CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN (37)
Inside the bathhouse, Damiel heard the door close.
He released a long breath.
Azaelth was stirred unsettled.
Why did you let her leave?
Damiel didn't answer.
Azaelth was about to say more.
Damiel blocked him.
He needed silence.
He needed time to understand himself.
The water that had felt perfectly warm only moments ago suddenly seemed unbearably hot.
Everything did.
He quickly finished washing himself.
He stepped out of the bath and took a black towel from the rack in the corner of the bathhouse and wrapped one towel around his waist and another around his hair.
When he entered the room again, he saw the clothes Reyna had prepared.
He took them.
Dressed quickly.
He needed to leave before she returned.
He didn't know what Azaelth would do if he had to face her again so soon.
So he walked out.
Straight toward the open courtyard.
His men were gathered there, discussing the preparations.
As Damiel approached, servants, soldiers, commanders, and the general immediately greeted him.
"Your Highness."
"Commander."
"Your Highness."
Damiel acknowledged them with a nod as he walked past.
"Commander."
His men called in unison.
He stopped right in front of them as he nodded acknowledging their greetings.
They immediately began reporting their progress.
Damiel listened.
Meanwhile
At the corridor of palace...
Reyna knelt beside a stone washing basin.
Prince Damiel's dark cloak rested beneath the clear water as she carefully scrubbed away the dirt gathered from the battlefield.
She was the only one using the stone basin to the side, probably because it's Prince Damiel clothes.
Around her, several women washed the soldiers clothes in other basin, some in 3, others in 4, while murmuring amongst themselves.
"My husband returned this morning" one of them said.
"He said everyone dropped to their knees, except Prince Damiel."
She added.
"Mine too."
"They couldn't even hear themselves think."
"The ringing was unbearable."
"My brother said Commander Kael, Commander Roan, Commander Zaiel... even General Varos were bleeding from their ears trying to resist it, some fainted."
A quiet silence followed.
Then another woman smiled faintly.
"My greatest joy was that prince Damiel went with them"
"Same"
"Me too."
Several nodded in agreement.
"My brother said the moment he saw His Highness still standing..."
"...his mind settled, even though that was the last thing he saw, before he blanked out."
"He said if anyone could protect them..."
"...it was Prince Damiel."
"My husband told me the same." Another said.
"He said none of them could even move..."
"...yet His Highness stood before that creature alone." She continued.
Reyna quietly listened while pretending to focus on the clothes.
She didn't interrupt.
She simply listened.
So...
That was what happened.
She remembered how calm Damiel had looked when he returned.
No wonder.
He had carried the weight of everyone else's fear.
Then deliberately slowed her washing.
There was still more to hear.
Eventually...
The topic died down, as they stated discussing topic related to the war, if the war had really ended, and if he werewolves would do anything again, the damages the werewolves brought, and how Prince Damiel is helping them feel safe again.
Reyna wrung the last of the clothes dry before hanging them neatly beneath the afternoon sun.
Only then did she carry the empty basket back toward Damiel's chamber.
Inside...
She immediately began tidying the room.
She folded blankets.
Straightened the furniture.
Swept away the dust carried in from the balcony.
She removed the bedsheets before replacing them with fresh linen.
Since they would be leaving before dawn...
She began packing their belongings.
Extra clothing.
Travel supplies.
Fresh towels.
Everything was arranged carefully inside a small wooden chests.
Then she wrapped her clothes separately in a small lilen clothe.
When she finally finished, she sat near the balcony.
A quiet sigh escaped her.
"I miss high steward Inez..."
Inez is the most gentle demon she had ever met.
She missed her.
She missed the familiar scent of the royal palace.
Even her tiny room.
It had been much smaller than this chamber.
Yet...
It had been hers.
She smiled softly.
At least there...
She had slept alone.
Her gaze drifted toward the courtyard below.
The courtyard buzzed with activity.
Soldiers hurried from one end of the fortress to the other, reinforcing walls, transporting supplies, and others help prepare their beast for the journey back to the Capital of Avalon.
Damiel stood with General Varos, Kael, Roan, and Zaiel as they continued talking
Or rather they talked, while he listened.
Almost as if sensing her gaze—
Damiel slowly raised his head.
Their eyes met.
Reyna froze.
Her heart skipped.
He noticed?
She quickly stepped backward.
Bowed instinctively despite the distance.
Then hurried back inside.
"Truly..."
