24. ENEMY

The man didn't have much time to board the ship. His worries overpowered his ego. Crysta who would do something wrong, as well as Leonard who would cross the line, were swirling in his mind. Anger, hate and jealousy all rolled into one.

He wouldn't let Leonard touch Crysta. Even if it was just the tip of a fingernail.

''Faster, Titan!'' Pascal shouted along with his emotions.

The guard rushed to open the gates of the capital when he saw Titan leap down several flights of stairs in one bound. Then galloped towards the gate with Pascal in his noble clothes. Making it the center of attention of the people.

Because, for the first time in many years, it was the first time Pascal appeared through the streets of the capital. In an immediate moment, the streets of the capital were filled with cheers and applause. The people put on happy smiles as they automatically parted the crowd. Letting the prince and his army pass them by unceremoniously.

''Make way for the prince.''

"Long live Prince Pascal.''

''Prince, we love you.''

''May the prince have a long life.''

''Let prince Valliant pass.''

''Our brave prince.''

''Hooray.''

Pascal still heard the words of praise back there before finally being freed from the crowded streets. The love of the people made Pascal have to fight hard to defend the kingdom. Keeping them in peace.

''After all this time, finally I can see the prince again.'' An old fishmonger woman smiled at the prince's retreating back.

''What made our prince pass through the capital?''

"Because of princess Crysta, of course.''

Earlier the people were shocked by Crysta's appearance. Passing through the same gates and streets.

Not only the women who were shopping, the young and old men at a food place were also talking about it.

''The Prince of Lucard made the mistake of coming to Valliant even with thousands of troops. Our prince is truly invincible.''

''I heard that princess Crysta was supposed to marry prince Leonard. But it seems that fate had other plans.''

''The point is, if our prince already wants something, he will definitely get it even if it already belongs to someone else. King Lumiere's son is a knight. He's too honorable to give up.''

''And again, even if our prince is guilty, I will still support him. HAHA.''

Everyone laughed. As if they weren't afraid of what Pascal was facing. Hope, trust and love, they had poured out for the young prince who liked to raise weapons. It seemed like they never thought that Pascal might lose one day. Or possibly, die.

''A toast to our unbeatable prince.'' Together they raised their glasses in the air.

''For Prince Valliant.''

This offering was just the beginning. Because the truth is, everyone will never stop making Pascal a topic of discussion. A hot topic that was always everyone's heroin.

While alcoholic beverages were often filling the throats of the drunkards, while at the border, there was the saliva that since her arrival at the border had been going up and down in Crysta's throat.

Despite being accompanied by Monic and the Andromeda troops who were on duty there, to be honest, Crysta's heart was really beating with fear right now. Her hands were also trembling.

Horrifying. The scene she was looking at was too terrifying.

Leonard didn't just bring his own troops, but also Prince Tiago and Alexander of Agnar. Also their troops. It seems as though they were signaling war if Pascal did not want to release Crysta as they suspected.

News came from Lucard when Leonard had just finished fucking three lowly maids. King Arthur told Leonard to go to Valliant and fetch Crysta. The order came from King Brent directly. It was clear that the twenty-one-day ban had angered the king of Orva.

Accompanied by his younger brother and the two princes of Agnar at the forefront, with the combined forces of the two kingdoms behind the four, Leonard puffed out his chest confidently before Crysta.

Ten meters away with an archway with an open door as the center line, Crysta could see how happy Leonard's expression was at the moment.

On the other hand, the desire to pull Crysta off the horse was also visible on the man's face. Crsyta let out a long breath, speechless.

Seeing Crysta's displeasure at seeing him, made Leonard immediately get off his horse with a confused feeling. Suddenly, it instantly made all the bows with arrows ready to be released shoot towards him.

''Don't come any closer, Leonard. Or they'll kill you right now.'' Crysta warned.

But Leonard only smiled sarcastically. Disbelieving. Looking down at the soldiers who were in various corners.

Srrt!

An arrow shot right in front of Leonard's boot. A warning because the foolish prince was recklessly swinging his leg.

''I beg you, back off. Don't be reckless.'' Crysta requested. She saw Leonard just standing there. Signaling his troops to take aim at the Valliant troops if they were desperate to kill him.

''I don't care. I was instructed by your father to take you to Lucard, Crysta. You must come with me.''

''Princess!" Monic shouted. Crysta was desperate to get off the horse and approach the gate. Cutting the distance. Crysta shouldn't have done that. Leonard could have been desperate. Which would end up getting both of them killed.

''Prince Leonard,'' Crysta called softly. ''I really appreciate your courage. Prioritizing me. But that still does not change my desire to stay in Valliant.''

''Don't mind the unreasonable ban, Crysta. I could have wiped out all these useless troops just to take you away.''

''Not because of that prohibition. It's because of something else.''

''What is it, Crysta? Tell me the truth? Did Pascal threaten you? Are you a prisoner of Valliant?''

Crysta shook her head. Staring at the four princes who seemed impatient to drag Crysta out of the border immediately.

King Lumiere's advice about the dangers of an aborted arranged marriage discouraged Crysta from speaking up.

''Tell us the truth, Crysta. We are your friends. We will surely protect you.'' Tiago persuaded. He even got down from the horse. Aligning the position with Leonard.

''Come with us. We will take you safely back to Orva.'' Alexander also joined in.

''Don't make this journey a waste, Princess. I'm not as patient as the princes in front of you right now.''

Crysta looked at Klein sarcastically. That one prince was indeed very annoying. Crysta did not like him.

''You don't want any bloodshed on this border, do you?'' Klein continued. ''So decide right now. Or I'll-''

''Shut your fucking mouth, Klein.'' Leonard snapped.

Honestly, Crysta was more convinced than ever not to marry Leonard after seeing Klein like this.

With careful steps and a glance at the soldiers behind Crysta, Leonard was desperate to get closer to Crysta. And Crysta hurriedly raised her hand into the air to prevent Andromeda to shoot arrows at Leonard again.

A triumphant grin was written on his face. Realizing that Crysta was defending him. Until leaving a distance of two meters between them.

''You look... different.'' Leonard said honestly. The beautiful dress Crysta wore, perfectly matched her fair skin and long hair. The black pearls on Crysta's neck, made Crysta look like a princess who was originally from Valliant.

''Not different enough to make you realize that I don't want to go anywhere.''

''I look like an imposition to you. I understand. But one's duty cannot be intertwined with feelings. It will affect the duty to be executed.''

''You really are stubborn, Leonard.'' Crysta shook her head in disbelief.

''Hard enough to realize that we've been here for too long.'' Leonard grinned. He took a few steps forward and pulled Crysta's hand away at that moment.

Monic's suspicion was correct.

At the same time, where Crysta's body was lightning-fast about to pass through the gate, a single hand pulled Crysta's hand from the opposite direction. Pulling hard. Until Crysta's body twisted and Leonard's hand grip just slipped away.

Leaving Crysta's body in someone's arms. Embracing her waist protectively and bringing their bodies together very tightly.

''Pascal?''