themattcave
patreon
Bride of the Demon Prince chapter 4
🕑 Added 2024-09-09 18:35:28 +0000 UTCChapter 4
The detour through the small forest, meant to avoid the nearby towns and villages, had an air of unease about it. The road was narrower, flanked by towering trees taller, thicker and more condensed than those they had previously passed through.
The atmosphere, though serene at first glance, was tinged with tension. The soldiers were on high alert, wary of potential threats—bandits, wandering traders, or even the wild beasts that inhabited the woods. Despite the extra hours the detour added to their journey, it was preferable to risking a confrontation with villagers who might not yet be ready to see demon soldiers crossing their land.
Tenten’s eyes constantly scanned their surroundings from inside the carriage, every rustle of leaves making her hand twitch toward her weapon all while Ino and Sakura exchanged uneasy glances, their minds running through various spells and protective measures they could employ if necessary.
The tension was palpable, but it was the kind of tension that made the hours of travel feel interminable, the oppressive silence broken only by the rhythmic padding of the fox steeds’ paws, and the rumble of the carriage wheels.
Inside the carriage, Hinata sat quietly, her mind wandering. The long journey had grown tedious, and with no one speaking, there was nothing to occupy her thoughts, she found herself growing restless. She briefly considered asking the Captain more about her fiancé—after all, he had been so kind and approachable so far, but she dismissed the idea, not wanting to distract him from his duties at this moment.
Her concerns were not dissuaded though even as the Captain himself would approach to check on the princess and her entourage every once in a while, his kindness and concern making the princess smile- it only leant to her decision of not disturbing him with her own curiosities. Though her thoughts would often move from her fiance to the Captain whenever she looked to him, which, now in day time, she could now see through the eye opening of the mask, and were blue, and not the well known red of the fox demons.
And when he wasn’t there, Hinata just resigned herself to the monotony–-until the carriage came to an abrupt halt.
Hinata instinctively leaned out the window, her curiosity piqued towards what new obstacle had occurred, but Sakura quickly pulled her back in, cautioning her to stay inside while they checked the situation.
Tenten peeked out from her side of the carriage, her sharp eyes narrowing as she took in the scene ahead.
A massive black wolf-like creature stood in the middle of the road, its fur matted and dark, almost blending into the shadows cast by the trees. It had six squinty red eyes, three on each side of its head, glinting with malice as it feasted on the remains of a stag, blood and saliva dripping from its fanged maw. Its tail was a grotesque, writhing tentacle, its tip lined with jagged spikes, ready to strike.
Tenten quickly ducked back inside, her face pale. “There’s a monster in the road. A Kuroyami Wolf,” she informed them, her voice tense as it was rare to see such a beast in the Hyuuga lands.
Curiosity got the better of Hinata, and she glanced out of the window again, just in time to see the Captain dismount from his fox steed before beginning to approach the beast calmly, his hand extending sideward as a swirl of magic began to coalesce around his arm and spike out from his hand,the magic forming into the shape of a sword, which burst into physical existence with a flash of light.
The beast, sensing a challenge, let out a guttural roar, its six eyes locking onto the Captain as it abandons its meal to charge at him, its claws ready to rend him apart. The Captain, with an undeterred presence, meets the beast head-on, his sword clashing against its strong, razor sharp claws in a shower of sparks.
Hinata watched, heart pounding in her chest, as the Captain moved with incredible speed and precision. When the beast’s tentacle-tail whipped around to strike, the Captain deftly evaded, leaving behind a smoky duplicate that took the brunt of the attack before dissipating into the air with a puff of smoke. In the same breath, the Captain slashed out and severed the end of the tail with a swift swipe of his sword.
The Kuroyami Wolf howled in pain, growing more enraged as it lunged again and again at the Captain with renewed fury. But the Captain parried each blow of its claws and teeth with a fluidity and grace that left Hinata in awe. His movements were almost mesmerising, a deadly dance of skill and strength.
Tenten, who had been watching closely, couldn’t help but comment, “His movements are incredible. He’s not just strong—he’s precise.”
The other girls, equally captivated by the fight, nodded in agreement, their earlier wariness momentarily forgotten as they witnessed the Captain’s prowess.
Despite the beast’s ferocity, the Captain gradually gained the upper hand. His attacks, though few, were far more aggressive, his sword striking with increasing force as he pushed the monster back.
