AN: hey! I updated A LOT sooner than I said! You see, there's been a flu bug going around my school (luckily I didn't get it) and a lot of students and teachers have caught it, so because of that, they shut down school for the day to disinfect. So here I am. I'm supposed to be running right now, but I'll run in a few minutes after I update this! hehe.

SPECIACL ANNOUNCEMENT!: Thank you everyone for your reviews! I have a total of 63 (for a total of ten chapters). Thanks so much!

NEXT UPDATE: Update is THURSDAY, next week. (Yeah, only one update next week.) Now, I am leaving for Maryland that day for Regional Tournment for basketball, but I'll update before I leave or maybe WEDNESDAY NIGHT, but it'll be late at night like around 11 or something. If it's Thursday, it'll be early in the morning like around 6am.

Enjoy chapter eleven! -^-^-

ONCE UPON A TIME

BY SAPPHIRE ROSE E.

Their swords clashed again, but this time. Kanata's sword was thrown into the air. Nozumo kicked him across the head, making his helmet fall off of his head, revealing the sweat and bruises and blood that slipped down the side of his mouth. Kanata wiped the blood off the side of his mouth. "I guess this means I lose." He muttered, as he looked at the end of the sword.

"Is it?" Nozumo asked, throwing the helmet off of his head, to reveal a smirk.

CHAPTER ELEVEN: THE KNIGHT'S OATH

Miyu watched Kanata in shock. How could he give up so easily? She marched out of her hiding place behind the curtain and right up to the railing of the balcony. She leaned over it and yelled, "Kanata! What do you think you're doing?"

Kanata almost turned to look at her, for he could hear her voice behind him, but his common sense took over him and he dared not to remove his eyes from Nozumo's sword. However, he knew that the voice belong to Miyu.

"You must win this battle, Kanata! You must fulfill your dream! Don't give up on me now, Kanata!" She yelled at him, as the King and Queen behind her looked at her confused and shocked.

Suddenly, Kanata gained a tremendous amount of willpower. He kicked the sword out of Nozumo's hands; then he somersaulted backwards and grabbed his sword, rolling back onto his hands and pushing off the ground to land on his feet.

Nozumo had looked shocked at first, but then smirked as he retrieved his sword. The two knights looked at each other sword in hand and stood in a battle stance. They charged at each other head-on with a battle cry. They rushed passed each other, swinging their swords. They stopped and stood only a few feet behind the other, still holding their sword as if they had just swung it.

A piece of brown hair fell to the ground from where Kanata stood. Nozumo smirked, but then, a drop of blood formed along a cut across Nozumo's cheek and rolled down his cheek.

The crowd was silent, surprised at what had just happened.

"Someone…" one started.

"…drew blood on…" another began to continue.

"…Duke Hikarigoka." Another one finished.

Nozumo smirked and looked at the chancellor that stood in the smaller balcony next to the King's balcony. "I give up!" He exclaimed, with a smile.

Kanata turned around, dumbstruck.

"He…won." Miyu mumbled.

"Duke Nozumo Hikarigoka has surrendered. Kanata Saionji has won!" The chancellor announced. Then a great cheer arose into the air.

"I… won?" Kanata thought, shocked. He looked up at Miyu who had the biggest smile on her face. Then he saw Nozumo as he approached him.

"Congratulations, Kanata." Nozumo said, putting his sword into its sheath and extending his hand out for a handshake. Kanata put his sword away and shook his hand. "In all my years of being a warrior, no one has even laid a scratch on me. You, Kanata, are the first. I recognize you as a worthy opponent."

"Thank you, Duke Hikarigoka."

"Please, call me Nozumo," he told him as he retracted his hand from his. Kanata nodded. "Now, this way." Nozumo led him over to the balcony that the King and Queen and Princess were in.

Miyu looked down at him with a proud smile and Kanata looked up at her with his own prideful smile. Miyu took her seat next to her mother.

Kanata and Nozumo came before the balcony and Kanata kneeled before it bowing his head in respect. Nozumo kneeled behind Kanata, his head also bowed in respect. King Yuu cleared his throat as he stood up. "Kanata, raise your head."

Kanata raised his head, but instead of seeing the King, he saw Miyu first. He looked at the king and listened to his words,

"You, Kanata, have shown yourself worthy of becoming a knight. You have gone through the training and the final test in which you passed. You have proved yourself honorable and strong to which I knight you: Sir Kanata Saionji. Will you take the knight's oath?"

Kanata looked at him seriously. "Yes, Your Majesty."

"Do you solemnly swear to protect this kingdom, her people, and her rulers?"

Kanata nodded his head. "I will."

"Will you do whatever it takes?"

"Yes, I will."

"Even give your life?"

"I will."

"Will you remain truthful to the crown?"

"I will."

"Will you do as you are commanded by me and those higher in ranking?"

"I will."

"And… do you swear to serve to the crown as long as you live?"

"I will."

"Can you swear before God that you will keep this oath?"

Kanata narrowed his eyebrows in determination. "I swear before God and all these people here, I will keep each part of this oath!!"

A cheer arose through the crowd.

Miyu stood up. "Father," she began.

King Yuu turned to his daughter. "What is it?" Miyu walked up to him and whispered something to his ear. "Is that what you really want?"

Miyu nodded. "Yes."

King Yuu turned back to the arena and spoke, silencing the crowd, to Kanata. "Sir Kanata, will you swear one more thing?"

Kanata looked at him confused, but spoke, "Yes, I will."

"Do you swear to become the Princess's knight and be with her always, protecting her when needed?"

Kanata shared a small smile. "I swear that I will gravely protect her for all of my life!"

Miyu smiled sheepishly as she looked down at him and they both looked into each other's eyes.

The king looked to his subjects in the crowd. "I invite you all to the party and feast in honor of the new knights of our kingdom! It will be held at sundown! Let us give them a grand cheer!"

The crowd cheered loudly for all the new knights

NEXT TIME ON ONCE UPON A TIME: CHAPTER TWELVE: THE PARTY