Junior, carrying Helen on his back, finally reached the towering castle gates. His breath ca heavy, sweat dripping from his brow, but his grip on Helen remained firm. A lone knight stationed at the gate widened his eyes in shock at the sight of the prince struggling with Helen's unconscious body. Without hesitation, the knight dashed toward him.
"Your Highness, what happened? Is Lady Helen hurt? Let help you carry her," the knight said, his voice filled with concern as he stretched his hands toward Junior's burdened back.
Junior shifted, pulling Helen closer and swatting the knight's hands away. His tone was sharp, almost snarling. "Don't touch her. I'll carry her myself."
The knight flinched at the rejection, his hand hovering in mid-air before dropping to his side. "I-I'm sorry, Your Highness," he stamred, sweat forming on his forehead. His gaze darted nervously toward the second knight trailing behind Junior, searching for support. Their eyes t, and the second knight gave a subtle but firm shake of his head, silently advising him to let it go.
Junior's voice snapped him back to attention. "Stop standing there and open the gate."
"Yes, Your Highness! Right away!" the knight replied hastily, rushing to push open the heavy gates.
As they creaked apart, Junior glanced at the knight behind him. "Let's go," he said tersely, stepping through.
Inside the courtyard, Junior spotted Susan pacing back and forth near the entrance. Her hands were clenched, and her brow furrowed, a clear sign of worry. She didn't seem to notice the gates opening.
"What's she so worked up about?" Junior muttered under his breath.
"Susan!" he called out, his voice echoing slightly. "What are you doing here?"
Susan froze mid-step, her head snapping toward the sound of his voice. Relief flooded her expression for a brief mont before her gaze fell on the figure slumped against Junior's back. The dim light from a nearby torch revealed Helen's pale face, and Susan's eyes widened in shock. In the blink of an eye, she was gone, moving faster than Junior could track.
"What the—" Junior turned his head in confusion, only to realize Helen was no longer on his back. He spun around and saw Susan cradling Helen protectively a few feet away, her eyes shimring with tears.
"What did you do to her?" Susan demanded, her voice trembling with emotion.
Junior's jaw tightened as frustration bubbled up. "What? Stop making it sound like I hurt her! I'm not the Junior you think I am," he thought angrily.
"I did nothing to—" he began, but Susan cut him off, stepping closer.
"Don't lie to , Junior! What did you do to her?!" she snapped, her tone sharp enough to make even the knights behind him uneasy.
"Lady Susan, please," the knight behind Junior spoke up, his voice steady but cautious. "His Highness is telling the truth."
Susan turned her glare toward the knight, her voice low and laced with warning. "Do you understand what happens if you lie to ?"
Junior groaned internally, rubbing his temple. "She's really overreacting," he thought, his patience wearing thin.
"I'm not lying, Lady Susan," the knight insisted, though his trembling hands betrayed his fear. "Lady Helen fought off four assassins who were sent to kill the prince. She's exhausted—nothing more."
Susan's anger flickered, replaced by a look of shock and concern. "Four assassins?" she echoed, her voice softening. She looked down at Helen in her arms, brushing a strand of hair from her face. Her tone shifted entirely as she turned back to Junior. "Your Highness... I'm sorry. I overreacted. I just... when I saw her like that, I panicked."
Junior exhaled, his tone finally calm. "It's fine. Just make sure she's okay."
"Thank you, Your Highness. May I take her to her room?" Susan asked, her voice still tinged with worry.
"Yes, go ahead," Junior replied with a nod. "I'd appreciate it."
Susan adjusted Helen in her arms, holding her like a fragile child. "I'll take good care of her," she promised before turning to leave. She paused after a few steps, glancing back at Junior.
"Oh, I almost forgot. The king asked to see you as soon as you returned," she said.
Junior frowned slightly. "Did he say why?"
"No, Your Highness. He just told to tell you," Susan replied with a shrug. "But he seed serious."
Junior sighed. "Alright. I'll go see him after this."
Susan gave a small nod, then headed toward Helen's quarters. As Junior watched her disappear into the castle, he glanced at the knight behind him.
"Did she really have to make it sound so dramatic?" Junior muttered, rubbing the back of his neck as he watched Susan disappear into the castle with Helen.
The knight walking beside him overheard the comnt and hesitated before speaking. "Your Highness, it's because Helen and Susan are sisters. But... Susan's love for Helen isn't exactly the usual kind of love you'd expect between siblings."
Junior stopped mid-step, his brow furrowing. "What do you an?" he asked, his voice tinged with surprise and confusion.
The knight glanced around nervously, lowering his voice. "It's... well, Your Highness, it's the kind of look soone gives their lover."
Junior blinked, taken aback by the revelation. "So, she's basically a siscon," he said, half to himself.
The knight frowned, tilting his head. "A... what's a siscon, Your Highness?"
Junior sighed, shaking his head. "Never mind. Forget I said anything. Let's just head inside."
"Yes, Your Majesty," the knight replied, his tone respectful but curious as he fell in step beside Junior, escorting him into the castle.
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