CROWN PRINCE Allistair's eerie cerulean eyes crashed into the glistening red eyes of Tori right after she turned to the corner of the King's palace, where her feet led her. Tori's falling body was immediately grasped by the crown prince. "Lady Tori? What are you doing here? I thought you are with that arrogant prince?""Hey, what's wrong? Damn! Did that bastard do something?"His firm hands cupped her cheeks. Prince Allistair's cool eyes like the calm sea darkened when he saw her tear-stricken eyes. "How dare he!" He tried to leave her for a goddess –knows-where, maybe to commit treason against a fellow royal, but Tori immediately stopped his arm before he could leave her."Don't. I need to talk with Yei Lin. Take me to him, Alice." Tori disregarded all etiquettes since the man before her did not give a two-fucks about it after seeing her state. But her state was the last thing for Tori. She wanted to confirm something. Her desperate plea shook the proud crown prince of the Kingdom o
THE ODYSEUS ship sailed the moment she stepped foot into the enormous merchant ship. Unlike any other merchant shape that she had seen in the capital's docks, this ship was built with fine details, made to withstand the strongest of storms. Its pillars were sturdy as they support the main frame of the ship. The sails were hoisted to ride along the swift northern wind, speeding up the travel time. And the myriad of workers, all sporting their lively and well-trained countenance as they moved according to their task, were all imposing. One could mistake them as warriors with the way the spec of their muscles flexed from their work. It was safe to say that this was no ordinary merchant ship - not at all.A guide led Tori to a cozy-sized cabin with only a study table, a small bed, and a hammock inside. The lamp hanging on the wall gave a warm light to the place she was staying. After setting aside her luggage, Tori took time to breathe as she reevaluated her plans with a solemn expression
CHIEF KEIRAN Arin was sitting comfortably on a couch inside a luxurious cabin beside a similar-looking petite woman. The girl, who was around her age smiled at Tori the moment she stepped foot in the room. The chief looked behind her, and when he saw that the second prince was not with her he visibly let out a breath of relief.The royals and the northern tribes have a strained relationship, huh?Tori curtsied in front of the two who were relatives. "Blessings to the northern tribe, Chieftain Keiran Arin, and his companion.""Please take a seat, lady of the empire. You must have heard how savage the northern tribe folks are."Sitting gracefully before them, Tori took notice of the lack of tea at the center table. She missed Lily's concoction."Nonsense, Your Grace. If we're talking about nasty rumors, then I am a contender myself."The girl perked up from Tori's answer which made the chief flinch as if he knew it would happen. "My brother is such a paranoid, yeah? My name is Akasha Ar
"YOU CAME prepared, yeah?" Akasha nudged her which startled Tori. What Akasha meant was Tori's outdoor dress and winter coat paired with winter gloves, a thick scarf, winter boots, and a very thick winter hat that covered her ears. Even a bullet can't pierce me right now with how thick I'm covered."My handmaiden strategically prepared this one. I just hoped that this would not be a bother in the journey." Judging from the lack of carriage around the quiet port, Tori could guess that they would be riding a horse individually. And the way how she was dressed, could impose quite trouble for Tori.Akasha seems to notice her momentary rigid reflex followed by her worried scanning of the area for carriages. "Carriages can't enter the Arin Tribe territory with the state of our land and climate. The steep mountains will endanger us if we ride the carriages. You do know how to ride a horse, no?"Tori smiled and nodded as an answer. Even from her get-up, she could still feel the chilly breeze
CLUTCHING HER furred scarf around her body, Tori opened the small window of the cottage she was staying inside the Arin Tribe's territory. The moment she opened her window, the raven immediately flew inside her room. Around its neck was a message holder.Only the Information Guild uses this type of communication. Mostly, nobles use owls to convey long-distance messages. What could it be? Tori pondered.The raven tilted its head as it seemingly looked at her which was weird enough for Tori, who was not yet used to this type of message. In her past life, she was used to the internet. And as Victoria Rozenreff at the capital, she was used to Lily or Rowan conveying her messages even the secret ones. For Tori, it felt so… so primitive.Tori opened the message holder and saw a small rolled-up parchment. Upon reading it, she realized that it was indeed from Lady M who informed her that the king delayed the Vesta challenge just like Tori intended. In exchange, she only had one week to unify
CHIEF KEIRAN TOOK THE SILENCE as a signal to start the war council as he stood up which drew everyone's attention including hers. Standing proud at the head of the table, the young chief pointed out the northern territory.Tori did not fail to notice that instead of a map focusing on the northern region. Instead, the map focused on the entirety of the Eckrett Empire. Oh ho, what do we have here? "Our warriors from the southwestern area reported that the Noshin Tribe's main force marched to the south. In the northeastern area, the Teiwar also sent their main force to the south. With their recent activities, their rendezvous point is the Tekaran Tribe of the south. They will march forward with their renewed forces and attack us." Chief Keiran moved the pawns of the three tribes together and pushed them slowly towards the borders of the Arin Tribe on the map. Tori listened but her eyes were on the Arin Tribe's territory with her finger on her chin. No, they are too obvious. The oppos
TORI WAS now getting used to the wintery state of the Arin Tribe in her third morning in the place. She was in the middle of brewing her Chamomile Tea when a familiar firm three knocks interrupted her. Not bothering to open the door, she continued with what she was doing as she replied. "Come in!"Tori poured another round of tea into the second teacup for her favorite guest. She did not glance at the person who entered the premises of her room. Instead, she proceeded to sip her kind of heroin. The familiar thud of the footsteps became closer until the silhouette stopped in front of her. Finally looking up, Tori greeted her guest with a polite smile. "Please have a seat, Your Grace." Tori gestured to the empty seat in front of her.Chief Keiran, who had a solemn look on his face, took the seat in front of Tori without even bothering to glance at the served delights and tea on the table. "Your messenger brought a message from the warriors last night."My dearest new pet has finally com
WALKING AWAY WITHOUT looking back, Tori together with her pet, Talia, left the land of the north.Tori was led to a similar-looking cabin, but unlike before this one had a small glass window. She discarded all her fur clothes and changed into her usual outdoor dress, the ones with fewer ribbons and frills. She took off the pieces of jewelry gifted by Akasha to her while she was in the north.I am now going back to the capital. It is funny how the north was said to be dangerous yet I felt so secure in that place. Unlike the wretched capital, adorned with lavish activities yet her head could roll in the plaza any minute.She lay on the bed and closed her eyes as she let the waves lull her to sleep. Tori was about to surrender her body to sleep when a series of loud and rude knocks disturbed her. "What is it?"But the knocks continued and grew harsher as minutes passed until the door opened forcefully. Looking outside of the window, she saw an enormous ship sailing right beside the merch