The next morning arrived with a soft golden haze over the kingdom. The twelve elite soldiers, including Aria and Ruhan, had ridden through the night and reached the outer gates of the royal palace just as the sun began to climb. Their horses were tied neatly in formation near a row of luxurious royal carts decorated with silk curtains, gold embroidery, and plush seating.

They stood at attention in two clean lines, fully armed — swords at their sides, bows strapped to their backs, masks or helmets hiding their expressions. Aria stood tall and rigid, her wooden mask firmly in place, eyes calm and distant. The grand palace towers loomed behind them, stirring nothing inside her chest.

Ten years, she thought quietly as she stared at the familiar stone walls. I never thought I would return here.

For a brief moment, a small crack appeared in her emotional armor. Mira… She must still be here somewhere in the servants’ quarters. Even after all these years, she’s the only one who ever loved me. I should try to meet her. Just once. She would be so happy to see what I’ve become… I don’t know how, but maybe during the return journey I can slip away for a few minutes.

The thought brought the faintest warmth to her frozen heart — the only softness she still allowed herself.

Beside her, Ruhan was practically vibrating with excitement. He kept shifting his weight from one foot to the other, eyes wide as he gazed at the palace entrance.

“Gods… we’re really here,” he whispered to Aria, unable to stay quiet. “The royal palace. The princesses are going to come out any moment. My grandmother used to tell me stories when I was small — about fairies with skin like moonlight and laughter like music. I bet they look exactly like that. Beautiful seductresses who can make any man fall to his knees.”

He leaned a little closer, his voice dropping into a mischievous tone. “Just imagine… getting to guard them all day. If I’m lucky, maybe one of them will drop something and I’ll have to hand it back. Even a single touch of their soft hands… their skin must feel like warm silk. I wonder how it would feel to—”

Ruhan trailed off, his cheeks flushing as his mind wandered into dirtier fantasies. He pictured Princess Ema’s delicate fingers brushing against his, then imagined pulling her close, tasting those perfect lips, running his hands over the curves hidden beneath those royal gowns. He quickly shook his head, trying to focus, but the daydreams kept pulling him back.

Aria gave him a sideways glance but said nothing. His excitement felt distant to her, like noise from another world.

After nearly twenty minutes of waiting, movement came from the grand palace doors.

Three young women descended the marble steps, chatting and laughing loudly among themselves. Princess Ema led the way in a flowing sky-blue gown that shimmered with every step, her golden hair styled in elegant curls. Princess Isha followed in deep emerald silk, diamonds sparkling at her throat. Behind them walked Emily — the adopted daughter of Queen Lira — equally stunning in rose pink, with flawless fair skin and a graceful sway in her walk.

They didn’t spare even a single glance toward the soldiers standing at attention. To them, the guards were nothing more than background decorations — useful tools, not people.

“Oh, Isha, did you see how Prince Leo stared at me last night?” Ema said with a haughty laugh. “He couldn’t take his eyes off me. I’m definitely going to be the one he proposes to.”

Isha flipped her hair, smirking. “Dream on, sister. He was clearly more interested in my conversation. You were being too obvious. Desperate doesn’t suit a princess.”

Emily giggled, linking arms with both. “You two fight over him all you want. I have my eyes on the Duke of Ravenshire. Much richer… and more obedient.”

They continued laughing as they approached the carts, their voices sharp and full of arrogance.

One of the royal servants rushed forward to help them into the carts. Ema waved him away rudely. “Don’t touch me with your filthy hands. We can manage.”

They each entered their separate luxurious carts without once looking at the soldiers who were there to risk their lives for them. The silk curtains were drawn shut with a dismissive flick.

General Vark, who had accompanied the group, gave a sharp command. “Move out! Stay in formation. Eyes open for any threat.”

Aria mounted her horse smoothly, her body moving with practiced precision. She felt nothing as she watched the carts carrying her sisters roll forward. No anger. No jealousy. No longing. Just another task.

Protect the targets. Watch the trees. Complete the mission.

Ruhan, however, was still lost in his thoughts. As he climbed onto his horse beside Aria, he whispered excitedly, “Did you see them? They’re even more beautiful than the stories! Like goddesses walking among mortals. That skin… those lips… I’d give anything for just one night with any of them.”

Aria remained silent. She adjusted her grip on the reins and focused on the road ahead. The small group of soldiers formed a protective circle around the three royal carts as the journey to Crystal Lake began.

The forest path stretched out before them — peaceful for now, but danger could be hiding behind any tree. Aria scanned the surroundings with cold, professional eyes, while Ruhan kept stealing glances at the moving carts, his mind still tangled in fantasies.

The forgotten princess rode silently among her comrades, the mask hiding every trace of the girl she once was.

The journey through the forest took several hours, but they finally reached the beautiful Crystal Lake. The location was already prepared perfectly by the royal servants who had arrived earlier. Soft silk carpets were spread under large shaded canopies, tables filled with the finest wines, fruits, roasted meats, and sweet delicacies. Fresh flowers decorated every corner, and comfortable cushions were placed for the princesses to sit and enjoy the scenic view of the sparkling lake.

One by one, the three princesses stepped out of their luxurious carts, still laughing and chatting without a care in the world. They didn’t even acknowledge the soldiers who had guarded them the entire way.

Aria immediately took charge. She moved with calm authority among the selected soldiers, her voice steady and clear behind the mask.

