Then, it was the suave looking prince's turn.
"Prince Wang Jung of Yong-bo."
Finally, I'll get to hear the quiet prince talk. Wow, he has a beautiful voice and a captivating smile.
"Prince Jihan of Maek-jong."
Afterwards, I suggested, "I have an idea on how we'll get to know each other, even more. I'll ask a question or say something of who's who, and we'll raise our hands if that relates to us. Are you all in?"
The princes nodded and some smiled.
"Okay. You all brought me gifts, right? So, who brought me delicacies?"
4th Prince Henri and Prince Theo raised their hands. I gave them a thumbs-up.
"Thank you! I like delicacies more than other things."
4th Prince Henri seems confused and asked me, "Princess Laurana, may I ask, what's that, the gesture you did with your hand?"
Ahhh, he's so adorable~
"It means good or very good."
He turned to Prince Leopold, showed him the gesture. He also returned the gesture and they bump their fist like clinking glasses. Almost everyone laughed at their playfulness, except, Prince Egon who just smiled a little.
"Who can sing? Who sings?"
Prince Jihan and I were the only ones who raised our hands.
"I was right, you can sing! I have to hear you sing, next time!"
"It would be my pleasure, Princess Laurana." We smiled at each other.
"I'll look forward to it!"
"How about you, Princess? When will you sing for us?" All of the princes agreed to Prince Wang Jung.
"Some other time, I guess?"
"Is there any artist among you? Who's good at drawing, painting, etc.?"
Only Prince Leopold raised his hand.
"Oohhh I'd like to see your drawings. I bet they're amazing."
"Thank you, Princess, but I don't know if they'll be great. I'll let you see them, when we have time."
Knowing the princes may be tired from their travels, I called it a day. I told them to rest in their rooms, then, I returned to my chamber.
...
At the guest wing. The sun already set and the princes started waking up from their deep sleep. As expected, Prince Romeo was the first to arrive in the lounge area of the guest wing, being the sociable person among the group. One by one, the princes went outside their rooms and straight to the lounge area. Prince Romeo smiled meaningfully while raising his eyebrows up and down.
"Soooo, what's your impression of the princess?"
"I told you she was stunning, she must be the prettiest princess that I've ever seen." 4th Prince Henri referred to his brother while talking like a kid who has a crush on someone.
As per usual, 2nd Prince Egon ignored him again. The princes didn't question their relationship as brothers because it was known to everyone that he's cold as ice.
"Good thing, she's not finicky or even pretentious like some princess we've met. She's definitely gorgeous!" The suave looking prince, Prince Wang Jung shared, which all the princes agreed to.
"She also loves foods more than any luxurious things, just like me!" 4th Prince Henri added, which Prince Leopold responded by messing his hair.
...
"I keep wondering why an illegitimate child is among the princess' suitors." The atmosphere changed just like that, because of a single sentence spoken by 2nd Prince Egon. Meanwhile, the prince mentioned was shaking in anger. Fists closed and tightened, head down and eyes blazing in anger.
Prince Theo put his hand on Prince Jihan's left shoulder to stop him from shaking.
"Why, did I say something wrong? Isn't it true that your mother got pregnant when she was just a servant?"
"You don't know anything at all!!!" Prince Jihan dashed towards Prince Egon and was about to punch him on the face when Prince Theo and Prince Wang Jung, simultaneously, hold his arms to stop him.
"Let go of me!!! Just you wait, b*stard!!!"
Both princes dragged Prince Jihan to Prince Theo's balcony to get some fresh air. They remove their hold on him after he calmed down. The three princes stayed there for a period of time.
After the three left the lounge, 4th Prince Henri gave his brother an accusing look.
"What are you looking at?"
"You didn't have to say that, you don't even know him."
2nd Prince Egon stood up and went to his room. His brother couldn't help but shake his head.
*Sigh*
Prince Leopold and Prince Romeo patted his shoulder as they, all, leave as well.
...
