In Front Of Ruthergent Palace..
Two young men were standing, facing each other and there was quite a distance between them. Swords were in their hands, their focus only directed to each other while ignoring the crowds around them. Heavy atmosphere spread through the crowds as they watched the two who still had not moved from their spot. The two young men were none other than Zen Wisteria, the second prince of Clarines Kingdom and Reinhart Thorian, The King of Ruthergent Kingdom.
"Are you ready, Prince Zen?" asked Reinhart, lifting his sword to his face, covering half of his face, his emerald eyes shot the blood lust for the second prince of Clarines.
"Ready when you are, Your Majesty Reinhart" answered Zen, noticing the blood luct that came from the King of Ruthergent.
Meanwhile, Shirayuki who stood between Yue and Kiki clasped her hands, looking at the two royal men with worry clearly painted on her beautiful eyes.
"Do not worry." Kiki said softly as she noticed the look on Sirayuki's face. A soft smile was cast at the Royal Pharmacist girl.
"Zen won't lose."
Yue who heard that retorted fiercely, "His Majesty won't lose either!"
Both Yue and Kiki stared at each other sharply while Shirayuki looked at the two with nervous smile. The one who snapped the two from staring constest 'If look can kill' was Melody.
"Shut both of your traps, are you the one who is dueling right now?" She said and pointed her sword –The other one is already sheathed— at Yue's face instead of Kiki's.
"I am just stating a fact! His Majesty—"
"Yeah Yeah, I heard you. He won't lose, right? Just shut your mouth, I want to watch this interesting duel without noise from Mr. Fancy Pants who has King Complex. One word from you and I swear to Gods of Heaven and Earth that I will cut your tongue right here, right now." cut Melody and ended it with a threat. The effect of the threat was doubled because of her golden eyes that sent sharp glint and blood lust toward Yue.
Mitsuhide who didn't say anything during the argumentation noticed Kiki smirked at Melody and knew that instant that Melody had won a special place in Kiki's heart. Not many people could do so. Obi muttered something that only Mitsuhide could hear.
"Oh Oh ~ Checkmate from the Scary Lady~."
Even Mitsuhide noticed Erthias who stood next to Melody trembled in fear as if he was the one being threatened by her. Sighing and shaking his head, Mitsuhide wondered what kind of man who could tame the wild first princess of Yuvenlia Kingdom. Prince Izana's face appeared at the corner of his mind but Mitsuhide pushed it away knowing that the first princess will choose to enter monastery rather than marrying to the man she so despised.
"It begins"
Kiki said, the group returned their focus at duel. Shirayuki clasped her hands even tighter than before.
Reinhart and Zen dashed toward each other and the duel began with sword clash when Reinhart swung his sword from the side and Zen parried it with his own. Another attack came again from Reinhart as he swung his sword repeatedly from many directions. This looked like one sided battle where one on the offensive side and one on the defensive side. The crowd murmured in surprise when Reinhart managed to make a slight cut on Zen's left arm and Shirayuki gasped softly.
"Are you going to keep the defensive stance?" Reinhart said, stopping his feet from attacking for a short while before dashing forward again,
"You can't protect Shirayuki after all!"
Once again Reinhart attacked Zen with his sword combination attacks, however this time Zen parried while counter attacking. Reinhart ended up blocking more attacks from Zen than before, he looked taken aback and then..
Clang!
Zen copied one of Melody 'Yapragi Dans" moves and threw Reinhart's sword off his hand. Kiki and Mitsuhide were surprised, Obi whistled and Melody grinned widely and muttered words under her breath.
"Heh, not bad Prince."
"Your Majesty!" Yue shouted, looking so worried.
Swish!
Zen pointed his sword at Reinhart who stood still looking so vexed. "I know I can't protect Shirayuki all the time. There are times when she slipped through my fingers and because Shirayuki is an independent girl, I can't lock her in the palace. However.."
Reinhart's eyes met Zen's, he could see a strong will and determination glowed from it. "I will always do my best to protect her from harm!"
'..I see it now..'
'…No wonder she loves this guy..'
Reinhart chuckled softly, a sad expression was faintly painted on his face. "It's my complete defeat, Prince Zen.."
Reinhart offered his hand toward Zen and Zen accepted it. Seeing the scene, cheers erupted from the crowd. Shirayuki let out a sigh of relief, she stared at the two young men with a smile on his face. Melody laughed while slapping Erthias' back. It must have been hard because Erthias winced in pain. The euphoria of happiness had lifted the tense and heavy atmosphere among the crowds. It was such joyous moment for all of them.
.
.
.
Ruthergent Kingdom, King's office…
After the duel Reinhart and Zen entered the palace with the others and they were at the King's office now.
"Lucas Edenburg?" Erthias spoke as soon as Reinhart finished reading the letter from Zen and his group.
Reinhart turned his head to Erthias "What? did you know something about this man?"
