Prince Blaze wasn't what Chichi imagined him to be. She expected him to be charming and romantic. Instead, the castle's servants kept their heads down and trembled, hurriedly serving the Prince his dinner and filling his wine cup without looking at him.

There was nothing handsome about the prince. He looked to be the same age as the Ox King! His briaded hair, which had once been black in his youth, now had streaks of white. His eyes reminded the princess of a weasel. He was skinny and tall, not big and bulky like the warrirors in Princess Chichi's kingdom. And, during the entire dinner, not once did Prince Blaze crack a smile to the entertainment the Ox King went to the trouble of hiring.

Is he really a prince? Chichi wondered. He did not have the proper social manners a prince would nomrally have, and he certainly didn't dress like one. Princess Chichi had never heard of a prince who dressed in all black like a bandit, or ninja.

"Wonderful!" The Ox King cheered, clapping hard for the performers that just finished their routine with three bears dressed in funny costumes. He turned towards his daughter and the prince.

Princess Chichi clapped, pretending to enjoy the entertainment and the prince's company. Prince Blaze, however, swirled his wine in the cup, paying little attention to the entertainment, his hosts, or the dinner.

"Are you displeased with the performers i've hired?" The Ox King questioned, clapping his hands as he summoned for the next group of performers to enter the room." Perhaps some music will help lighten the mood. My daughter is a wonderful dancing partner, i'm sure she'd love to dance - -"

Prince Blaze abruptly stood from his chair and sneered down at the Ox King." I find your entire kingdom to be ridiculous. You were given one chance to please me and, so far, you're not doing a very good job." Prince Blaze gave Chichi a distasteful glance." Even my bride to be isn't the enchanting beauty I was promised."

Princess Chichi stiffened in her chair. She expected her father's voice to boom over the silence at any second, but, surprisingly, the Ox King did not try to defend her honor. The Mighty Ox King lowered his head and stammered apologies to the prince. The princess could not believe what she was seeing! Unable to contain her anger, the princess flung her wedding vail from her head.

"How dare you insult me, my home, and my father!"

"Daughter,no." The Ox King pleaded, bowing his head at Prince Blaze." Please, forgive her. She lost her mother at a young age, and her nurses failed to teach her the manners suited to a woman."

Princess Chichi's right eye twitched in annoyance. She really didn't feel that her father should apologize to the prince.

"I see," Prince Blaze commented, stroking his chin thoughfully. With a malicous smile, he pointed to Princess Chichi's clenched fists." Do you wish to hit me, Princess?" Chichi glared sternly at the prince." Let's make a deal. If you can land one hit on me, i'll call off the wedding, and you can marry whomever you wish- -"

Princess Chichi's hand flashed in front of the Prince, who narrowly avoided being struck on the cheek. "Deal!" She cried, spinning in the air like a weightless feather, hoping to land a kick to the Prince's chest. He caught her small foot, wrapped in a meticulously embroidered shoe made of blue silk, and pushed her back with surprising strength.

The servants and guests gasped, fearing that Chichi would fall back on the banquet tables and hurt herself. They did not expect her to flip in mid-air, jump off from the table using her hands, and land into the praying mantis stance with such ease and grace.

"You're a quick one." Prince Blazed remarked without praise. He glared at The Ox King." You did not tell me your daughter was a fighter."

"Oh,uh...yes." The Ox King Babbled. He could not supress his prideful smirk." I taught her everything i know."

Princess Chichi's feet pounded against the stone floor as she charged at the Prince, seizing his distraction as an ample oppurtinity to regain some of the honor she lost tonight. The Prince heard her coming and countered with an attack before she could land a blow.

The Princess winced, feeling the burning pain that consumed her below the naval. Before collapsing to her knees, in pure desperation, she lashed out like a wild cat, hitting her mark on the prince's face, and leaving behind four bloody scratches.

Princess Chichi's maids crowded around her, but it was one of the guards who picked her up and returned her to her bedchamber. Over the guards' shoulder, before leaving the room, the Princess saw her father dismiss everyone from the banquet, announcing he needed to speak to the prince alone. He caught his daughter's stare, and smiled sadly. He was very proud of her, but also saddened by what she had done.

. . . .

SaiyanWolfAlchemist: Thank you. I worked extremely hard on the first chapter. I hope to have more posted soon. Thanks for reviewing!

guest: Mm. Ok. thanks for the review.

ESPAOL: Gracias!