A low growl emanated from him as he fought, a primal sound that hinted at his own hidden strength, until, in a final, powerful stroke, he severed the beast’s head, the body collapsing lifelessly to the ground.
For a moment, the forest was silent, the echoes of the battle fading away, the Captain stood over the beast’s carcass, his sword dissipating into a burst of magical light, letting out a long held breath.
Hinata could see his shoulders droop slightly, the adrenaline of the fight leaving his body. An inexplicable urge to go to him, to offer some words of gratitude, and comfort, surged within her, but she held back, unsure of where the feeling came from.
The Captain turned and gave the order for the guards to remove the beast’s body, his tone colder and more detached than Hinata had ever heard.
It sent a pang of confusion and concern through her—he didn’t seem to relish the fight, but he had fought with such intensity. Why? Did he despise fighting, or was there something more?
As the guards worked to clear the road, the Captain returned to his steed, pulling out a water canteen from his saddlebag, before removing his mask to take a long drink of the cooling liquid inside, and Hinata’s breath caught in her throat.
His face, revealed in profile, was strikingly handsome. Though she was confused why his blue eyes were now red, typical of his kind, she was surprised his features were less fox-like than she had imagined, more human, with an almost innocent look. He was younger too from what she could see, around her age, the youngest captain she had ever met, for sure.
She quickly looked away as he finished drinking and replaced his mask, her cheeks heating up once again, as she felt nervous about him seeing her, her concerns being for her own appearance.
What was happening to her? Why did she feel this way? As the carriage began to move once more, Hinata found herself staring out of the window, her thoughts a whirlwind of emotions and unanswered questions.
After the beast’s carcass was cleared and the carriage continued its journey, Hinata found herself unable to shake the thoughts lingering in her mind.
The Captain’s frustrated appearance didn't seem like he was put out by having to stop and fight, but the fight itself. His reaction after the fight with the Kuroyami Wolf had puzzled her. His tone, usually so calm and warm, had been different—colder, almost reluctant. She couldn’t help but wonder what had caused the shift. Was it really the act of fighting itself, or something deeper?
The day wore on, the dense trees casting long shadows as the sun dipped toward the horizon. The journey had been quiet since the encounter with the wolf, the soldiers remaining vigilant while the girls inside the carriage exchanged occasional light conversation. As day began its creep toward evening, the air cooled, and the skys brilliant blue began to darken and the shadows lengthened once more.
Hinata, lost in thought, gazed out the window, her eyes tracing the outlines of the trees against the darkening sky.
The rhythmic padding of the fox steeds slowed as the Captain approached the coach on his mount, drawing close to check on the passengers. His presence, as always, brought a sense of calm, and he greeted them with his usual warmth.
"How are you all holding up?" he asked, his voice carrying a hint of concern despite the casual tone.
Hinata was the first to respond, "I’m doing fine, thank you." her eyes were drawn to his, through the mask, and once more, they were the shade of crystal blue she had first seen, which relieved her.
Sakura nodded in agreement, "Same here."
Ino, ever the complainer, sighed dramatically. "I’d really love to stretch more, though. This ride is doing a number on me."
Tenten, though clearly bored, kept her answer brief. "I’m fine," she said, though her tone suggested she was anything but.
The Captain chuckled softly, his eyes crinkling with amusement. "We might stop soon for dinner. We’re getting close to the border now, so after that, once we’re in the wildlands we’ll pull over and eat."
The news was met with relief from the girls, each expressing in their own way how eager they were to get out of the carriage, if only for a little while. The prospect of reaching the border seemed to lift their spirits, even if it also brought a new wave of anxiety for Hinata.
“Thank you for letting us know.” Hinata thanks him, her voice gentle and sincere.
The Captain nodded in response, but just as he was about to pull away and return to his position at the head of the convoy, Hinata hesitated a moment before she called out to him, her voice soft but clear, catching his attention.
He turned back, his gaze inquisitive as he asked, “Is something wrong, Princess?”
Hinata bit her lip, unsure if she should proceed, but the concern that had been building within her urged her forward. “I just… wanted to ask if you’re okay. After the fight with the Kuroyami Wolf, I mean.”
For a moment, the Captain was silent, his eyes reflecting the light of the fading day. When he finally spoke, his usual confidence seemed to waver. “I’m… fine,” he said, but his tone lacked the assuredness she had come to expect from him.
