"To be in a good condition is a must," Gilbert remembered Luna saying that to him three days ago. Her Royal Majesty, Queen Fey, agreed and urged him to rest. The journey ahead certainly needed him to be in his best condition. She wanted Gilbert to be prepared mentally and physically, although he wasn’t sure how to be mentally prepared.

He wanted to start looking for the sword, but a part of him was glad that he could rest and give time to sort out his thoughts. Death had crossed his mind countless times during his stay in Sunny Drop. It would be a lie to say he isn't afraid. Gilbert knew that if he truly wanted to avenge the death of his parents, he needed to steel himself. Most importantly, he needed to be alive to do it.

"To feel fear is normal for us humans." The image of Luna glowing under the moonlight as she said that last night came vividly into his mind, "These emotions set us apart from the creatures under the Evil Lord's command."

Gilbert sensed comfort whenever the princess chats, he felt like he could listen to her talk for hours though he could not tell why. He thought it must be because she was blessed by the Gods. Nonetheless, Gilbert was glad of the knowledge of her accompanying him on his journey. However, at the same time, he was a bit hesitant. How can such a gentle girl be able to survive the journey ahead? Not that he was any better but he was still worried.

A knock on his door pulled Gilbert out of his thoughts. “It’s open,” he said loudly.

Luna poked her head and smiled sheepishly at him. The young prince shot up and properly greeted the girl. Not wanting to sound rude, Gilbert asked carefully, “Is there something you need?”

"I hope you're ready, we'll depart the day after tomorrow," she informed. He wondered why she went out of her way to tell him that when she could’ve just sent a servant to do so, however, he quickly brushed this thought away. Gilbert kept quiet, not wanting to give meaning to the princess’ kindness.

"Oh," the boy replied, albeit awkwardly. So we'll finally begin, he thought.

Luna sensed his lack of enthusiasm. Then again who would be when they were risking their lives, she scolded herself. All she could think of doing now was to comfort him as best as she could. Slowly, hesitantly, Luna placed a comforting hand on Gilbert's arm.

"You're not alone in this battle," she reminded him and he knew, but a lot of what-ifs crossed his mind, and most are negative.

"What if we fail?" he whispered. Luna bit her lip after noting the fear laced in Gilbert's voice. However, before she could answer, the prince shook his head several times, making his jet black hair sway. Turning to Luna, Gilbert covered her hand with his own.

"I shouldn't think that way, I'm sorry," he said, an apologetic smile plastered on his face.

Caught off guard, Luna could only nod. Fortunately, Gilbert had missed the slight blush on her cheeks despite the moonlight illuminating her face, though Luna herself was not aware of it. Then surprise flashed on the young man’s eyes upon realizing how bold he was by placing his hand on top of hers. Playing it cool, Gilbert retracted his hand and scooted a few steps back.

Luna thought it was best to leave now that the atmosphere became awkward, although both agreed it was bearable. Lifting her skirts in a curtsy, the princess wished him goodnight before exiting the room. The room became quiet again, making Gilbert wish Luna stayed for a bit. With a sigh, Gilbert plopped on the bed and forced himself to sleep. No matter how tight he closed his eyes, sleep refused to come to him as negative thoughts flooded his mind. He was finally going to find the sword starting tomorrow. Gilbert worried about disappointing those who were counting on him. Gilbert hated thinking of the possibility that Junho and his mother were already dead, but it was there.

With nothing better to do, Gilbert got up and snatched the sword perched on the nightstand beside the bed. As the next in line for the crown, Gilbert took up a lot of things including sword fighting. The only experience he had was practice fights, and that was with actual live human beings. With the Evil Lord’s rule over creatures he had yet to face, Gilbert felt the need to practice his skills again.

By the time he was done, Gilbert immediately passed out.

It felt like he’d slept for only a few hours as he still felt groggy when he was woken up by loud knocks on the door. He heard someone call him from outside, probably a servant, “Your Highness, it’s time to get ready for your departure. I’ve brought you necessities by the Queen’s orders. May I come in?”