Unaware of the princes' fight, Princess Laurana was enjoying some of the sweet delicacies gifted to her by 4th Prince Henri, early in the evening.
"Princess, we were told by your mother to prevent you from eating too much sweets before dinner.."
I smiled sweetly at them.
"Don't tell on me, understood? You have nothing to worry about, I won't lose my appetite for dinner."
"Yes, Princess."
"Here, all of you, have some. It's so delicious~"
"But, Princess, we're not allowed--"
Before she could finish what she's saying, I already handed them some.
"After all, I can't finish all of this by myself. I won't tell anyone, also."
I smiled widely at them. The female servants were delighted because of their princess' kindness.
...
Dining Hall. It's only the three of us-- father, mother and I, eating together. The princes' dinner will be served in their own rooms. Mother glanced at me and I thought she caught me yawning.
"Yes, Mother?"
"How's your first day with the princes? Were they good to you?"
"Yes, they were. It was good, I got to know them a little bit."
Mother looked at father like she's asking him to ask 'the question'.
"Our daughter, do you have someone you're interested with?"
With that question, Prince Theo's blue eyes and Prince Jihan's beautiful voice came to my mind.
"No, Father. It's too early to tell."
Before saying good night to my parents, I suddenly remembered something that I want to ask them.
"The princes, except Theo, doesn't know that I lost my memories, do they?"
"They don't, right, Maximus?"
"Yes. Why do you ask, Laurana?"
"Nothing in particular, I was just asking."
I hugged both of them at the same time and went on my way.
"Good night, Mother! Good night, Father!"
"Good night, Laurana."
...
The next day. The princes' presence in the training hall of the palace was requested by His Imperial Majesty. They changed into their blue traditional clothing, similar to hanboks (a traditional Korean clothing), a fitted blouse-like top part and a traditional pants; which highlights their defined, well built curves. Except for 4th Prince Henri who's younger, so is his body; and Prince Romeo who cares for his body like a lady. They, also, wore another layer of clothing on top of those called an overcoat which hides their physical built. The princes' hair were all let loose down, instead of, bringing the hair to the top; and a blue headband on their foreheads.
"Good morning, Your Imperial Majesty."
"Princes. You, all, must be wondering why I requested your presence here. I wanted to see your physical skills. You'll be dueling with wooden swords, one-on-one. 4th Prince Henri and Prince Romeo will team up and duel against one. The rest of you, choose your opponents; then, warm up. We'll start the duel once Princess Laurana arrives."
Princess Laurana also wore a red traditional clothing, a blouse-like top part which shorter than the princes' and a long skirt that is quite large and reaches all the way down to the ground. Both the princess and princes' clothing use expensive materials like satin and silk. Her hair was done in a single braid with a large red ribbon attached at the end of the braid.
When Princess Laurana arrived, the princes' were already partnered up and scattered on the first floor of the training hall. Prince Romeo and 4th Prince Henri versus Prince Wang Jung; Prince Theo versus 2nd Prince Egon; and, Prince Leopold versus Prince Jihan. All of the princes' turned to her direction and greeted her.
"Good morning, Princess Laurana."
"Good morning, Princes. I'll be cheering from the second floor. Good luck!"
...
With the dueling ending, only Prince Theo and 2nd Prince Egon remained fighting. As expected, Prince Wang Jung won against the two princes, Prince Romeo and 4th Prince Henri; since Prince Romeo only focused on avoiding getting hit instead of attacking together with Prince Henri. While, Prince Leopold lost to Prince Jihan after a few tied matchs. The Emperor ended the never-ending duel between Prince Theo and 2nd Prince Egon when their wooden swords were on each other's neck, resulting to a tied match. But, there's a catch, the duel wasn't the real test.
"You've done very well, Princes. I assume, you're all feeling tired and sore, now. Now, the real test will begin. There might be a time, in the future, where you and the princess will be put in danger; you feel tired from running away or you're outnumbered; and no one else is there to help you. It is up to you to protect the princess. Each one of you will try to protect her, right now, against five skilled martial artists."