Chapter 91

FELIX

The news came bright and early on a Thursday morning.

While flying above the southern border on a normal patrol, Albert had spotted a dark mass forming on the horizon and heading towards Fresonia: Charles’ army. They were only a few days’ march away, and approaching fast.

It was time for war.

I alerted the war council as soon as I got the news. We gathered in that tiny council room, this time joined by my parents and Mila, still in their pajamas. I had made a promise to them to include them in our planning, and now was as good a time as ever to start.

By the looks on my friends’ faces, they knew. It was time.

“We move out in three hours,” I announced, my voice hoarse from holding back emotion. “Do what you must in order to prepare. We will go to the southern border and make camp near the village of Barlow. Charles’ army will be there in a few days and we will meet them when they come.”

Nicholas looked up at me, his eyes haunted, but his face proud. “The Whitelands will stand by you and the people of Fresonia for as long as you need us.”

I looked at my friend gratefully. We were all just young men at the end of the day, young men who had been thrust into positions of great power and responsibility and now tasked with leading a historic war campaign.

Fresonia had been a land at peace for many decades. Not since my great-great-grandfather's rule had there been any sort of conflict on the kingdom's soil. We had worked hard to make sure that our kingdom was peaceful and serene, safe for all its citizens.

Charles was bringing unprecedented violence to my kingdom. As the land’s future king and sworn protector, I could not let him win.

“Three hours,” I said once again, catching Mila’s eye as I did. She was clearly tense but understanding.

The men all bowed their heads slightly, either in prayer or deference. At this point, there was no difference. We all stood and left the table together, preparing to head towards what would surely be a bloody few days ahead.

In the bedchambers I shared with Mila, I packed what small personal effects I could take with me into a small bag, along with my personal sword and equipment needed for flying.

I heard a small sound behind me and turned to see Mila, hair still mussed from bed. Her eyes were red and swollen, as if she had already been crying.

“Will you be flying to the front lines on Ignatius?” she asked, clearly fighting to keep her voice as neutral as possible.

I nodded. “If I am to lead these men into battle, I want to show that I am a strong and capable leader.”

“You are a strong and capable leader,” Mila said softly, taking a step towards me. “Any man would be proud to have you leading him. I know I’m proud of you.”

Looking at her, I had no idea why I was so dead-set on going into war. Any rational man would have stayed behind, taken Mila back to bed, and never leave. She was the most important thing in my life–what I would fight for, now and forever.

And perhaps that is what made me irrational. I was desperate to keep her safe from the threats of my younger brother and knew that at this point, war was the only way forward.

“I don’t want to leave you,” I said finally, my voice breaking. Mila stepped forward and wrapped her arms around my neck.

“You are the strongest person I know,” she said. “I know you’ll come back.”

I pulled her close, trying my hardest to savor these moments together without wondering if they would be our last.

“I’m going to war against my own brother,” I said, looking down into her round, perfect eyes. “There is nothing more unnatural than that.”

“Do you miss him?” she asked.

It was an odd question–one that I had not even been able to ask myself. But coming from Mila, I found strength within myself to tell the truth.

“Every day,” I said. “I miss what might have been, if I’d only seen the signs earlier and been able to fix whatever was broken with him. I miss when we were younger and he was always looking up to me and proud to have me as a brother. But none of that seems possible now.”

Mila sighed. “I wish I had known him before he had such darkness in his heart.”

I tightened my grip. “I just need to protect you. That is my goal at the end of the day. I will not let Fresonia fall because I will not let harm come to you.”

Mila tilted her head to meet mine, pressing our lips together in a soft kiss.

“I love you,” she murmured. “I trust you.”

I stayed with her until the last possible second, as the army was moving out. I mounted Ignatius and looked back at where she stood with my parents, eyes shining with tears, a mournful look on her face as she waved me off. My parents stood next to her, maintaining a regal disposition despite their anguish.

“I’ll come back to you,” I promised into the wind.

And flew off to the front lines.

CHARLES

I met the Army of Second Sons at the border of Abernathy. Isabella and Rico rode in the front, Isabella looking rather motion sick from being on the back of a dragon. She was a welcome sight for my eyes–which was a feeling that felt quite strange.

From there, we left for Fresonia.

We made camp for the night in a forest near the southernmost border of Fresonia. I had barely said a word to Isabella, too busy concentrating on coordinating my now thousands-strong army. Thanks to Abernathy, our resources and men had more than doubled.

I called Rico into my war tent as the men settled in for the night.

“What is it, boss?” Rico asked.

“Tell the soldiers that tomorrow, they do whatever it takes to take down as many men as possible,” I said. “Fight dirty, fight hard, just leave Felix to me.”

Rico smirked. “I’ll let them know. They’ll be glad to hear it. Most of the men have been chomping at the bit since you left for Abernathy. We’re all eager to see some action.”

“There’s a small village just across the border,” I continued. “The villagers have always been loyal to the crown. Feel free to rough them up a bit.”

Rico smiled wickedly. “I will gladly pass the message along.”

“And send in Isabella,” I said, adding an air of authority in my voice. I saw the knowing look pass over my friend’s face, but frankly, there wasn’t much to keep secret. I was having sex with her to ensure her loyalty and promised her the position of Queen. It only benefitted us to have a noble lady on our side.

Rico gave me a sarcastic salute on his way out. I shook my head at his antics. He wasn’t a very serious man, but he was an excellent general.

“And Rico, one more thing,” I called after him.

He turned back to face me. “What’s up?”

“Tell the men that nothing, nothing, is off-limits,” I said. “Let’s show Felix’s army just how nasty a business war truly is.”