It wasn't that bad!

"She has everything! She's the queen. She's getting all the attention! What am I?" I asked at the reflection on the dusty mirror hanging on the wall. I saw myself exhausted with all the sword-fighting practice. My dark circles around my almond-shaped eyes showed my lack of sleep. How could someone sleep peacefully knowing that I would never be the main character? I was always the sidekick for someone who was seen as a saviour, ruler and conquerer. Her name was Felina. The heir of a kingdom that none of the outer worlds was brave enough to fight for the throne. I was just her best friend who was just normal. I didn't have special powers. I saw magic in her. All that broke me was the fact that I could never be as special as her. I was not royal, magical or special enough to be praised. I was just a soldier who fought for my kingdom. I was appreciated enough as all the people said was, "It's your responsibility but thank you." Sometimes, I do feel appreciated but as a secondary option.

It was time for her greatest battle against a kingdom she could not fight because of the prince she fell for. I was ready for the battle as it was my seventeenth battle. The worst part of being the sidekick, best friend and not magical, was falling for the same person with your best friend. Felina was flawless. Her upturned brown eyes were like a pool of honey glowing in the sunlight. Her dark brown hair braided was like a long-dead serpent hanging from her head. Even my eyes could never move away from her sight. Doesn't that apply to the prince too? He would meet her with my help. Both of them loved each other like nobody could. All I could do was to help them to be together. I was never a priority. I was an option. When Felina was busy, I helped the kingdom. When she was sick, I controlled the council. The worst part of someone's life is giving power and seizing it back. It was the kingdom's luck for a side character not to turn against her own kingdom.

I was fed with loyalty but can someone snub jealousy? It's always jealousy that ruins our best memories. Felina was a great person. Sweet, strong, sparkling and ravishing. Her swords were eye-catching and hungry for blood and flesh. It was her first battle but her love didn't become a hindrance. For us, if it was love or kingdom, everyone would choose kingdom. That was what we were taught. Love was a weapon that killed the ancestors of our kingdom. They were betrayed by something called Love! For us, the belief in love faded day by day. I saw her swinging her swords and fight with the prince. I couldn't even look into his eyes. In all of the battles I fought, fighting him was the hardest for me. Maybe it wasn't the love. It was our friendship.

However, a queen was always queen. She put her sword right at his throat as he kneeled and begged for his life. It was how she won her first battle. Her heart was in love but when it comes to the battlefield we are not allowed to listen to our hearts. It was stoned. She almost killed him until I calmed her down. The prince got up, "I knew you would win," he whispered to her. I couldn't hold back my tears looking at the dead bodies flooded by the battle. I was never good at acting. "I will leave you two alone," I said to them as I turned back and headed to my horse. I was still able to listen to their conversation. "If you accept your defeat, you will be sent to the dungeon," Felina said as her voice cracked. "I will accept my defeat. Maybe we are not meant to be together," he said. "We could run away! Captain Raven will help us," she said as she said my name.

I turned quickly. "My apologies, your highness but I would never help you to run away with him. He's supposed to be sent to the dungeon and I can't risk our lives," I said. "Please! Please! You're our best friend! You have to help us," both of them cried. "That puppy eyes are killing me," I faked my laugh.

I agreed. After the battle, the prince was sent to the dungeon and Felina had a victory party. I planned an escape strategy. I disguised and freed the prince and hid him at the stable with my horse meanwhile Felina disguised and met us at the stable. We did it all quickly. I stole some money for our survival and left the palace. Before we left our kingdom, I brought them to a hiding spot in the forest. We heard horns. "They're searching for us," Felina whispered. "I knew they will search in the kingdom. They will suspect your kingdom at this moment," I said to him. "We don't have any choice," they cried. I shushed them. "We are going to run to Acrasia," I said proudly. Both of them gasped in shock. "They're our foes!" they exclaimed. "So, will our kingdom or your kingdom accept us?" I asked them. Both of them were silent. "Come on. This is the only way," I said as I jumped on my horse. Both of them exchanged looks. Luckily, they agreed.

I guess being a side character of someone's life was not bad at all. I sacrificed my love for my best friend. It was always a secret that I loved someone I was supposed should not. In return, I had my own life. We met twice a year. I taught the kids in Acrasia martial arts. Acrasia accepted us and didn't know about our past. Free from laws and fights. I was elated to see my best friend enjoying her life. I was proud that she got the life she wanted. Although the royals were searching for Felina and me, we were able to outsmart them and live our best lives. Actually, being a side character was not as bad as I thought.