Author's Note: I am apologizing once again for my delayed updates but please do understand that I have a life outside the internet, no matter how rubbish it is, and I am taking my academics a bit seriously. I am really sorry for this late update. I'll try my best to keep things interesting, I promise! Anyway, this is the 25th chapter! Enjoy! (I still DO NOT own Game of Thrones. And I never will.)

Long Live the Boy-King

Chapter Twenty-Five: Wonders

Lorcan's Point of View

It was no doubt that my heart longs for Corabella. From the moment I saw her I knew that I wanted her to be mine. I wanted to hold her in my arms from dawn to dusk. I wanted to let my fingers slide down her ivory skin, inhale her intoxicating scent, kiss her until my mouth runs dry. But the more I chased her, the farther she ran away. Her bright blue eyes that haunt me even when I'm awake seem to blur the more I tried to get closer. When I heard the news that ten Lords will be risking their pride and lives just to have her for their wife, my hope faltered. It shook my very being to know that I was not able to reach her in time.

But then again, fate is a mischievous phenomenon. Just when I thought I would lose her forever, there came a chance for me. When that Heckle bloke decided to back down, a spot opened up for me as if being shone upon by the brightest light in this universe. I had to fight for her and I wouldn't hesitate to kill if I have to.

"What are sacks of gold, Father, when the riches I want is everything about her?" I pointed out to the old plump man that is my father. Upon my arrival at the docks of King's Landing, I put on my helmet and dashed off to the arena in a split second. Time is of essence and I couldn't waste it.

My feet led me directly to where the tourney was taking place. Massey's gigantic, air-filled head was the first thing I caught sight of. How he still keeps on blabbering about how good he fights is beyond me. Oh, what an honor it is to slice through his head with my trusty old blade. The egoistic Lord's voice boomed all throughout the place, penetrating each and everyone's ears, as Massey announced his victory. The whole arena rattled as chaos erupted from every seat. The common folk joined in on the clamor as they shouted praises and insults at the mighty victor.

My eyes only skimmed through the hundreds of people just to meet her blue ones. And she stood there, frozen to the spot, mouth gaping, and color drained from her face. I was not surprised to see such a reaction from her. After all, knowing that she is going to be potentially married to someone as idiotic as Massey would certainly be worse than death.

Just a second of looking at her, I knew that this needs to stop. Massey already had enough of his exposure, it's time to dim the lights, pull the curtains, and prepare for another act; the one where the stars are me, him, and our blades.

I nudged one of my men and nodded my command to request for a final duel. He did not think twice but acted immediately. I saw one of her maids approach her on her seat to inform her about my request. From the unyielding look of shock on her face, it was no doubt she had to be told twice what I wanted to do. When she finally agreed, I jogged in place, warmed up, and prayed to the heavens to forgive me if I couldn't stop myself from ending Massey's life here and now.

And so it begun, the fight we certainly are all waiting for. A sequel to the duel I once had with this Lord. Hopefully, the ending will still be the same: Him on the ground, me and my sword hailing victory.

Everyone was silent as I made my first move. We let our swords meet and create clanking noises as metal against metal collide. He tried to hold our positions so he could use his momentum against me but I was too quick for him. Before he could even blink, I kicked him on the leg which instantly made him take a step back. We danced the dance of the warriors as passion fight for passion, as our breaths escape from our lips, sending quiet prayers and wishful thoughts to the Gods, asking for wisdom and strength. Sweat rolled from my forehead down to my nose and lips. I tasted the salty desires of triumph in my tongue and I am willing to taste it over and over again until I couldn't anymore.

Massey is a fighter, a great one. Setting aside his boastful nature and stupidity, he is quite decent when it comes combat. We were equals, if I may say so myself, almost the clone of the other. But there was one thing that I have that Massey will never ever gain. I do not fight with my limbs nor my senses. I do not fight with wit and verbosity. I fight with my heart and my very soul because I know what I want and I know what I will certainly have. And today, it is none other than Corabella Doreen.

