Alaric’s men took their positions as bows were raised in unison and arrows were released in heavy volleys, cutting through the storm as they advanced on horseback and striking down Vaelor soldiers before they could properly close distance, while Vaelor answered with their own arrows tearing back through the air in retaliation.

Alaric did not slow his charge as he deflected incoming attacks with sharp, controlled movements of his sword and his men followed his lead, weaving through the storm of arrows with trained precision.

At the front lines, the commander ordered the sling weapons forward and the massive stones were hauled into position with strain and effort before being launched across the battlefield, crashing down into Vaelor ranks with crushing force and scattering bodies beneath the impact as more projectiles followed without pause. 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

Steel soon met steel as both armies collided fully, swords clashing in violent rhythm while hooves trampled the ground and bodies fell from horses, the battlefield quickly turning into chaos of mud, blood, and breaking formations.

Alaric moved like a force through the centre of it all, his expression cold and focused as he struck down multiple enemies at once and pushed deeper into the enemy lines with the intent of reaching the king of Vaelor.

Only that the man remained behind his troops while others fought in his place, using them as a shield as they deliberately surrounded Alaric in an attempt to overwhelm him.

The general stayed close, intercepting strikes meant for the king and breaking through one opponent after another until he finally disarmed one soldier and drove his blade through his chest.

But even as a brief relief crossed his face at seeing Alaric still standing and fighting alone with relentless control, another enemy rushed him and forced him back into combat without pause.

Vaelor then shifted tactics, igniting arrows with fire and launching them across the sky in burning arcs that struck Eryndor’s forces and set sections of the battlefield alight.

But the storm turned against them as rain began to fall heavily, drowning the flames and stripping Vaelor of their advantage while giving Eryndor clearer movement through the chaos.

Rain mixed with sweat and blood as exhaustion built on both sides, yet neither army yielded as they continued to fight through the worsening storm, the sounds of impact, screams, and collapsing bodies filling the air while horses trampled through fallen men and the ground turned slick beneath them.

Vaelor had come with overwhelming numbers, yet Eryndor’s forces fought with brutality, striking through enemies steadily as dawn began to break faintly on the horizon, casting a cold light over a battlefield now filled with ruin, the air thick with the smell of wet earth and iron.

It was clear by then that Alaric had gained the upper hand, just as he had intended, and Vaelor’s confidence began to collapse as their ranks thinned under sustained pressure.

The king of Vaelor saw the war advisor approach to urge him to retreat while the battle was still salvageable. "We’re losing your majesty. It will only be right to retreat,"

"No, I will see that the tyrant is taken down himself," he said stubbornly, even though he had not lifted a hand to fight and had remained behind his men.

"Your majesty," The advisor warned again, "we can always prepare and come back with greater force,"

However, as Alaric killed the last of the forces closing in around him and even leapt from his horse briefly to strike down incoming threats before mounting again and charging for the king... "Retreat," the king said.

"Tell them all to retreat," he ordered, and the war advisor quickly relayed the command.

Vaelor forces began to pull back under escort, regrouping tightly around their king as they withdrew from the battlefield while Eryndor pressed forward but could not break through the defensive formation protecting his escape.

As Vaelor retreated into the thinning stormlight, Alaric’s voice carried back with bitter resistance, "This isn’t over yet" He said watching them disappear into the distance, his grip still firm on his weapon as the general approached.

"Your majesty, we won today," the general said.

Yet even in victory, Alaric did not relax, because he knew this was only one round of a longer war, and enemies like Vaelor did not stay defeated for long.

****

That morning, Rosalind had woken with the lingering memory of the night before still wrapped around her body. Every movement reminded her of it, especially the dull ache between her thighs that made heat rise into her cheeks whenever she thought about it.

Her gaze drifted across the room, but Rowan was nowhere to be found. It almost felt unreal, as though none of it had actually happened, but the warmth lingering in her body told her otherwise.

