Ambition and Destiny

👑Chapter Twenty 👑

The ship slowly descended against the sturdy pier; its hull emitted a low groan, a sound that seemed to signify a sense of relief after enduring the tumultuous journey across the vast sea, all the way from the Valeria Empire to the Krutobia kingdom.

The salty wind whipped at the lustrous strands of William's hair, which shimmered like liquid silver in the sunlight, as he gracefully disembarked onto the weathered dock. The onlookers couldn't help but be captivated by his striking presence, as his impeccably tailored attire accentuated his well-defined facial features, exuding an air of undeniable charm.

With his piercing amber eyes, he meticulously scanned the bustling surroundings of the docks, taking in the sights and sounds that surrounded him. And then, amidst the commotion, his gaze landed on a familiar face: his loyal assistant, Edgar.

Edgar, alight with relief, rushed forward. "My Lord!" he exclaimed, bowing low. "Welcome back to Krutopia. Your return is a joyous occasion."

William managed a tight smile; his hand, calloused from years of swordplay, patted his assistant's shoulder. "Thank you, Edgar," he said, his voice a low rumble born of years spent amidst the icy plains of his territory in Valeria. "It is indeed a moment of significance."

"Have you brought what I asked you to?" William asked with a cold temper and an unwavering voice.

Edgar nodded as he handed him a leather bag. "Here is what you asked for in your letter." He nervously looked at William in an attempt to speak.

"Tell me what's on your mind. I'm all ears!" William said as he noticed that his assistant had something to say.

Edgar was startled, but he quickly recovered his composure. "Certainly, My Lord! I did not inform  Duke Philip of your arrival."

Before he managed to complete his question, a muscle flexed in William's jaw, his silver hair catching the glint of the harbour sun.

He said, his voice low and dangerous. "Let's keep it like this... I have much to see, and I don't need a public spectacle."

" Is that the reason why, you ordered me to bring a humble attire!", Edgar wondered in silence

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Annie was overwhelmed with exhilaration as she embarked with Felix on her daring escape from the confinements of the palace grounds onto the familiar path alongside the Royal Forest. A profound sense of liberation washed over her, filling her heart with newfound freedom and boundless excitement. With each stride Annie took, she left behind the imposing and towering walls of the palace, her adrenaline-fueled feet carrying her away.

The air still hummed with the thrill of their escape, their laughter echoing off the towering oaks that lined the way. While catching her breath in the middle of their way to the town, Felix peeked at her with a grin. "Are you okay?"

Her rosy cheeks soon became as redder as a lung; he did not suggest so, and yet he was enquiring, knowing she was tortured in her dress like a snake squeezing her.

"You tell me! Just imagine the feeling of running a long distance in a puffy, long dress. It's delightful how the dress restricts my movement and makes it nearly impossible to raise my arms... The feeling of my ribs being crushed by the tightness of the dress is just exquisite. I'm sure even my feet would have some complaints about the shoes if they could talk."

I threw the words at him relentlessly, but he did not show any signs of anger or annoyance. He was holding back his laughter, trying not to upset me further.

"Alright, alright," he said after controlling his facial expressions to serious ones. "I often bring with me extra clothes, just in case, to disguise when I'm on missions.".

Suddenly, Felix halted, his ears catching the sound of a nearby stream. "Perfect," he declared, a mischievous glint in his eye. "Time for a costume change."


Felix suddenly changed direction, leading them off the usual path and deeper into the captivating embrace of the forest. Sunlight filtered through the trees, casting fragmented beams that gracefully adorned the lush of flora below. As they walked carefully, their presence went unnoticed, their footsteps making no more sound than a whisper on the grassy ground.

Annie, feeling perplexed, silently trailed behind him as they made their way to the stream. They eventually arrived at a small clearing nestled among the trees, where Felix had tied up his chestnut horse.

Annie gasped, her worries melting away like mist in the morning sun. "It's... it's magical, Felix," she whispered, her eyes wide with wonder as she saw the place.

Felix watched her amazed face as he headed to his horse. Resting on the saddle was a neatly rolled bundle, piquing Annie's curiosity even further.

"Here you are!" He handed her a commoner dress and a black wig to hide her eye-catching golden hair.

Annie's fingers trembled with anticipation as she unfolded the dress Felix had handed her. It felt light as a feather in her hands, and she could barely contain her excitement. Unfurling the layers of rough linen, she gasped. The dress was a simple affair, a reminder of her previous lifestyle.

Felix gave her some privacy to change her clothes. He headed in the opposite direction to change as well.

