Chapter70

Princess Didi stood at the edge of the clearing with her arms crossed, watching the last monster dissolve into ash while the knights around her cheered and started packing up their gear.
"I said I wanted to fight it," she said, her voice carrying irritation. "Not watch you kill it before I even draw my sword."
Sir Gazel, the knight who had delivered the final blow, wiped his blade clean and sheathed it before turning to face her with a slight bow. "My apologies, Your Highness. The creature was moving toward the supply line, and we acted on protocol."
"Protocol," she repeated, the word tasting bitter on her tongue. "You always act on protocol when it means keeping me out of the fight."
"We act to protect the royal family," he said, his tone calm and respectful, not rising to the bait. "Your safety is our priority."
"My safety is a cage," she muttered, turning away from him while her boots crunched against the dirt. "At this rate I'll never be allowed to enter a Gate. I'll just sit in the capital and wait until someone decides I'm ready, like experience grows on trees."
She walked back toward her carriage, her knights falling into step behind her. She was about to reach for the carriage door when the ground shook.
The earth bucked under her boots, throwing her off balance and making her grab the carriage door to keep from falling.
Sir Gazel was at her side in an instant, his hand on his sword. "Your Highness, are you—"
Another tremor hit, cracking the dirt near the edge of the clearing. The knights around them were already moving, drawing their weapons while the horses started pulling at their reins.
Then something spoke from underground, its voice deep and distorted, "interesting, is that royal blood I sense."