66 Test of Loyalty (2/2)

Oh, she didn't notice that.

She tried to turn to look at Captain Denver but Kiho gently held her face and made her look straight ahead.

[Gosh, why is he so jealous of Captain Denver?]

”Tilly, the road ahead is uneven,” Kiho said. ”May I carry you?”

”Yes, please.”

Without further ado, her husband carried her in bridal style. Then, she wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him tight. He seemed like he liked it because he kissed her on the forehead.

”God,” Captain Denver complained. ”Can you not flirt in front of me?”

”We can't help it,” she said. ”We're newlyweds, remember?”

”Argh.”

Kiho smirked, obviously enjoying Captain Denver's ”misery.”

[My husband can really be a manchild sometimes.]

Anyway, after a few minutes of walking, they finally reached the end of a cave.

It wasn't as bad as she thought it would be. Well, maybe it was because of the fact that the cave was prepared in advance.

[Kiho obviously prepared everything to make me comfortable here.]

There was a sofa, a table with two cups and a kettle, a paper bag of snacks, and lots of scented candles. It looked like a place for camping.

[This would have been a perfect date spot if only we weren't here to talk about serious stuff.]

Kiho gently put her down on the sofa and assisted her until she was sitting comfortably. ”Wait here, hon. I'll help Captain Denver treat his wounds first before we talk.”

She smiled at that. ”You're an angel, hon.”

”I'm only doing this for you,” he confessed. ”If it weren't for your plea, I would have still killed him regardless his blood.”

”Wow,” Captain Denver said sarcastically. ”Thank you for your generosity, Captain Kiho.”

Before Kiho could turn to the other captain, she cupped his face between her hands. Then, she pulled him down and kissed him on the lips.

That was enough to calm him down.

”Please get along with Captain Denver, hon. He's an ally,” Tilly said while giving him puppy dog eyes. Then, she turned to Captain Denver– now sitting on the ground while digging his hand on his bag– to give him a glare. ”And please stop provoking my husband, Captain Denver.”

Captain Denver raised his hands in surrender. ”As you wish, Lady Prescott.”

Kiho smirked, obviously pleased that she scolded Captain Denver.

[Gosh, my husband is so adorable.]

Anyway, after Kiho helped Captain Denver treat his wounds, the three of them had a serious talk.

Tilly revealed to Kiho that she had the heart of the Supreme Fire Mage. She also told him that Princess Nia and Emperor Aku were the ones that wanted her heart. And that the princess killed her mother, too. She also confessed that her father knew about it but chose to keep quiet to protect her.

Most of all, she confessed that she was the one who asked the replica of the Red Phoenix to kill Princess Nia.

On the other hand, Captain Denver confessed to Kiho that he and his family were actually Fire Mages. He also emphasized to her husband that the only reason why he was paying attention to her was because he needed to protect her heart– literally.

Much to her shock, Captain Denver also revealed that most of the Fire Wielders in his guild were actually Fire Mages that he took in to hide them from the empire.

[He didn't tell me about it.]

”I returned Flint's memory when we reached the guild,” Captain Denver told her. He was on a lotus position in front of her and Kiho. ”Right now, he knows that he needs to hide his real identity. I'm training him to use weapons that would conceal his ability to produce fire.” He raised his arms as if he was showing his armbands to them. ”These armbands are just decorations to conceal my real ability. Even without these weapons, I can still produce fire within my body. Also, these armbands limit that fire that I produce so no one or no spell would detect my flame as something that belongs to a Fire Mage. All the Fire Mages under our protection are using this trick.”

Her heart thumped loud against her chest.

[There's a lot of Fire Mages alive.]

For some reason, she felt like they were her responsibility.

[But I'll think about that later.]

She turned to Kiho– who was sitting beside her on the sofa– and realized that he fell in deep thought.

[We need to talk alone.]

”Captain Denver,” she called him. ”Can you leave me and Kiho alone for the meantime?”

”I can't do that,” Captain Denver said. ”It's my duty to protect you, Lady Prescott.”

”Kiho will not hurt me,” she said firmly. ”I need to talk to my husband alone.”

They had mini staring contest for a few seconds. In the end, the captain of the Red Phoenix Knights let out a sigh and stood up.

”I'll guard outside,” Captain Denver said. ”I'll make sure no one will find us here.”

She nodded. ”Thank you, Captain Denver.”

He just bowed to her, then he looked at Kiho. After that, he silently left the cave.

[And now…]

”Kiho?” she said carefully. Then, she gently put a hand on his back. ”Are you okay?”

Kiho looked at her, then he nodded. ”Yes. I'm just a little shocked.”

She smiled because she understood his feelings. Then, she got up. As soon as she kneeled down before him, his eyes widened in shock.

”Tilly, stand up,” Kiho said, then he got down on his knees as well. ”Why are you kneeling in front of me?”

”Kiho, you're a knight and I'm aware that you gave your loyalty to the throne,” Tilly said, then she held his hands. ”I'm sorry but I have to make you choose between me and the emperor.”

***

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