Chapter 1
It was winter and Rio looked out the palace window smiling to herself. Even though the plants withered and the animals crawled into their homes and fall into an almost eternal slumber,winter was her favorite season. How the snowflakes danced and the gusty cold wind blew and the perfect time to practice her powers. Quickly Rio got dressed and pulled on her slim white cloak. She placed her delicate feet into the sparkling blue heels as she exited her room.
"Princess you are not supposed to be dressed like this in this weather!"fretted her maid Layla.
"Don't be such a worry wart! I'll be fine."said Rio as she walked past Layla. Rio opened the grand palace doors and stepped outside. The frosty wind tickled her cheeks and the snow cushioned her feet as if winter was expecting her. Rio went further away from the palace in secret so no one would know of her secret. When she found a secluded place Rio snapped her fingers and a shower of blue sparkles danced around her fingers. Taking it up a notch Rio sended a stream of crystal wind which quickly froze into a tall ice crystal. Rio smiled as an idea popped in her head and she began to dance in a snowflake pattern. The snowflakes falling around her joined in her dance with matching rhythm. For the final touch Rio concentrated really hard and stomped her feet which created an ice statue of her.
"Your majesty a suitor is interested in taking your sister's hand in marriage."said one of the messengers.
"What is his name?"asked the king sitting on his throne.
"Tekada Tetsuo."said the messenger as the king face twisted into disgust.
"Very well invite him over."said the king.
"But I-."said the messenger as the king glared angrily.
"This is not my decision but Rio's."said the king as the messenger nodded and bowed.
"She's bound to get married one day."muttered the king to himself.
"You wanted to see me dear brother?"asked Rio as the king nodded curtly.
"Dear Rio this is Tekada Tetsuo the wealthy son of Lord Cathloc."said the king. One smile was all it took for Rio to charm him and get him to do whatever she wants.
"If dear Tetsuo would please step out for a moment."said Rio as the lovestruck son of a lord he was gone Rio turned to the king with a look that meant what-is-going-on.
"Ryoga you know perfectly well that I don't want to get married."said Rio as Ryoga clenched his fists.
"Rio,you have to get married sooner or later when you can become queen or lady to another kingdom."said Ryoga as Rio glared.
"I refuse to leave this castle by any means necessary and you can round up all your knights but remember what I can do."said Rio as Ryoga smirked.
"Your powers are nothing if there wasn't a drop of water or winter cold."said Ryoga.
"Speak for yourself this castle is filled with water."said Rio.
"Just consider it okay. At least I'm not forcing you to get married to a particular person."said Ryoga as Rio's stern face softened.
"I will dear brother but that doesn't mean I will hate you for pushing me into this."said Rio as Ryoga sighed.
"I know Rio believe me I know."said Ryoga as Rio exited the throne room.
As soon as Rio stepped out of the room Tetsuo was there like a loyal lap dog.
"Apologies Lord-."said Rio as Tetsuo interrupted.
"It would be an honor if Princess Rio called me Bronk-Bronk Stone that is."said Bronk as Rio nodded.
"Well if that is so."said Rio as she turned to walk away.
"Your highness wait!"exclaimed Bronk desperately as Rio turned around.
"Yes Bronk?"asked Rio as Bronk blushed.
"Would you like to get a bite to eat later on?"asked Bronk.
"Sure."said Rio before she slipped away.
"I thought that I would never escape that clingy suitor."said Rio as Layla giggled.
"Not to mention a bit overweight."said Layla as Rio hit her gently and playfully.
"Layla not nice!"exclaimed Rio as they joked around some more.
"Since when did the princess gossiped about her suitors especially insult them?"asked a smooth clear voice.
"Durbe!?"exclaimed Rio as the white clothed and silver armored knight chuckled.
"So when did you start insulting suitors?"asked Durbe trying to be serious.
"Oh since yesterday. NO SINCE THE DAWN OF TIME!"said Rio as Durbe raised his eyebrows.
"Well it's not my fault that they are all snooty brat nosed people."said Rio ignorantly.
"Does not that mean I am one of those snooty brat nosed people as well."said Durbe jokingly.
"Don't flatter yourself."said Rio flatly.
"Actually the kingdom sees you two as a couple."said Layla amused at Rio's expression.
"WHAT!"shouted Rio as Durbe looked somewhat surprised.
"I don't know if I should be pleased or embarrassed or both."said Durbe.
"Who started this rumor!?"asked Rio as Layla sweatdropped.
"Calm down your highness-."said Layla.
"I told you not to call me that!"exclaimed Rio.
"Oh fine then calm down Rio, now that I think about it the rumor seems true."said Layla as Rio face palmed.
"Not you to."said Rio in fake exasperation. But what went on in Rio's head begged to differ.
"Do I like Durbe?"said Rio to herself. Rio looked at Durbe who was talking to Layla casually and with honor of course.
"I mean he is nice,charming ,-"thought Rio.
'Not to mention handsome'
"Who are you?"asked Rio to herself.
'Your conscious dummy'
"Oh."thought Rio as Durbe approached her.
"I need to get going, Captain Herald hates it when I'm late for the first round of guarding the Leverna Fortress. Well good luck with the suitor."said Durbe walking down to the hallway.
"You'll see, the suitor packing his bags before Ryoga can say what."replied Rio as Layla chuckled.
Rio crossed her arms impatiently as Layla held out different dresses for her to try on.
"I'm not wearing this!"exclaimed Rio holding up a particular dress. The dress was actually really pretty, pink sashes swirled around the bodice all the way down to the bottom,sequins was attached on the see through pink fabric sleeves and hearts designs cascaded down the dress.
"Why it looks so pretty!"said Layla as Rio held the dress up.
"Because pink is not my color."said Rio as Layla rolled her eyes.
"You hate the dress because it's pink colored!"exclaimed Layla as Rio nodded.
"Get in this dress now or I'll make you!"said Layla sternly as Rio frowned but agreed.
A few minutes later Rio exited from the dressing room in the lovely dress on.
"You look lovely."said Layla as Rio smiled.
"Thank you."said Rio as she headed along with Layla to the dining room.
The servants bowed at Rio's presence who gestured for them to stand up. Rio glanced at Bronk who was seated on the other side of the table. She smiled softly and he blushed indignantly. Rio sat 10 seats across from him on the opposite side facing him. Bronk tried to hide his disappointment but Rio had the eyesite of a hawk and could almost read people's mind. Large silver platters rested on the table spreaded out each filled with rare delicacies. Rio ate only a little while Bronk reached out for his 5th chicken leg.
"So tell me Bronk where do you live?"asked Rio as Bronk looked at her surprised.
"At the west of Arclight Palace."said Bronk as Rio's eyes widened.
"Are you friends with the Arclight Brothers?"asked Rio as Bronk shifted uncomfortably.
"Well we are distant friends and my father was their adviser lord."said Bronk.
"Those three are so nice. I met them once and they had the manners of a prince but if course Thomas was such a flirt."said Rio noticing Bronk's jealous expression.
"He's not that great."said Bronk seething with jealously.
"Oh and then there is Mihael he's so kawai and has very good manners. And of course Christopher so smart and considerate to bad he's already married."said Rio as she sighed dreamly as Bronk twitched with anger.
"Excuse me princess I need to make a detour."said Bronk as Rio smirked in victory behind him.
Zero:So how was it?
Rio:Pretty good.
Rio:But what were you thinking me with Bronk?!
Zero:Hehe but don't worry he isn't your Prince Charming
Rio:Then who is?
Zero:Not telling.