Chapter 22. Forteza Village

There stood a woman — in an elegant dress with her back turned facing him as she moved around the kitchen, stirring the cup in her hand with a pewter spoon.

And that was where his gaze lingered, taking in every detail of her because it wasn't like that when he had first seen her. Hera was beautiful, but now she has become even more breathtakingly gorgeous.

Hera looked at him questioningly. When she realized she had caught him staring, she flushed pink and lowered her head, focusing again on the task.

"Good morning, Your Highness."

Darth was taken aback at her greetings; he still couldn't get used to how different she sounded when she addressed him.

He could not say anything coherently when he realized he should answer her greeting. After clearing his throat, he asked, "Did you sleep well?"

"Yes. And I made something for you." she smiled and handed him the reverse painted tray with two silver goblet cups, a trencher bread, and some sliced fruits. "And this is for your scholar student."

"You shouldn't have done this," replied Darth, but there was no heat in his words.

"Please, accept my appreciation for letting me stay in your residence. I promise to pay you once I get a job somewhere else. I need to visit my father later and find a way to release him from his sentence and return home," Hera said earnestly.

A small smile graced Darth's lips upon seeing her determination and unconditional love for her parents. But internally, he can't allow her to go through any trouble again; unfortunately, he can't voice out his sentiment.

Soon as Darth was ready to speak again, a sudden disturbance approached them, with both their heads turning in the direction of the sound. It was Amiro.

At seeing Hera, Amiro immediately stopped in her tracks, looking embarrassed before smiling.

"Good morning, Hera," he greeted until his gaze redirected to the tray in Darth's hands, and his eyes widened as he exclaimed, "Wow! Did you make it for us?"

She nodded. "The rest of them are probably already cooked in the pot; just take whichever you want."

Amiro took the tray from Darth without hesitation, wearing excitement written all over his face. Hera observed him, his smile growing as if he had won an epic game and had a massive prize until he left and headed directly to the table on the porch, setting everything down on it.


Hera turned her attention to Darth afterward and quickly bowed her head. "I shall take my leave, Your Highness."

He didn't utter anything; instead, he gave her a nod and watched as Hera went away with light steps.

Darth was brooding for a moment; he felt as though an invisible pressure was lifted off him, but he knew that it would not be so easy anymore since there was something else that's been bothering him lately, and that was the safety of that woman. He knew that no matter how innumerable times he evaded Hera, an invisible force kept pulling him to protect her from danger. And as time went by, it became harder and harder to resist her presence. Even if he didn't believe in fate or destiny, his heart told him otherwise, that perhaps Hera belonged to her in some way.

His thoughts were interrupted when Amiro ran back toward him. "Breakfast is served, Your Highness."

And with that said, they proceeded together to the porch, only to find silence between them while eating.

Feeling uncomfortable, Darth wasn't used to spending his meal with anyone because he used to put himself in an isolated spot.

"Your Highness, is Hera one of your friends?" Amiro queried. "I mean, is she one of those you're close to? Maybe she's your friend, but you don't spend much time together because you always keep busy."

But instead of responding, he conferred him a severe look and said, "Do you want to know why I always preferred to be alone? To keep me from explaining, especially when the subject is unimportant."

Those statements coerced him to bite his lips and refrain from answering inappropriate questions because he knew better than to ask for something that wasn't meant for him to hear. "I apologize, Your Highness."

At last, a smile graced Darth's features, acknowledging Amiro.




FORZETA Village is one of the best places to travel in the City of Renenxia, it is located right outside the forest, and its environment gives it fresh air, making it seem much more serene. Furthermore, it is the largest village consisting of seven thousand inhabitants, and it's known for its rich farming land that has attracted wealthy merchants to come here and buy their wares from the local merchants.

Many trees along the mountain path make it feel like walking on a pathway leading to another world. But behind having a healthy natural environment, there is a bitter fact in this beautiful landscape that the residents cannot help but lament about, the unfair treatment of the Emperor to the poor people living below him who do not have any kind of inheritance or status. The inequality of life in this village is evident.

Many years ago have passed since the Emperor threw them into poverty by declaring that their only job was to be farmers. They were forbidden from owning any weapon as long as they lived under the tyranny of the Emperor. In order to survive in their miserable home, most people found themselves working with animals in fields while trying their hardest to get enough money to buy necessities.

Hera was walking now onto the paved stone road, her feet hitting the ground with a loud thud as she continued walking toward the small house at the end of the village. She is going to visit her relatives and, at the same time, apprise them of her situation at the hands of the Emperor.

While striding, Hera could hear the sound of footsteps approaching her from a distance. It was probably someone passing through the village, so she did not pay attention much to whoever it might be. Suddenly, she felt a heavy hand grips her arm enough to make her look around.

She found herself face to face with a man holding her arm tightly with a wave of anger on his face and his eyes filled with scorn.