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Jarvan sighed deeply looking out of the palace's hall. Usually he spent most of his time in his office, but on that particular day, everything felt wrong. Garen noticed jarvan from under the palace. His father's death was unexpected.
"hey." A familiar sound greeted him . Jarvan turns to look beside him, it was Garen. A smile could be seen on his face. "are you okay?" he asked again. Jarvan couldn't help but let out a heavy sigh. Only Garen has see his vulnerable side. "I don't know. I feel like i'm not cut out for this." he pauses. "Everything i do feels wrong." he looked down. from his view. he could see the citizens of Demacia . His people. Garen gave Jarvan a pat on the back, "you are doing better than you think. People are safe, and that is all that matters." Jarvan chuckled. "I suppose.." Garen curses himself for what he is about to ask. But it has to be done either way. "Though people are wondering..Since you're soon to be King-" he pauses when his best friend looked at him in the eyes, his curiosity peaked. "will you have an arranged marriage?...." Garen continues. His expression cringed and it feels like he wants to stab himself with the sword for asking Jarvan that awkward question when his spirit is already low. Even though it was painful, he sighed of relief. People been asking him the same question over and over again, he didn't know when was the right time to pursue it but he got tired of them pressuring him to ask Jarvan.
Jarvan paused. This question had been lingering in the forefront of his mind too—and he had given it much consideration. He fidgeted a bit before answering, looking over the railing. "An arranged...marriage? I suppose it comes with the role of king. Though it's not something I relish."He turned and leaned his back on the rail, crossing his arms. "To be honest with you, Garen, the thought of it is... unsettling. Choosing my future queen for the sake of duty? It feels so distant from love." Garen nods in agreement. "i get it. I-its not important right now." He shook his head. "But it's something to think about." he reassured. "I guess." The prince replied. "how about you go outside- take some fresh air. you've been sitting in your cramped office all day." he suggests. Jarvan nods, "that does sounds good. i have a lot to think." Garen gave Jarvan a pat again, assuring him the kingdom will be fine if he was gone for half an hour.
Jarvan stepped outside of Demacia, he can't remember when was the last time he went out alone. it feels amazing not to have someone always clinging on your back. Though he has to go back to his throne after this...it feels nice for once to forget his duty. He follows a trail to the woods. He used to come here when he was a child. Suddenly a bow was fired on him, thanks to his light armour, it missed his flesh. Jarvan quickly looks back to see a group of Noxians were following him. He didn't have his trusted spear with him- just a small knife. but there were groups of them, chasing him now. He tried to run into the woods, but his footstep stopped when he saw another group in front of him. Jarvan had been lost in his thoughts, oblivious to the watchful eyes of the Noxian sentries patrolling the outskirts. The attack came swiftly, a group of them lunging towards him through the shadows. Jarvan reacted quickly, drawing his hidden blade and assuming a defensive stance. He was outnumbered and outpowered, but determination burned in his eyes. He got himself surrounded, but surrender was not an option.
The Noxians lunged towards him, attacking him with whatever they have. All he can do was dodge, he managed to take out a few that lunged on him. but it was not enough to stop the rest of them. His head was bleeding and he could barely stand up from the wounds. He could not bring himself to attack again. He fell on the ground, unable to stand up as their weapon grazed his knees. As he defended himself crossing his armoured arms to cover his face...It suddenly went quiet. Jarvan realized it was eerily silent, he slowly peeked through his arms to see all of them were on the ground injured. Possibly not dead, but this was a good chance to escape. As he looked around he saw a 7 foot tall figure. He curses himself for not running quicker. His eyes widens when he realized it was a woman...with horns and a tail. He freezes when she gets closer, he could see she has scales around her body, her sharp claws but she had a human figure and... a human features with way too emotions on her face. Jarvan stunned as the human-like woman towered over him, he didn't know if he was captivated or was in fear. "w-wha...who..are you?" He finally spoke, this time with fear. She looked down at him inspecting his wounds. "Shyvana.." she replied. Her tone was cold and her reply was simple. "can you walk..? It's not safe here." She continues, this time she has a hint of worry in her voice. Jarvan tried to stand up but failed- his wounds are severe but not enough to be fatal. Shyvana noticed and quickly took him in her arms, carrying him by the shoulder. Jarvan was shocked at her kind gesture. Despite her appearance.. She is surprisingly the opposite of whatever she is. "why..why are you helping me?" Jarvan asked, his voice sounded weak but his curiosity on who- what she was is still high. he was also still curious on what her intention is. Helping a Prince..But what if that was just a distraction to have her hands on him alone, weak and vulnerable? All kind of situations playing in his head, now worried. "..I was just in the right place right time. What're you even doing out there, alone? do you not know the woods are one of the place that's under noxus's watch?" he shook his head. "I- i didn't know that. You must be out here for so long to learn such thing."