“Secure the outer perimeter. Two of you on the northern ridge. Three on the eastern side near the trees. Keep your eyes on the forest line at all times. Any unusual movement — report immediately. We are here to protect, not to relax.”

She moved efficiently from one soldier to another, assigning positions. When she reached Ruhan, who was standing near the carts, his eyes glued to the princesses, she spoke firmly.

“Ruhan, you will take the far western outpost, beyond those rocks. It’s the most distant position, but critical for early warning.”

Ruhan’s face twisted in disappointment. He tore his eyes away from Ema, who was gracefully sitting down and adjusting her gown.

“Send someone else,” he said quickly. “I’ll stay here and guard the princesses directly. It’s safer if I stay close.”

Aria’s eyes narrowed slightly behind her mask. “I can see exactly why you want to stay here. You won’t be focused on the actual task. Your mind is elsewhere.”

Ruhan’s expression darkened instantly. Anger flashed across his face. He stepped closer and spoke in a low, rude tone so only she could hear.

“Oh, come on, Aria. Don’t act like a jealous bitch. Look at them — they’re so beautiful, like actual goddesses. And then there’s you… hiding behind that stupid mask because you’re too ugly for anyone to see. Of course you want me far away. You’re jealous that I’m looking at real women instead of a masked freak like you. Maybe if you weren’t so disgusting underneath that thing, someone would actually want to look at you too.”

Aria stood completely still. She didn’t reply. Not a single word.

But inside, something cracked deeply.

He was the only one… The only person in ten years who treated me like a friend. I thought… maybe he saw more than just my mask. But he’s just like everyone else. He only cares about outer beauty. He never saw me at all.

Pain bloomed in her chest — sharp and heavy — but she pushed it down, the way years of training had taught her. No emotion showed on the surface. She simply turned away quietly and continued assigning positions to the others.

Ruhan didn’t even glance at her as she left. His eyes were already back on the princesses, lost in his fantasies again.

Under the canopy, the three princesses were completely absorbed in themselves.

Ema took a sip of wine and laughed. “This dress cost more than most of these useless soldiers make in a year. Doesn’t it look perfect on me?”

Isha rolled her eyes. “It’s decent, but mine is better. Did you see the new jewelry Mother gave me? Real diamonds from the southern mines. Prince Leo will lose his mind when he sees it at the next gala.”

Emily smirked, tossing her hair. “You both fight over Leo like street dogs. The Duke is clearly superior — richer and far sexier. Last gala he couldn’t stop staring at my breasts. Pathetic how easily men fall.”

They bickered and gossiped meanly, throwing subtle insults at each other while laughing. None of them paid any attention to the soldiers risking their lives for their comfort.

As the sun began to set and the sky turned orange, one of the soldiers on the eastern side suddenly came running.

“Suspicious movement in the forest!” he reported urgently. “Shadows moving between the trees. It looks like an organized group — at least fifteen men. Attack is coming!”

Aria arrived instantly. “All soldiers, take defensive positions! Stay sharp!”

The princesses, however, didn’t even flinch. They simply stood up lazily, still chatting.

“How annoying,” Ema sighed. “Let’s go back to the carts. These fools can handle it.”

Isha nodded. “Yes, I don’t want blood splashing on my gown.”

They walked calmly back to their carts and settled inside as if nothing important was happening.

Most of the soldiers moved forward to create a strong front around the carts. Only a few, including Aria, stayed at the back to guard against a possible rear attack.

Ruhan was positioned near the front, right beside the princesses’ carts. His eyes were locked only on them. Not once did he look back to check on Aria or the rear guards. His only priority was the “beautiful goddesses” inside the carts.

Then the attackers came — a group of masked assassins from a rival kingdom, swords drawn, moving fast and silent.

“Ambush!” someone shouted.

The battle exploded.

The front line clashed violently. Ruhan fought well, but his focus remained entirely on protecting the carts, never once checking the back.

At the rear, Aria and the few remaining soldiers faced a brutal assault. She moved like lightning — her sword a deadly blur. She cut down two attackers with fierce, precise strikes, her body twisting and dodging with years of brutal training behind every move.

But she took wounds.

A blade slashed across her left arm, drawing deep red blood. Another attacker grazed her right leg badly. Pain burned through her body, but she didn’t stop. Even while bleeding, she shouted to the other soldiers:

“Stay together! Protect each other! Don’t let them break through!”

She fought harder than anyone, taking down three more attackers single-handedly. The soldiers around her also received minor wounds, but none as serious as hers.

After a fierce and bloody struggle, the remaining assassins retreated into the forest. The elite soldiers had won.

Aria stood breathing heavily, blood dripping down her arm and leg, soaking into her uniform. She quickly checked on every soldier around her.

“Are you all alright?” she asked, voice steady despite the pain.

Only after confirming everyone was alive did she allow herself to lean slightly against a tree for a moment.

The group returned to the palace under heavy guard. The princesses emerged from their carts complaining about the “inconvenience” of the attack, without a single word of thanks to the soldiers.

Ruhan stayed close to the front the entire way back, still dreamy about the princesses.

Aria rode silently at the back, blood still seeping from her wounds, the pain in her body nothing compared to the deeper wound in her heart from Ruhan’s cruel words.

She had completed the mission perfectly.

But for the first time in many years, the frozen mask over her emotions felt dangerously close to cracking.