•Kenna's point of view•

I gently touched his forehead, he was really warm and his skin was still pale almost like a dead person. I was so confused why he would kiss me just like that but I was glad he woke up.. even if it was for couple of seconds.

Everyone eventually came in the room to check up on me, I told them he woke up for few seconds clearly not mentioning he kissed me out of blue.

"He just spoke to me for couple of seconds before drifting to sleep again."

"Does that mean anything?" Condè asked the doctor.

"Yes of course My Lord, I will make sure to visit him more. No need to worry."
The king sighed of relief when he heard that and smirked happily.

Ugh I wish I could wipe that smile off his face. If only he had listen to me that day...

I got up and walked to Catia and Lysa who were talking to Lady Olenna,

"Do you know where Francis is? He should be here I remember arriving here together." I asked Olenna and her smile disappeared.

"He's packing his stuff.. apparently he has decided to go to battlefield with his Father and brothers."

"What?! No! That's impossible he said that he's not going!"

Olenna sighed, "It's true. No matter how much I tried talking to him he wouldn't listen to me.."

I couldn't believe it. Something must have happened, Why would he change his mind like that? I needed to talk to him.

"Right, I need to see him. I will talk to you later." I left the room and walked towards Francis's room.

On the way there I saw Condè looking outside from a window in the hallways, his wolves were by his side. I called his name and he looked at me.

"Are you alright? I had to call you couple of times till you noticed me."

"My apologies, there is just so much going on and.." he looked down to snow and lope.

"Are..are you taking them to the battlefield with you?"

"Yes. They are always with me." He paused for a little bit before Facing me again. "May I ask you for a favour?"

"Yes of course, you're worrying me seriously what's wrong?"

"I might.. not come back from the battle." He noticed I was going to stop him from saying that but he cut me off, " it's a battlefield Kenna. Anything can happen. Would please take care of my horses? It would mean a lot to me.."

"Yes.. don't worry I will take care of them. And please don't say that. You have to come back. Or I will kill you myself!"
We both laughed at the same time, to be honest I'm going to miss them a lot.

I said goodbye to Condè and walked to Francis's room, I knocked on the door and went in.
He was sharpening his sword, and for some reason my heart sank in my chest when I saw that. No. Francis is not the violent type of person..
He looked up to me, stared at me for couple of seconds then continued with his work again.

"Francis.. what's going on?" He stayed quiet as I took few steps toward him. "So it's true, you're going with them?"

He sighed, "yes, I've decided to go with my family. I'm no longer young for battlefield."

"Oh my god! Yes you are young! Why would you want to put yourself in danger? Your brothers are g..."

"It's time I act brave. I need to be like my brother and my protect my kingdom." He was talking to me but he wasn't looking at me. It made me so mad.

"Wha..what changed your mind like that?"

He got up and finally looked at me in the eyes, "promise me... promise me you will be there to see me off tomorrow morning."

"Francis I nee.."

"Please.. promise me."

Feeling defeated completely I just nodded my head and forced a smile to him. I then quietly left his room.

He's leaving. Even though he said he's going to stay with me. Maybe I'm being selfish.. but he said he will always protect me..

I returned to my room, I looked out of the window. Guards were running around preparing for battle tomorrow. It made me sick to my stomach, most of these people have families and after battle tomorrow none of them might return.
Tears slowly rolled down my cheeks. I wish I could easily stop them from fighting like I wipe my own tears..

Lost in my own thoughts, I heard someone knock on my door.

"Lady Kenna? May I come in?" I heard Lysa's voice from the other side of door.
I told her to come in, she closed the door behind her.

"Oh I'm glad you're alone, I needed to talk to you."
I turned around and faced her, "is everything alright? Where is Catia, she's not with you."

"Yes everything is alright, Catia is assisting everyone for..tomorrow. I just needed to give you this." She handed me an envelope.

"Who gave you this?"

She looked down for couple of seconds then faced me again. "I'm sorry Lady Kenna I didn't recognise them, they just asked me to hand this to you."

Something told me she's lying but I didn't say anything. "Alright thank you."

"You look very tired My Lady.. oh I know! I will bring some tea!"

I smiled at her, "Only if you drink with me." She smiled back and nodded, she then left the room. I opened the envelope, there was a piece of paper in it with something written on it.

Do not be afraid my dear as you are not alone, do not worry when the time comes I will save you.
M-

I was so confused, who would send me this?

•Francis's point of view•

I put things away in my bag, I grabbed Severus's sword and took one last look at it before putting it away. I've lost a lot of people in my life.. but it hurts knowing my brother is no longer with us.

"You should put that away and get some rest, you will need it for tomorrow boy." I didn't notice Narcisse was in my room.

"I'm fine. You don't need to worry about me."

"I'm not, but you should be worried about Battlefield. It's not a child's play."

"I said I don't need you to be worried about me. I'm prepared for it." I put the sword away and returned to my seat.

"I am proud of you for deciding to come with us. But this is a war.. what or who exactly changed your mind?"

I knew if I said anything he will not believe me and eventually get the truth out of me so I laid on me bed and closed my eyes.

I heard him let out a sly laugh, "Have a nice sleep brother, you're going to need it." He then left the room. I ignored him in my head, he's an asshole.

I couldn't stop thinking about leaving tomorrow, what if we all die and never return? What will happen to my family here? To our kingdom's people?
The image of her and Sebastian kissing kept playing in my head.. but I need to tell her. I have to tell her before I go. With my mind made I tried to sleep but it was impossible.

Feeling like I've only slept for couple of minutes only I got up and packed my stuff and quickly went outside.

Everyone in the royal family was there but I was only looking for her. The royal girls came toward me and started talking to me.

"Oh My Lord we will miss you so much!"

"My Lord please come back to us safely, we will pray for you."

"My Lord I will always think about you, I know you will bring victory to our kingdom."

I started to think she wasn't coming when I saw her come outside followed by Catia, Lysa and Olenna.

"Excuse me ladies." I walked to my horse and pretended I didn't see her. I heard her footsteps behind me.

"Good morning, I hope you managed to get some sleep Francis."

I turned around and faced her. "Morning, not really but I hope you did. Thank you for coming."

"I promised you and I never break my promises, even though I hate goodbyes."

I looked at her in the eyes, and all I wanted to do was to kiss her. It's the last moment please just kiss her and tell her how you feel.

"Kenna.. if we never return.." she suddenly cut me off.

"Please don't say that! You will come back and I will see you again. The battle is in t..."

"Kenna listen to me." I touched her shoulders gently, "as soon as you heard that we have lost the battle, you will ask Catia and Lysa to take you to her. She will help you find a way then you will leave and go back to your home. Do you understand me?"

"What are you talking about? Who's her?"

"Don't worry about that. Do you understand me?" She nodded her head still confused.

We looked at each other in the eyes for couple of minutes when we heard a loud bang, It was time to go.

All of a sudden she hugged me tightly, I held her tightly back. I got on my horse and with one last glance we left hurriedly.

The sky begun to rumple and small drops of rain fell on my face, I didn't dare to look back at her.
We're going for a war and winter is here.

Hey everyone!
Oh my god I have been gone for too long! I'm so glad I am back and I can't wait to read everyone's stories, please show me support as well, means a lot❤️

By the way my new amazing cover is by the gorgeous amazewrites ! She is so talented you will love her work! Definitely check her out! ❤️❤️