After departing Helianth, we immediately set course for our next destination, journeying further south and putting even more distance between ourselves and the Capital.

It was not strictly the deep south, but rather the lower central region of Helios, meaning we still had another full day of travel confined within our ordinary carriage.

Thankfully, after four days on the road, we had yet to encounter any hostile parties, be it common bandits or members of the Black Sun barring our path. Truthfully, I could not determine whether this quiet was a blessing or a curse.

I had personally dealt with two of their spies back in Helianth, silencing them. I was sure that the remaining members assigned to watch us had already deduced their comrades’ fate. Even though their bodies had been disposed of cleanly, the sudden silence from their scouts would have been enough to confirm their death.

That realization had definitely forced them to become far more cautious. Oliver had said that the number of eyes tracking us had diminished, though a lingering few still trailed in our wake.

What I found odd, however, was just how... inoffensive they seemed to be acting.

Was their hesitation simply because we had been within the bustling walls of Helianth? The city was, admittedly, a terrible place to stage an assassination. The dense crowds and populated streets offered too many uncontrollable variables. Perhaps they were merely biding their time, waiting for the perfect, isolated spot to strike without drawing unwanted attention, all to keep my family and the Capital completely off guard.

That was the optimistic theory. In the worst-case scenario... they were simply tracking my movements until reinforcements arrived, someone capable of subduing seasoned fighters like Oliver and Mia.

If that were true, we would soon find ourselves in a highly problematic situation.

I raised my gaze toward Eleanor as she sat across from me in the carriage, her eyes fixed quietly on the passing scenery outside the window.

Should I just send her back, after all?

There was no longer any pressing need to keep up appearances on the road. It would be safer to dispatch Eleanor back to the secure walls of the Capital. It was foolish to maintain this charade if it meant dragging her into a life-threatening crossfire.

Truthfully, having Eleanor by my side smoothed over many hurdles, granting me easier access to the places and information I required. Yet, I was perfectly capable of going through those obstacles without her.

I truly did not want to place her in unnecessary danger. Yes, it was rather stupid of me to worry now, considering I was the one who had dragged her along on this excursion in the first place. But I had reasoned that Oliver, Mia, and even Leilah would be more than enough to ensure our safety. Moreover, though I was no master swordsman, my powers had awakened. I possessed quite strength, and I had Hyperion, resting at my side.

I had believed we could handle whatever the Black Sun threw our way. Truthfully, I harbored a strong suspicion that they would much prefer to deal with me within the confines of my own castle rather than on the open road. An indoor coup was easier to control, though they would obviously never pass up a golden opportunity to capture me out in the wild if one presented itself.

Still, I highly doubted they would expend the entirety of their elite resources on me alone. I was not their ultimate prize. Their true obsession was the Flame, meaning their main focus remained fixed on the Capital, currently fortified by Arges.

Moreover, the Black Sun’s ambitions stretched far beyond the borders of Helios. Those zealots had established footholds across the entire world, infiltrating every known Kingdom. The Flame of Helios might be one of their grandest targets, but their ultimate endgame was was likely Luminar itself.

Setting those thoughts aside, I voiced out my decision. 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

"Eleanor," I spoke, breaking the silence.

"Your Majesty?" She turned her gaze from the window to meet mine.

"Upon our arrival at the next town, you will turn back for the Capital," I said.

Her eyes widened in clear surprise.

"Take Leilah with you," I added, casting a brief glance at the masked woman sitting quietly in the corner of the carriage. With that mask obscuring her features, it was hard to tell whether she was sleeping or silently listening to our exchange.

"Y—Your Majesty, I do not understand..." Eleanor faltered, clearly caught off guard.

"You are far from stupid, Eleanor. You saw what happened in Helianth. Those spies of the Black Sun are swarming, and even now, they are likely tracking us from the shadows. This journey is becoming far too dangerous. You have done more than enough already; it is time for you to return to the capital, to safety."

"Your Majesty, you cannot possibly expect me to just abandon you out here," Eleanor replied, her tone hardening slightly.

