Chapter 48
Leonna's POV
After that short announcement, we were all escorted to our respective room. And when I arrive at my room to my surprise my dad was there.
"Dad!!!!" I shouted in joy as I run in excitement to him. He of course welcomed me with open arms. "Little Cub, how are you holding up?" He asked.
"Good, I met some of the participants and the announcer said that this year's hunting tournament will be a scavenger hunt." I said. I lift my arms to him and as if its already his second nature he carried me in his arms.
"Scavenger hunt huh? Well that's expected since I told you every crown prince and princesses of each kingdom is participating."
Then the interaction that I had with the crown prince and princess of the Alexandrite kingdom suddenly popped up into my head.
Should I tell dad? Hmmmm. Nah, I don't think its that important.
"We should go hurry up and go to the back of the palace, we should get you ready before the parade start." Dad said, then with me in his arms we left the room and made our way to the back palace.
Parade hah, I remember dad telling me something about a parade but I was too occupied to listen but I do remember him telling me that it's a tradition to do a parade before the hunting tournament start, on the outside perspective this parade is just a tradition that needed to be done but on the inside dad said that it's a way to showing your house's power to other participants.
To taunt them not to try to ask for your head if they win. The parade will start at the back of the palace where there is a massive green field, and from there the participants will have to circle the imperial city once riding on their horse and on their back is the knights of their respective house. Like I said its to show power and dominance.
When we arrive at the back of the palace I was in complete shock that I could almost feel my jaw dropping to the ground. There were thousands of knights gathered at each tents.
And each tents has their respective flag planted on the top of it which tells you who you represent. When we arrive at our own tent it was as big no even bigger than the others, just from the outside appearance you could tell that it's a luxurious tent but there were something missing.....
Something important.
"Dad?"
"Yes?"
"Why is our tent Empty?"
WHERE ARE OUR KNIGHTS?!!!
Compared to the nearby tents beside us who has thousands of knights our tents had none.
I expected that atleast Sir Jace and Sor Brion was here. But there's no single knight that can be seen.
Our tent stuck up like a sore thumb because we were the only one without knights.
-
THIRD'S PERSON POV
Leonna was surprised seeing how empty their tent was.
"We don't need knights. Little cub, my presence is enough for them to fear our house." Leon stated
"You're going to be my knight?" From a worried face to beaming in happiness, Leonna was ecstatic to know that her Dad is going to be her knight.
Leon chuckled at Leonna's reaction. He shuffled her hair and kissed her forehead.
Leonna blushed in embarrasment.
"I'm glad your happy that Im your knight." Leon stated.
When they got inside the tent, Martha, Rose and Riri were waiting for them, there were a few servants aside from Martha and Riri but Leonna didnt know their names.
"My lady, how are you feeling?" Martha asked bowing im respect.
"Good. A little nervous but excited." Leonna answered.
"Dont forget everything I thought you brat, and the most important thing is to survive." Riri chimed in.
Although Riri might seems uninterested, Leonna knew he was worried.
"Yes, master Riri." Leonna said, Riri blushed in embrassment at Leonna's words.
Calling him master made Riri happy, but sad at the same time although it was only a fraction of a second Leonna saw it clearly.
"I'm honored to be your Master, Brat. Do your best." Riri stated. Leonna wanted to ask Riri about his reaction but knew it was not the right time.
"Leonna why don't you go and look at the area while I prepare eveything for you for the parade." Leon stated.
"Ok."
"Dont wander of too far, the parade is about to start any minute."
Leonna nodded, she went outside to check the other participants briefly just to scout the area but she immediately regretted it when she saw the Twins of the Alexandrite kingdom walking towards their tent along with other participants that Leonna didn't know.
With a smug look on their face they all looked at her condescendingly.
"Lady Leonna what a coincidence we've met again." Princess Tria stated.
"Indeed we did Princess Tria, knowing your tent is on the other side of the field it sure is a coincidence." Leonna retorted sarcastically.
Leonna knew they purposefully went to their tent when they saw that we don't have any knights. Princess Tria hearing Leonna's remark blushed in embarrassment.
She gritted her teeth and clenched her fist in anger, "You--"
Princess Tria was about to explode when her brother cut in "Lady Leonna, we came here because we were worried we saw you didn't have any knights on your tents. We even came to help you we would like to lend you some of your kingdom's knights." Trex said with a smirk on his face.
Leonna just looked at them Stoic-ly her big red eyes hold no emotion which made the people in front of her weary. They wanted to shame her but at the same time they were scared just by looking at her eyes.
But they were surprised when Leonna then smile, it was a genuine smile.
"Thank you for your concern Prince and Princess, but unlike you who needs to have thousands of knights just to show your kingdom's power, I on the other hand only need one to show people how powerful the house of the Viosta is."
Leonna's statement made Trex heat in anger, "You arrogant bitch, so youre saying that you only need one knight to stop us from taking your life when we win the tournament? Ha! If so you're delusional." Trex stated firmly.
"Yes. That is exactly what I was saying, I don't need multiple knights to show how powerful our house is, I only need one."
