He greeted me with a soft smile. "Good morning, wife," he murmured, pressing a gentle kiss on my forehead. Confused, I frowned, noticing that he was fully dressed in his combat uniform. Something didn't feel right. I sat up, looking him over closely, studying his face for any signs of an explanation. "What's happening?" I asked, my voice filled with curiosity and concern.

He glanced briefly at the window, where daylight had just begun to seep through. "It's nothing," he replied softly. "Just go back to sleep; it's still early," there was a tenderness in his voice, but I sensed something hidden beneath it, something he wasn't telling me.

I couldn't shake off the feeling that he was concealing something. His eyes, though calm, held a trace of urgency. "By the way, I have to go. I need to take care of something." He added, standing from his seat on the edge of the bed. He leaned down once more, placing another soft kiss on my forehead. "Be safe, wife," he said, his tone laced with a finality that made my heart clench slightly, before he turned and exited the room, moving with a purpose that left no room for questions.

The moment he closed the door behind him, a wave of unease washed over me, amplifying my curiosity and concern. I slid out of bed and made my way toward the window, hoping for some clarity on what was happening outside. But as I peered out, my heart sank at the sight that greeted me.

Below, the palace grounds were in utter turmoil. My breath caught as I took in the scene-knights, fully armed and struggling against cloaked figures who appeared to be intruders, were engaged in a brutal fight along the grand pathway. The clash of metal echoed faintly through the glass, adding to the intensity of the scene. Several knights were attempting to hold the intruders back, but it was evident they were being overwhelmed. The palace gates lay in ruins, broken and defenseless.

My body froze, paralyzed by the chaotic sight unfolding before me. Maidservants lay scattered across the ground, unmoving. The hollow stillness of their bodies told me everything-they were gone. A shiver crept down my spine, and a sense of helpless rage began to build in my chest.

My breathing grew heavy, and I clenched my fists, seething with anger. They dared to launch a direct attack on the palace? The audacity! My mind flashed to the citizens outside. Were they safe? Or was this assault on the palace a sign of even greater danger beyond its walls?

Desperate to find answers, I spun away from the window and rushed to the door, intent on stepping out and seeing the situation for myself. I reached for the handle and attempted to turn it, but the door refused to budge. My brow furrowed, and I tried again, this time pushing against it with all my might. Nothing. My heart raced as realization dawned on me-Isaac had locked me in! Damn it!

Why would he feel the need to trap me in here? I wasn't helpless; I could protect myself, and I could help. Yet, I recalled his words from last night, when he had firmly asked me to stay inside. But I hadn't thought he'd go to such lengths as to lock me in.

I felt frustration swell within me. I kicked the door in anger, and a loud thud reverberated through the room, echoing against the walls. Taking a deep breath, I forced myself to calm down. This wasn't helping. I needed a way out, and panicking wouldn't get me there.

I scanned the room, my gaze falling on the balcony. Of course. Determined, I rushed to my bed and knelt down, retrieving the sword I had kept hidden beneath it. The weight of it in my hands brought me a strange sense of comfort and readiness.

Standing, I hurried out to the balcony, gripping the sword tightly. As I looked over the edge, my heart pounded at the daunting height below. Damn, it was high. A brief shiver of fear ran through me, but I forced myself to shake it off. This was no time to give in to fear.

Taking a steadying breath, I closed my eyes for a moment, finding resolve within. As I opened them, I felt a new wave of determination surge through me. This is my home, and no matter what it took, I would defend it.

I climbed onto the railing, my entire body trembling. Goodness! I hated heights-my stomach twisted, and my heart pounded so hard it felt like it would leap from my chest.

I took a deep, steadying breath and exhaled slowly, forcing myself to gather every ounce of courage I had left. After a moment, I inhaled deeply once more and then, with a silent prayer, leaped from the balcony. It felt like my soul stayed behind as my body plummeted. The ground seemed to rush up to meet me, and a flash of panic struck as I realized how fast I was falling. My eyes widened, and in sheer terror, I squeezed them shut, bracing myself for impact.

A groan escaped my lips as I landed on something hard, but not as solid as the ground. Startled, I heard another low grunt beneath me, and I winced, opening my eyes slowly. My husband's face greeted me, mere inches away. His expression was stern, jaw clenched tightly in a mix of annoyance and exasperation. My eyes widened in shock.

"What are you doing, wife?" he asked, his voice low and thunderous, sending a shiver down my spine. There was a hint of restrained anger in his tone, enough to make my pulse quicken. I swallowed hard, attempting to push myself up, but his grip tightened around me, holding me in place.

I exhaled slowly, remembering why I'd jumped in the first place. Right-I was supposed to be the angry one here! I shifted my posture and lifted a brow at him, doing my best to match his intensity. "Why did you lock me in there?" I demanded, my voice firm and unyielding.

His brows drew together, clearly unimpressed by my question. "Because I knew you'd be stubborn enough to try something reckless," he replied, his tone matter-of-fact.

