{~_~}

(Y/n)'s POV

Morning came about, and I felt something strange yet soothing bind my body. My eyes crept open, and I couldn't believe what I saw.

"Ah! P-prince Ephraim!" I exclaimed trying to break free of his strong grip despite the fact that he's asleep.

He slowly awoke, and retracted his arms. His top half of him was naked, and he rubbed the morning crust out off his eyes before yawning a sleepy," Good morning (y/n)."

"Good morning (y/n)?! That's all you have to say? Aren't you embarrassed in the slightest?!" I exclaimed.

"My apologies (y/n). This old couple let us stay here because the next village is 2 hours from here by horse. This was the only guest room they had for us to stay in," Ephraim explained.

"L'Arachel was right about him taking advantage of women in there confused state...but it's not that I mind." I mumbled under my breath.

"What was that?"

"N-nothing, go put your shirt on! I-i can't keep looking at your muscles like that!" I said flustered.

"Haha is that so? Do you want to touch them?" He laughed.

"Ephraim, how do you stay so calm...is it because you feel no attraction towards me?" I responded in a sad tone.

"N-no it's not that! I feel attraction towards you. I am embarrassed, it's just I was always told to suppress my emotions."

"You do? So does that mean you discovered what love is?"

"Almost, but rest assured that I'll let you know my answer when this war ceases."

"Do you think this war has reached its climax?" I asked him.

"Yes, I believe so. It should all be over shortly. Why, we're already in darkling woods which is where the demon king is cowardly hiding. Now we must wait until our friends come so we can join them in battle."

"Prince Ephraim, I have prepared breakfast for you and your mistress! I know it may not be like the food you usually indulge in." I heard an elderly woman say from outside the door.

"Mistress?! Ephraim, what did you tell her?!" I yelled at him.

"I didn't tell her anything! She just jumped to conclusions!" He defended himself.

"Then why didn't you say something?!"

"Her and her husband wouldn't let me get a word in...honestly, your value to me is far superior than a lowly mistress."

"Oh really, then what do you see me as?"

"W-well I see you as a close friend, almost like family as well, b-but also as my potential queen for the future." Ephraim admitted.

Future queen?! Upon hearing those words, my heart felt heavy. It was heavy with excitement and anticipation for the future. Tears of joy streamed down my cheeks.

"Would ya hurry up youngins', my food is gettin cold!" The old man proclaimed as he barged in our room.

{~_~}

"Thank you for your hospitality, I promise as king, I will restore your lands and bring about peace in the continent of Magvel." Ephraim said as we took our leave.

"Oh wait, before you leave, take one of our horses. It'll save you some of the walking." The old lady said.

"Oh but we couldn't—" Ephraim began to say.

"Listen son, when you got a lass you gotta take care of her! She can't be walking on 'er feet for hours and hours; lasses are fragile things! Plus, if she gonna be your future queen you outta start treating 'er like it now! Ya got that?!" The elderly man lectured Ephraim.

"Right...thank you, I promise to send back not only this horse, but two more for your act of kindness." The prince replied as he took the reigns of the horse."Take my hand (y/n)." He said as he helped me up."

I took his hand, and he pulled me up. With my hands around his waist, we galloped away.

"Do you know where we're going?" I asked.

"No, but I'm hoping that we will spot our forces or even enemy forces. If we see our enemies, then it's certain that our allies will come this way." The blue eyed prince answered.

{~_~}

Eirika's POV

Brother and (Y/n) are nowhere to be found. I saw a magic circle appear on the ground from afar underneath them, and then they vanished. It also appeared that Riev, one of Grado's commanders, was down for the count, but apparently he didn't die and he retreated. But before retreating, he said to meet him in Dakling Woods. He must have taken (y/n) and brother there, so we must ensure their safety. Also, the demon king is residing there...I can sense the dark aura, so I pray their alright. Myrrh is leading us since she's originally from Darkling Woods.

"Enemy forces...they're up ahead." Myrrh tugged on the sleeve of my armored blouse.

"Princess Eirika, we await your command." General Seth said.

"Engage in combat, we must discover my brother and (y/n)'s whereabouts, and these enemies stand in our way!" I ordered.

"Eirika! I can spot (y/n) and Prince Ephraim from the height I'm at; they are on the other side of our enemies! Do you want me to fly over?" Tana asked.

"No Tana, there are too many archers. Ephraim is perfectly capable of making it to our side unscathed while protecting (Y/n)." Innes commented.

"Innes is right Tana, it would be too risky for you to fly over there, and my brother doesn't pick fights he can't win!" I responded.

Brother, please make it over here safely and protect (y/n)...I can't bear to lose anyone else that is close to me.

{~_~}

To be continued in chapter 19, make sure to vote and comment!

I hope you liked this chapter! Also, be sure to read my other books if you're a fan of Kuroko no basket and/or Nanbaka! I am the author of Area 51 (Jyugo x reader), Arrested (Aomine x reader), Kuroko no short stories, Star Crossed (Akashi x reader), and the sequel to Star Crossed called Vengeance and Lust (Akashi x reader)!

Written May 30th,2017
Published August 22nd,2017
Next Update August 25th,2017