into their bare flesh, screams were heard. Suddenly, the loud sound of a horses hoof beating against the hard stones made itself present. Prince Leo. The prince quickly dismounted his horse and took out his sword. "Well well well, what do we have here? Little princy playing brave wittle knight?" The leader of the invaders said. The prince growled lowly and swung his sword at the invader, but he was not quick enough. The invader easily dodged, as laughed mirthfully. "My turn now," The invader said darkly. He swung the blade at the princes face, a small trail of blood slowly leaking down his face. "ATTACK!" The prince yelled loudly. The villagers grabbed whatever weapon they could, and began to fight back. After much fighting, and loss, the Invaders found too many of them, and decided to retreat.

At the Castle...

Prince Leo was pacing back and forth nervously. The attack was too close. They're forces were getting weaker and weaker, while they were growing stronger and stronger. Too lost in his thoughts, he didn't hear footsteps approach him. "What are you doing?" A voice said from behind him. Prince Leo turned around, showing his scarred face. "What the heck happened to your face?!" The young woman said. "We were recently attacked by the Invaders again. There attacks are growing stronger by the minute. First the east border, then the west, and now this. Our forces can't take them on like this much longer." Prince Leo said running his hand through his hair. "So early in the day? That's not very smart." She said frowning. "Yeah, they keep coming back no matter how hard we fight back." He said, glancing at his best friend, with little hope in his eyes. The young woman standing before him was Adeline.

Her mother was a simple midwife, helping the villagers deliver, she even delivered the queen's second son, Prince Caspian. Her mother became good friends with the queen, and soon enough, Prince Leo befriended Adeline, who visited the castle frequently with her mother. But soon, the midwife fell ill, and passed away. Looking at Adeline was too painful for the queen, her face only a reminder of her loss, so the queen tucked herself away in the castle, never showing her face unless it was necessary. With nobody to attend to Adeline, she was to be banished from the castle. But that all changed when the castle received an anonymous letter, threats about killing Adeline. Learning this knowledge, Prince Leo begged for Adeline to stay with them, for her safety. And the king granted it.

"I suppose this is what I get for being courteous," Leo said with a soft chuckle. "I'm just glad you're okay," Adeline said sighing. "I can only imagine how you must have felt."

"As future king, he shall have no time for 'feelings' they make you weak, and can easily be targeted." A loud, authoritative voice said from behind them. The two jumped at the sudden sound, soon calming down once they realized who it was. "Good morning, Your Highness," Adeline said, dipping into a deep, overly pronounced bow. "Oh pish posh! Call me Benjamin." He said. He turned his glare towards Leo. "As for you, my son, you have to cut the weeds before they begin to grow! Control the problem before it controls you! Nip it in the bud! Thwart the issue before-"

"I understand, Father," Leo said, massaging his temples with two fingers. "It's best I get going, your mother needs help getting to her studies, you know how she is these days." Leo gave his father a small nod before turning to Adeline. "It's best I get going as well, I need to plan out our next attack," He said. Adeline nodded and gave him a small hug. "Be safe," she whispered in his ears before he walked away.

***

"No, you need to understand WHY this is so important! You need to know combat consists of two parts. Mental and Physical." Adeline nodded as she buried her head back into her book. Her daily lessons were essential is she wanted to become a knight. Something she had been training for all of her life. If she couldn't protect her mother, and.. and her brother, then what was the purpose of her being here? "I apologize for how late our lessons have been running lately, the Invader attacks have been becoming more frequent."

Adeline nodded her head in understanding. "There is no need for an apology of any kind, but I do wonder, how are the Invaders getting so much strength? Isn't the kingdoms forces much more powerful?" Her mentor, Amos, agreed. "At noon, the King will be holding a meeting with the nobility, to discuss the matter at length." Amos said. "Perhaps you could-" He got cut off by the sound of someone's voice. "If I may, could I steal Adeline for a second?" An accented voice said. "Of course, Prince Leo," Amos said. Amos walked away, giving the two privacy. "Are you ready for your first, royal consultancy with the king?" Leo asked, bringing Adeline aside. Adeline nodded nervously. "Alright then, lets go to the king," Leo said.

