Chapter 18: The Tears Of A Blade

Beyond all the thorns and vines, an ongoing chase was still at hand.

The second prince of Grand, his Royal Highness, Agustus Dane, was running like a wind against the odds he had to face.

The man he was chasing surely knew the ways of the forest and was most likely leading him to a trap.

And he actually did.

The man abruptly stopped in his tracks as he faced the prince. Unlike his scared of his life expression, it was now replaced by a cocky grin that made Prince Agustus realize that he was led into an ambush, planned in great detail all along. They knew he was with Prince Tayden, and to keep them separated was all a part in their masterpiece.

Not long, few more ragged men came out from their hiding places. They surrounded the prince, ready to attack.

"Whatever shall we do, Your Highness? I think you'll need to say your farewell." The man snickered, tracing his fingers on the sharp knife he had in his hand. "Too bad, your brothers won't see you in your dying state."

Despite the threat, Prince Agustus remained apathetic. Due to almost every day of his life fighting and defending the kingdom, along with his brothers, dying wasn't something he is afraid of.

He grabbed hold of his black ebony dagger as he playfully swings it mid-air like a ball, mocking him as if he wasn't even an enemy he sees at his level, "I could barely say the same thing to you."

The man felt enraged, "I'll show you. Kill him!"

With his orders, his fellow companions all charged at him at the same time. He dodged the arrow and with a swing, he threw his dagger that pierced the man's heart. Prince Agustus stabbed the other one and grabbed the ax as he controlled the body and used it as a shield, resulting in the enemy killing his friend instead.

He was fast and deadly. It didn't even take him much time until all of the men that surrounded him a few minutes back were now lying on the mud, all lifeless.

All, except the man he had been chasing.

He was petrified. Unconsciously shaking his body, he made a fighting stance with his sword that made the prince chuckled in amusement.

"Not so bad, I liked your courage. I am quite disappointed that you will have to die."

"I am not afraid of you!" The man spat, lunging his sword to the air.

Prince Agustus smirked, pointing his finger to the man's shaking legs, "Your legs say otherwise, do they not? Tell you what, how about I will make you a deal?"

"What deal?" The man asked, trying to keep his voice calm and low.

"I will let you go and all you have to do is run for your life, in short.." he trailed off, throwing his dagger as it landed on the tree behind the man, right next to his left ear. "I will only let you live if you missed my dagger."

The man had no time to think as Prince Agustus already started counting down.

"Ten—Nine—Eight..."

The ragged man ran off with all his might, as far as his feet could take him. He looked back and saw Prince Agustus stood still at the same spot on where he left him.

Seeing how huge of a gap he had gotten from the prince, he started laughing hysterically, thinking it was a dumb move to let him escape.

"Three—Two—" he pulled out his dagger from the bark of an oak tree and swung it in the air, twirling around and at last, into his palm.

"... One."

He then threw the black dagger, traveling with such pace and force as it aimed at the man's right leg, causing him to fall on his track.

Prince Augustus Dane took his time as he went forward to the limping man and kicked him in the process.

"I told you, I'll only let you go unless you missed my dagger."

He grabbed the man's cloth as he bent forward, "Tell me, who ordered you behind all of this? Clearly, you wouldn't have the guts to invade unless someone powerful is backing you up from behind."

The man chuckled as he coughed up some blood from his mouth. He then laughed like a madman, his broken yellowish teeth showing.

"One for sorrow,
Two for joy,
Three to get married,
Four for a boy, 
Five for silver,
Six for gold,
Seven for a secret,
Never to be told."

"What?" The prince asked, befuddled. "What are you talking about?"

"As I said, I pity you, Your Highness. You don't even know a thing."

"Stop this nonsense and give me a name!" Prince Agustus demanded as he stabbed his dagger into the man's shoulder, "Talk or else you die."

The man continued to laugh as he lay on the ground. "If I were you, I would be next to the Crown Prince by now."

His eyes went wide as he realized what the man was referring to. It was all a plan. The ragged men were served to be a distraction so that he and Tayden would wander far from the scene of the real invasion.

"You finally noticed?" The man grinned as if they've already won.

Prince Agustus was furious as he pierced the man's other leg, clearly grinding its vital points. The man shouted in pain.

"I will make sure you never walk again."

In the northern side of the Grand Kingdom, armored soldiers have gathered around in the open vast field, spears, and swords in each of their clutches. In front of these soldiers, was the Field Marshal, Crown Prince Eugene Brancen. He was in his suited armor, his metal helmet had streaks of red and black that symbolize the color of the Heir and in the center of his armor lay the symbol of the Kingdom.

In his right, was Prince Jacob, the High Constable, and the First Field Marksman, his bow and arrow placed on his back.

Next to them were their brothers, Prince Vante Osburne, the First Field Swordsman, and Prince Jacque Darryl, the Second Field Swordsman, all waiting for their eldest's command.

It was an empty area. No enemies were sighted. But Prince Eugene could feel that something was off.