"I need you to be safe. And you are decidedly not safe around me, because the Black Sun wants my head on a pike. It is as simple as that. You understand this, do you not?"

"I understand perfectly, Your Majesty, but that is precisely why we must remain together," she argued, refusing to back down. "Leilah will be invaluable in protecting you," she added, gesturing slightly toward her silent guard.

"I do not doubt Leilah’s capabilities for a moment, but what exactly can you do to protect me, Eleanor?" I asked bluntly, not bothering to sugarcoat the harsh reality in case a fight start.

Eleanor fell silent, her lips parted but nothing came pout.

"Alright, let me rephrase," I sighed, feeling a bit bad for my harshness. "The fewer targets Oliver and Mia have to protect, the better our overall chances of survival."

Eleanor’s hands tightened as she clenched her fists in her lap.

"I know... I know that I am not strong enough to fight for you, Your Majesty. But it is still my sworn duty as your Queen to serve you and remain by your side," she said, lifting her gaze to meet mine with sincerity. "If an arrow or a blade is ever aimed at you, then at the very least, allow me to be your shield."

I was left momentarily speechless. I stared into her serious emerald eyes.

"Do you truly mean those words, Eleanor?" I asked quietly.

Truthfully, I hardly cared if it was merely an embellishment to convince me to let her stay. I simply wanted to hear her confirm it.

"Should the need arise, I will lay down my life for Your Majesty," she nodded without a single second of hesitation, her hand placed on her chest.

I stared at her for a long moment, conflicted. "I have already told you, I refuse to put you in any further danger," I repeated.

"Splitting our forces would only place me in greater danger, Your Majesty. What if they choose to target me after I have left your side? I would be left alone on the road, with only Leilah to fend them off," she retorted smartly.

She certainly knows exactly what words to use to corner me, doesn’t she?

"I believe we are far stronger together. I swear I will not be a burden. Please, Your Majesty, allow me to see this journey through to the end so that we might return to the Capital together," she pleaded.

When I maintained my stubborn silence, she bit her lower lip nervously but held her ground.

"I may not be a knight, but I am still a loyal subject, and I am your Queen. To abandon my King merely to save my own skin would be a failure of my duty," she said lowering her gaze.

"Fine," I finally cut her off, letting out a defeated breath.

She blinked at me, surprised by my sudden capitulation. I offered her a wry smile.

"You have convinced me. You may stay."

A radiant smile immediately bloomed across her face, an expression that came out so genuine that I found myself momentarily charmed.

"Thank you, Your Majesty," she said.

"However, Eleanor, bear in mind that this is a highly peculiar circumstance," I added, raising a finger to remind her of the reality of our situation. "I am only conceding because we lack the manpower to properly escort you back. I refuse to leave you to go through the roads with only Leilah for protection. Were circumstances different, I would have sent you back regardless. Do you understand?"

She nodded her head.

"Being stubborn and loyal are admirable traits, and I do value them highly. But if we find ourselves in truly dire circumstances, you will have no choice but to flee. That is the best way you can help me, by staying out of harm’s way and ensuring your own safety, rather than becoming a liability," I insisted, making sure the gravity of my words anchored in her mind.

She wasn’t a knight sworn to protect my life with hers. She was one of my Wives, one of my Queens, it was different though they were also sworn to protect and support the King.

"But, Your Majesty—"

She tried to protest.

"Because," I interrupted her with a soft sigh, my expression turning dead serious as I looked directly into her eyes. "If true danger arises and your life is threatened, I might very likely lose my composure. My priorities will immediately shift, and I will not think twice before throwing myself into the fray to ensure you are safe."

"T—That is not necessary," Eleanor stammered quickly.

"It is necessary for me," I said, cutting her off once more holding her gaze.

She fell silent at that, her wide eyes locked onto mine. I smiled softly in return. Unable to bear maybe my gaze, she bashfully averted her gaze, her cheeks flushing slightly.

Obviously, there was no way I could ever accept losing such a wonderfully loyal and perfect wife.