The woods was his only safe place- especially for a child who was pressured on young age just because he was born a Jarvan. "I used to go there when i had trouble with my family..I didn't expect it to suddenly change..It used to be safe for both people and animals.." His voice were breaking, he sounded sad on what the place has become. With his upcoming King duty..His father's death and the only spot where he can have some peace and quiet was taken from him is just.. a lot to take in one time.
Shyvana knew he was heartbroken from his tone. Her grip on Jarvan's hand tightens. He was a complete stranger yet she's aware of Jarvan's feelings. "did you grew up somewhere here? We need to get you somewhere safe." Shyvana said, launching fireballs at some secluded areas to make sure no ones hiding to creep on them. Jarvan's eyes widens at what she's capable of. She's clearly strong. But he raises an eyebrow. "I'm Jarvan IV, the Prince. I..understand that you're a mage." Jarvan explained. Maybe after all this time, mages are not so different from humans. Not all of them use their power for evil. Some of them were just born that way. He didn't ask to be the heir apparent to the throne either. "you're the Prince?" She asked, making sure that she heard him right. She knew the risks of helping a stranger but a prince..? He nodded. "I am. I owe you one now, i'll give you a place to live in Demacia. you dont have to stay out here anymore." his tone was serious this time, shyvana knew he meant what he said. She didn't say anything, she's actually considering to take his offer but the thought of living around humans who doesn't see her as one is...A lot to think about. They both arrived in front of the gates of Demacia, the two soldiers who were guarding the gates quickly took Jarvan in their hands. Jarvan turns to look at her, expecting her to follow them inside. But Shyvana just stood out there, looking at him being carried away. Jarvan's feelings about her was mixed, she proved her kindness by helping him but at the same time...He doesn't understand what she is exactly.
Jarvan was quickly admitted to the medical bay, his wounds were quickly treated with bandages around his head and some part of his body. He lets out a heavy sigh, he looked at the white ceiling, still being reminded of the mysterious woman. His body felt heavy and everythings feels sore. His mind was still occupied about what had happened when someone knocked on the door.
Jarvan turn to the side, "come in." He called out, wincing as he attempted to sit up. The door opened immediately , it was Garen. he rushed in inside, standing beside his bed. "What happened?!I came here as fast as i could." Garen said clearly worried. He was the first one to visit Jarvan just few minutes after the nurse gone. He clearly had been waiting. The thought of it made Jarvan smiled. "i got attacked by groups of Noxians. Did you know that place has become their outpost?" Garen gasped, he knew it was his favourite place to go. They both went there a lot as a child. No one was aware that it had become their outpost and it was pretty close to Demacia too.. "Troops are checking that place as we speak. I'll go there and check it out myself, we'll take down that outpost." He said in confident. His eyebrow furrowed, stating he was in anger of what those piece of shits did to their Prince. Garen's fists were clenched. "you know..i wasn't alone when it happened. She took out most of them." He explained. He gazes at the ceiling again, as if trying to remember her face, her features, her power.
"she?" Garen raises an eyebrow. What woman could possibly be this strong when Jarvan himself cant take them out on his own? Jarvan sighed, running a hand over his face. He could almost sense the disbelief in Garen's tone. "I was alone...until this woman appeared. I don't know where she came from, just...appeared like a ghost in the shadows."He paused, remembering those striking horned and scaled features. "what did she looked like?" Garen asked out of curiosity. "she's half human and half dragon, is what i can see." He knew it sounded like fairytail but he wouldnt be lying about something that sound so absurd. "so she was a mage?" Jarvan nodded again, he knew Garen wouldnt still believe him 100%, a mage helped him get home safe and sound..when the most mages they knew hold power for bad..They both sat in silent for a moment before Garen spoke again, "i believe you. whatever it is..You're safe now." Jarvan let out a soft sigh, appreciating Garen's words of concern. He knew how risky it was to even suggest a mage might have helped, given Demacia's history. But there was no denying what he saw.
"Me too. If she hadn't been there, I would've...well..."He let the sentence drift off, not wanting to dwell on the darker outcomes. The memory of Shyvana's strength and speed was etched vividly in his mind.
Garen eventually says his goodbye and left, people were already in the lines to visit Jarvan IV. He felt appriciated that his people were gathering together to give him their condolences , it's nice knowing they don't despise him even though he has no idea of what he's doing.