Clunk Clunk Clunk Clunk
I heard footsteps so I got off the bed and stood beside balcony staring at air.
Crreeeeaak
The door opened. I need not turn my head to identify the person. I decided not to turn back to check and kept staring at thin air.
"Ah..." A voice escaped her mouth. Now I decided to turn back as our eyes met.
"...A-Allan, you're awake! Gosh, I'm so relieved," She does held a sense of reassurance on her face.
"Princess Lucia, how have you been?"
Hate formalities... Absolutely hate them
"O-Oh, I-I am fine. But how about you?! Are you well?! Does it hurt anywhere?!" She approached swiftly to examine me but I showed her my palm.
"You need not to be worried, I am well. If anything, I feel better than every. Though I do appreciate your concern."
"I see. You can walk?"
"That, I am."
"Come, let's go and grab something. You must be empty after staying in bed for a week now." She ordered.
Guess I can not refuse. Since it's just belly worship, I shall partake.
As I gave a nod in agreement she march forth so I followed her lead.
We had a meal at dinning room. All the time, Lucia never said much. She told me I could have whatever I want so I took the pleasure and had food worth year as Princess enjoyed her tea.
She seemed really off. Lost in her own thoughts. I would be lying if I said I was not curious.
She closed her eyes, took a sip of her fine tea and sighed, as I chomped on my vegetables.
Then she did it again... And so did I.
And then again, and again, and again...
"...Are you going to keep starring and say naught?" She said.
"U-Umm,"
"It's fine, finish it first." So she said, I continued with my meal.
A few moments later...
"Hey, Allan..."
"Hmm?"
I looked up at Princess. She held a smile on her face. But one could tell, she was at her limit.
"You know, you can be a bit considerante..." Her smile widened, but never reached her eyes.
"Mhmm?" I tilted my head, symbolising my inadequacy to understand meaning of her words.
"You've been chomping,"
Stuffing
"Chomping for an hour now!" She complained.
"*Gulp*... Apologise?"
"J-Just put down the spoon and listen!" She said.
It seem I annoyed her a bit too much.
All this time, I could tell she was eager to say something but was patient and tried her best not to come off as an ignorant individual. However, she may not be able to contain herself any longer.
"Look Allan,"
I looked at her. She was pretty as always.
"This is very important, you get it?" She said, as she looked straight into my eyes, as if she was after my very soul.
"Yes," I replied. Staring back, trying to pierce her soul...
"In case you don't know, a tournament will be held soon, next month presumably."
A tournament? As if... a series of event where number of people will compete and only one or a group will emerge as sole winner... Like that sort of tournament?
I had no clue such event were to take place.
"Guess, you don't know after all huh,"
"No, not at all. I was not informed of any such,"
If I were, my name would be the first in participation list.
That being said, I have not attended any such event for a while now. It would be fun to compete in one, or at least be a part of one.
"Well, it was not official yet, nor such announcement was made public."
So there was no way for me to know.
But, the reason she asked...
"I just thought, you must've got your hands on the information."
"I apologise, but you are just overestimating me now."
I was being, dauntingly, tested by Lucia.
All of a sudden, I found myself on guard.
Excuse me, I woke up just an hour ago...
As if she sensed my agitation, Lucia continued.
"It's fine. Anyways, I want you to know that this tournament means a lot to entirety of Kingdom."
Winner of tournaments holds an honorary stand. Regardless of what sport one compete in, individual on top is always held in high regards.
That means, anyone who come on top will gain a certain, if not much, amount of social as well as political influence.
Winners are always celebrated after all... That is, if they are allowed to claim the throne.
"You see, many of the nobles will be involved in this event. Not to mention, my brothers..." She said, with a hint of stress.
Wait, brothers? Are there more heirs in line to the throne?
"My brother, Laren, who is the crown prince of The Kingdom Of Renhard... This tournament will play a significant role in his accession."
She seemed a bit hesitant.
"Does that mean Prince Laren's succession to throne can be hindered if not?"
"My brother, Laren, regardless of what happen, will sit on the throne of The Kingdom of Renhard,"
"So there should not be any issue —"
"Why settle for Kingdom when you deserve an Empire?"
At Lucia's words, I could help but stare at this beautiful Princess.
"In upcoming series of bout, one who achieve the greatest feat shall ascend to the throne of mighty Yudhma Empire!"
She went further into explanation.
Apparently, Kingdom Of Renhard is one of the many states under Yudhma Empire.
Pervious Emperor had three sons as potential successor.
But before the successor could be decided, Emperor passed away due to some unknown illness.
Elder of The Empire crowned eldest Prince as new emperor, while rest obtained territory under Empire's governance, Kingdom and duchy to be precise, to govern.
The present King of The Kingdom of Renhard is younger brother of The Emperor.
Also, Reena's father, the Duke.
But who care...
That being said, Emperor must have a heir or so. Could they be participating in tournament too? What could that have to do with Laren?
Guess, I'll just listen to Lucia for now and stop with my own train of thoughts.
"Among many young masters of noble houses of Empire, my dear cousin brothers, that is, Reena's elder brothers, will also be participating."
Were they competing with Laren for throne of Kingdom? However, Lucia's face not say that so-called dear brothers were any issue.
"But..." She was queasy.
"Existence of Emperor's sons could be troublesome," She said.
So Emperor does have heirs huh...
"My cousin brothers, who are also Emperor's sons, they possess real hindrance to my brother's ascension to throne."
"Are they after Kingdom's throne?" I asked.
It is very possible. Since there can only be one Emperor, those who not succeed may come after Kingdom's throne. That way, it's very possible for Laren to lose his right.
At my question, Princess passed a light smirk.
"It seem you don't get it after all. All though it's not made public yet, my brother is the one who'll sit on Kingdom's throne and there are no denies." So she said, but...
"The thing is, this tournament... If my brother were to come on top, his chances of becoming next Emperor will significantly increase."
So that is what she meant when...
This tournament, it will be platform for warriors to show there greatness and, for Royals to show their adequacy!
If Laren, somehow, manages to show his profoundness, his value as a person will boast significantly. He may surely gain political power as well as support that may aid in rise to the throne... Throne of Yudhma Empire!
"For that very reason, I need your assit." She told me, dead serious.
. . . . .