I managed to kick him on the stomach sending him to the ground. I let my foot dig deep to his armor, making my way to his guts until all he sputtered were dark shades of red instead of his arrogant words. With my blade pointed directly to his neck, I was sent back to where we first exchanged blood and sweat.

Five years ago when his men invaded my land. Five years ago when he drew his sword on the frontlines. Five years ago when he called war upon us. Five years ago when he broke the peaceful silence of our home. Five years ago when he killed hundreds of men just to take what is rightfully mine. But in the end, we were all losers. It just so happens that he sunk lower beneath the soles of my feet until he begged for mercy. And he will beg once more.

"I forfeit!" I woke up from my dazed trance and was brought back to reality once more. His eyes begged for life as tears started to escape from them. His face turned purple from lack of air, deeply complimenting the wine-colored liquid coming out of his skin and mouth. "I forfeit, for the love of Gods!" he yelled again, this time sounding much more pathetic. I gritted my teeth, thinking whether I should go all the way and rid this world another asshole or hold back for the sake of reputation with the Lady I love.

I decided for the latter and stepped away from his stomach, approaching the gallery, readying myself for the announcement of my victory.

"Reveal yourself, mighty Lord, for you should be properly praised for your braveness and strength," Corabella cheered from where she was standing, amusement and excitement clear on her voice. I smirked on my still covered face. I breathed in and out for a couple of times, letting the noise of the crowd die down in the back of my head before lifting my helmet up and revealing my face.

"Hello, my Lady."

I could hear almost all of the people gasp loudly. The look on her face made me confused. Was she happy? Surprised? Definitely the latter. I couldn't say the same for the happy part. My smile faltered. Even I don't know what to do so I stood there staring at her, waiting for her next move.

Corabella's Point of View

Why him? Out of all the people who could have fought for me, why him? He was my friend. I trusted him. I told him how I felt about all this ordeal. I never agreed on marrying someone and he knows that. He even shares the same feeling about the topic yet here he is smirking in all his glory and certainly excited for his victory.

I feel betrayed.

My blood rushed up to my head and I could feel the warmth accumulating in my face. There is no doubt that I project anger right at this moment. Let them see. Let them all see how I really am. Because I don't like liars and traitors and people who take advantage of me. This is it, the moment I've been waiting for. This is when I unleash to the whole of King's Landing just how wild and beastly I am. I am no Lady, I am a fighter and if I could fight for my own hand, kill for my own hand, and die for my own hand, I will.

I went over to where my father was sitting. I didn't bother to look at his face, only pulled on the hold of his sword and marched down from the gallery and towards Lorcan Rosby. My eyes narrowed at him like he was some sort of a target I needed to hit from a great distance. I clutched the sword tightly on my right hand and let my feet do the work as I neared him in an instant.

He remained still on his place, drained of all the joy he felt a minute ago. I raised my arms out and roared just when I was about to strike. I hit him square in the chest, denting his armor in an instant. He fell back on a short distance than I was aiming for. He crawled backwards, dodging my hits as he found his balance to stand upright again. "Corabella, please calm down," he tried to tell me but his words entered my ear only to leave the other. "Corabella, please."

"Traitor!" I yelled. The crowd were on their feet, trying to get a better view of the two of us. "You know I don't approve of this! You were my friend. You were the only one I trusted in this damn place yet here you are."

"Corabella, stop this nonsense and get back here!" Father shouted from the gallery. I could only imagine the rage boiling up in his guts right now. He never liked it when I use his weapons, I bet he feels even worse when he's watching me use it to kill one of the King's subjects.

With a swing of my blade, I wounded his left shoulder, making him stumble back. He didn't fall down, though, which thoroughly disappoints me. "I won't fight you. This isn't right," he said calmly as a hand reached up to his injured shoulder. "Listen to me. I won't hurt you."

"Why won't you?" I said in spite. "Because I'm a girl? Ha, funny, Lorcan." I swung my sword again, this time, he deflected it with his own. "Fight like a man because I certainly am."

