Conflict

Adelais was watching her steps, being careful not to trip over roots and whatever else there would be on the forest floor. “I just hope dealing with the beast won’t be hard.”

“I’m sure it’ll go smoothly!” Luke resplied, walking not far behind her.

“You can always turn back and leave it to us, princess.” Jeremy said bitterly at the head of the group, distanced from them.

Adelais rolled her eyes. She won’t even grace him with a reply. Well, if they do find the rumored beast that’s been hanging out near the village and things turn sour, which is the whole reason they’re out there in the first place, she can very well take care of herself. She brought her books with her, and so she’s far from being helpless. Besides, Luke is a skilled knight and as much of a jerk he is, Jeremy is capable as well. Yes, she’s safe with them...

“Aw c’mon Jeremy, no need to act that way.” He furrowed his brow, contrasting the smile on his face.

He simply huffed and continued walking angrily. She didn’t know what his problem was, but she’s learned to ignore him.

Luke looked around and talked in a happy tone, “Personally, I’m enjoying this! Forests are so peaceful, and look at this weather!”

Adelais smiled at his good mood, “I guess that’s true. I don’t really feel at peace knowing something could happen at any given moment, but there’s a certain charm to the forest.” She closed her eyes and enjoyed the fresh air and the sounds of the forest.

“Ah!” She snapped her eyes open when she suddenly tripped on a root. She awkwardly stumbled forward, trying to regain her balance.

Luke rushed to her and held her arm to help. “Are you alright? Better watch your footing.” He chuckled.

She grinned, “Oh, but I don’t need to when my knight in shining armor is there to save me~”

Luke made a choked sound, averting his eyes and smiling. Was that a blush on his cheeks?

They both heard Jeremy loudly groan ahead of them. He had stopped walking, like them, and was scowling at the two. “Fucking classic. I honestly don’t see why you have to be here when all you do is hold us back.”

Adelais was just about fed up with him, but she bit her words back, frowning back at him.

Luke furrowed his brows softly. “It’s fine Jeremy. You know Kitty is very capable.”

“Do I? The way I see it, she should just run back to her castle and avoid to dirty her pretty little royal hands.” He walked to them and faced her.

That was it. “What the hell is wrong with you?”

He laughed bitterly, “Me? And how about you, princess? You think you’re flawless?”

“Buddies let’s not-”

“no. I’m tired of just letting his rude ass attitude slide!” She angrily said, her glare deepening.

“So you think you can control people’s behaviors, huh?” Jeremy said, his anger also rising.

“And what, you think you’re entitled to having people be just the way you want them? Or you dunk on them? Don’t even try to spin this on me-”

“You’re the one who’s entitled! Why should we have to bring you along, miss is bored so she has to come with us?! All of this government fucking thinks they’re so good, when you really fucking suck!”

She was taken aback for a second. Luke stepped in and spoke gently again, “Buddies this isn’t necessary. Let’s not do this, plea-”

Adelais voice’s raised in tone and volume, “OH, so this is what this is about? You judge me just because-” She scoffed angrily. “Because what. You think my family doesn’t do this right? You’d rather everything be thrown into chaos?!”

“It certainly would be better than the shitty job you’re all doing!”

She chuckled in disbelief, “You have absolutely no fucking idea what it’s like to run a country!”

“Oh, because you do? Tell me more about how great a ruler you are!”

She flinched. This really fucking stung. He’s right, she’s useless. They don’t need her on this mission, they don’t need her ever, the palace doesn’t need her. She’s useless she’s horrible she’s selfish she’s- Her eyes were starting to water.

Luke came between them, and spoke in a soft voice. “Please. I don’t want y’all to fight.”

“Thank you for your constructive criticism.” Adelais said in a soft voice. She straightened her back and fixed her posture, as a princess should. ”Thank you for hating me for such a superficial reason. I wanted to be your friend, but I am now realizing how impossible that is, thank you for opening my eyes. I shall bother you two for no longer.” Her voice was as flat as possible, though her eyes were still threatening to tear up. She made a slight bow, and turned on her heels, walking away.

Luke followed quickly. “Ah, no! please! Kitty!” She quickened her pace. “Princess!”

“Just fucking let her go back, Luke. She doesn’t belong here.”

She started running and closed her eyes, feeling tears go down her cheek, choking her sobs. Should she even return to the palace? What good is she, really?

Luke was still calling her behind her, she tuned it out. She just wanted to be alone-

She heard something to her left, not Luke. She opened her eyes and turned her head just fast enough to see a black mass jumping at her.

Her scream was interrupted by her hitting the ground. The beast was on her, its claws digging in her arms. She groaned in pain.

“Adelais!” Luke rammed into the best and made it roll to the side. He pulled her to her feet and looked at her. “Everything alright?”

She stood, eyes wide and staring. She stuttered.

Jeremy slided in in front of the beast, arm transformed into a sword. The beast was back on its paws and about to pounce on him. He scoffed. “Do this later. Get her somewhere safe, Luke.”

