Refusing My God’s Advances

"Why did you follow us?" Aria asked after reaching the entrance of the cave.

Daryle, who was leaning against a rock, looked at his princess but then looked away. "Things are starting to get pretty bad in the capital. Your father is preparing for a war we can't win. Corrupted officials keep whispering in his majesty's ears, only making things worse."

"That still doesn't explain why you are here. I was forced to leave, so do you expect me to go back? Do you think war will do a number on our country? What do you think would happen if Mary and I went back?" Aria demanded, hey shy princess act dropped.

Letting out a sigh, and bowing his head, Daryle looked at the ground. He was conflicted about telling the princess the real reason he had come. Normally, the trip should have taken longer to one of the flying islands, but he wasn't here on his king's orders or even his own.

"Beatrix sent me," Daryle said after a moment and looked at the princess.

"Your sister? The one that hates me? What reason would she have to send you to me?" Aria demanded, but Daryle put up his hands.

"I am not here for you. I am here to watch over the boy that you are pretending to be interested in," Daryle said nonchalantly but then squeaked as Aria put a dagger she had hidden up to his neck.

"This man isn't stronger than me, but that doesn't mean I don't like him. You on the other hand. I could have gone the rest of my life without seeing you again," Aria growled, a vicious look in her eyes as she leaned into Daryle, who put up his hands.

"Well, I am happy for you. The Ogre Princess finally letting her ice melt isn't a bad thing. The kingdom needs you to produce an heir at some point, so I am not against someone like the hero," Daryle chuckled and then smiled as Aria backed up and put her knife away, but it secretly burned him from the inside.

Turning her back to her head knight, "Everyone is excited to see me die just so they can get rid of me because I am too dangerous. Mary is the only one who has acted like they care about me. Everyone else just wants a new heir, and that means I have to die."

Daryle let out a sigh and rubbed his hand on his neck where the knife had pressed. "You know that I don't want that to happen, but it is just the way things are. I personally think you should stay out here when I take the hero to Reshan."

Aria turned on him with a dangerous expression. "You will not be taking him anywhere that he doesn't want to go. I won't let you," She warned and then pointed to the cave. "The reason that I like Leon is because he does whatever he thinks is best for him and then people close to him. Something my family and country could never understand!"

And with that, Aria whirled around and headed back inside the cave, leaving Daryle alone. 

"You heard that, right?" Daryle asked as he pulled out a magical voice transmission device.

"Yes, I did. This Leon is the hero, I presume? And Mary let him close to her?" The female voice of his sister, and Head Researcher of the Reshan kingdom, Beatrix, asked.

"Yes, and he is already pretty fast. As for Mary, she even made him her student like me," Daryle explained, and there was silence for a while.

"What are the chances of you being able to get him to the capital within the week?" Beatrix asked finally, but Daryle didn't want to answer her. 

Daryle knew Beatrix did not like to wait, and that was the reason he had made it to this island so fast. While Aria was an expert with magic, she and his sister Beatrix, an expert in science mixed with magic didn't get along. 

Needless to say, there were many reasons for him not to want to answer. Daryle had always loved Aria, but it had been one-sided. Even still, it had caused trouble for him because his sister was so attached to him to a point it was unhealthy. Even when she had used her Island Launcher, she had argued with herself about it for over an hour.

"Well, I would have to say they are pretty slim. What's more, if he does come, I am pretty sure that Aria will be coming back with him," Daryle explained slowly, and there was another long silence.

"Then, when do you think you will be able to get him here? I don't know if you didn't notice before leaving, but the country is preparing for a war that we are not going to win. I think that getting him here so he can be properly trained is more important than what that problem child wants," Beatrix replied in an angry voice, making Daryle shake his head.

"I'll do my best, Beatrix. But rushing things might not be the best approach. Aria is very protective of him, and forcing the situation might not end well," Daryle explained, trying to navigate the delicate situation.

"Protective? I don't care about her feelings. The kingdom is at stake, and we need the hero. Make it happen, Daryle, or I'll come personally to ensure that everything goes smoothly," Beatrix threatened, her tone leaving no room for negotiation.

Daryle sighed, knowing that arguing further would be futile. "Fine, I'll work on it. But I can't guarantee how fast it will be. Leon is not someone easily swayed, and Aria is a significant factor in this equation."

"Make it happen, Daryle. For the kingdom's sake," Beatrix ordered before ending the communication.

Daryle pocketed the communication device, feeling a weight on his shoulders. He had his own concerns and conflicted feelings, but duty bound him to carry out his sister's orders.