My mouth fell open at his audacity. Unable to contain my frustration, I reached up and pinched his ear, twisting it just enough to make him wince. His eyes went wide, clearly taken aback by my bold move. "Wife!" he protested, attempting to pull away, but I only tightened my grip, not letting him off so easily. A small, satisfying smirk tugged at my lips as I watched him grimace.

I stood, forcing him to rise with me as I still held onto his ear, pulling him up and making him stumble forward to keep his balance. Finally, once we were both on our feet, I released him, giving him a pointed glare.

"That's what you get for being paranoid," I taunted, turning on my feet to walk away, leaving him rubbing his ear with an incredulous look on his face.

Mabigat ang mga hakbang ko hanggang sa bumilis. My gaze stayed steady on the fierce fighting ahead. Without hesitation, I ran forward and drew my sword from its scabbard, feeling the familiar weight as my grip tightened around the hilt.

"Wife!" I heard Isaac's voice call out, but I ignored him, determined to push forward. As I reached the chaos, I twisted my body, swinging my leg in a powerful kick to the nearest enemy. He staggered back, crashing to the ground, and I didn't waste a moment before plunging my blade into his chest. Blood splattered, and his body went limp.

I yanked my sword free, its blade glistening in the morning light, and turned to face another opponent. He charged at me with wild fury, but I met his assault head-on. With a firm grip on my sheath, I slammed it against his neck, watching him collapse under the impact. Another blade suddenly slashed toward me, but I managed to parry it just in time. Our swords clanged, echoing in the air, and I used my sheath to strike his side, causing him to lose his balance. With swift precision, I spun, slicing my sword across his neck. He fell lifelessly to the ground, and I didn't hesitate, moving on to the next threat.

One by one, I cut down each enemy with ruthless efficiency. The air was thick with the sounds of battle-shouts, clashing steel, the groans of the fallen. My sword became an extension of myself, shining as it sliced through the air, leaving a trail of blood and dust.

Suddenly, a brutal kick landed against my back, sending me sprawling onto the cold stone pathway. Pain shot through me, but I quickly rolled onto my back, raising my sword just in time to block an enemy's blade. Our swords locked, and I clenched my jaw, feeling the weight of his strength as he pushed down, the edge of his blade inching closer to my chest. I looked up at his face, seeing the sheer determination to end my life in his eyes.

My grip tightened. Damn, I had to get out of this!

The pressure mounted as his blade edged closer. He was huge-far larger than me, and even larger than Isaac. I tried kicking his midsection, hoping to create distance, but my eyes widened in horror when he didn't even flinch. He's not human, I thought, panic gripping me.

Just as the blade was a hair's breadth away from my chest, a sudden glint of metal flashed, and a sword pierced through my attacker's back. Blood sprayed across my face as he let out a strangled gasp, his body stiffening. I looked up, wide-eyed, as Isaac pulled his sword from the man's body, causing him to fall backward. I didn't waste a second; I kicked the corpse aside, scrambling to my feet.

Isaac stood over me, reaching down to help me up. "You're persistent as always," he remarked, a hint of exasperation in his voice. Instead of thanking him, I rolled my eyes.

Once I was steady, Isaac turned to face the enemies closing in on us. I attacked those approaching from behind, our movements synchronized without needing words. "Where is the Duke?" I called out, my voice loud over the clash of steel.

"He's in the capital," Isaac replied, deflecting a blade aimed at me. Relief washed over me-at least he was protecting the citizens where he was needed most.

The battle unfolded like a dark symphony, each clash of steel and cry of pain blending into a chaotic rhythm. Isaac and I moved in tandem, cutting down our enemies with ruthless efficiency, our blades flashing as we parried, slashed, and struck. The weight of my sword felt almost natural now, each swing blending into the next as adrenaline coursed through my veins. Gayunman, amdam ko ang pagod, pawis ngunit hindi ako nagpatinag.

Ahead, three enemies broke through the line and charged straight at us. Isaac stepped forward to meet the first, blocking a high swing before slashing his opponent's arm in a powerful arc. Blood splattered onto the ground as the man staggered, his weapon slipping from his hand. Isaac dispatched him quickly, turning just in time to block another strike coming from his right.

At the same moment, one of the enemies lunged toward me, his spear aimed at my heart. I sidestepped and twisted, letting his momentum carry him past me. As he stumbled, I spun around and drove my blade into his back, pulling it out swiftly as he crumpled to the ground. My eyes darted toward Isaac, who was locked in a vicious struggle with a particularly skilled opponent, the two of them exchanging blows with rapid precision.

I rushed forward, blocking another enemy who aimed for Isaac's unguarded side. The man swung his sword wildly, his eyes blazing with anger. I ducked under his attack and retaliated, delivering a swift, calculated slice across his thigh. He dropped to one knee, and I followed up with a strike to his shoulder, causing him to scream in pain before falling silent.

As I straightened, I spotted another group of enemies advancing from the gate, ngunit hindi ito ganoon karami. I clenched my jaw, gripping my sword tightly as I prepared for another wave.