With a newfound determination, Annie slipped out of her finery and into the commoners' garb. The dress she wore was a stark contrast to the extravagant gowns she was accustomed to within the palace. This garment was designed with mobility and liberation in mind. Its  vibrant scarlet skirt reminiscent of the ripe strawberries she once handpicked for her cherished pie recipe, cascaded gracefully to her ankles, allowing for swift movement without overwhelming her steps. The raven-black  bodice embraced her curves with a gentle embrace, providing both comfort and freedom. The elongated bell sleeves, snugly fitted to her elbows, completed the ensemble.

Taking a deep breath, Annie stepped out of the clearing and back onto the path. The forest floor seemed softer beneath her flat-heel boots, and the air tasted sweeter on her tongue. She was no longer a prisoner of her own finery, but a free spirit that was ready to start her adventure.

Her eyes caught Felix standing, bathed in the dappled sunlight filtering. Though his noble body was covered in humble attire, his charm wasn't buried.

Felix donned a sleeveless, woolly vest, its V-shaped neckline concealing an ivory shirt, fashioned from a lighter, airy fabric, featuring elongated sleeves and an unbuttoned collar. His ebony trousers, embracing his legs snugly, possessed a belt at the waistline to put his daggers. the leather boots, reaching the very knees of Felix; they weren't fancy, but they'd get the job done.

"I'm ready!" Annie said as she drew Felix's attention to leave.

"Well, well, the black hair suits you well!" he chuckled, a hint of admiration in his voice. "It looks like the palace walls couldn't contain you forever, Your Highness. That dress practically screams, 'Adventure awaits!' You know, it suits you better than any silk gown ever could."

"Although I don't know if you are teasing me or complimenting me, I will take it as a compliment!" Annie said as she started walking by Felix's side.

"We make quite the pair of commoners, don't we?" Felix remarked, his tone filled with joy. We'll leave the horse so we don't attract people." Then he asked, ensuring that the dress was not making it harder for her to move, "How do you find the dress?"

She released a cheerful smile at his question: "It is perfect! It is better than the one I was wearing."

"Happy to hear that," she said, grinning at her back.

Out of the blue, Annie asked him a question that reflected her childish soul and curiosity: "Why are you keeping a woman's clothing with you?"

As Felix was in a fit of surprise at her sudden inquiry, she let her imagination interpret the situation.

"Don't tell me you disguise yourself in women's clothes to accomplish your mission," she answered on his behalf, denying her prediction.

"No, of course, no!" he refused flatly as he drew the image of him wearing a dress depending on Annie's imagination. He continued, " Not me." He fell under pressure, looking into Annie's eyes, and answered, "It's my vice, Peter. Since he does not master martial arts or fighting with weapons, we use it as a distraction for our missions or as a spy."

Annie released a sigh: " Poor Sir Peter is likely to have a hard time."

"Hard times? He loves it," he says with a laugh. "The more ridiculous the dress, the funnier its escape stories. Trust me, you didn't see anything, especially when we arrested a criminal who fell for Peter's female disguise; he felt betrayed after finding out that Peter was a man.".

While they continued on their path, Felix kept Annie entertained by sharing fascinating stories of his many adventures. Annie couldn't stop smiling and frequently burst into hearty laughter due to the amusing anecdotes and humorous details incorporated into Felix's storytelling.

Annie and Felix rounded a bend in the way; their laughter quieted and was replaced by a comfortable silence filled with the chirping of crickets and the rustle of leaves. Suddenly, a creaking sound reached their ears, growing louder with each turn of the wheels. A rickety straw carriage was emerging from behind a curtain of foliage, pulled by a sluggish donkey bedecked in jingling bells.

An old man with a face etched like weathered bark sat atop the driver's seat, his eyes glinting with an unsettling mix of curiosity and amusement. "Lost, are you?" he rasped, his voice like dry leaves rustling in the wind.

Annie, still breathless from their laughter, stammered, "We're... we're heading to the festival, sir."

The old man chuckled, his eyes twinkling like stars. "Ah, the festival! A joyous occasion indeed... I'm heading there too to deliver this pile of straw. Hop in! young ones, and let this old man carry you to your merrymaking."

They both exchanged a delightful smile, and with nimble grace, Annie hopped onto the edge of the carriage, her legs swinging happily with the rhythm of the trot. The breeze ruffled her black wig, sending loose strands dancing around her face, adding to the air of carefree joy. While Felix, a hint of amusement in his eyes, stretched out against the straw pile, gazing up at the sky, where wispy clouds drifted like pastel ships on a sea of blue.