Celestria couldn't believe her eyes. In front of her rested several canvases on which the hand-drawn paintings of several young men could be seen.

She was resting in her room, thinking about what she should write to Alex, when suddenly a servant came calling for her, saying that her father needed her.

And now, in his chamber, his mother and father were showing her the potential groom they had selected for her.

"Father? What is this?" Her tone suggested her shock and reluctance at once and that was something the King expected.

Turning towards her father, she asked, "I had your permission to not get engaged until I finish school, no? Then why so suddenly…"

Forget about getting engaged; the very thought of getting tied to another man who isn't Alex repulses her.

Adolf heaved a sigh and got up from his seat. He expected much, so he isn't reluctant to confess the reason,

"Daughter, I know this is sudden, however, a prophecy has been bestowed upon you and us."

Celestria frowned but chose to remain silent for the time being—allowing her father to continue.

Adolf glanced at his wife who was sitting nearby, both of them exchanged a look before the lady stood up,

"Cela…it has been prophesied that if you don't get married and sent away from Grimland this year, then not only you but the nation would meet its demise."

Celestria's lips parted hearing that, as she asked, "Who…just who said such a thing?"

Adolf grimly added, "Someone whom none of us can defy. The Saintess."

Her shock elevated. Celestria was aware of how much her father and everyone in the nation honored her words. And whatever predictions, in the name of prophecy, she has bestowed have always turned out to be true.

And now…it's about her.

Celestria clenched her fist, her head leaning down a little.

Her mother grew worried as she said, "Look, Cela-"

"Mother, I am okay." She suddenly raised her face and assured them.

Turning her gaze toward her father, she said, "The prophecy requires me to leave the Grimland this year, right?"

Adolf frowned, "Yes…but unless you don't get married, I won't let you go away."

Celestria smiled in defeat, "That's….not something my heart and mind would allow me, Father."

Adolf grew worried as he silently waited for his daughter to add,

"I cannot simply accept just anyone as my husband. I already have someone in my heart with whom I want to spend my life…so marrying someone else would be like destroying two lives."

Adolf's frown grew deeper, as he asked, "Is it Alex?"

It was not unknown to the King about how close these two had become. Initially, he assumed their closeness was a result of spending childhood together.

However, their sudden closeness these days, had him worried. And now, it seems his worries were warranted.

"Cela…are you sure you want to spend your life with Alex?" Her mother asked—a tender expression on her face that assured Celestria that her answer wouldn't be harshly rejected.

Without thinking twice, the blond teenager nodded, "I cannot see myself with anyone but him, father, mother. Please don't force me into marrying someone else."

Seeing tears in her eyes, the Queen stepped forward and hugged her child.

Seeing the two crying, Adolf's heart melted at the sight. He could never retain his King-like demeanor in front of his daughter and wife (sons get the harsh treatment).

Heaving a sigh he said, "Okay Celestria, I won't force you to marry against your will,"

The duo parted as Celestria looked at her father with hope igniting in her eyes.

However, "For him to become my son-in-law, Alex needs to prove his worth."

Celestria's eyes were again filled with tears, as her mother retaliated, "Dear…why are you doing this to our daughter?"

"No Mery, the grooms I selected for Cela are all excellent in different fields. That's why I want Alex to show his worth before asking for my daughter's hand in marriage."

Looking at Celestria, Adolf said, "Once he returns, bring him to meet me."

—-----**------

It had been a few hours since they left the town and were heading toward the capital.

A few goons appeared here and there, and three soldiers died because of their ambush, but no glaring danger has appeared until now.

'We are still six hours away from the Capital…' Alex, who continued to move through the forest, couldn't help himself from feeling tired after moving around this much.

He traveled from Chainedvale to Ownhorg today, and now, without rest, he has been riding a horse for the past five hours. It was natural for him to feel a little worn out.

"*YAWN*" Stretching his arms, he breathed out a yawn, before looking back to the front—

—only to have his arms get frozen in the air, as he looked at the obstacle waiting for them.

Alex's expression turned serious as he saw the thirty-foot-wide path being completely obstructed by strange-looking men.