Hinata could sense the weight behind his words, a burden he wasn’t sharing. It unsettled her to see this side of him—vulnerable, perhaps even conflicted. She wanted to press further, to understand what was truly bothering him, but something in his demeanour stopped her. Despite the concern that gnawed at her, she respected his unspoken wish to leave the topic alone.
“Alright,” she replied softly, her eyes searching for him for a moment longer before she offered him a small, reassuring smile. “If you ever need someone to talk to…”
The Captain’s gaze softened, and he nodded, Hinata unaware of a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips. “Thank you, Princess. I’ll keep that in mind.”
With that, he gently nudged his fox steed forward, returning to his post ahead of the convoy, Hinata watching him go, a mix of emotions swirling within her.
The Captain was still a stranger in many ways, yet she found herself caring about his well-being more than she had expected. It was strange, unsettling even, how quickly she was beginning to take an interest in him. She couldn’t quite understand it, but as the carriage rolled on, she realised that her feelings for the Captain were becoming stranger, and scary.
As the evening began to settle into an orange sky, the pleasant views through the window diminished into darker hues, and the sounds of birds lessened; but the atmosphere grew noticeably more subdued as the carriage approached the checkpoint.
The tension was palpable, as Hyuuga soldiers and Fox soldiers stood at the ready, eyes locked on each other with a cautious wariness.
The Captain dismounted his fox steed and approached the checkpoint's captain, the two exchanging paperwork and quiet words while their respective guards maintained a watchful vigilance over the situation.
Inside the coach, Hinata felt the weight of the tense situation but had conditioned herself to remain calm in difficult meetings from a young age, a matter of her royal training. Her companions, however, were restless from the long journey, and when the carriage came to a stop, they had eagerly stepped outside to stretch their legs. The carriage, while spacious enough to allow them to stand, still left them yearning for the freedom to move about in the open air.
Hinata joined them, stepping out into the unfamiliar countryside at the edge of her family's kingdom. The realisation quickly struck her that she truly had not been far from home, as even this part of her homeland was foreign to her, and soon she would be venturing into an even more alien land. The thought of which was both daunting and exciting, stirring a mix of emotions within her.
As Ino, Sakura, and Tenten conversed, airing their grievances about the journey's toll on their bodies, Hinata found her attention drawn to the road ahead, where the Captain was engaged in discussion with the checkpoint officer. Despite being too far enough away to hear the words being shared, there was an undercurrent of tension in their exchange, a wariness that both men tried to mask behind formalities.
Sensing the need to ease the situation, Hinata decided to approach the Captain and his counterpart.
Her friends tried to quietly dissuade her with hushed voices, but she moved forward with calm determination. The Fox soldiers were taken aback by her sudden approach but did not move to stop her either, the two captains pausing their conversation as she neared, the Hyuuga captain recognizing her from notices and newspapers immediately dropped to one knee in respect.
“Your Highness.” The Hyuuga captain greeted her, his voice filled with respect for the daughter of his king.
Hinata smiled gently, asking, “Is there a problem here?”
The Captain of the checkpoint shook his head, offering a placating smile. “No, Your Highness, just a routine check. We were having a little… chat, that’s all.” the guards around him flinched a little as he chose his wording with care.
It was clear to Hinata that the “chat” was more about the unease between the soldiers than anything else, but she chose not to press the matter, choosing Instead to maintain her serene demeanour, understanding that a show of confidence and kindness could help diffuse the tension.
“I see,” she replied. “Then, if there are no issues, could you allow us to continue? I am expected at my destination, and it is important that I meet with my fiancé as soon as possible.”
The Hyuuga captain hesitated, his eyes reflecting a mix of pity and admiration. He had heard the rumours about the Princesses marriage, and now, seeing Hinata’s calm and resolute demeanour, he felt a pang of sympathy, and admiration for how much she was sacrificing for the sake of peace. With a deeper bow, he stood and stepped aside.
“Of course, Your Highness. Safe travels to you.” he says, with a tone of gratitude.
The rest of the Hyuuga guards saluted, their respect for the princess evident in their stiff postures and solemn faces. The Captain of the Fox guards escorted Hinata back to the coach, his gratitude evident in his voice.
“Thank you, Princess. You handled that beautifully,” he said quietly, his tone sincere and grateful. “I was worried for a moment that things might escalate.”
Hinata looked up at him, her heart fluttering once more at the warmth in his voice and the concern in his eyes.
