The Crimson Throne

Although trained in swordsmanship, the Croix's escorts lacked the skills and experiences of a knight. Gerard did not expect Elaine to diverge from the original path and only provided her with minimum protection. Elaine, however, was ignorant of that fact and failed to foresee the lurking trouble, found herself in an ambush. 

"Can you tell where they came from?" She asked, lifting herself from the floor.

"I could not see any distinguishable insignia, milady. So most likely, the adversaries are bandits from this region." Cecil replied, his voice barely audible, overshadowed by a cacophony of sounds.

Elaine raised the window curtain and peeked outside. Her eyes widened in disbelief. Many of her men laid dead on the ground while about a hundred strangers surrounded the remaining few. Cecil fought against a couple of men, preventing them from reaching the carriage.

"You have great potential, young man. Instead of becoming a poor lapdog for the nobles, why not join us and experience unimaginable riches?" A gruff man with an ungroomed beard and several deep scars spreading across his face shouted. His laughter resonated in the forest. "Just hand over the Croix's young miss to us, and we'll let all of you live. I bet she'll fetch a good price from her family." 

That man must be the bandit's leader.

"How did you know we belonged to the house of Croix?" Cecil questioned.

"Hahaha. Since I feel generous today, I guess I will tell you. Some of my underlings saw your men buying supplies and couldn't let this opportunity slip by. What professional bandits would we be if we hadn't heard of the Duke of Geris' fortunes?"

Elaine slumped down while her face whitened with horror. She took down the Croix insignia after ordering those men to go into town. It was her fault, and the men died because of her. Her entire body trembled, sickening by the realization. The original story had not started, and she did not want to die here. But besides waiting inside her carriage like a useless doll, what else could she do?

One by one, the bandits struck down her men, and some even surrendered. Eventually, only Cecil remained. Several bandits lunged at him. Their swords swung wildly, targeting all parts of his body. Cecil jumped on the incoming weapons and swirled his sword in a circular motion, decapitating their heads.

"Stubborn lapdog." The scar-faced man clicked his tongue, becoming red with anger. Cecil had already killed dozens of his men. At the current rate, he would lose more than his gain. Though recognizing the young man's ability and wanting to persuade him to join his group, the scar-faced man could not afford to lose any more of his underling. "Kill him at all costs!" He screamed. 

The bandits all plunged at him. Many took out their crossbows, shooting arrows in Cecil's direction. 

"Watch out!" Elaine cried. Her hand reached out while mumbling an enchantment, firing ice spears at the approaching arrows. The spears hit the targets, freezing them, and exploded in midair.

"Get that little wench! She knows magic!"

Several men came from behind, trying to enter her carriage. The disturbed horses shrieked and darted, kicking over some bandits obstructing their path.

"Milady!" Cecil sliced one man in half and severed another's arm, desperate to reach Elaine, but the bandits enclosed him, preventing him from leaving.

Another rain of arrows flew out, striking the horses. They tumbled over, bringing down Elaine's carriage. Her body collided on the ground as one man dragged her outside by the hair. "Surrender, or this little wench will die." He placed the sword on her neck and yelled. The icy blade touched her skin, creating a shivering sensation throughout her body. Tears rolled down her eyes, accompanied by the feeling of helplessness.

What did I do to deserve this? I never wanted to come here. I only want to go home. Everyone is now dead because of me.

Cecil kept on fighting, struggling to open a path of blood. "Drop your weapon, or your beloved mistress' head will no longer stay on her neck." The man pressed the blade closer, and the tingling sensation turned into pain. Blood trickled from her neck, mixing with dirt and tears. 

Cecil's body froze, slumping down his hands. But before he could drop his sword, Elaine yelled. "No, keep fighting! Get yourself out of here. Don't worry about me." No one else needs to die because of me.

"The young miss should quiet her pretty little mouth or else." The man yanked her hair while his companion punched her in the stomach.

"Don't hurt her!" Cecil dropped his weapon, and the bandits moved in to subdue him. They started kicking and punching, relieving their anger from earlier. Red blood gushed from his face and body.

"Cecil," Elaine whispered, feeling hopeless.

"You should've been smart like this from the beginning." The scar-faced man stepped forward, satisfaction in his eyes. He then turned to Elaine. "Now then, which Croix family member are you, young lady?"

He doesn't know who I am.

Several thoughts swirled in her head. "I am nothing but an illegitimate child. You will not get much for me." She answered.

"You must not think much of my intelligent, young lady." He roared with laughter and called over one of the surrendered escorts. "Tell me, who is she?"

The escort's eyes avoided Elaine and answered. "Her name is Estella Marie de La Croix, the daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Geris."