TCCIO 31

Chapter 31. “This Is Our Only Chance”:

A heavy silence dominated the command tent. Now that the radiant Delia had left, the space felt utterly empty. Even the air circulating inside felt dark and hollow. Though he had always been alone in this tent, not once had it truly felt like solitude. She had only stayed for a week, yet her presence had changed everything.

“Dyke.”

Aaron’s emotionless voice echoed softly.

Dyke swallowed hard and looked at the commander, who sat like a withered, faded tree.

“Contact Colin.”

“Yes, Commander.”

“Tell him to open the way.”

Any delay would be dangerous. They had to help her reach the capital as soon as possible—to reduce even a little of the pain she would have to endure.

“Tell them not to block her path.”

“Yes, sir. I’ll deliver the message.”

Suppressing a sense of foreboding, Dyke turned and left the tent to carry out the order. Once he was gone, Aaron was left alone. Immersed in a shadowy silence, filled with heavy regret, he remained in the tent where she had stayed. Aaron collapsed onto the bed, still holding the warmth of her presence. He raised his hand to his forehead and closed his eyes wearily. With his eyes shut, he could see her even more clearly—golden hair fluttering in the wind of Mount Tarens, the moist shimmer in her blue eyes, and the bright smile she gave him when he refused her flower. The memories, cruelly beautiful, lingered painfully in Aaron’s heart.

In the capital of Iorenti, now bathed in the hues of sunset, an unusual tension filled the air. The eyes of the busy townsfolk flickered with unease. Fearing a sudden imperial attack, their steps quickened. Even though they were prepared, the dread of war looming over them was immense. A suffocating sense of anxiety gripped the entire city.

As people worked to set up barricades for street combat, they suddenly felt a faint tremor through the ground. The bustling city froze in an instant. Was the imperial army already attacking?

As tension paralyzed the crowd, a thundering sound of hooves pierced through. Several horses galloped at full speed through the city, causing hearts to pound with alarm. But it was not an enemy raid. The banners they carried fluttered with the golden butterfly symbol of the Iorenti royal family. Only the royal guards were allowed to bear that emblem.

Why were the royal guards riding in at such a pace?

Unaware of the reason, people quickly made way. Among the frightened citizens, a flash of golden hair shimmered like an afterimage.

“My goodness!”

The harsh steps of the riders storming the royal palace made the court maids scream.

“Royal guards!!”

Captain Jer of the Iorenti royal guard bellowed, his voice echoing through the palace.

“Summon the royal physician at once!”

Carrying the princess Delia in his arms, Jer strode swiftly down the palace corridors. The sudden arrival of the royal guards drew startled looks, and shock filled their faces as they recognized the girl in his arms.

Realizing the seriousness of the situation, the palace staff scattered to act.

“Fetch the physician! Hurry!”

“Yes, right away!”

“Also, inform His and Her Majesty!”

Jer ignored the flurry behind him and carried Delia toward her chambers. Statues of past kings, sacred murals of the founding myths—none of it entered his eyes. All he saw was the princess clinging weakly to his robe, gasping for air. There was no time to think about protocol.

“Open the door!”

He pushed through the door opened by a servant and carefully laid Delia onto her bed, soft with violet cloth and gold-embroidered flowers. The shadow of pain on her face was starkly visible.

“Where’s the physician?”

The maid, who had rushed in behind him, bowed and replied:

“He’s on his way, we’ve already sent word.”

Jer looked at Delia with grief in his eyes. He should never have obeyed his commander’s orders. The dark surroundings and silence had made them believe the imperial troops had withdrawn. Who could have guessed the deranged commander would hide among the prisoners and lay a trap?

Losing the Iorenti princess to the enemy because of a moment’s mistake… The irreversible mistake stabbed Jer like a knife. As he stood silently in regret, the door suddenly burst open.

“Del! Del!”

A tearful voice called out as Queen Eleanor rushed in. She was so shocked that her usual poise and elegance were completely gone. Jer stepped back from the bed to make room. Tears streamed down the queen’s face even before she entered.

“Delia, wake up! Mother’s here.”