Knowing that her father is her knight, Leonna knew that she doesn't need thousands of knights to show the Viosta power.
"Then would you like to put a little wager on your statement Lady Leonna?" This time an orange head cutt in to the conversation.
"What do we have here?"
Everyone turned their attention the guy who just walked in through their conversation. "Prince Kaleb?" Leonna asked in confusion. Kaleb smiled at her.
"Long time no see Lady Leonna." He said, he bowed in respect and with his hand he gently grabbed Leonna's hand he was about to kiss the back of Leonna's palm when someone aggressively Grab him from his collar.
"What are you doing Prince Kaleb?"
It was Prince Jaljiz, he was looking at Kaleb murderously. But Kaleb just smiled at him it was more like a confirmation smile.
"ahm being a gentleman?" Kaleb answered.
[Why are these two here? Where did they come from] Leonna thought confusedly, the face that Leonnna didn't even feel them coming to her was concerning Leonna [Was I too distracted so I couldn't feel their presence coming?]
"Go be a gentleman somewhere else." Prince Jaljiz stated firmly, almost choking Kaleb from behind his back.
"Tsk. Such a kill." Kaleb mumbled.
"Prince Jaljiz, Prince Kaleb. Ahm how are you? Are you ready for the parade?" Tria stated in a sweet tone of voice she was fidgeting and putting her hair at the back of her ear.
Jaljiz and Kaleb looked at the princess disgustedly. "Tsk." The two prince clicked their tongue in irritation.
The orange hair guy who spoke earlier was just watching this unfold, it perked his interest seeing the two prince defend the Viosta heir.
[Hmmm. This is trouble.] He thought.
"Ahem, I didn't knew that the two princes are good friend with Lady Viosta."
"And you are?" Jaljiz asked in a monotone voice.
"Oh how rude of me for not introducing myself, my name Seven, Seventh son of the Duke Roul of the Alexandrite kingdom." He said introducing himself.
Hearing that, Jaljiz and Kaleb lost interest on him knowing he was nothing. So the both of them turned their back to him and focused their attention to Leonna.
"Lady Leonna its been a long time, how are you?" Kaleb asked, Leonna didn't say anything but nodded in response.
"I heard a wager going on here. May we know what it is all about?" Jaljiz asked Leonna. Leonna then looked at the orange hair kid.
"Yes, Lady Leonna said that She only need one knight to show dominance on the parade and its just a friendly wager." Seven stated.
Hearing this Kaleb and Jaljiz was a bit worried. "One knight? Lady Leonna you will only have one knight at the parade?" Jaljiz asked in a worried and panicked tone.
"Yes." Leonna answered.
Tria, Trex and Seven all smiled condecendingly. "Well what do you say Lady Leonna?" Seven asked.
"whats the wager?" Leonna asked nonchalantly.
"Simple. Just show us that your house is more powerful than ours then you win."
"That's it? What do I get if I win?" Leonna asked.
"You act like you already won, Lady Leonna. How arrogant of you, you think you could defeat our kingdom's entire force by one knight?" Tria stated with gritted teeth.
"What do I get if I win?" Leonna asked again with a firm and monotone voice. Ignoring what Tria said.
"Well what do you want to get Lady Leonna? Money? Property? Say it." Trex asked, clearly insulting the Viosta's power.
"An apology." Leonna answered.
"What?" The there were baffled they thought they heard wrong.
"I want you to apologize to me on your knees, infront of everybody after the parade." Leonna stated clearing what she wanted.
"You dare to ask for an apology to an Imperial royal?!" Tria shouted in anger.
"Lady Tria, weren't the three of you the one who asked what she wanted? Are you going to back out of the bet?" This time it was Jaljiz who defended Leonna.
Tria seeing Jaljiz defend Leonna made her even angrier. "Fine. But if you lose you'll apologize to us on your knees---"
"Sure--"
"And-- you would stay away from Prince Jaljiz." Tria continued blushing, Leonna looked at her confusedly, she was confused why Prince Jaljiz was inserted in the conversation.
Prince Jaljiz on the other hand looked at Tria with wide eyes shock and in complete disbelief at her rediculous request.
"What are you talking---"
"Ok." Leonna answered ignoring Prince Jaljiz.
Prince Jaljiz was even more surprised when Leonna said yes. He was hurt.
Hearing Leonna's answer made Tria smirk. "It's a deal lady Leonna. I wish you the best."
Tria offered her hand for a handshake Leonna took her hand and shook the deal close. After that Tria along with her brother and their friends turned around and walked away as if they already won.
Now the only thing remaining is Leonna, Jaljiz and Kaleb.
"Lady Leonna, are you sure you'll only have one knight to be your escort?" Kaleb asked worriedly. Leonna nodded.
Then Her and Jaljiz's eyes met. "Leonna. Why did you do that?"
"What?" Leonna asked.
"Betting that you would stay away from me if you lose." Jaljiz said disappointed.
"Because I won't lose." Leonna responded before turning her back at Jaljiz. Jaljiz blushed at Leonna's answer.
-
[End Of Chapter]