"Outrages!"

"Atrocious!"

"Unimaginable!"

Voices were heard yelling from all over the court room, and the king stood in the middle of it all, rubbing his temples with two fingers, the same habit he passed down to his son. "Listen! The attacks are starting to get serious! We need action!" An advisor yelled out.

"What we need is more rations! We need to stay safe! Do what we can to survive." Another voice hissed.

Adeline and Leo walked into the room, the loud noise covering their voices. The King noticed them and walked over to them. "I apologize for this atrocious scene." The king sighed. "It's fine you're majesty." Adeline said. "I have called you here for an important issue. It has come to my attention that we are running low on help, so we need as much as we can get." The king said. "So if you would be willing to, in the near future, how would you like to train among us?" The king asked. "I would love-" "Absolutely not." Prince Leo cut Adeline off short. "Excuse me?" Adeline questioned, narrowing her eyes. "It's far too risky, I- I mean we can't loose you," Leo said. Adeline's gaze softened a bit as she turned to the king. "As much as this position means to me, I must decline." Adeline said sadly. The king nodded understandingly.

"I understand, with enough training, you will be ready." Adeline nodded, noticing what he said. If she couldn't fight now, she would fight soon. "If you can," The king said, gesturing for Adeline to lean forward and listen to what he had to say. "Please come and accompany Leo when he joins my counsel. We need all the opinions we can get." The king said, looking back at the advisors arguing loudly. "Of course, my king." Adeline said. The king walked back to the court room and sat down. Leo and Adeline, followed, standing to the side.

"As you all know, the attacks from the Invaders have been increasing tremendously." The king said. He paused before saying the next sentence. "I-I fear we will not be able to hold them off much longer." Gasps went around the room, one by one. "The attacks are getting stronger, we need a new take on it, a new strategy." He said.

"We should continue as we always have," Prince Leo spoke up. "They won't defeat us." "We have reason to believe the next Invaders attack is going to be their biggest one yet. It's going to happen soon." "With the way things have been going, troop esprit de corps has been low." "I fear-" The king was cut short.

"I will lead them father," Leo said, speaking up. "Leo! What are you doing?" Adeline said, grabbing his arm, whispering. "Leo, that isn't-" "I am the future leader of this kingdom. These are MY people. It is MY responsibility to inspire confidence in them.

Without it, there will be no kingdom to lead." Prince Leo said passionately. "That is very noble of you son. Prepare yourself, tomorrow you will set off with the soldiers." King Raymond said. "How noble, indeed." A voice said. "You know, you could take after your brother, Caspian. Perhaps learn a thing or two." Caspian growled lowly and walked away. After the meeting, Adeline went back into the library. Adeline had wanted all the time she could get. "Back to studying so soon?" Prince Leo said from behind her. Adeline jumped and dropped her book. "You mustn't do such discourteous things, like scare a helpless maiden."

Adeline said, picking up her book. "Helpless is the last words I'd use to describe you," Leo said under his breath. "Excuse me?" Adeline asked. "Nothing," Prince Leo said, fiddling with a broken hem on his suit. "But yes, I am. I can't stay here in the palace forever, not- not as a commoner," Adeline said, struggling to get the words out of her mouth. "So your just going to leave?" Prince Leo asked, his fury starting to emerge. "You're going to become king soon. We can't keep playing games forever Leo. At some point we each have to go on our separate paths. We all are destined for something, but my destiny isn't sitting around and acting like I'm doing something important, when all I'm doing is standing around and watch you be king . That is Mahogany's job. Not mine." Adeline said, tears flowing down her cheeks.