Hinata began to question if he was even a fox demon, and the Captain was proving to be a kind and genuine person, far from the fearsome image she had initially imagined of all their kind. When he offered his hand, like the night before, to help her back into the coach, she accepted it, feeling the now-familiar warmth in her cheeks as his strong yet gentle hand guided her.
Once inside, Hinata sat back in her seat, covering her cheeks with her hands, trying to make sense of the strange warmth that was stirring within her.
Why did her heart race whenever she interacted with the Captain?
What was happening to her?
As her friends returned to the coach, the Hyuuga soldiers outside saluted the princess once more, a show of respect that was not lost on her as the coach began to move again, the checkpoint quickly fading into the distance as they continued their journey, beyond her home, towards her new one..
As the night settled around them, they stopped by the road for the evening meal, and to rest from the day's journey.
The campfire cast flickering shadows across the open plains. The stars above were bright, a stark contrast to the battle-scarred earth beneath them.
It was a reminder that not long ago battles were being fought, and blood spilled here, in the borderlands, and that nature never stopped, as the ground was already healing with new grass and wildflowers.
The smell of stew boiling in the pot filled the air, drawing the girls closer around the fire. They were hungry, their stomachs growling in unison, but Hinata’s hunger was of a different kind—a hunger for understanding.
With her friends distracted by the prospect of dinner, Hinata quietly slipped away, approaching the group of guards, who immediately stood to attention when they noticed her. They were in the middle of their own meal, eating bread and meat, but their loyalty was clear as they paused to acknowledge her presence.
The Captain turned his head, his mask was off, revealing the handsome face that had been lingering in Hinata’s thoughts since her distance glance of his side profile, but up close, it was more than she expected, his smile even showed that his teeth were not all sharp, though he had a couple of fangs. His still blue eyes, though striking, were softened by a look of concern as he saw her approach, though it still made her breath hitch a little at the sight of him, and her cheeks burn just a little.
“Princess,” he greeted her with a respectful nod. “Is everything alright?”
Hinata offered him a polite smile, her voice steady as she made her request.
“May I have a word with you, Captain?”
He hesitated only briefly before agreeing. “Of course.”
Together, they walked a little distance from the others, far enough to ensure their conversation wouldn’t be overheard.
When they stopped, the Captain turned to her again, his expression curious and slightly guarded.
“What’s on your mind, Princess? Is there something you need?”
Hinata took a breath, gathering her thoughts before she spoke.
“I wanted to ask you something… earlier, after the fight with the Kuroyami Wolf. Did you—” She paused, searching for the right words. “Did you like fighting it?”
The Captain blinked, clearly taken aback by her question. “Why do you ask?”
She met his gaze, her voice soft but insistent. “I noticed how you changed afterward. You seemed tense… colder. Your… eyes. I just… I wanted to know if you were alright.”
The Captain’s expression shifted, a shadow crossing his features. He sighed, looking away for a moment as if gathering his thoughts.
“During the war, I did many things. Things I’m not proud of, both before I joined the fight, and after.” he began, his voice carrying a weight that Hinata hadn’t heard before. “I… tell people that I fought because it was my duty, and that’s true…” He pauses, before saying too much. “Killing that beast today… it was necessary, also my duty, but…”
He trailed off, struggling with his words. Hinata, sensing his distress, reached out and gently placed a hand on his arm. The gesture was simple, yet it carried a warmth that startled the Captain. He looked down at her, surprised, but also grateful.
“The freshest wounds bleed the most,” he finally continued, his voice taking on a poetic tone. “And for many of us, the war is still an open wound—a wound yet to heal, a wound no blade made, but of regrets, actions, and experience.”
Hinata’s heart ached for him. She realised then that this man, who had seemed so strong and capable, was carrying burdens that she could barely comprehend.
And yet, in his vulnerability, she saw something profoundly human. The tales she had heard of demons, of their violence, their trickery, their wild nature, seemed distant and unfounded in the face of the kindness she saw in the Captain.
Her cheeks flushed, and her heart began to race as she looked up at him, lingering on his features.
She had always imagined demons as foreign and terrifying, but this Captain was more human to her than many of the nobles she had known in her life.
“I pray that those wounds will be healed, now that the war is over.” Hinata says with a comforting tone, with a shy aura that makes the captain blush a little, as he notices just how cute she is.
In that moment, she found herself drawn to him in a way that both surprised and confused her, her hand beginning to reach out to touch his armoured chest, a desire to comfort and embrace almost overtook her.