I wasn't sure if I hit the right spot but at the mention of those words, he took a quick step forward, lunged at me, and managed to get a jab on my side. I countered his moves as he did mine. This was our own kind of waltz, the one where the salty and metallic taste of sweat and blood lingers in the air. Slowly, the crowd started clapping in beautiful rhythms as we moved in such dramatic synchronicity. Father gave up on his commands for me to go back but we had to please the audience. They came here for a good show, I am certainly giving them one.

While our weapons channel our own frustrations, I can't help but let my vision linger on his face. The sun illuminated his pale face and I am only seeing him now like I've never seen him before. Lorcan Rosby, the boy with the pair of green eyes hidden behind his brunette fringe was no boy at all. With his furrowed brows, his concentration was dripping through his pores, unleashed with every strike of his blade. But even if he is the very representation of strength and honor that I have been trying to find, his face still screams innocence. His personality is both tough and tender. He is a walking contradiction, in my opinion. He's like a shock of sour lemon burrowed under layers of baked crust and I am not sure if I would want to have a bite. Am I supposed to do this? I wonder. Should I give him a shot? Maybe it's not so bad having him for a husband. He has enough riches to secure an alliance between our Houses. He could protect me as he is knowledgeable in the art of combat. He is smart enough to spar with me verbally. And he cares for me, I know it. Maybe the fact that he fights with me for my own hand is reason enough for me to surrender. I wonder, will things change if I gave in for the first time?

Whatever my answer was for that question, I wouldn't know, at least not yet. I was so lost in my own thoughts, so distracted by the sight of the young Lord that I didn't notice the combination of dodge and kick from him. Before I could even get a hold of what was happening, I was sprawled on the muddy ground, sweating, and bleeding though my nose and mouth. He's got me pinned down on the ground while I struggled to break free.

"Call a forfeit, my Lady, I don't want to hurt you," he whispered sincerely, holding me down with enough pressure. I flailed my limbs, hoping he would stumble back from my movements but his hold remains intact. I could taste metal on my mouth brought on by my own blood. My shoulders ache but I did not stop from moving.

"Never," I spat with resentment. "Kill me if you have to. I will never surrender to your demands."

"Corabella stop this now!" Father called out from the gallery. His voice echoed all throughout the arena, silencing everyone in fear of their own lives. Father's voice could kill, I swear.

Lorcan and I stared at each other for what felt like an eternity, heaving loudly. His eyes turned to emotionless emeralds and I have to admit that they could melt me. I made another attempt to push him back but he stood up before I could even move. "I forfeit, then." My eyes widened at his declaration. The crowd gasped at what he said and murmurs started to erupt from the place. I sat up with all the strength I could muster and just looked at him with mouth agape. "I forfeit. I will not kill you and if you think it's too drastic to be married to me, then I won't force you. I forfeit."

He bent forward and grabbed his sword before turning on his heel and walking away. In the distance, I saw him shove away the nosy individuals blocking his exit from the arena. I turned to face the gallery. Father was as shocked as I was but did not dare move. Tommen, the boy-King, held an unreadable expression. "I'm sorry," I whispered to no one in particular. Maybe I meant it for me. I apologize for letting myself go. "I'm sorry," I whispered once more as I turned to lay my face and aching body on the ground.

Reality slowly melted away and I was spiraling down to nothingness. My vision went blurry and the sounds I hear are close to white noise. Before I closed my eyes, all I could hear clearly are the voices of my brothers approaching. "Sister, sister."

Author's Note: I'm sorry this is kinda short and late. I'm still busy with schoolwork *sighs*. Anyway, if anyone of you would like to send me some song suggestions for each chapter, feel free to do so as I want to hear more of your ideas. You could also send in some of your fan arts or manips or any kind of edits about LLtBK. I will credit you for those, obviously haha. You can send in your song suggestions and fanarts even after this whole novel is finished! Can't wait to collaborate with you, people! Thanks for being patient!

Qs:

- How do you feel about Lorcan's return?

- Do you think Corabella and Lorcan will have a much serious fallout?

- What would you want to happen next?