As if he’d been splashed with cold water, Gilbert was wide awake. “Uh, yeah,” he replied after he looked decent enough, and by decent, Gilbert meant smoothing his ruffled hair and straightening the crinkles on his nightshirt.

A woman wearing the maid’s uniform delivered to him a satchel, a baldric for his sword, and a dirty white cloak. He was so focused on the things presented to him that he became surprised when the woman suddenly spoke, “A change of clothes are on their way, and Her Royal Majesty and Highness awaits for you in the dining hall.” and with that, she left him alone.

True to her words, a set of fresh clothes were seated on his bed after his bath. He hastily got rid of his used clothing and put on the new one. The black long-sleeved shirt made out of silk hugged his well-built body, and the dark trousers reached down to his ankles. He found a pair of black ankle boots and put it on to complete his look. Gilbert made sure to make his hair look presentable, and now he looked a little bit intimidating thanks to his all-black outfit. He then put on the cloak, the only clothing on him that wasn’t black. Somehow, he wasn’t sure whether this was picked random or picked to suit him. Nonetheless, he appreciated how he looked in it and made a mental note to thank the Queen and Luna.

When he was done, Gilbert headed out. The knight stationed outside his room escorted him towards the dining hall where Queen Fey and Princess Luna sat while waiting for his arrival.

Luna wore a short brown corset with a white lantern-sleeve blouse underneath. It was paired with black leggings and black knee-high boots. Gilbert noticed Luna wore a cloak that matched his. The princess also had a satchel perched on her shoulders. Seeing it, he remembered how he was supposed to check its contents but the bag was very light as if air was the only thing inside it.

Gilbert bowed as a sign of respect and only raised his head when Queen Fey told him. She invited him to sit with them and food was served. His eyes roamed around the amount of luxurious food served, worried that it was too much considering that it was only the three of them on the table.

“Eat to your heart's content, you need it,” she said, eyes darting between Luna and Gilbert. “Afterwards, I shall bid you farewell with a gift.”

Gilbert waited for Luna to dig in before he started. The whole duration they were quiet, only the sound of cutlery hitting the plates was heard. It wasn’t uncomfortable, but the air was filled with tension, and Gilbert knew very well why. The fate of the people of the united lands relies on their success, and it was a perilous journey, either one of them could die. Perhaps that might be what the Queen was worried about, Luna was her sister after all. Gilbert knew of the feeling of having lost his mother and father, and because he knows, he won’t let it happen to others.

After the table was cleaned when they were done, Sir Elm, a tall and lanky old man as well as the Queen’s private secretary, came in with a small fancy box in hand that Gilbert guessed was made out of gold. Gilbert was surprised when it was placed in front of him, and even more so when Queen Fey encouraged him to do so.

Slowly, Gilbert lifted the lid and what he saw made him inhale sharply. A beautiful orange crystal sat inside. It emitted a dim glow and he couldn’t stop staring in awe. It wasn’t until when Fey spoke that he was pulled out of his trance.

He looked up to face the Queen, “That is the orange crystal of hope. May it light your way as you trek upon the dangerous path ahead.”

Without the sword, the box will be the crystal’s temporary holder. The gift the Queen mentioned turned out not only the crystal of hope but the satchel that was made out of a dragon’s skin, a rare item that was scarce nowadays. It had infinite capacity thanks to the skillful crafting of craftsmen; how it works remains a mystery to Gilbert. Food and other necessities are already on the satchel, Gilbert placed the box containing the crystal in it and they were ready to go.

The Queen couldn’t see them off, thus, it was Sir Elm that escorted them outside. The man secretly called Gilbert and told him, “A favor from the Queen, take care of the Princess.”

He nodded. Of course he would, the two of them were in this together now.

Horses were waiting for them outside the castle walls. Surprisingly, not many people were there to see them off apart from the few knights that lined near the gate. Luna whispered to him that it was better this way, who knows if traitors were watching their every move. Having been betrayed himself, Gilbert agreed with her.

Finally, they were taking their first step and any indication of hope was just what they needed. Feeling the box where the crystal is kept in his satchel, Gilbert had a renewed feeling of hope, and they parted.