It was only when she climbed out of bed and gathered the sheets around herself that she noticed the stain beneath her. Her breath caught instantly. Rowan had noticed it earlier and wanted to handle it, but Rosalind had been too flustered and insisted she would take care of it herself.

She quickly pulled the sheets free, intending to wash them before anyone could see.

Unfortunately, that was the exact moment the maids entered the room.

"Good morning, my lady," Jae greeted politely with a bow, though the smile on her lips carried something unsettling beneath it. Unknown to Rosalind, she had been the one to tamper with the water the night before.

"Good morning," Rosalind answered, her voice slightly uneven as she tried to hide the sheets behind her and she was confused that they had come so early when they usually gave her more time to sleep.

"You don’t need to do that, my lady," Jae said as she stepped closer. "That’s what we’re here for."

"No, it’s alright," Rosalind protested quickly, tightening her grip on the sheets.

"But it’s my duty," Jae insisted smoothly. "His Majesty would punish me if I neglected my work." She carefully took hold of the sheets from Rosalind’s hands.

Rosalind’s heart leapt to her throat. She wanted to keep protesting but that would raise suspicions.

Jae’s eyes briefly flickered toward the stain before she spoke again without hesitation. "It’s only a period stain, my lady. There’s no reason to feel embarrassed."

Rosalind swallowed quietly.

Yes. A period stain. Nothing else.

Except she distinctly remembered having her monthly cycle earlier that month already. Still, it was the safest explanation available, so she forced herself to nod. A few of the maids exchanged subtle glances, clearly unconvinced, but none of them dared question her aloud.

Jae promised to wash the sheets herself while the others continued preparing Rosalind for the day.

The moment Rosalind left for the bath, the maid’s expression shifted into satisfaction. She carefully cut away the stained section of the fabric with the intention of disposing the rest. It was enough proof for Sabine, and more than enough to earn the payment she had been promised. Replacing the sheets afterward would be easy enough without drawing suspicion.

Once the maids were done attending to her, Rosalind stepped outside her room. This time, she wasn’t nervous about seeing Rowan. The uncertainty she once felt had disappeared now that she knew she had chosen him willingly.

The moment her eyes found him standing there, a small smile appeared on her lips, though sadness still lingered faintly behind it. "How was your night?" Rowan asked.

Rosalind answered. "It was fine."

"You’re not hurting too much, are you?" He asked again.

Her cheeks warmed slightly before she shook her head. "I’m alright... just a little sore."

Rowan studied her carefully, his eyes moving over her face as though trying to confirm it for himself. "Are you sure?"

"Since when do you worry this much?" Rosalind narrowed her eyes at him.

Rowan looked at her for a moment before answering quietly, "Since it concerns you."

A small smile slowly tugged at her lips. "Look at you finally saying how you feel for once."

The sound of a door opening echoed through the corridor. Their attention shifted immediately toward the source, only to find Sabine stepping out. Her eyes moved between them slowly, suspicion already settling across her face as she studied the distance between them.

Rosalind straightened almost instantly. "I’ll go have breakfast now," she said loudly enough for Sabine to hear.

Rowan nodded once in understanding. "Alright."

The two of them walked off while Sabine remained standing there, watching them pass with narrowed eyes.

The sight alone was enough to irritate her.

Last night, she had been desperate to confirm for herself whether the two of them had truly crossed the line together. Rowan had disappeared into Rosalind’s room for so long for it to mean nothing. A footman assisting his mistress was normal, but not for that amount of time, especially in the middle of the night. Something had happened in that room. Sabine was certain of it.

She had even gone as far as pressing her ear against Rosalind’s door, hoping to catch any sound that would confirm her suspicions. Unfortunately, the storm had ruined everything.

The heavy rain battered endlessly against the palace walls while thunder shook the entire place so violently that it drowned out every other sound. Sabine still remembered clenching her teeth in frustration as another crash of lightning rang through the sky.

Worse still, the storm had frightened her enough that she eventually abandoned the idea altogether and returned to her chambers before dawn.

Now, all she could do was wait for Jae’s report and hope the maid had succeeded where she could not.