The Marked Phoenix: Little Red Bird - Chapter 5

Kalesin wanted to respond, but his watch vibrated and a message from his squadron came through. Emerine watched as he pressed the screen and a tiny hologram appeared from his hand. She always found it intriguing that the palace was decorated in a historical manner, whereas the rest of the three kingdoms were up with the times. It was very difficult to maintain this palace, all because the King wanted to preserve the memories of the past.

“Commander, we need your presence at the welcoming ceremony of the aristocrats. The army is at stand-by and ready for—” Kalesin closed the message and turned to the Princess with an apologetic smile.

“Why did you turn it off?”

“Didn’t you say you were bored by military talks?” he replied, raising a questioning brow to which she softly laughed and nodded her head.

“You remembered.”

He gently patted the top of her head, almost nostalgic. “Of course, I do, your highness. I’ve always remembered your dislikes.”

Fondness flashed in his eyes while he brushed away the strands of gold from her eyes. Her hair, ever so dazzlingly, reminded him of the world that separated them. He could see his reflection through the window. His dark, copper hair that framed a set of thick eyebrows stared back at him. He thought back to the comment the Princess made about his brood, crooked nose that should’ve diminished his appearance, but only enhanced it.

“Hurry along, I wouldn’t want your comrades to badmouth their late Commander.” Emerine tilted her head at his action. She found it odd that he didn’t hesitate to pet her today when he used to be so cautious of her. Perhaps it was because twelve years of soldier training had done him justice and he was no longer a mere-orphan boy trailing after the Princess.

He was Commander Kalesin of the Seventh Squadron, defender of the West, and protector of Crown Princess Emerine Elaine Kastrel. Such an outstanding title was enough to break any boundaries between them.

Kalesin blinked at her words before slowly nodding his head. He looked as if he wanted to say something further, but a part of him couldn’t do so.

Regret clouded his vision before his hand twitched. He glanced behind her and out the window where he could see the shining and pristine capital. It was so beautiful, grand, and majestic, that one would never think of the suffering commoners living underground. He had first-hand experience of how unhygienic, depressing, and disgusting the place was. Human waste littered the underground streets and with no proper air ventilation, everyone below suffered from illness and disease.

Kalesin grounded his teeth with a clenched jaw. King Augustus was always praised for being the first Kingdom to abolish slavery and lessen tax on commoners while placing more tax on the rich, yet, no one knew the truth. Actions spoke louder than words. King Augustus’s words were simply air, nothing more.

“Kalesin! You’re spacing out again. Seriously, what has gotten into you?” Emerine worriedly said, shaking his arm. If this had been the Kalesin of twelve years ago, he would’ve jumped back in fear of dirtying her fingers.

Kalesin stiffened at her touch, his heart erupting from the tiny action. He tenderly placed a hand over the one that rested on his arm. In a low and quiet voice, he muttered, “Sometimes, I wish we can remain this way. I wish you can remain a carefree Princess, and I, a simple guard worried for your wellbeing.”

His words struck a chord through her. “What are you talking about? We can remain like this for a while. You’re behaving so weirdly today.” she responded with a laugh, shaking her head. When his smile became strained, she stopped laughing.

“Are you worried that everything will be different now that I’m finally eighteen?” she asked him. He squeezed her hand in response. “I’ve said it before Kalesin, you shouldn’t worry about my future so much. I don’t want to burden you like this—”

“You don’t understand, Princess…” Kalesin trailed off, his eyes filled with contempt. But not for her. Never for her.

Emerine’s face softened and her creased brows relaxed. Gently, she grabbed his hand, the one that tightly clenched the hilt of his sword. Holding his hand with both of hers, she gave it a soft squeeze. “What are you talking about?”

“You deserve better than this,” he said to no one in particular. “Eighteen years. He watched you grow for eighteen years and now he’s going to throw it all away!”

“Kalesin, what are you talking about—”

“Do you know how you will become the Queen?”

Emerine blinked at his question before slowing nodding her head. “Of course. I am to marry a duke and—”

“No. You don’t understand Princess. You don’t understand it at all.” He whispered, shaking his head.

“Kalesin, I’m confused—”

“Pardon me just this once. Please.” he suddenly pleaded.

She nodded her head, thinking he was referring to the fact that he kept on interrupting her. “You didn’t even have to ask—” Emerine couldn’t finish her next sentence before she found herself engulfed in his arms.

Her entire body stiffened at the unexpected contact before relaxing. She wondered what was happening to her best friend’s sanity. After becoming the Commander, he began changing, but she didn’t know if it was for the better or the worst. The impending war was the biggest influence on his developing emotions, but Emerine knew she could do nothing to shield him from that.

“It’s going to be okay, Kalesin. Trust me. Everything will be fine. Please don’t worry so much.” Emerine whispered, her body relaxing in his embrace. She thought she was comforting him, but her words did nothing to his trembling heart. “I’ll be fine as long as I have you Kalesin.”

“But I can’t have you.” He gently whispered before releasing her without warning.

“What are you—”

Kalesin’s watch vibrated yet again. “It’s time for me to leave.” His face hardened and gone was the boy she picked up from the street. Gone was the boy who comforted her when she was upset. In its stead was a man with a duty to protect his nation and its people. And he was going to begin with the man who disrupted the voiceless.

Not wanting to see her hurt face at his abrupt departure, Kalesin turned his back and headed towards the door. He thought he was strong enough to resist her, to resist the temptations that drew him to her, but he could not.

“Kalesin, wait.” The second the Princess spoke up, he stopped and waited for her to continue.

“Wait for me tonight.”

“I beg your pardon?” His voice was cold and unfamiliar. The shift of emotions confused Emerine who nearly forgot what she was going to say.

“Wait for me after the birthday banquet. There’s something I want to tell you—”

“It will be improper of me to converse with the Princess so late at night.” He interjected, once turning around to reveal his face.

Emerine’s hopeful face fell at his words, but she wasn’t discouraged by it. She pressed a hand to her chest where her heart drummed against its ribcage. “Tomorrow morning.” She firmly said, leaving no room for rejection.

Kalesin’s hand twitched at her words. Tomorrow morning. Two simple words. That was all that it was, but it mocked him. Those two words echoed in his head, mocking him because he knew he would never see her again after tonight’s banquet.

“Tomorrow morning it is,” he confirmed. Without another glance back, he strolled out the doors and down the hall. Every single guard that he passed bowed and did not raise until their leader was out of sight.