"Mahogany and I aren't even married yet. We have time." Leo said stepping closer to Adeline. "No, we don't." Adeline said, closing her book. Silence filled the air as They struggled to get words out of their mouths. "I don't know if I can do this without you." Leo finally said. "Why are you behaving like this? You have other people to support you-" "But they're not you." Leo whispered. "What?" Adeline said softly. "I need you, Adeline." Leo said. "Leo, stop this bewitchery! Clearly something has possessed you," Adeline said, checking him for any monster, or cursed relic. "You're right." He said. "I've been bewitched by you." With that said, Leo grabbed her waist and pulled her in, kissing her lightly. Adeline stood there in shock. Only after had she realized what was happening, he pulled away.

The loud sound of clapping came from beside them. "Bravo! When can I go?" said Caspian. "Cut it out, Caspian." Leo said, sternly. "Whatever do you mean? I'm only celebrating my older brothers very first kiss! Although, why a servant girl?" He said, whispering the last part. "Caspian, please, just go away." Leo said. "Practicing your 'orders' for when you become king?" He laughed. Leo took a deep and exhaled. "I'm sure you are informed about the attacks. If I am going to be king, I need to take this seriously. So I suggest you stop wasting your future kings time, before our kingdom has to pay the price." Leo said, narrowing his eyes. Caspian rolled his eyes. "Don't worry, they will tire out soon." He said. Caspian walked out the room. If only they knew where he was going..

***

"KEEP ATTACKING! WE WILL NEVER STOP!" Caspian screamed to the cult in front of him. "For too long, our kingdom has been ruled by unfit, dishonest, cruel, and lets not forget, stupid, kings. It's time for a true leader to step up! I need to show King Raymond how UNFIT Leo is to be king. Who is with me?" Caspian yelled. "We are!" The cult chanted. "I have devised a clever plan. It seems today that Prince Leo has exposed his weakness, his kryptonite."

"And her name, is Adeline Rose." Caspian chuckled darkly.

***

"Adeline." Prince Leo said from behind her. "Leo! Hi! I was just about to change out of my-"

"So we're just not going to talk about it?" Prince Leo said "About what?" Adeline said, crossing her arms over her chest.

"Adeline, that kiss was amazing. It was everything I dreamed it would be."

"Well that kiss shouldn't have happened." Adeline said, narrowing her eyes. "I honestly can't help but think you only kissed me, because you didn't want me to leave for training. Not because-"

"I love you."

Adeline gasped loudly, as Prince Leo nervously looked at the floor.

"How dare you!" Adeline accused, shoving him lightly. "How dare you say those words to me! Your engaged for goodness sake!"

"I love you Adeline Rose. I love you Adeline Rose. I love you, Adeline Rose." Prince Leo said, confidently this time.

"Get away from me." Adeline said.

"I can't deny it any longer, Adeline, surely you must have known.."

Adeline stayed quiet. "Why are you doing this to me?" "You KNOW that we can never be together!"

"I'm doing this because this might be our last chance to ever be together!" Prince Leo yelled.

"Let's just sneak off, like when we were kids," Prince Leo said.

"You know I want to do that, more then anything. But it's wrong. Wrong to Mahogany, wrong to your future kids, and wrong to me. I want to love you Leo. Hell, I do love you. But we can NEVER be together." Adeline cried.

"I know, I know. Our love is forbidden, but when I become king, I can change that."

"Even then, what about your reputation. The king married to a servant girl? Declining the hand of a duchess? We can't."

"I understand," Leo said. "But.. can I at least hold you? Just for a second?"

Adeline nodded as he pulled her in for a hug.

"Your highness! There's another attack, in the townsquare! There are much more this time, enough to override our forces!" Amos said, interrupting their moment. "We are awaiting your order, sire!"

"Again?!" Prince Leo said, shocked and furious. "We need to go now." He said.

"I'm coming with you!" Adeline said.

***

People fighting. Everywhere. The loud clanging of metal was heard, and screams of terror as well. Adeline was busy taking on two of The Invaders at once. Suddenly, all of the Invaders retreated.

"Why would they retreat in such haste?" Prince Leo wondered out loud.

"Sire, someone is missing.." Amos said quietly.

"It's-It's Adeline."