<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="font-size: 22px"><i><b>W</b></i></span><span style="font-size: 15px">ith a small step back, Elysande watched with careful eyes as the knight reached instinctively for his sword.  Elysande remained calm - a sense of knowing that she wouldn’t be striked. She always had <i>that</i> feeling - security - whenever it came to him. Her eyes remained on his silhouette, waiting patiently for him to accept her handcloth. Nevertheless, seeing his flustered state of mind only caused her to hide her amused smile as she bit down a small laugh that wanted to escape from her lips. Elysande could only turn her head slightly away from Felix, grateful that his head was lowered as to not see the small mirth the knight managed to sway in her expression and posture. However, whatever enjoyment she had in surprising Felix was gone when he quickly voiced out ‘your majesty’. Perhaps it was foolish of her to think that he’d call her by name after countless times of telling him in the past. The past should stay in the past, shouldn’t it? A Queen should always move forward - to look ahead and fend off whatever trouble that laid before her feet. But, is it wrong that the memories of her past is what makes her move? To strive forward and never give up - not when the lords and those at court are slimy bastards that would do nothing but ruin the Kingdom. But, fate is cruel and twisted, it seems. What laid before her wasn’t the reunion she had in mind, not when the most important person was missing: Ser Aleksandre. An uncle, or rather, another father figure one she believed to be closest to her after the passing of her own - her aid and confidante. Another pain flared in her heart as she sucked in a breath, her weary eyes drooping as she waited patiently for Sir Felix’s answer. <br/>
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The boy that laid before her was no longer such, instead, a man filled with revered and determination knelt before her feet. Times have changed and so have they - the only comfort was knowing that the castle still stood still, intimidating and towering in all of its glory, unchangeable. The palace had a touch of mystique though it was clear to any who stepped in front of the gates of the castle would know the building’s old ancient lineage and age. Agnoana survived through a-many wars and disputes, but Elysande knew it was only a matter of time their stronghold would be accessible to dangers if situations continued to appear consistently. Enemy numbers were growing day-by-day and her worries only increased. She wished, at one point, to go back in time where the only worries she had was a scraped knee or a foreboding distaste of having to show pleasantries in court. However, such ideas were wishful thinking, a precarious notion that would only cause more harm than relief. Nevertheless, Elysande calmly and patiently observed Felix’s posture, trying to get a glimpse of how he was feeling and how he was processing her cryptic speech. At seeing the blood oozing down his forehead, Elysande nearly stepped up wanting to take her hand cloth to wipe away the red ink. However, her brows furrowed, listening and watching the leather of his gauntlet squeak and his fist tightening. His words pleased her ears and a sigh of relief escaped her lips - not realising she was holding her breath. <br/>
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However, the moment Felix gazed up, raising his head, Elysande stumbled slightly back, shocked to her core at the expression and emotions displayed on his facial features but mostly, his eyes. She could feel the determined aura radiating around him like a small hum as she gazed at him. A shiver went up her spine as she could feel this emotions seep through his words and Elysande could only fight back the tears that were ready to form around her eyes. Was it selfish for her to feel  . . . some sort of happiness knowing Felix would do <i>anything</i> to find out the traitor? A small smile made way to her lips as he uttered his acceptance, despite not knowing what troubles and obstacles laid ahead. For a split moment, Elysande was brought back in time to the first time she had met Felix at the Gala, courtesy of Ser Aleksandre. At first, Elysande paid no mind to the boy, but as days passed and she learned that he would be taught along side her, Elysande found more than she expected. An unspoken bond of camaraderie and perhaps. . . maybe more. But, without a moment’s notice, Elysande walked closer towards Felix, slowly bending her knees as she knelt in front of him. Gently lifting his face up to greet her own troubled eyes, Elysande’s gaze softened, “How many times must I tell you, <i>Fifi</i>? When it is just you and I . . . you need not to bow your head or call me such formalities.” Her small smile gave way to her teary eyes before she heard hurried footsteps behind her in a quickened pace. <br/>
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“Y-your Highness! The Duke is on his way into the barn. We must go!” Clara urgently called out to Elysande, slightly tapping her feet against the ground out of nervousness.<br/>
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With a small nod, Elysande spoke quickly and quietly to Felix, “Remind me how well you can ride?” A small grin escaped her lips before she quickly stood up off the ground as Clara quickly aided her by taking her arm. <br/>
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As Elysande turned away from Felix and headed in the direction of the horse she had gotten acquainted with earlier, Elysande reached her hand out towards the black horse, waiting for him to sniff her hand. “My friend. I need your aid and perhaps you would like to stretch your leg?” She cooed at the horse, questioning him as she observed his behavior. Not a moment to lose, the horse neighed, huffing softly as he tapped his legs against the wooden floor, shaking his head in response. Impatiently waiting for Elysande to get on his back, Clara quickly went to get the saddle. Opening the door that enclosed the black horse, Elysande cooed, gently petting him before Clara placed a stool on the ground to help Elysande climb over and atop the horse as  Clara continued to prepare for the ride.<br/>
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Moments later, Elysande was atop the horse as she adjusted herself in the seat and waited for Clara to get on. With a click of her tongue and a slight tap at the side, Elysande took the reigns. The stallion moved foward in a small trot. Before Elysande signaled Henrick - the name she decided to name the steed - to dash towards the outskirts of town and into the forest, Elysande turned to call out towards Felix, “I will meet you where it all began. And you will know more details of this mission. Race you there.” <br/>
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And soon enough, Elysande was off, Clara holding on tightly as the wind blew into the barn. Henrick stormed, racing off into the open, turning the left, away from the village and castle and headed straight for the forest surrounding Agnoana on the western borders. Elysande could only hope that Felix remembered that first spot where both she and Felix had trained under the watchful eye of Ser Aleksandre: the meadow that laid hidden in the woods.</span></span>