"Vante, gather your troops in two groups. Lead one of them and give the other one to Jacque." He ordered in a low voice, careful with his volume.

"But brother," Prince Vante gazed at the younger one with concern. "I don't think Jacque is ready yet, he could be in dan—"

"Don't worry, brother." Prince Jacque cut him off, "I'll be safe."

The Prince didn't want to be a burden to his brothers and for him, he trusted Prince Eugene's plan to separate the area by groups. He also wanted to prove himself that he was all grown up and would be able to serve and protect the Kingdom.

"Very well, then." Prince Eugene replied. A smile formed on his lips, proud of the youngest determination. He then turned his attention to his right hand, Prince Jacob Erhart, "Jacob, I want you to gather your fellow men as well. But I want you to keep an eye on a distant. Support us from the enemies afar."

Jacob showed a grin of agreement, "Will do, brother."

They waited for Prince Agustus signal but was returned with nothing. They started to think that something must've happened on the west side.

"Should we send someone to check on them?" Jacque asked, a hint of anxiousness in his pitch. The last thing he wanted was his brother's death. He couldn't even let that happen.

"Don't worry, Jacque, both Tayden and Agustus are assassins. I'm sure they are safe." Vante reassured the seventh prince, "Assassins..."

"Hush," Prince Eugene whispered to them. "Did you hear that?"

Jacob nodded and his eyes trailed off to the sound of leaves from the distance, "Brother."

With an approving look from The Heir, the third prince grabbed his bow from behind him and pulled fire. He aimed at a certain spot of the trees as he released the arrow, flying through midair. Soon, his target fell onto the dirt.

"I think we've got some company."

Now fully exposed, the enemies started running towards their direction as they shouted a charge.

"Brothers, gather your troops now!" The eldest announced and the four of them went to their separate ways.

Prince Eugene was on his white horse as he charged towards the enemy along with his fellow soldiers. His lance was all bloody with each passing time. On his right was Prince Vante, fighting a close combat with swords. One man came dashed forward with his spear. The prince shifted his body to the side and sliced the enemy's body, blood splattering on his face.

The opposite side was where Prince Jacque took charge with his men. He easily adapted to the situation and with the help of the First Field Swordsman's training, his movement improved. Foe crashed against the grassy field, their fresh green colors replaced with shades of red.

His sword had dripping blood on its sharp end like tears on a blade.

Prince Jacob, on the other hand, was behind his brothers. He was in a supportive stance, shooting arrows to incoming enemies as well as to those his comrades didn't notice. His brother, Vante, almost got ambushed from behind, and so he hurriedly bolted an arrow to the attacker's head.

"Vante, watch your back." He reminded as his brother yelled thanks, the sword still dancing around the surrounding opponents.

Inside the palace walls were Prince Nathaniel and Khaleesi Dulcina Ermengard. They have been waiting for news on what happened outside the kingdom.

Not long, they turned their heads to a speeding Prince Agustus carrying Prince Tayden on his back.

"What happened to him?" Rosette gasped, seeing the blood fashioned upon the unconscious royal.

"We got separated, and when I came back, he was on the ground. He needs recovery. Where are the others?"

"They are on the north side." Prince Nathaniel replied as the maiden helped Agustus with Tayden to his room.

After they found a good position for the wounded noble and called for their medic, Prince Agustus spun around to the door when suddenly a hand stopped him from going any further.

"Where are you going?" His brother asked.

"To the north side. I believe they seek backup. Stay here with her and take care of Tayden."

"I'm going with you." The fourth prince stated, gripping onto a sword from the side of the room, stashed by the crackling fireplace.

"No, you are not. You don't even know how to use a sword, Nathaniel. You haven't had enough training. Stay here. That's an order."

And he left.

Prince Nathaniel was frustrated and worried, staring at the door that Agustus left ajar. Trepidation corrupted his thoughts. He had to do something.

He then turned around when he heard his brother, Tayden, cough as he was still being treated.

Tayden regained his consciousness and attempted to stand up, yet the young lady stopped him.

"Do not move, Your Highness. You already lost a lot of blood." She cautioned, frowning.

Tayden glanced up at her worried face and he felt a weird tingling sensation, especially when her fingers brushed along the messy locks of his hair.

He pushed the feeling aside. "I have to go. I need to."

The painter was about to object when Prince Nathaniel beat her to it.


"No, what you need is treatment. I'll go."

Without waiting for a response, Prince Nathaniel dashed outside, ignoring her calling his name. He went to his room and grabbed his crossbow that was supposed to be what he had abandoned. He had no idea that he will be using it again.

Up until now, within the chambers of his heart that stirred, he knew he had thrown away his morals. The journal flashed in his mind, and memories flooded back to him.

Off he goes to a battle unknown.

A/N: Here is the continuation of the ongoing battle of the princes of Grand. What would happen to the fourth prince, Nathaniel who decided to join forces with his brothers?

We would also like to thank each and every one of you for your undying love and support for this book. We promise to complete the story even with our hectic schedule. We love you all and always stay safe. 💜

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