The captain froze a little, not sure what to do, and yet, didn’t pull away.
“Princess… I… I should tell you that…” he began, nervously, a hint of guilt in his voice. “Your husband is…"
She listened intently, lost in an unfamiliar haze, but then, at the mention of her future husband, reality struck her like a cold wind, pausing her actions and emotions. She was to be married—to Prince Naruto.
The thought of her future husband, of the duty she was bound to, suddenly loomed over her. She could not allow herself to be distracted by these feelings, no matter how ignoring them seemed to make her ache.
Yet, as she stood there, an image flashed in her mind—of herself in a wedding dress, the Captain by her side, his strong form and handsome face framed by the traditional red hair of the fox demons. The thought sent a mild panic through her, and she quickly pulled her hand away, stepping back.
“I… I am sorry,” she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper. “I should return to my companions.”
“Huh?! Oh… yes.” The Captain spoke, taken aback at the suddenness, and nodded. “Of course, Princess.” confused at her strange reaction.
Without another word, Hinata hurried back to the campfire, her heart pounding in her chest, even as she rejoined her friends, noticing their curious and slightly concerned expressions. They had clearly noticed her absence, and were ready to chastise the princess for leaving their side, but then they noticed yet another flush on her cheeks, redder than ever.
All of them, as if synced, began looking back and forth between where the princess was, standing shy, and guilty before them, and where… or rather with WHO she had been standing, it clearly dawned on them many ideas for her reaction.
Sakura was the first to speak, her tone edged with suspicion. “Did the Captain say something to you?” she probed, trying to be respectful, but also concerned.
Hinata shook her head quickly, but before she could explain, Ino smirked, her eyes gleaming with mischief. “Maybe the Princess has caught the flutters from the Captain?”
The suggestion made Hinata’s face burn even hotter, and she tried to hide it by turning away. The three girls exchanged looks, a mixture of surprise and understanding passing between them.
Tenten, attempting to be supportive, leaned in slightly. “It’s okay, Prin… Hinata.” she began, using her name to indicate this was the friendlier aspect of their friendship, not the professional. “Crushing on someone isn’t a crime.” She paused, glancing over to the captain, then back to Hinata. “To be honest, after seeing him fight… I kinda… see the appeal.” she blushed a little herself, it was hard to admit even a subtle attraction, given she focused mostly on her weapons training.
This admission took the other two by surprise because it was the last thing they expected to hear from the soldier, who they considered the least feminine amongst them in personality at least, as she had drawn many a suitor; though it was an in-joke as she always thought they were challenging her, not asking her out.
Still, they looked at Tenten with wide eyes.
Sakura sighed, giving Hinata a sympathetic look. “Hinata, we speak as friends here, so don’t take offence when we say that you’re just… inexperienced in these things. It’s normal for a… young lady to be… taken by a nice word or two from a handsome man, and those words may make your heart flutter, especially since you’ve been so sheltered, outside of social gatherings.”
Hinata pouted slightly, feeling a bit defensive, feeling like she was being considered too young and immature for romance. “I’m not a child, Sakura…”
Ino, ever the instigator, couldn’t resist a teasing jab. “Well, with a chest like yours, your highness, no one can argue that.”
Sakura shot Into a scolding glare. “Ino, seriously, keep it classy.”
“Oh come on, we’ve all wished we had melons like those!” Ino continued.
“W-What?!” Hinata blinked, looking down to her chest, as she gently held them. “Are they… really so… desirable?”
Ino and Sakura both looked at Hinata with a ‘are you serious’ expression.
Despite her embarrassment, Hinata managed to laugh softly at this, but the moment of levity didn’t last long.
She sighed, her voice softening as she admitted, “I… I do feel drawn to him. But I know my duty. I’m supposed to marry the Prince, and now… I just feel awkward.”
This confession set the topic over dinner for them, the girls each offering their advice, a mix of encouragement and caution. They told her to enjoy the feeling, but to keep it in check—for the sake of peace.
Yet, beneath their words, Hinata could sense that they secretly wished she could abandon her duty, grab the Captain, and run away to find her own happiness— or maybe it was her own subconscious, making it seem that way.
Their words did little to ease the confusion in her heart, but they did help her regain a bit of her resolve as a princess, even as her gaze drifted back to the Captain, who had rejoined his men, she couldn’t shake the thought that perhaps demons and humans were not so different after all. And maybe, just maybe, the lines between duty and desire are harder than she had once believed.