"...he's a beast."
How could someone notice a person watching from that far away?
Before she could think any longer—
Her stomach growled loudly.
Reyna blinked.
"...Right."
She hadn't eaten.
She walked out as she headed towards the kitchen.
The kitchen was unusually empty.
Almost.
Every servant crowded around the large window overlooking the training grounds.
Some stood on stools.
Others leaned over one another.
The younger maids giggled excitedly.
"Move!"
"I can't see!"
"Commander Kael almost hit him!"
"No, he didn't!"
Reyna walked closer.
Curious.
She tiptoed and peered through a small opening.
Her eyes widened.
Prince Damiel stood in the center of the training grounds.
Sword in one hand, and his other hand behind his back.
Facing Kael.
Roan.
And Zaiel.
All three attacked together.
Steel clashed against steel.
The sound echoed throughout the fortress.
Damiel moved with frightening precision.
Every strike was effortless.
Every step economical.
He wasn't even trying.
Yet none of them could touch him.
Kael lunged first.
Damiel sidestepped.
Roan attacked from behind.
Without looking, Damiel caught the strike and redirected it.
Zaiel rushed in from the side.
Damiel's sword turned once.
Twice.
Three rapid clashes rang through the courtyard.
Then—
All three were forced backward.
The watching soldiers erupted into cheers.
Reyna couldn't take her eyes off him.
He truly deserved the title...
God of War.
Even when outnumbered...
He looked untouchable.
Her stomach growled again.
The servants remained completely captivated.
None of them even noticed she was there.
Reyna looked helplessly, trying to get their attention, when she couldn't,
She quietly filled a wooden plate with food before returning to her room.
Instead of sitting inside...
She carried it onto the balcony window and sat on its stony railing.
From there...
She continued watching the training while eating.
Earlier...
General Varos was reporting on the progress of what was assigned...
"The eastern wall is been reinforced."
"The abandoned warehouse is almost demolished."
"Additional patrols have been stationed around every nearby village, and will start at night."
General Varos folded his hands behind his back.
"At this pace, Commander, every defensive measure will be completed before sunset tomorrow."
Damiel gave a single nod.
"Good."
The discussion continued.
Damiel felt it.
That familiar gaze.
He looked up.
There she was.
Standing on the balcony.
Watching him.
The moment their eyes met...
She startled.
Bowed.
And disappeared inside.
Azaelth stirred immediately.
Damiel's fingers tightened slightly around the hilt at his waist.
Anything.
Anything to quiet his thoughts.
He looked toward his three commanders.
"Let's train."
Roan immediately grinned.
"I thought you'd say that."
Kael simply nodded, he sensed Damiel had something on his mind.
Zaiel instinctively remained where he stood.
Unsure whether the invitation included him.
Damiel looked at him.
A small motion of his head.
"You too."
Zaiel's eyes brightened.
"Yes, Commander."
Within minutes, the training grounds filled with soldiers eager to watch.
None of them wanted to miss the rare sight of Prince Damiel sparring.
The match began.
One against three.
Even together...
They couldn't corner him.
Minutes passed.
Sweat covered their brows.
Damiel's breathing never changed.
Then—
Clang!
Kael sword was knocked aside.
Damiel's blade rested lightly against his neck.
At almost the same moment—
Roan found himself flat on his back.
Damiel's boot rested firmly against his chest.
Several paces away...
Zaiel sat on the ground, breathing heavily after being disarmed.
Silence.
Then cheers erupted from the gathered soldiers.
Roan groaned dramatically.
"The next time you decide to show off..."
"...I'm respectfully uninviting myself."
Zaiel chuckled.
Kael only smiled as he sheathed his sword.
Damiel lowered his own weapon.
His expression remained unchanged.
Roan dusted himself off, still muttering complaints under his breath as he walked away.
Kael watched Damiel quietly.
"Commander."
Damiel looked at him, as he continued.
"You seem..."
He searched for the right word.
"...distracted."
Damiel shook his head once.
"I'm fine."
Kael wasn't convinced.
But he didn't press further.
"Don't worry."
"We'll be back in the capital soon."
"And whatever that creature is planning..."
"We'll stop it before anyone gets hurt."
Damiel gave a quiet nod.
He reached out and lightly tapped Kael on the shoulder before walking past him.
Only Damiel knew,
the ancient demon wasn't what troubled him most.
It was a human girl...
Who might unknowingly be the very reason this war started.