"Together," Isaac murmured, his voice a steady anchor amidst the chaos. We both turned, facing the incoming onslaught side by side. I met his gaze for a split second, reading the determination in his eyes. This was no longer just a battle-it was a test of survival.

The emenies came at us in pairs, their weapons flashing in the dimming sunlight. Isaac was a whirlwind of lethal grace, his blade moving with deadly precision. He cut through one soldier's defenses and kicked him back, slashing his sword across another's neck without missing a beat. I mirrored his intensity, deflecting attacks with swift parries and counterattacks.

A enemy with a massive axe charged toward me, his eyes narrowed with a deadly focus. I sidestepped his initial swing, feeling the rush of air as the heavy blade barely missed me. Using the momentum of my movement, I brought my sword down in a quick, shallow slice across his leg, destabilizing him. He roared in pain, staggering, and I seized the opportunity, delivering a finishing blow to his chest.

Isaac, meanwhile, had taken on two opponents simultaneously. One wielded a long spear, the other a short sword. He dodged the spear thrusts with quick, precise movements, parrying the swordsman's strikes without faltering. In a swift maneuver, he sidestepped the spear and twisted, driving his blade into the spearman's side. Blood poured from the wound as the man fell, and Isaac dispatched the swordsman with a calculated strike to his throat.

Panting, I took a brief glance around. The bodies of our fallen enemies littered the ground, staining the earth with dark red pools. My own body was sore, each muscle aching under the strain, but there was no time to rest.

A sudden, powerful war cry tore through the battlefield, and I whipped around to see a towering enemy, larger than any we'd faced so far, barreling toward us. His eyes glinted with a savage fury, and he wielded a massive war hammer that looked as though it could shatter stone. Isaac's stance shifted, his expression darkening as he squared up to face this new threat.

I moved to Isaac's side, but he held out a hand, his gaze fierce. "Stay back," he commanded, his voice low, "this one's mine."

I opened my mouth to protest, but his determination silenced me. Isaac took a step forward, his grip tightening on his sword as the man swung his war hammer in a brutal arc. Isaac dodged, rolling to the side just as the hammer smashed into the ground with a deafening thud, leaving a crater where he had been standing.

Isaac's agility was remarkable; he danced around the giant, dodging the hammer's devastating swings. In a swift movement, he darted forward, slashing his sword across the man's arm. The giant let out a furious bellow, swinging his hammer blindly, but Isaac was already out of reach.

With a fierce battle cry, Isaac closed in, his sword slicing in a precise, ruthless pattern. He struck at the giant's knees, forcing him down before driving his sword through the man's chest in a brutal finishing move. The giant fell, his body hitting the ground with a resounding crash, and Isaac straightened, breathing heavily. Damn, that's my husband.

Finally, after what felt like hours, the tide of enemies began to dwindle. I exhaled heavily, swallowing against the dryness in my throat. I wiped my brow, glancing around at the aftermath. Corpses lay strewn across the ground, blood staining the stone pathway. My white long nightdress were soaked with sweat and blood, bearing slashes and tears.

Just then, I felt a hand settle on my waist. "Are you alright, wife?" Isaac's voice was steady but laced with concern. I managed a tired smile, looking up to meet his serious gaze.

He gently wiped the blood from my face with his hand, leaning close as he whisperedm. "You've done enough. Rest now, wife."

I shook my head, my eyes hardening. "I'll rest when the Duke returns, and know
if our people safe," I replied, my voice firm and resolute.

Isaac sighed, but nodded. "As you wish, wife."

We stood at the open gate, waiting and catching our breath as the surviving knights found places to rest around us.

I straightened when I saw a group of knights entering through the gate, though their numbers were few. Among them, in the center, was the Duke. His expression was serious, bearing the strain of battle, but he was unharmed.

As they approached us, the Duke and his men bowed respectfully. Sebastian looked up, meeting my gaze, and I felt a wave of relief knowing he was safe. Then he turned to Isaac. "Your Majesty, we managed to drive back the attackers in the capital, though their numbers weren't overwhelming... " he began, his voice grave. "But according to one scout, a larger force is waiting in the nearby fields."

My posture tensed at the implication of his words.

"Furthermore," he continued, "from what we observed, some of our own people are among the enemy ranks," his voice was grim, yet certain.

The shock of his statement was like a blow to the chest. Betrayal. They had chosen to side with the invaders. Rage simmered within me-these traitors had turned their backs on the Empire, siding with those who would see us fall.

"My men are stationed in the capital to safeguard the citizens... Your Majesty, what are your orders?" Sebastian asked, his tone respectful but laced with urgency.

Isaac didn't answer right away. "Gather all the knights," he said, his voice colder and more authoritative than I'd ever heard. "Evacuate the remaining residents to safety... the war will begin."

I felt a chill run through me as Isaac spoke, his words leaving no room for doubt. The real battle had just begun, and chaos would soon unfold across the land.

A/N: Happy Halloween!👻
walang ud kahapon, nasa trick-or-treat kami ng baby koHAHA