GAMBIT 40 040| Truth!

Another morning has arrived for Sacchi. Although mornings are usually happy and pleasing, this one is quite unusual especially for Pureheart. After another loss, the kingdom is forced to retreat with a.s.signed squadrons to search for survivors around the forest, through the babbling brooks and nearby locales which are possible locations where soldiers may have went after escaping the deadly match.

Aside from this, the king of Witherheart, Vladimir Witherstone has decided to do the same thing as well but with the intention to do the opposite thing. Rather than helping the survivors, he plans to kill in order to end them for good. Alongside him is a few grunts who will be escorting and protecting the king.

On a tree in which it lies beside a stream, Quartz and Virgo wakes up to full glory. They stretch their arms high and wide, greeting the bountiful beauty of nature. From above is Endeavor who spots the young man. He immediately returns to the princess who was earnest to look for him.

"I found Quartz!" reports, the falcon with keen eyes.

"Then lead us straight right to him!" The princess instructs, galloping her horse in full power. The four pillars have decided to separate in hopes to find survivors faster than expected. Hearing the news, the princess was relieved. She kept her eyes on the ground and up, watching wherever the falcon is trying to lead him.'

Upon arrival at the stream in which she sees the young man with the maiden, her anger for him arose to the limits as Endeavor descends to the shoulders of the princess. Her blood boils hotter than lava, and her muscles becomes stiff. A part of her wanted to kill the young man after realizing this is where Quartz has been all along.

Amidst their playful conversation, Jupiter interrupts, pointing the sword on the man's neck.

"Traitor!" Jupiter shouts ferociously as the maiden retreats behind the tree.

"Jupiter?!"

"You swore to protect the kingdom of Pureheart but this is where you have been all along? No wonder why you were absent in the previous siege, you were out here, meeting with a civilian?!"

"No, you do not understand. After the battle in which I was injured, I called for helped and she came."

"I despise your words. You had been lying to me all along. You are a wolf in a sheep's clothing, my father should've kept you in prison, the place where you truly belong. Every night, you leave and this is where you head to?! You come late every session only to meet with a woman whom you had fallen for? What's worse, my mother sacrificed herself just for you and this is how you repay her?! You were absent in one of the sieges because of this none-sense and yet you think I shall spare you mercy?

You are an embarra.s.sment to Pureheart and I, the princess sentence you to prison once we return to the kingdom! You shall come with me and explain before my father." The princess reprimanded.

He remained speechless, thinking of his previous actions. The princess was indeed right, and once in for all he admitted. As for the maiden, Jupiter did not mind. She focused on Quartz whom she dearly trusted over the years, perhaps even growing an interest towards him. That all changed however after she knew the truth.

"I ap-"

"You apologize? My mother whom she spilled her blood for you live, do you think that is worth an apology for your absurdity? I trusted you for a long time but I guess I was wrong. You should be grateful I am to sentence you to prison rather than death. It is written in the books and amendments, a soul is in exchange for a soul. You don't deserve my mother's sacrifice!" Tears start to fall off her eyes as her anger turns into deep grief.

"Indeed Quartz has done wrong deeds against the rules of your kingdom but that does not mean he deserves to be imprisoned. Despite all of our meetings together, he would always excuse himself to fight in a siege. There was only an incident in which he was not alerted about a siege. A punishment is deserving, but imprisonment is too much." the maiden tries to fight back for him.

"Silence peasant, I am the princess and my orders are final. You will return to the kingdom and face imprisonment for the rest of your lives. I had enough of this. I will be the one to finish the war. One last siege to end the kingdom of Witherheart."

"Your majesty. You cannot do this. Terrible chaos is to erupt." warns, Virgo.

"I care not about the adversaries of war. I, Jupiter Braveheart will end this for good so that the future generations may live in tranquility. One last match against the opposing kingdom. My mother spilled her blood for the kingdom and not for Quartz. He is not worthy of it! It only happens Quartz is part of the kingdom." angers, the princess.

"Please your majesty. Think about the de-"

The galloping horses from the west interrupts all of them, including Virgo's words. Shocked, the maiden becomes upon seeing him moving closer towards them. Angered, the princess becomes on the other hand.