And as far as he could see, it wasn't just a singular row; rather, more than half a thousand soldiers could be seen currently blocking their path.

'This is sick…' Alex stared at the horde of enemies with his mouth parted in shock.

They completely outnumbered them and there was no escape route in view at all.

Alex's focus returned to the carriage as he saw Christopher and Devon exiting the carriage with evident concern written on their faces.

Accompanied by Liam, the other two advanced forward.

Alex looked back at the enemy forces and found a single man, among hundreds, was actually sitting on a chair, with his legs draped over the armrest. The man has long black hair and a nonchalant smile as he remains lying on the wooden chair with a smile on his face.

And the most striking feature…his elongated ear made him stand out.

'An elf…' Alex glanced at his soldiers, but thankfully, they all seemed human.

Christopher and Devon stepped toward the leader and asked,

"What might be the reason for you to block our path?" Devon asked, politely.

The man snickered, and without lifting his eyelids, he said, "Nothing much, just lend me that carriage and the person inside of it, and I promise I won't kill any of you."

Christopher frowned, "Who sent you? Who are you working for?"

The man finally parted his eyes and turned towards the priest, "The one whose proposal Saintess rejected. Lord Barkanov."

"---!!"

Christopher remembered that last year when the Saintess went to the elven territory to remove the plague that was eating away the lives of countless elves, a certain Prince proposed marriage to her.

Naturally, the Saintess rejected him politely, and given how the Prince smiled and didn't show any displeasure, Christopher believed that the matter was resolved.

However, "That chameleon showed his true color-"

**SHLINK**

The priest instantly stopped speaking as something cold touches his cheek, draining all the color from his face as he instinctively raised his hands.

Devon and Liam reacted a moment later as they got into battle position, and warned,

"You don't need to be violent when we are still talking," Devon warned, spell circles swirling around him.

"Don't take any RASH steps," Liam stated, his sword positioned to attack the man any moment he showed any sign of attacking Christopher.

The elven leader ignored the other two, keeping his blade pressed against Christopher's cheek. His voice turned cold as he asked,

"Do you dare to insult my master again? Speak carefully, father."

Christopher, though trembling slightly, refused to back down. He swallowed hard and raised his voice,

"Your master is a traitor! I have every right to call him what he is!"

The elf's eyes narrowed, his grip on the sword tightening. Devon and Liam immediately stepped forward, their weapons raised, their auras flaring with intent.

"Stop this now!" Devon commanded. "There's no need to escalate!"

The elf tilted his head, his smirk widening. Ignoring the others, he leaned closer to Christopher, his blade pressing just enough to draw a thin line of blood.

"Brave words from a man so close to death. Shall I teach you what happens when you cross someone like me?"

Christopher flinched but managed to keep his voice steady, his pride outweighing his fear.

"Do it! Kill me if you want. It won't change the fact that you're nothing but a pawn to your so-called master. A desperate man following orders from a failure."

Liam's grip on his sword tightened. Devon shot him a sharp look as if to say, Don't move yet!

The elf's laughter broke through the tense silence. It was deep and mocking, cutting through the air like a blade. He pulled back his sword with a flourish, spinning it before planting it firmly into the ground.

"You've got guts, maggot. I'll give you that," the elf said, his eyes gleaming with amusement and menace. "But pride? Pride won't save you here."

Christopher glared at him, his chest heaving, but before he could retort, the elf raised his hand to silence him.

"Fine then," the elf declared, stepping back and placing his foot on his chair. His voice boomed with authority as he addressed everyone,

"If you're so proud of your kind, prove it! Send out anyone you want, in any number you want. If even one of them can lay a scratch on me, I'll take my army and leave."

The soldiers around them tensed, their breaths caught in the weight of his challenge.

"Or," the elf added his grin widening, "you can beg me for mercy and save yourselves the humiliation. The choice is yours."

The forest fell into silence, the elf's laughter lingering like a haunting echo. Devon clenched his fists, his mind racing.

'This isn't just a fight.'

'It's a game…and he's already a step ahead.'

—-------**---------

A/N:- How was the chapter? Thanks for reading. Drop a review, since it's not moving anymore T~T