"of course, man." answered Erthias casually, all eyes were on him with doubtful look. Yue's nerve twitched hearing how Erthias spoke to Reinhart.
"Lucas Edenburg is my great great grandfather's name, ya know."
Just like that Erthias dropped the bombshell news and all eyes that were staring at him with doubtful look widened in shock.
"""EEHHH?!"""
Shirayuki, Zen, Mitsuhide, Obi, Melody and Yue shouted in rhythm. The one who didn't was Ryu, Reinhart and Kiki. Those three only wore expression that was mixed between shocked and surprised.
"W-Wait.. then.." Yue turned his gaze at Reinhart who still standing, didn't utter a single word.
"That means.. Erthias is Royal?" Mitsuhide finished the words that Yue wanted to say.
"Royal? Me? I'm not Royal Man. I am a farmer, ya know" Erthias replied in confusion.
"No.. What Mitsuhide meant is that You and His Majesty King Reinhart are cousins." Explained Zen, Shirayuki nodded while still wearing surprised expression.
It took a while before the words sunk into Erthias's brain. Seriously, even Melody became irritated of how slow Erthias could be.
"EH?!" Erthias finally reacted, he pointed Reinhart and himself back and forth for a few times, "Ya mean.. The King man and Me are cousins?!"
"Yes.. Looks like it.." Reinhart scoffed in disbelief, shaking his head. A sigh escaped his lips as he rubbed the temple of his head.
"Your Majesty, are you okay? Do you need to rest first?" asked Yue worriedly.
"It's fine." Reinhart took a soft breath before continuing, "I shall post pone the matter of Sir Erthias being a royal or not for later, right now the most important thing is the cure for Gehendra disease."
"Yes." Zen took Angel's tears plant from Erthias bag and gave it to Reinhart.
Shirayuki gasped softly looking at the glowing plant and Ryuu stared at it in awe. It was such a rare expression to be seen on Ryuu's face.
"So this is.. Erthias.." Reinhart stared at the plant for a while before turning his gaze at Shirayuki and Ryuu.
"Let's try this." He said and gave the plant to Shirayuki.
Nodded to Reinhart, Shirayuki and Ryuu stepped out of the room in a hurry. They must eager to start making the cure for Gehendra disease. Reinhart knew it because they were as desperate as he was.
"Now then.." Reinhart returned his gaze back at Zen, "Let's hear the proposal from His Highness Izana."
Zen started speaking, "The proposal is to make an alliance with Ruthergent Kingdom. My brother, Crown Prince Izana, will help Ruthergent Kingdom in any way he can. He even will overlook the attack in the palace."
"How generous but I assume he wants something in return?" asked Reinhart with a cold smirk, "Let me guess.. The knowledge of Alchemy?"
"Apparently so" Answered Zen shortly.
Both young men stared at each other, the office filled with heavy silence. Both of their aides were waiting in tense. If the King of Ruthergent didn't accept the proposal then..
"Very well." Reinhart broke the tense atmosphere that grew thicker inside that office. "I.. Reinhart Thorian, King of Ruthergent Kingdom shall accept the proposal given by Crown Prince Izana of Clarines Kingdom."
Sighs of relief and smiles appeared from the aides face when they heard that. Truly, this shall be a wonderful alliance. Reinhart and Zen shook hands once again, sealing the agreement between the two. A cure and an alliance, finally a ray of hope had shone upon the kingdom. Reinhart couldn't wait for the dark clouds that had been covering the kingdom to be lifted and of course, he couldn't wait to thrust his sword into the heart of particular person..
"EEEEKKKKKKKKK!"
Screams could be heard, alerting those who were in the office. At first they were frowning in confusion of what caused the screams but Reinhart eyes widened when he heard a shout that came from one of the guards.
"IT'S QUEEN ELENA!"
Storming out of the room ahead, Reinhart made his way to the entrance of the palace. There he found a woman who had pale skin just like a corpse, pupils had changed to those of demons, standing while holding a maid in her embrace. Her fangs had sunk into the maid's slender neck as sickening gulping sound could be heard and before long, the woman threw the maid to side and stared at Reinhart. A smile, the sickening smile that turned Reinhart's stomach and plagued his night with nightmares since that incident, appeared on the woman's face as blood trickled down her lips.
"Reinhart, My sweet dear son.." said the woman in soft melodic tone, making Reinhart gripped his sword tighter than before.
"I have come to save you~"
AUTHOR'S NOTE :
Hello! Once again I have returned with another chapter! :D
Well, the plot is reaching to the thickest part soon and I shall continue writing the next chapter as soon as possible.
I am glad that there two people who gave a review or comment.
Thank you for being so loyal. For Kartara-san, Thank you for your kind words. It really helps me going on and continue writing! (n_n)/
For you I shall continue to fight my depression and keep on writing! (n_n)9
Like always, Please give comments or reviews about this chapter. :D
Thank you and see you all in the next chapter! :D
Love and Peace! (n_n)v