"You lost.. TO A WOMAN!" My father slapped me across my face so that I could feel the tingles of pain. I looked down for I could hear the anger and disappointment in his tone.
"Are you not ashamed boy?!
Loosing to a Nightslayer but even worse A WOMAN! If anyone heard about this back home our reputation will be finished!" He shouts pacing back and forth Infront of me.
"I cannot believe the best warrior in Haydren lost to a bitch of Valtor disgusting slu-"
"Show some respect Father!"
I could not listen to my father talk about her with such toxic venom anymore. She was no such thing. She was a dark angel. My guardian angel that healed me when I was broken. That looked at me with such concern when I was down. I would hear noone speak ill of her. I had to restrain myself from killing him In his place as he spoke about her.
Yes, He is my father.
But he cannot talk about her like that.
Not whilst I'm still standing. Not whilst I'm still breathing.
"What did you say to me?" His eyes still wide.
"I said show some damn respect.
You don't seem to understand that We are NOT in Haydren. It is not your kingdom! There are different rules here different people. That WOMAN is one of the best damn fighters in this land. Instead of acting like an entitled brat, maybe we should start learning."
"Learning? Learning what?" Here we go.
"Your mother sits there only listening because she cannot see! And who did that hmm? These fucking Nightslayers! Why cant you understand that!" I see the rage in his eyes as he spits his fire.
"Don't think these people are your friends. You are not one of them.They will kill you if you're not careful. You should be focusing on your task." I look away disgusted that he still wants me to do that. Kill the Princess.
"Father all they have done is treated us with respect. That woman healed me she didn't have to-"
"Son... I'm going to tell you something. So that you understand why I need you to do this." He makes his way over to the chair and sits.
"About 200 years ago before the banishment. I went to king Darvos to try and figure out a peace agreement. I didn't want to interrupt the balance between light and dark by our feud. Your mother and I were willing to forgive them for their mistakes if we could put the past behind us." I nod along intently listening.
"When I got there, I saw they were doing some ritual over the baby. The Queen had just given birth to the Princess at the time. I watched and watched and was confused as to what I saw. I needed to find out what they were doing. I consulted a nearby dark Witch who was loyal to me at the time. I described to her the ritual..... She explained to me that it was called 'Rovara,' The Queen of Darkness. A sorceress so powerful so deadly that all the forces of light would bow at her feet. On her 200th birthday she will unlock the most powerful forces of darkness and wipe the earth of all traces of light. That is why I needed you to kill her. For our survival.
She has to die. Son you must forget about the woman you fought today, don't think I don't know you held back a little. You must focus on our task at killing the Princess. This whole week is dedicated to her. This is our only chance. You are our only chance."
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I put on my robe, black of course, for the princesses banquet. I look stupid. My blonde hair and gold eyes give away who I am completely. I laugh as I can never fit in among these people. It's humorous to me. But also slightly sad.
Someone knocks on the door. I open it to reveal a maid on the other side.
"Hello, I'm Isla" she says whilst curtsying.
"I'm here to help the Queen." I smile and let her in. My mother is sitting at her table waiting for Isla to come do her hair.
"Good evening Queen Lucent."
"Good evening dear, we are not late are we?"
"No ma'am, everything is still being set up. Once I finish here I must go attend to the princess." I wince when she mentions the Princess. I wonder who she is? I must dance with her tonight. My father was right.
This needs to be done. For our survival.
"So the Princess, what is she like?" My mother asks.
"She is honestly the best person I know."
That is not what I wanted to hear.
"Well isn't that nice..." My mother says mockingly.
"Hey Isla was it?" I ask. She nods to me.
"This banquet and ritual we are going to. What is it for?"
"Well its a long tradition. When a girl turns 190 she drops blood into the Lake of Truth. The lake will then reveal to her and her soulmate, that they are soulmates because the light of the moon will shine on him. But only she will see it. And only he will see her. They must mate by the end of the moon cycle (1 week) to secure their bond. Then their souls will be entwined together for eternity. If not, their bond withers and dies and they will never have another soulmate. That's why it's very important to us."
"Wow. Do these rituals happen for boys too?"
She laughs and I raise my eyebrow as I wasn't joking. She notices I didn't laugh and her smiles instantly fades. She clears her throat.
"Umm no only girls. The dark forces reveal on the girls 190 birthday to both her and her soulmate. So they both know that they are soulmates. It is their job to act upon it."
I nod. It's a nice ritual.
"But what if you're in love with someone else?" I ask. She looks over to me.
"Would you really pass over your soulmate for someone else?" She says smirking looking at me.
I smile back. She's right. Who would?
-------------
Isla leaves to go help the Princess.
I shut the door saying bye as she walks away.
Then there is another knock at the door.
I open it to see Ryan and Drake.
"Good evening." Ryan says. I'm still pissed at him for making me look like a dick Infront of my father.
"Evening." I reply no emotion present. Ryan sees my frustration.
"No hard feelings right. And to be honest, she went easy on you." He smirked and Patted my shoulder. I wanted to rip out his teeth as they gleamed at me. He looked at my expression and instantly regretted it putting his hand in his pocket.
"Sooo me and Ryan are going to escort the girls. King Darvos is expecting you and your Parents at the Grand hall in 10
Minutes. The banquet will start and then we will go to the lake." Drake smiles at that last part. I nod and thank only Drake for the information. I close the door and grab my sword as me and my parents make our way to the hall.
Tonight will be an night to remember. I'm sure.