29. FAREWELL

It was getting dark. The sky began to be studded with stars and the moon appeared as a friendless loner. Besides the mountains and the vast treeless fields, the ocean was one of the most suitable places to receive the shade of the night.

There was no boredom in Pascal when he saw the scenery that had accompanied him since childhood like now. Only he wasn't alone anymore. But with a woman who he was sure would grow old with him until the end. And it was paid at a very high price. That is blood and lives.

Pascal caressed the naked back of Crysta who was still exhausted from the game on the bed. She was lying on his chest. She seemed to be half asleep. Her breathing sounded tired.

He thought he had succeeded in lulling the girl who had been whining since the sun was still there. That's why Pascal moved slowly to reach her clothes that were scattered on the floor. But unfortunately...

''You want to leave me?'' Crysta's eyes opened.

Pascal returned to his original position. ''My love...'' Of course, with a peck on the forehead and soothing caresses, he aimed for Crysta.

''I heard rumors about Queen Silvana in the North. Also about her brother, King Silva. Brothers and sisters that makes it hard for me to let you go.'' There was concern in her voice. Crysta shifted slightly, resting her face on Pascal's chest until they looked at each other.

''Princess Silvana is two years older than me. Their relationship is complicated. But everyone knew that Silva had been raping Silvana since the age of thirteen. In the North, inbreeding is not recognized. But the king would kill anyone who tried to challenge their relationship.''

''I'm just afraid you'll fall victim to Silva's cruelty. They don't like strangers, especially from a different region. I'm sure you know that the king killed their biological father and mother for being oppositional, right?''

Pascal just smiled. Then he shifted to put a pillow behind his back so that Crysta could hug him more freely.

''You're going to ask them for help, aren't you? That's what you're going there for?''

''No. I'm too honorable to show them my weakness,'' she said with a faint grin. ''I can even kill ten deer with just one arrow.''

Crysta's eyeballs widened. Disbelieving of course.

''You just need to have faith and make sure that your arrow is strong enough to do that. It all depends on your preparation, Sweetheart.''

''Between the Western and Eastern regions, when compared to your army, the ratio is 1:3. Don't you know that three is greater than one?''

''Numbers do determine victory. But you should know that a lion led by a lamb can't win anything.''

And Pascal's army was a herd of tigers led by a lion. Crysta knew that Pascal was very smart. Smarter than any war general in the four corners of the eye.

Crysta was still lost in thought and didn't realize that Pascal had returned to crushing her lips. Wrapped around her tongue lustfully and only realized when Pascal returned to lying on her naked body. She returned the kiss with the same intensity. A kiss that she was afraid to let go of. A kiss that she would miss so much if Pascal wasn't in the kingdom.

''Do I look like a sheep to you?" he asked as soon as Pascal released the embrace of their lips.

Crysta shook her head.

''Am I a mighty lion?''

Crysta nodded.

''Then don't fear anything. Don't worry about anything. No matter how far I go, I will always return to you, My Love.''

''The Western troops have already gathered. They will attack Calvard and Argorn in a few days. Our neighbor, Lucard- was even the first to arrive at the East Wood. All of them will attack me. But I'm here, with you. Mustn't I do something soon?''

Eventually, all the kingdoms in the East would gather at East Wood, sooner or later. Valliant's troops were also already in their respective positions. Ships were lined up in a circle protecting the bays and waters of the kingdom. Beyond the borders, hundreds of thousands of soldiers had set up camp in the forest. The captains and generals were awaiting Pascal's presence. Leaving Andromeda inside the palace who was still holding out because Pascal was still Crysta's prisoner. They would follow to the camp after Pascal's departure.

Pascal moved his nose on Crysta's nose. He played his thumb on the jaw of the woman who was still silent. ''Honey, I need an answer. After this, what should I do to make you let me go, hm?''

Deep down, Crysta knew that even Pascal didn't want to part from her. But everything is fair in war and love. There are mistakes to be righted and enemies to be destroyed. Pascal and the dissidents were not meant to be together. That's exactly what King Lumiere did to him.

Before parting, with many people witnessing the prince's departure- Crysta gave him a small pouch in the palace courtyard. Not a gift or a sign of farewell. But a snack for Pascal to eat on the way.

''The palace chef said you like chocolate sweets. So I asked him to make some. Given your messy appetite when you're outside Valliant.'' Crysta's explanation made Pascal smile a little.

''Thank you, Dear.'' The food was not large. So Pascal put it in his shirt pocket. After that, he hurried to ride Titan. But he stopped because Crysta suddenly called him again.

''Before leaving, may I ask you for something? I've been wearing this black pearl around my neck for too long. I want to replace it with a pink pearl necklace like Her Majesty.''

Oh, it turned out that the girl still didn't want to give it up.

Pascal looked behind Crysta, it was a long distance to reach his room and retrieve the box where only he knew the location. So he couldn't possibly send a servant.

He immediately took Crysta's hand. Caressing those beautiful fingers. ''I promise to put that thing around your neck as soon as I defeat my enemies. Hm?'' he said along with an intimate kiss.

Pascal always knew how to immobilize her. She fell silent. She cried as she watched Pascal leave with his troops.

''I will wait for you,'' she whispered. Sobbing bitterly. ''Alive. Because if you die, I will suicide.''