Page 40 of Quest

“Not so explicitly,” he said. “I deciphered your want when you expressed not wanting to be a burden. Since it’s not herbal knowledge or skill you lack, I inferred you referred to your weak stamina and physical abilities that you’ve undoubtedly been comparing to the rest of the trained entourage.”

I recalled the moment I’d relived so often in my mind it had become etched in memory—his thoughtful perusal of my face, as if trying to discern the thoughts and secrets I so fiercely guarded. Deep down, though I understood that his attentiveness stemmed from reasons entirely different from the romantic interest I yearned for as a woman, my heart couldn't help but warm at the thought that he had paid me as much careful attention as I had him.

“I’m surprised you noticed.”

Puzzlement furrowed his brow. “Why wouldn’t I? You’re one of my comrades.”

The romantic stirrings of my heart made it all too easy to forget that I was currently masquerading as a boy. I silently scolded myself for even momentarily hoping he might feel a similar affection towards me, a notion my current disguise rendered impossible.

I couldn’t mask my disappointment quickly enough for him not to notice. He leaned closer, expression concerned as he peered into my face. “What’s wrong?”

I had no explanation to excuse the ridiculous feelings that had no place in such a charade. “While I appreciate your consideration, I’m worried about your injury.” Though I’d seized the first reason to refuse I could think of, the reminder caused a jolt of alarm. “Wait, you want totrainwith your injury?” We’d scheduled a rest day so he could properly heal, a reason that would defeat its purpose should he exert himself on my behalf.

He impatiently waved away my worry. “I insist. I not only want to express my gratitude for yesterday, but I’m still determined to earn your regard. Besides, I have a very able herbalist to tend me should anything go wrong.” He winked, a gesture that might have undone me completely if my thoughts hadn’t been so consumed by anxiety for his well-being. “Hurry and get dressed. I’ll meet you just outside camp.” He pointed into the trees, a ways beyond the futons and dying embers of our campfire.

He started to depart, but I scrambled forward and seized a handful of his shirt, compelling him to stop. He glanced back, eyebrows raised in silent question. I hastily released him, not entirely sure why I’d grabbed him. “Your Highness—” I began.

“Darcel,” he corrected automatically.

I pushed past the shyness clogging my throat, keeping my voice low and masculine with an effort. “Darcel.” As before, a secret thrill rippled over me each time his name passed my lips. “I truly appreciate your consideration and don’t want to seem ungrateful, but I’m worried.” His complexion remained pale and drawn, a stark reminder of yesterday's poisoning ordeal.

His lips twitched up. “Your worry gives me hope you don’t hate me after all. Don’t be concerned—you’rethe one who’ll be doing the training, I’m just your overseer.” His dark smirk contained a hint of mischief, leaving me terrified of the long and excruciating day ahead.

I sighed. “Stubborn royal. Even though you’ll still be exerting yourself far more than is prudent given your condition, I concede in this particular battle. Why must you insist on nobility at the most inopportune moments for yourself?”

He averted his gaze. “I suppose I'm just desperate to prove that I have some value beyond simply being a prince.” He made the admission in a whisper so faint I doubt he meant for me to hear, echoing the sentiment I’d shared only the day before.

He and I were more alike than I had initially thought, similarities that drew my heart closer to his. I empathized with this need all too well, dissolving the last of my resistance so I longer had the grounds to fight him. Although concern for my father played a significant part of my motivation, my own stubborn determination to prove myself was the prominent force behind my presence on this trek.

I shook my head, fighting the pleased smile tugging on my scowl. I couldn’t believe I had ever disliked a man so noble. My concern for his condition aside, I was eager to spend another day with him.

But first I needed to take a moment to fix my disguise so there was no chance it would falter during our time together. He cast me his usual questioning glance as I excused myself, but seemed to have grown used to my frequent wandering off, once more attributing my need for privacy to my excessive modesty.

I took refuge behind a copse of trees some distance from camp, their shield of branches conspiring with the dim pre-dawn light to offer me the perfect cover. I lathered on a double layer of my enchanted ointment, checking and rechecking it several times in my reflection in the nearby stream to ensure I hadn’t missed even the smallest section of my face.

My anxiety almost led me to add a third layer that would be both unnecessary and wasteful. I barely staved the irrational compulsion when I noticed the jar; its fern-green contents were nearly depleted.

Though I’d prepared what I thought would be a sufficient amount before setting out on my journey, my constant paranoia had habitually caused me to use more than necessary, resulting in my now running low more quickly than I’d planned. While I’d brought the necessary ingredients to make more, I’d sacrificed the last of my ironbark for Darcel’s poison remedy, and ironbark trees were rare in this part of the kingdom.

Even after assuring myself that it was secure—being extra vigilant as a precaution for my upcoming proximity with Darcel—I took a deep, shaky breath as I approached where he waited, leaning against a tree with his weight on his good leg, his arms crossed in a dashing pose that momentarily stopped me in my tracks.

Mischief lined his smile in greeting. “With your stubbornness I almost expected you not to show up.”

“Even I have enough sense not to keep a prince waiting, especially when he’s sacrificing for my benefit.”

“It’s truly no trouble at all.” He beckoned me to follow him. Though he used a stick Sir Jiang had whittled into a makeshift crutch, I anxiously eyed each limping step, and was relieved when we finally came to a small clearing only about five minutes away from camp.

As we prepared to begin our training, the horizon began to blush with the first light of dawn. We both paused and stood side by side to admire the sight, our gazes fixed on the spreading colors painting the sky transforming from soft grey to a cascade of oranges and pinks as the darkness retreated and the day took hold.

Darcel was the first to break the reverent silence that had settled around us. “After so many years shrouded in darkness, I never tire of watching the light reclaim the sky…a reminder that things can always change, no matter how permanent they might seem.”

The cursed endless night had only dissipated a year ago, so its memory was still fresh. Seeing cresting dawn banishing the night with its gentle light never failed to stir something deep within me—a mixture of relief, appreciation…and most of all hope. I felt a spark of warmth to realize that the prince felt the same.

“It's beautiful,” I murmured, not wanting to disturb the tranquil moment. “I used to dream about the light, wondering if we'd ever see the sun rise again. At times it felt like an impossible wish.” Just like the man standing an arm’s length away, my heart’s newest, most desperate desire.

Darcel glanced at me, his expression softening. “I know what you mean. There were moments I doubted we'd ever see the light again. But here it is.” He gestured towards the rising sun. “And here we are. If the light’s return taught me anything, it was to keep believing—not just in the return of day, but in our ability to fully restore the kingdom.”

His words resonated deeply within me, echoing not just my own thoughts but the shared sentiments of everyone who had lived under the curse. The dawn went beyond a beautiful sight—it had become a symbol of renewal and a promise of recovery for our people. It filled me with a renewed determination, a desire to press forward and contribute to the healing of our land with all my knowledge and capability.

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