On the other side, Darrin chased after Grizela for quite a distance before finding her.
He saw Grizela standing by a small river, angrily kicking a tree. The branches shook violently under her kicks, and the tender green leaves fell to the ground.
"Keep kicking, and you'll strip the bark off the tree. Why get angry with a tree? Trees also have feelings, and they can feel pain," Darrin approached Grizela from behind, his voice teasing.
Despite Grizela's strength as the captain of the Royal Guards, deep down she was still a girl. Her current display of throwing a tantrum was adorable. Darrin couldn't help but look at her a little more.
Grizela turned her head, glaring at Darrin. "What's it to you? Don't meddle in our affairs. Stay away from our Highness."
Darrin raised an eyebrow, displeased. "It was your Highness who sought us out first. Obviously, he wants to cooperate with our young marshal. Or perhaps seek our help. Is this how you ask for help? You came to Pascaylia with a purpose, didn't you?"
Grizela suddenly kicked at Darrin.
"Who's asking for help? We're the ones who can help you. Your young marshal is in a predicament, and our Highness can't bear to see it. That's why he's willing to lend a hand. Don't get too proud," Grizela retorted.
Darrin agilely dodged Grizela's attack.
"You, always resorting to physical attacks when things don't go your way? You're too wild. No man would dare marry you," Darrin replied disdainfully, staring back at Grizela.
Grizela became even more furious.
"Who wants to get married? Besides our Highness, all other men are trash. I have no interest in them," Grizela retorted.
Her words hit a nerve with Darrin, making him feel a suffocating sensation in his chest, an uncomfortable feeling he couldn't quite put into words.
He glanced at Grizela. "Do you like Reuben? Do you like your master?"
Grizela frowned. "Don't talk nonsense. I am loyal to our Highness. My only wish in this life is for our Highness to ascend to the throne and redeem his family's honor."
"Oh, your Highness doesn't seem to be doing well in Rohomes," Darrin realized. "He looks so glamorous, but apparently, his life there isn't as rosy."
Grizela fell silent.
After a moment, she shook her head. "It's not like that. Life in the royal family is extremely difficult. There are countless rules and restrictions. From attending events to eating and sleeping, we can't act as we please. There are countless eyes watching us, and the slightest mistake can be used against us, escalating conflicts. Every small mistake has the potential to cost innocent lives. Our Highness is a completely different person in Rohomes compared to how he is now. Only when he escaped that environment did he become his true self."
"If it's so restrictive and uncomfortable, why do you still want him to reach the pinnacle of power? Wouldn't it be better if he lived a carefree and happy life?" Darrin couldn't understand. Because Joyce didn't want to be constrained by the warlords, didn training, or stay under their control. She would rather live freely in Khebury. The choice was hers, and if she didn't like it, why force it?
Grizela glared at Darrin, her eyes full of disdain. "You don't understand anything. A tree desires tranquility, but the wind doesn't stop. You say you have no ambition, but will others believe you? If it were really that simple, why would our Highness's mother end up in a mental hospital..."
She realized she had said too much and quickly stopped, furrowing her brow without saying another word.
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