The sun is shining through Princess Mizhka's bedroom window. She sadly looks at the outside world. The trees are swaying as if they are dancing with the wind. The birds cheerfully sing as they glide through the sky. There are also some land animals running around the forest. Princess Mizhka sighs deeply. She can't help but feel melancholic with what about to happen.
Growing up, Princess Mizhka spent her time reading fairy tales as this was her way of escaping from reality. And because of this, she has always been a firm believer of true love, and she dreamt of finding her own prince charming someday. But everything is ruined as the king announced that she would be married to Prince Zidane, which is totally the opposite of the man of her dreams. She can't let it happen. She must do everything to stop this.
Two guards come in to Princess Mizhka's room.
"Your highness, the King has called for you," one of the guards says.
Princess Mizhka follows the two guards. Princess Mizhka is clueless as to why the king has called for her. They reach the garden, much to her surprise. There is a breakfast for two waiting. Princess Mizhka thought the she must be having breakfast with the king, so she sits in the chair reserved for her. She patiently waits while sipping some house tea. All of a sudden, Prince Zidane appears and sit on the other chair.
"Good morning, my princess," Prince Zidane greets with a nasty smile. He kisses her by the hand, to which Princess Mizhka obviously doesn't like.
"What is this all about?" asks the princess.
"I think you father, King Silas, wants us to know each other more," he replies. "He probably thinks that it would be better if we get to know each other well before the wedding.
Princess Mizhka frowns.
"Prince Zidane, I know you since we were young. I never liked you, and I never will. Do anything you want, but I'll never marry you," Princess Mizhka says with conviction.
"I don't think you have much choice," Prince Zidane replies confindently.
"I do have a choice! This is my life and I have the control over my fate," Princess Mizhka furiously replies. "Now if you'll excuse me, I want to skip breakfast."
Princess Mizhka stands up and starts walking away. But she halted when Prince Zidane shouted.
"The wedding will happen, my princess. And there's nothing you can do about it."
Princess Mizhka looks back and stares at Prince Zidane, "You wish!"
Princess Mizhka goes back to her room.
As she angrily walks through the hallway with her guards following him, she bumps into Leilah.
"I'm sorry, your highness, for bumping into you. Here let me help you," Leilah states.
Leilah reaches out for Princess Mizhka's hands and helps her stand up.
"Thank you," Princess Mizhka nonchalantly speaks.
Princess Mizhka proceeds going into her room. When the guards are no longer around, Princess Mizhka opens her hand. She's holding a note.
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Ethan is in the middle of the forest in the outskirts of the castle. He is practicing his swordsmanship. He is using a wooden sword and is fighting an imaginary enemy. It is evident that he is a skilled fighter. He is swift, strong, and fierce. His moves are hard to match.
We hear swooshes in the air as Ethan swings his sword through the air. Until…
Tok!
The sword hits another wooden sword. It belongs to Ulrich, who is also in his practice gear.
"You have such exceptional sword skills, I must say," Ulrich says.
The swords are still against each other as they talk.
"Well, Chief Knights are supposed to be exceptional," Ethan replies.
Ulrich takes one step forward, pushing Ethan backwards.
"Not bad for someone who is fighting a pretend adversary. Let's test those skills with a real opponent and see if it would still be 'exceptional', shall we?" Ulrich teasingly utters.
"Are you challenging me to a sword fight?" Ethan asks.
"Let's say, I just want to play," Ulrich responds.
After a few seconds of tension, the two starts attacking each other with their wooden swords. Both are superb fighters. They don't take it easy on each other. There are sounds of woods hitting against each other, and it's almost impossible to track their moves because they are both moving quick.
Hours of endless sword fighting, but the duel has not yet reached a conclusion. Both of them are already tired, and has already lost the energy to continue.
"So, who won?" Ethan speaks while panting.
Ulrich replies while also trying to catch up some air, "I guess it's a draw."
"I guess there should be another round?"
"Probably. Someday."
Ulrich reaches out his hand for a handshake.
"It was nice finding my match," Ulrich says.
Ethan shakes his hand without saying any word.
Ulrich leaves the premise, while Ethan looks at him while he walks away. Ethan catches himself smiling without any reason.
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King Silas and Prince Zidane are roaming around the castle, talking about some matters. Prince Merick storms in furiously.
"Father!" he shouts. "I can't let him marry Princess Mizhka!"
King Silas is surprised with the audacity of his son. Prince Zidane seems to be unbothered. They are both looking at Prince Merick as if they have heard a wild joke that is not funny at all. Everyone in the castle who have heard Prince Merick turn their heads towards him. The people are abuzz.
In the middle of the people piling up, Queen Arida makes her way to check out what is happening. She stands from afar, she doesn't dare try to interfere, as she knows that this is not the job of a woman to do so. But she's worried for her son, and it is evident in her face.
"What rights do you have to tell me what to and what not to allow under my rule?" King Silas asks.
"He is not worthy to become Princess Mizhka's spouse," Prince Merick articulates. "He is not worthy to be part of this family."
Prince Zidane smirks. He is quite offended by what Prince Merick has said, but is trying to make himself intimidating because of the people looking around.
"What are you trying to say, my prince?" Prince Zidane asks.
"That you have to prove yourself," Prince Merick replies.
"And how exactly?"
