Chapter 54 Return to Embercrest

Chapter 54 Return to Embercrest
A simple glance from afar would’ve been nothing to anybody else, but to me? Jackson’s gaze felt like an iron brand, burning my skin, and yet feeling colder than ice. 
It only lasted a second, and then he walked away.
“Huh.” Erik glanced at Cedric. “Is it just me, or was he looking at me?”
“I think it’s just you,” Cedric said. Despite his words, his eyes had a hint of concern. He wasn’t certain.
If only they knew I were to blame.
I stepped away from the brothers. “Sorry. I’m not feeling well,” I murmured. 
Before Erik could question me, Cedric interrupted him. “It looks like the captain is ready to head out. Let’s rally up with him.”
“Yeah…” I said, gaze on the ground as I followed them. 
My mind remained busy, yet blank. Numb and uneasy. The knighthood gathered to listen to Jackson’s orders, mounted our horses, and rode off back to the kingdom.
Home.
Passing through Moir Forest didn’t intimidate me in the slightest this time. It was just another forest in my eyes now. The sensation of an unnatural presence and icy eyes raising the hair on the back of my neck was a distant memory. Cedric was right. A lot did happen. Between my first battle, finding my comrades' charred corpses, earning the right-hand’s trust… even my fight with James left an imprint on me.
I hadn’t seen the bandit leader since we were washed away in the river. The last I saw was his hand disappearing beneath the waves. He may have drowned.
Why do I feel a sense of mourning for him…?
I mustn’t forget what I learned. James’ friend is a woman, someone in Embercrest. Worst part: someone in the royal palace. Someone close to me. James knew of my death… How many other people did he tell? …First, I need to figure out who this woman is and how the bandits got their hands on Drakeveil weapons. If she has something to do with my death, then my parents could be in danger.
Looking back now, was it a sword or a cutlass that stabbed me?
The horrid memory replayed in my mind: a simple walk through the royal garden I had played in countless times as a child ended up ironically being the place I took my last breath. The person cloaked in black, and their silver weapon dripping with my blood, raised high in front of the full moon. I shuddered.
Yeah… definitely a sword.
The sword's details, I couldn’t recall.
The sun that caressed the horizon now rose almost to its peak in the sky before the kingdom’s mighty walls rose into sight. A relieved smile spread across my lips. Horns sounded at our arrival, and the tall doors slowly slid open. Awed and relieved citizens crowded both sides of the street. I used to be one of them. 
Knights reunited with their families and lovers, some in tears from overjoy. I glanced around, wondering if Amina had come too. My chest twisted when I recalled her complaints about the smelly men. I looked toward the royal palace. My home. My family is there.
A wave of loneliness washed over me.
“Whoaa, a dame!” the children whispered to each other, watching me with wide, sparkling eyes.
I smiled sweetly. It had been a long time since a woman was among the knights. Absentmindedly, I glanced toward Jackson. Family and friends had come to greet the others, who will come see him? 

I watched him, but no one came. His gaze rested on the royal palace. His back faced me, so I couldn’t see his face.

Does he have no family to greet him?

Looking back, I recalled he always spared me a glance in my past life.
And now he has nobody…
Jackson parted from the other knights, riding Ruby to the stables. I watched him carefully and followed. He led her into one of the stalls and slid off. I barely caught a glimpse of his face—absent-minded, lost in his own thoughts.
What is he thinking about so intensely?
I rode Snowdrift into a stall next to his. My cheeks held the faintest heat. It was obvious I was following him, attempting to nonchalantly mind my own business. Jackson glanced up as I hopped off Snowdrift and stroked his snort. My white horse snorted and affectionately bumped my cheek.
Ruby watched me with her intimidating, narrowed gaze until Snowdrift turned to her and gave her a sniff. Jackson’s dark red and black horse sniffed him in return, their ears perked.
“I think they like each other,” Jackson said, taking me by surprise as he joined my side. Ruby’s ears flattened, and she snapped at Snowdrift. My horse quickly stepped back, awkwardly leaning away. “Or maybe not.”
I softly laughed, brushing my hair behind my ear. “Your horse is as fierce as you are, Captain.” 
We stood in silence. The short, lighthearted comment darkened into tension. Or maybe only I felt that way… With a deep breath, I spoke up. “Captain—”
“Is this fine?” he suddenly asked, cutting me off.
I looked up at him, brows furrowed. “Huh?”
Jackson kept his gaze on the horses as he said, “You may’ve wanted to forget about our night together, but…” He glanced down at me. “I don’t want to be strangers too. If you’re comfortable with that.”
I flinched, looking away. “That’s not fair.”
“Fair?”
“I was cruel to you, Jackson. I don’t deserve your kindness, let alone any forgiveness,” I whispered. 
He shrugged his broad shoulders. “Then think of it as continuing our partnership.”
“Partnership?” I asked, peeking up at him.
“You will still help me in my investigation, won’t you?” he asked. “Princess Liliana’s murder. Your insight will be useful.”
My lips pursed, glancing at the ground. I rejected him and now his mind immediately snaps back to Liliana… wait, am I jealous of myself now too??
“Besides…” he began, hesitating.
I peeked up at him again. “Captain?”
“You’re a lot like…” His voice trailed off before shaking his head. “Never mind. Anyways, I’ve been meaning to ask you, do you suffer from some sort of PDSD?”
“PDSD, sir?”
“When I pulled you from the water, before you passed out you mentioned something about your death and your parents.”
I winced, biting my lip. Damn it. I had hoped he forgot about my slip up. “Yeah, um… sometimes I have nightmares about dying. My parents always comforted me, but they’re gone now.”
In a way, my words weren’t a complete lie.
“I see…” He looked me up and down. “Feel free to speak to me whenever. As for our investigation, I want you to search Embercrest for anything unordinary. I know you’re an outsider, so…”
“Don’t worry, Captain. Princess Liliana told me all about Embercrest.” I smiled. “I won’t let you down.”
“Good. I’ll meet you at the tavern tonight,” he said, leaving. 
I watched him go, took a breath, and ventured through the streets. My throat tightened when I glimpsed the graveyard. Farther ahead was a bakery decorated with lilies, hung around the door and pots in the windows.
Dale’s bakery. I’ll start there.