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Title: Wistal Castle
Inspired by: Chapter 8 of the Manga Akagami ni Shirayukihime
Characters: Izana Wistalia
Wordcount: 796
Rating: General
My contingent of carriages and horses arrived safely into Clarines. The first Saturday of the month is the busiest time of the Kingdom, as this is the day when villagers from the far corners of the Empire would be gathering in the market square to trade their wares, the harvest of their farm and to advertise their services in farming, carpentry, husbandry, weaving and others. This is also an opportunity for the citizens to check what exotic wares they could find as the ships from other countries has docked and the merchant owners would be eager to sell their goods.
It is also the perfect opportunity for me to arrive without much fuss. The people living in the castle would be taken unaware, and I relish the fact that I can catch those who are remiss in performing their duties in the castle.
And that includes my cute brother, Zen Wistalia.
Zephyr, my white horse galloped confidently towards the Starlight gate, were several of the palace guards looked confused at my approach. Wearing a grey cape and hood, flanked by half a dozen guards wearing the same, they were caught unaware of my arrival. Their hostile expressions greeted me.
"Halt! You do not have permission to cross this gate!" The captain of the guards, I presumed, based on the regal-looking uniform, sternly called out to us.
Keeping tight hold of the reins I held between my fingers, Zephyr came to a halt, a few feet before the tall man, as he gripped the hilt of his sword. He was already armed to the teeth, ready for combat. Behind him, guards and archers have gathered in their familiar defense formation. At least, the castle has done enough drills to know what to do in case of emergencies or surprise attacks. I nodded in quiet approval.
"State your name, stranger, including your purpose. No one is allowed to use this gate. And mind you be honest about your intent lest you want to deal with me." The captain commanded fiercely.
Excellently trained. I could not help but smile to myself. The captain himself went out to inquire the group standing outside the gates meant for use by the family instead of letting his subordinates question our group.
However, my brother is not here yet. I noted with some displeasure. Wistal Castle is supposed to be looked after by Zen. By now, he should have noted of the commotion at the gates. But he is nowhere to be found. Perhaps, he is frolicking somewhere with his new playmate?
No matter. We shall soon know enough how far along Zen is with his infatuation with that strange woman.
Holding out a hand to signal my bodyguards to let me handle the situation, I flipped back my hood.
Silence.
"My humblest apologies, Your Highness, we did not recognize you." There was a lot of clanging and rustling, as all the guards, archers and the captain went down to one knee in obeisance.
"Rise." I called out clearly.
The captain immediately stood up and moved a few steps to the side to let me in. The gates' wheels and cogs began to give out a rumbling noise, the vibrations can be felt from the ground as the gatekeepers scrambled to open the heavily fortified iron gates for my contingent.
As I walked passed the Captain, who still had his head bowed in respect to my ranking, I paused for a moment.
"Captain, I would like to see you tomorrow. We shall discuss about improving the formation of your archers. I find the current one needs some refinement."
"I humbly beg your forgiveness, Your Highness." He bowed even lower. "I will train my charges harder."
"Excellent work, Captain." I nodded slightly in benevolence before I trotted my horse forward.
The brilliant cream limestone and deep blue tones of the roof greeted my sight ahead. The azure and white standard flying high above the tallest turret signaling that a member of the royal family is in residence.
Wistal Castle, the residential home of the Wistalia royal family. To most outsiders, it looked like a castle which fairytales are made of.
But I knew better. Someone's fairytale is about to become a nightmare for ensnaring my brother in her web of lies and deceit.
As Zephyr made short work of the road leading up to the main entrance of the castle, I caught sight of the old, ancient apple tree blossoming in the center of the main courtyard. The pink and white blooms almost obscured most of the leaves, signaling a fruitful harvest of the red fruit that my family always enjoys.
Apples and red hair. I will finally get to meet this mysterious woman at last.
I'm home. I told myself.
Now I have work to do.