Tangled By Fate

After Arthur handed her a bowl of rice with stew, Veronica took the bowl. When her fingers slightly touched, an electrifying sensation rushed into her body and spread all over. She almost let go of the bowl.

"Be careful!" Arthur quickly grabbed the bowl. Later, he slowly placed the bowl in her hand. "I know it's warm but don't drop it because of the temperature."

"Okay," Veronica's voice could barely be heard. She hung her head. Her face was hot. She couldn't look at him properly.

Arthur didn't notice her odd behavior. Seeing that she began to eat, he lowered his voice and declared, "We have to make a move tonight."

Veronica paused and then looked at him. "Will we really make a move tonight? Why so suddenly?"

Arthur's eyes carefully observed the soldiers not too far from them. He asked her, "Didn't you notice the gaze of those soldiers who attacked you in the morning? They might try to attack us after everyone falls asleep. If that happens, it will be impossible to do what we are here for. Every day, I roam around the camp. I already memorized everything. I think I know about the missing healers."

"You do?!" Veronica exclaimed. Upon realizing that she raised her voice, she covered her mouth. She took a deep breath and then whispered, "You do?"

Arthur shared his opinion, "I think they were kidnapped."

"Kidnapped?" Veronica's eyes grew bigger in surprise. "How?"

Arthur explained slowly as he stirred the rice and stew, "My guess is, the light the soldiers saw was from a magic ball that can teleport. The magic ball is way too expensive. I don't have solid proof. But, I've seen a big tent being guarded by many soldiers. I have to cook extra portions for people I don't even know of. The food is always taken by two guards and they deliver the food inside the tent. I never saw any person going inside or outside except for those two soldiers. So, who eats all the food I cook?"

"Maybe they are just too hungry," Veronica commented.

Arthur pinched her cheek. "I wonder what you would do without me, princess."

Veronica pouted. "At least I wouldn't get molested."

Arthur touched his chest. "You hurt my feelings. I was just taking my payment."

"Payment?" Veronica tilted her head.

Arthur raised an eyebrow. "Did you think I would help you for free?"

"Y-you!" Veronica's face flushed instantly. She was about to get up from the ground.

However, she had to stop when a soldier growled, "All right, you two lovebirds. You don't have to make us feel more miserable than we are now."

The soldiers burst into laughter.

With an embarrassed expression, Veronica lowered her head and decided to finish her meal.

At night, Arthur and Veronica wore dark clothes and came out of their tents. They walked hand in hand as if they were strolling. It was nothing out of the ordinary.

The night was as chilly as usual. The guards were busier than before. Everyone was tense. They prepared for another battle that was tomorrow.

Veronica clutched Arthur's sleeve with her free hand. "Arthur," she said with a quivering voice, "I'm scared." She was indeed nervous and the chilling temperature of the desert night wasn't helping either.

"Do not worry too much." Arthur squeezed her hand in assurance. "Just stay close to me."

The warmth of his hand spread in her heart. Veronica felt courage overflowing inside her heart.

They walked naturally, avoiding suspicious gaze. After walking for a while, Arthur signaled her to look in a direction.

When Veronica turned her head to look at what he wanted her to show, she saw a large tent guarded by more than twenty soldiers.

'So what Arthur said at lunch was true. I have never seen a large tent like this before. And too many guards kept it under surveillance. It was so suspicious,' Veronica pondered.

She looked at Arthur and asked him "How are we going inside?"

Arthur replied, "I don't think they will leave tomorrow to join the battle. They are specifically appointed here. They won't budge from here. We need to create a distraction."

"Distraction? Veronica cocked her head. "What kind of distractio-"

Boom!

She wasn't able to finish her words before a loud noise buzzed their ears and an earthquake shook them.

Veronica nearly lost her balance but was caught by Arthur. "I guess we got the distraction we were seeking."

"Wh-what just happened?" She was shocked by the sound. "What was it?"

"It was a cannon." Arthur grinned as if he was waiting for it.

They heard a commotion. They looked around and saw the soldiers coming out of their tents, wearing their uniforms.

Boom!

Another cannon was fired. This time, it fell on a tent that was on the left side of where Arthur and Veronica were standing.

"Be careful!" Arthur saw the fireball coming at them. He hugged Veronica and dived on the ground.

"Ahh!" Veronica shut her eyes and let out a scream. She clung to his clothes and trembled. She thought that she was going to get hurt but her body only jerked violently. She felt no pain.

She opened her eyes and saw blazing fire in front of her. Her heart shook in fear.

"Are you okay?" She heard Arthur's voice who sat up and covered her view.

Veronica answered in a shaky voice, "I'm fine. You protected me."

At that time, a soldier rushed toward them and ordered, "You two, go to the safe zone. We are under attack!"

"Attack?" Veronica was surprised. "Who would attack us unless Synetia-" she paused and looked at Arthur. Her eyes were filled with questions.

Arthur whispered with a smile, "Come. The soldiers are all scattered. This is an opportunity."

He pulled her and both of them stood up. When everyone was busy attacking, they darted in the direction of the large tent.

No one was guarding the tent because of the attack. They slipped inside without anyone's notice.

The inside of the tent was dark. They couldn't see anything.

Veronica opened her mouth to speak when they heard a voice from behind.

"What are you doing here?"