"A duel. A joust. I am fighting for my sister's hand in marriage."
King Silas interrupts, "This is foolishness!"
But Prince Zidane quickly speaks up.
"I accept your challenge! If you win, I'll leave Armadonia at once," he says. "But if I win, you shall forever seal your lips and do what the king has to say."
"Agreed."
The king looks around, it's as if everyone is also agreeing to the deal. He has no other choice but to go with it.
"It is set then. Tomorrow, three hours past noon, at the arena, the joust between Prince Merick and Prince Zidane shall commence. A fight for Princess Mizhka's hand in marriage," he articulates.
Everyone seems to be excited. Queen Arida is more worried than ever.
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As the night wind howls, Prince Merick is drinking wine while looking over the castle's veranda. He is looking at the ground. He sees his younger self and prince Zidane. The two princes are practicing sword fight.
"I will defeat you this time," the young Prince Merick says.
"You are not good at anything. You can never defeat me," the young Prince Zidane replies.
The two clashes their swords. Prince Zidane is obviously more skilled than Prince Merick. Prince Merick seems to be losing, the bigger and older prince is just toying him. After quite a few strike, Prince Merick falls down the ground. Prince Zidane laughs at him.
"I told you Merick, you will never stand a chance against me," Prince Zidane laughingly declares.
The real Prince Merick is furious while looking at the two young princes. The two kids will disappear as Prince Merick's thoughts get interrupted by Ethan coming in.
"My prince, are you planning to duel against the prince of Gibraltar while drunk?" he says.
"A few drinks don't hurt, Sir Ethan," Prince Merick replies, "besides, I know that tomorrow I shall win no matter what."
Prince Merick continues to drink his wine. He may look overly confident, but deep inside he is bothered for tomorrow's fight.
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The list field is already full of enthusiastic Armadonians who wish to see the jousting duel between Prince Merick and Prince Zidane. The king and queen are already seated in a special area. Ethan is also watching somewhere in the general area. The princes are already preparing their armors, throwing a glare at each other from time to time. Prince Merick is wearing a blue armor, while Prince Zidane is in red.
Prince Merick looks around the field. His heart is racing. He sees the faces of the people who seemingly are convinced that he's gonna lose. He sees his mother's face, looking so worried. He sees his father's disappointed face who thinks that all of this is just foolishness. He can't seem to think straight. He, himself, start to think that this might all just be a foolish decision. He closes his eyes. He hears Prince Zidane's voice telling him, "you will never stand a chance against me."
An announcer's voice rumbles, "Armadonians! Today, we will witness the fight between Prince Merick, the prince of Armadonia, and Prince Zidane, the prince of Gibraltar!"
The arena uproars with claps and shouts from the audience. The two jousters are in their respective sides.
"Let the jousting begin!!!"
Prince Merick kicks off his horse towards Prince Zidane who is also on his way to attack. Both miss the first pass. The two readies themselves for the second pass. They begin to charge. Prince Zidane is able to hit Prince Merick.
Prince Merick is already feeling the pressure as he gets hit. He holds himself and closes his eyes. He couldn't back off right now, he needs to finish what he started. He points his lance and grips into his shield. He charges once again.
"Bang!"
Prince Merick is able to hit Prince Zidane for the third pass. And it is a hard one. He is surprised himself. He has not expected to get that hit. The audience is in awe, some even clapping. Prince Zidane seem to be pissed. Prince Merick looks at King Silas, he seems to be a bit impressed. Prince Merick gains confidence. He holds himself once again and gets ready for the fourth pass. They charge once again.
"Bang!"
It is an even harder hit. Prince Merick is already ahead by 2 hits. Prince Zidane is more pissed off at the moment. Prince Merick's confidence is boosted more than ever.
They once again get ready for an attack. They start to charge against each other. Prince Merick is determined. All he can think of is that he must win this duel. He must get the respect of the people, especially those who don't believe in him. He must make his mother proud. He must prove to his father that he is a worthy to be the next king.
As the two jousters get close to each, Prince Merick gets distracted as a reflection from Prince Zidane's shield catches his eyes. Prince Zidane is doing it in purpose.
"Bang!"
Everyone stands up from their seats in shock, except the King. Prince Merick is down in the ground, jousted from his horse. Queen Arida's eyes are on tears, he feels the agony that Prince Merick is feeling.
Prince Merick can't even stand up from the disappointment and shame that he is feeling. The announcer is already announcing Prince Zidane as the victor. We see Prince Zidane grins at him. It's over. He lost. Again.
While everyone is abuzz with the turnabout of the events, a guard fearfully approaches the king and whispers something.
"What?!! The princess is gone?!!!" King Silas exclaims loudly.
The people heard the king.
Prince Merick secretly smirks.
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Princess Mizhka, who is wearing a simple maid dress, is outside the castle together with Leilah. They are hiding in the forest. Two guards are searching for them.
"Princess Mizhka, you must go ahead. I'll distract them," Leilah says in a low voice.
"But you might get caught!" Princess Mizhka replies.
"Don't worry about me, I can take care of myself. At the end of this forest is a village Lyndonville. I'll meet you there."
Before Princess Mizhka could say anything, Leilah already runs away from where they are hiding. Princess Mizhka can't do anything but follow Leilah's order.
END OF CHAPTER 4