Chapter 8 Unexpected

As Prince August led his warriors toward the ruined walls of Zuih, he caught a glimpse of Princess Ashina. She was walking with her guards, surveying the ongoing rebuilding of their kingdom. His heart raced at the sight of her. He had met her before, and he knew that she was beautiful and kind-hearted.

August quickly instructed his warriors to continue the attack without him, while he made his way towards the princess. As he approached her, she turned to face him and her eyes widened in shock.

"You! Kael, right? What are you doing here?" Princess Ashina asked, incredulously.

Prince August gave a small smile, "Yes, it's me. I'm sorry I didn't tell you before, I didn't want to ruin our conversation. I...I didn't want you to know that I was your enemy."

Princess Ashina felt a wave of disappointment wash over her. She had hoped to see the man she had met before, but now she realized that he was the enemy that had caused her kingdom so much pain.

"I see," she replied, her voice heavy with sadness.

August could see the sadness in her eyes, and he felt a pang of guilt. He knew that he was fighting against her kingdom, but he couldn't help his feelings for her.

"Listen, I know this is complicated, but please believe me when I say that I never wanted to hurt you or your people. I am doing what I have to do for my kingdom, just as you are doing what you have to do for yours," August said, trying to ease her pain.

Princess Ashina looked at him with a mix of emotions. She knew that he was right, but it was hard for her to reconcile her feelings for him with the fact that he was the enemy.

"I understand, but it's still hard for me to accept. I need to go now, please don't follow me," she said, before turning and walking away.

As she walked away, August watched her with a heavy heart. He knew that their meeting had brought more questions than answers, but he couldn't help the way he felt about her.

Princess Ashina was filled with sadness and betrayal as she watched Prince August lead his warriors away from the kingdom. She couldn't believe that the man she had been spending time with was her kingdom's greatest enemy. She couldn't understand how someone she had grown to like and trust could be the cause of so much pain and destruction.

Feeling overwhelmed by her emotions, Ashina called her men to fight off Prince August and his army. The men were quick to respond, and soon the air was filled with the sound of clashing swords and cries of battle.

Prince August, who had been walking away, heard the sounds of the battle and quickly realized what was happening. He couldn't bear the thought of fighting against the woman he had come to care for, so he ordered his men to stand down and leave peacefully.

As he left the kingdom, his heart was heavy with sadness and regret. He had never imagined that his love for Ashina would lead to such pain and destruction. He knew that he had to find a way to make things right, but he also knew that it would not be easy.

Meanwhile, Princess Ashina watched as Prince August and his men left peacefully. She couldn't believe that she had almost fallen for the enemy, and she couldn't forgive herself for trusting him. She knew that the road to rebuilding their kingdom would be long and difficult, but she was determined to make it happen.

As she watched the dust settle and the sound of the battle fade away, she couldn't help but wonder what the future held. Would they ever be able to trust anyone again? Would they ever be able to find peace in their shattered kingdom? Only time would tell.

King Dracula was pacing back and forth in his throne room, his eyes blazing with anger. He was furious with his son, Prince August, for calling off the attack on the Zuih Kingdom.

"August has lost his edge," King Dracula growled to his advisors. "He's become weak because of his love interest in that princess."

His advisors stood silently, waiting for their king to continue.

"We need blood, and we need it now," King Dracula continued. "We cannot afford to wait any longer. August needs to refocus his energy and attack the Zuih Kingdom once again. This time, we will not hold back."

The advisors nodded in agreement, knowing better than to argue with their king.

King Dracula turned to one of his trusted advisors. "Send a message to August. Tell him to prepare for battle once again. We will not let our thirst go unquenched."

The advisor bowed and quickly left the room to carry out the king's orders.

King Dracula sat back on his throne, his mind already planning out the attack. He would make sure that his son was focused and ruthless in his next attack on the Zuih Kingdom. He would not let anything stand in the way of their thirst for blood.

Prince August sat on his throne, staring blankly at the wall. His thoughts were consumed with Princess Ashina, and the pain he had caused her. He couldn't believe that he had fallen in love with the enemy. His father had warned him about the dangers of getting too close to their prey, but he couldn't help himself. The princess was unlike anyone he had ever met before.

Meanwhile, Princess Ashina was sitting in her chambers, trying to hold back her tears. She couldn't believe that the man she had been falling for was the prince of the kingdom that had destroyed her home. She felt betrayed and foolish for letting her guard down.

As the night went on, both of them couldn't shake the thoughts of each other from their minds. They knew that they were on opposite sides of the war, but their hearts were telling them something else.

The next day, Prince August decided to sneak out of the castle and make his way back to the ruined walls of Zuih. He needed to see Princess Ashina and explain himself. He knew that it was a dangerous move, but he couldn't ignore his feelings any longer.

Princess Ashina was surprised when she saw him walking towards her. She was still hurt by his betrayal, but seeing him again stirred up all of her feelings. They sat down and talked for hours, discussing their kingdoms and the war between them. Prince August explained how he had never wanted to be a part of the attack on Zuih, but he had no choice as the prince of Leaden. He had been raised to be a warrior, and it was all he knew.

Princess Ashina listened to him and slowly began to understand. She saw the pain in his eyes as he talked about the bloodshed caused by his kingdom. They both knew that their love for each other was forbidden, but they couldn't ignore the connection they had.

As the sun began to set, they knew that they had to part ways. Prince August promised that he would find a way to end the war between their kingdoms and prove his love for her. Princess Ashina couldn't help but believe him, despite the odds against them.

They said their goodbyes and went back to their respective kingdoms, unsure of what the future held for them.