“Alrighty!” He looked at Kitty. “Can you run?”

Her legs were hurting because of the wounds the beast gave her, but she nodded.

They started running away from Jeremy and the beast. They were completely out of sight when they heard Jeremy cry out in pain.

“Jeremy!” Luke went away from her side towards the sound. He turned back to her when he remembered she was there, and quickly said “It’ll be fine! Stay!”

And so she stood there, looking at Luke disappear through the trees. She could hear fighting noises far away.

She was shaking. Her eyes were wide and she couldn’t move. Her breathing was shallow.

Do something. Do anything. She tried to stop shaking.

She balled her hands into fists. She can help. She will help. She won’t be useless!

She took off towards the others, running as fast as she could. When she arrived, she saw Jeremy leaning on a tree, wounded, and Luke fighting the beast. His eyes met hers and he was momentarily stunned, letting the beast land a hit, tossing him to the side.

Adelais took a book from her bag, and without thinking further casted magic claws on herself. The beast had sharp claws, but so did she, now.

She swung her magically clawed hands at the beast, which dodged. But with its attention on her now, Luke could easily hit it from behind.

The beast cried in pain, it didn’t know on who to focus. Its confused state was good for them. Very good.

She hit it, then he hit it, and then she hut it again. The beast clawed at Luke, but he dodged easily, and when kitty scraped it again, it turned to attack her. The beast was in a frenzy, and the fast pace only made it crazier.

They continued like this for a bit until the beast had visibly little energy and life in it. Luke approached it one last time and, with a somewhat sympathetic expression, thrust his sword in its chest. He took it out, and the beast fell to the floor.

Adelais panted, and so did Luke. They breathed for a bit when a thought hit them. “Jeremy!” Luke cried and ran to Jeremy, who was leaning on a tree and panting hard. He had his hand on a bleeding wound. Kitty winced at the sight of it.

Luke put Jeremy’s arm over his shoulder. He looked worried and nervous. “It’s gonna be alright, buddy. It’s going to be fine...”

He looked at her, “Could you help me carry him back to the palace please?” It wasn’t really a question, but she quickly nodded and ran to Jeremy’s other side, taking his arm over her shoulder.

She felt a little uneasy, having someone who hate her be so close to her. He’d probably be uncomfortable she allowed herself to get touchy with him, even if it was an emergency... Nevertheless, it was indeed an emergency, and so she did and they started walking back to the palace like this.

—————

A day later and she still felt guilty. She shouldn’t have gone with them... How could she think she could be useful to them?

Jeremy had been brought to the palace’s infirmary and been bandaged up. His wounds ranged from mild to serious, with many gashes and a big stab. Luke had been staying to his side in the meantime, and he’d been giving her recaps.

Jeremy had regained consciousness some hours after getting to the infirmary, and while he wasn’t in top shape, he’d been getting better every few hours as she’d heard.

She figured she should visit him and apologize... And so here she was, in the infirmary, seeing Jeremy at the other end of the room. Luke wasn’t in sight, probably had been gone hunting for snacks or talking about next jobs.

She breathed in, then out. She steeled her resolve and walked to his bed.

He had been lost in his thoughts apparently, because he didn’t seem to see her until she was next to him.

She averted her eyes when they met with his, then looked back into them again. “Hi...”

“Hey...”

The next seconds were filled in silence, neither of them seeming to be about to continue the conversation.

“So...” She started.

“I’m sorry.” He said flatly, choosing to look away and gaze down.

She was frozen. She couldn’t have heard this right. What...?

He sighed. “You were right, I wasn’t being fair to you.” He grumbled. “We wouldn’t have attracted the beast’s attention if I hadn’t picked a fight with you, it was my fault.” He said bitterly.

His fault? What? What was happening? She could only stare wide eyed in disbelief.

“I’m... Lucky you were there to help fight the beast and carry me back. I’m sorry.”

She didn’t know how to feel. Sad he blames himself? Angry with his actions? Happy he was apologizing to her? “I... Thanks... I’m... I’m sorry too.” She smiled sadly at his wounds.

He glanced at her and frowned. “Yeah well don’t you fucking get weird ideas, I still don’t think you were right. Though you... Can come with us on missions. Luke seems to like you.” He said bitterly.

She thought she might have heard a for some reason grumbled at the end but she didn’t pay attention to it, she could just hear that he accepted her help in the missions. She smiled brightly. “Ah! thank you!” She didn’t know what to say, she just wanted to do a happy dance. Maybe they could be friends after all!

“Don’t push your luck.” He said, glaring at her when she would just stand there happily.

She seemed to get her senses back, “Ah! Oh, yes! I won’t bother you further!” She turned to leave, then turned back again a few moments later. “Um, I wish you a good recovery!” She then promptly exited the room, skipping.

He scoffed, closed his eyes and leant back on the bed, thinking of the last days’ events.