Greeting and salutations! Sorry for the long absence. I was dealing with a lot of personal matters and it was affecting my desire to write at all. School has also been talking up a lot of my time. But I am going to make an effort to start writing again, at least once a week.

Love,

Eden


The tournament was in full swing the following morning. The grounds were flooded with guests and citizen of Stone Brook. Laughter resounded from the stone walls, echoing far into the city. Knights were out early to practice their sword play or check on their horses. Today would be filled with the first round of jousting and sword fighting, one of which the prince would participate in.

Kevin swung his sword, loosening up his muscles slowly. Sword fighting was intense even if it only lasted a short while. Tight muscles could be the difference between victory and defeat. The prince would be damned if he was to lose since this was all in his honor but he planned to earn it. This was the strongest of his skills. Participating in jousting would only bring about injuries that would hinder him more than still muscles. This would be his shining moment as he took steps towards the crown.

"Your form is quite good."

Turning around, Kevin's eyes fell upon the newly named prince. Edd stood with his hands clasped behind him, a scholarly stance that suited him. It was strange to think that the boy, who he mistook for a girl not too long ago, was elevated to the same level as himself. But it was not so strange that Kevin did not think the new title suited him. There was always a higher quality to him that attracted Kevin to the young man.

"Greetings your majesty," Kevin smiled and bowed with a flourish. "I think this is the first time that I have seen you alone since father's announcement last night."

Edd smiled, covering his mouth with a hand. "It has been all rather exciting and swift. I only learned myself yesterday. It is shocking how a title can draw such attention from people I have never heard of nor met. A few princesses have already offered themselves as future queens."

Kevin rolled his eyes and put up his sword. "I am in the same situation. Father is using this tournament in hopes of finding a future Queen Barr. How can I choose a suitable ruler in such a short time? They are parading around like birds of paradise. They are walking around wearing the pretty masks of a lady in hopes of catching my eye."

The two princes strolled through the tents. The knights and lords were also preparing for the day. Squires ran around gather weapons, food, and armor. The younger boys stopped and bowed respectfully to the future kings before rushing back to their errands. Edd was still getting use to that. Yesterday, he could walk around like a ghost in the castle, known only to a few souls. This news made it so that he would never be invisible again. He would miss the anonymity.

Kevin looked at Edd put of the corner of his eye. "Will you be participating in any of the games?"

"Growing up in a library leaves little room for sword play." Edd glanced at Kevin's sword pommel. "I am a man of words, not force. But I am thinking of participating in archery, though it has been a while since I have picked up a bow."

Kevin clapped Edd on the back. "Have some faith in your skills and you will do just fine. If I am not occupied at the time, I will come and cheer you on."

A bell tower tolled in the distance, signaling the start of the games. Kevin bowed once more before vanishing in the crowd of knights heading towards the fighting arena. It took Edd a few moments to remember where he was going before he ran into the prince. Shaking his head, he headed towards the stands to watch Prince Kevin fight.


Kevin's sword sung as his muscle memory went through a complicated sequence as he pushed back his opponent. The young knight could only raise his sword to parry. There was no break for him to go on the offensive in this fight. Both fighters were drenched in sweat. The midday sun made with armor uncomfortably warm.

"Come on Kevin," The king bellowed from his seat in the royal tent. "Stop playing with the boy and finish the fight!"

The queen sat back with a content smile on her face. She knew that Kevin would be successful. He had been tried by the best knights of the realm since he could pick up a sword. This was really all for show and the crowd was eating it up. Edd could not take his eyes off the fight. It was almost like an elegant dance of steel and sweat.

Kevin lunged forward gracefully, the tip of his sword pressed against the knights breast bone. All movement stopped between the two. It was a kill shot. It was over. The crowd cheered for their prince as both knights stepped forward to shake hands. Prince Kevin was on to the next round.

The red haired prince jogged over to the royal tent. His mother stood and kissed him on the forehead. His father patted his shoulder and congratulated him. Standing off the side, Edd watched the royal family interact. It was strange. His king, his father, was never this friendly towards anyone. The king was cold and distant. Edd knew from a young age that he would find no love from his king.

"What did you think of the fight, Prince Edd?" Queen Barr asked, pulling the young prince into towards them.

Edd smiled. "I have never seen such feats of sword play. My kingdom doesn't hold such tournaments. The king is more focused on furthering the realm. But seeing this today makes me want to show my people the true art of a good swordsman."

"Yes," King Barr smiled at the princes. "Ruling a kingdom should not be all business. Sometimes the people need a distraction and festivals are great distractions. Keep that in mind, it will come in handy once both of you take your thrones. There needs to be a balance in life."

Both Kevin and Edd nodded, taking the kings word to heart. Everything was becoming a lesson in how to rule a kingdom. Kevin was use to it but it was all new to Edd. In the course of one day, his life had been changed forever. The words of a king, which was already deserving of respect and note, held more weight for the dark haired prince.


I hope you enjoyed the new chapter! It was pretty short but I am working also on my other stories.

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