“O-Our secret?”

Melissa’s face became a shade redder, and she tried to fight down this strange new feeling in her chest. It was as if fireflies had buzzed their way into her stomach…was that the right way to describe it? It was weird…but it felt warm all the same. To be truthful, she hadn’t felt this way since the Ultimatum had…

Not again. Never again. Setting her jaw line tight, the knight reached up to gently brush Alice’s hands with her own. Looking up at her beloved princess, Melissa gave her a look of determination and eternal loyalty.

“I won’t let you die,” she said with finality. “I won’t let you die like everyone else. I’ll keep your feelings with me. Only for you…my Lady.”

Smiling shyly, she gently rubbed Alice’s  hand with her cheek affectionately. Yes, this [i]was[/i] the right thing to do. She wanted Alice with her forever, by her side and smiling.

[b]Boom.[/b]

The crash was loud and jarring, rocking the very ground they sat upon. Melissa slowly broke away from Alice’s gaze to look over the horizon of the castle. Something was approaching Crescentia’s borders from far away. If they could see it from here…then that something was huge.

“The Ultimatum,” Melissa growled.