She sank down beside the bed, her fine dress spreading around her. Without adjusting her attire, she gently wiped the sweat from her daughter’s face.

“Look at me, please… please.”

Tears clouded her vision, blurring her daughter’s face. Mount Tarens had always been like Iorenti’s backyard—a place Delia used to play in as a child with her grandfather. What on earth had happened there for her daughter to return like this?

“Please, Del… open your eyes.”

Despite the queen’s desperate pleas, Delia remained unconscious, curled up and trembling, clutching her abdomen. Just then, the king entered the room, limping with his cane.

“What in the world is going on?”

Thanks to Delia’s early warning about the impending imperial raid, Iorenti had begun preparing its defenses. The king had been leading the city’s protection efforts himself but rushed back upon hearing the news of his daughter.

“Why is she lying like that? What happened?”

His eyes fixed on his daughter, pale and drenched in sweat. Something was clearly very wrong.

“Captain Jer, I sent a message ordering your return. How did it come to this?”

The king’s sharp scolding fell on Jer, who bowed his head and accepted the blame. There was nothing to say—it was his failure.

“Why is a perfectly fine girl now in such a state?”

“It seems she ingested a poisonous plant,” Jer replied.

“What? Why?”

Jer, struggling to suppress his shame and anger, forced himself to speak.

“She was taken captive while trying to save our men.”

Thud. The king slammed his cane on the floor in fury.

“Weren’t you just supposed to scout? Who ordered a rescue mission?”

Jer lowered his head further.

“We pushed ahead recklessly to steal the imperial weapon crates…”

“And you let her go along with that plan?!”

“She was too determined. I couldn’t stop her.”

“You should’ve dragged her back when I sent word!”

The king knew even as he said it that it was meaningless. Who in this palace could ever oppose Delia? His gloomy gaze moved from Jer to the bed.

Thanks to Delia’s early reports, they had learned of the imperial army’s approach over Mount Tarens. The king had repeatedly sent messengers urging her to return, but she had refused—saying she only needed to observe the enemy’s movements.

Then, the messengers stopped reaching her. The next thing they knew, the enemy was at the capital’s doorstep.

Thanks to Delia, they had time to prepare.

But now, he stood before his daughter, whose life hung by a thread.

“So…”

The king’s hand trembled with barely contained rage.

“Did they poison her to kill her?”

“No, Your Majesty,” Jer answered. “She took the poison herself—to escape their surveillance.”

“What? What are you saying?”

“After seeing her suffering, the enemy commander released her.”

The king was speechless. It made no sense. Who releases a royal prisoner—the most valuable bargaining chip—out of sympathy?

Still reeling, he called Jer quietly.

“Captain Jer.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Keep this quiet. News of a royal being captured will crush morale. And… it won’t do her any good, either.”

His voice softened slightly.

“I ask you as a father.”

The royal guards existed to protect the dignity and safety of the royal family. The truth would damage even their honor. And the impudent commander who claimed Delia as his should be erased without a trace.

Jer clenched his fist so tightly that his knuckles bulged.

“Understood. I’ll relay the order to the rest of the guards.”

As he finished speaking, the door burst open again. The royal physician rushed in with his assistants.

He gave a hurried bow, which the king waved away.

“Examine her, quickly!”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Rolling up his sleeves, the physician approached the bed.

“What’s the situation? She ingested poison?”

“She said it was lily of the valley,” Jer replied.

The physician’s face darkened.

“Even wild animals avoid that plant…”

His movements grew more urgent. He pulled a scalpel from his bag, preparing for treatment.

Meanwhile, the queen wept beside the bed.

“Del? Can you hear me? Say something to your mother…”

Delia’s pale, cracked lips barely moved.

“Captain Jer… call Jer…”

Hearing this, the queen turned and summoned him.

“Captain, she’s asking for you.”

Jer rushed to her bedside.

“Yes, Your Highness. I’m here.”

Recognizing his voice, Delia whispered weakly.

“Prepare… full assault.”

It was hard to tell if she was begging or commanding. Jer clenched his fists and looked at her.

Even on the brink of death, she worried about Iorenti.

His chest ached with emotion.

“This is not the time to worry about that.”

“This is our only chance…”