Chapter 1 - Entangled with the Prince
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Sunny day: a perfect day for field training. Averi Abrijah was doing his usual archery lesson when the son of the current Prime Minister, Cazim Cirakh, barged in.
"Ave! Ave!" Averi was forced to stop his training. He frowned at the young man.
"What's the problem?" He asked. Cazim calmed himself first before revealing the news he just got.
"Princess Shaidona will do a night hunt!"
Averi seemed to hear a bomb. He was stunned. To think that he, the number one admirer of the princess, was the last one to know her activities!?
"Why didn't I know about it?" This time, Averi has no plans to continue shooting. To hell with the training! The Princess is more important!
Princess Shaidona Shibalbad, the only Princess of Kirama Kingdom, was beautiful and charming that even the other kingdoms offers a marriage to her.
As the eldest son of General Abrijah, Averi not only vowed to protect the princess but also offered the princess a marriage. He is one of the admirers who, to this day is still waiting for the sweet 'yes' of the princess.
"It was the Crown Prince who planned it!" Cazim's mention of the Crown Prince brought Averi back to reality.
He tsked. That Crown Prince!
"Let's go! We need to protect the Princess!" He and Cazim rode their respective horses, and made their way towards the entrance of the forest.
This is a world with a magical setting. But even so, people are incapable of absorbing the magic energies that are around. Only a few awakened their innate ability to absorb the magic energies pero kahit ganoon, but even so, there are still few magic users due to the lack of manuals.
As this is a magical world, magic beasts, ferocious beasts and even legendary beasts exist, but you can barely find them in this continent. At most, normal beasts were commonly found here, in this forest.
But of course, a beast is a beast. They are still deadly if you are not careful.
"What's the situation?"
Averi made Cazim investigate. Cazim immediately returned with the news.
"They are waiting for the Prince and Princess," Cazim said the news. He rode his horse and can't help but comment, "Gahh, what's with the Crown Prince? Didn't he know that he was bringing the Princess to ruin?"
Averi did not comment on what his friend said. Although he too, wants to curse the Prince, it's not good to be heard by the majority.
Crown Prince Asharie Shibalbad, the Masked Prince of Kirama Kingdom. There are many speculations as to why he is wearing a mask. First, he had a beautiful face, that the person who sees his face will go crazy. Another one was he had a scarred face. It was so ugly to the point that he had to wear mask to cover it.
Averi believed the second rumor. The Prince is too ugly, he had to hide his ugliness for the sake of his beautiful twin sister.
There's also the rumor that anyone who saw the prince' face will never see the light again. Hah! So laughable. Just for a face?
"His Royal Highness, The Crown Prince and Her Royal Highness, The Princess, are here!"
Averi and Cazim got off on their respective horses and bowed to pay homage to the nobility. The majority did the same.
"Oh, please rise."
It was as if a fragrant cloth enveloped Averi's heart when he heard Shaidona's voice. The Princess's voice is really beautiful.
He and Cazim made their way towards the Princess. He simply pushed aside the Princess's royal retainer and held out his hand.
"May I have the honor, My Princess?" Averi asked. A soft hand rested on his rough hand, accompanied by the Princess's compelling smile.
"Stop the drama, Averi. Just get me down," Shaidona said. She was semi-blushing.
"I'm being a gentleman here, Princess. Don't you want to? Do you want Cazim to carry you?" Averi was being playful. He was pertaining to Cazim being the weakest in the three of them. He supports the Princess on horseback.
"Aiya~!"
Averi, Shaidona, Cazim and Yikonsal, the royal physician's son, grew up together. With Averi being the strongest and with Cazim being the weakest. Shaiyi and Yikon had an average strength.
As the heirs of their respective fathers, they're supposed to be with Prince Asharie, but who told that Prince to avoid them? Now, he is a Crown Prince with no follower, except for his retainer.
"You're still beautiful to this day, Shayi," Cazim called the Princess by her nickname. Shaidona blushed again, and smiled that captured the hearts of men in the vicinity.
Averi looked at Prince Asharie, the Prince' retainer was talking to the guards while Prince was seated on his horse. Maybe Asharie noticed that Averi was looking at him so he turned in the direction of the man.
They looked at each other. While the mask covers the face, it didn't cover the eyes. Asharie's eyes were like a black hole that's absorbing him. Averi snapped back, and glared at the Prince. For no apparent reason, he didn't really like the Prince.
He didn't notice that the Crown Prince's eyes the slightly curved after that staring moment.
'Averi Abrijah, The General's son. Huh.'
-
Everyone was ready to go, it was going to be night again. Prince Asharie came first, behind him was the Princess, and Averi and Cazim. They are surrounded by Royal Guards.
"Why do you have to do a night hunt, Shayi?" asked Cazim.
"Royal Father ordered me. Royal brother was here to accompany me," Shaidona answered but the two men didn't believe it. In their minds, Asharie forced the woman to join them on the Night Hunt.
Night Hunt is just a normal hunt, except that they'll do it at night. Beasts are ferocious during the day, then what about the night? Where humans were deprived with their ability to see in the dark?
Although the forest was dark even during the day, at least there was still a source of light from time to time but at night, it was completely dark. Only the lamps that the guards brought were their light. There is no magic user in their convoy.
"Kruuh~ Kruuh~ Kruuh~"
"Shrk... Shrk... Shrk..."
Kashingg!
Various noises can be heard inside the forest. Everyone became alert. Averi let out his sword, so did the others. He can feel the beasts ... One, two, three, no, they are surrounded!
They might have encountered a pack!
"I'll protect you, Princess." Averi assured.
"Thank you, Averi." Shaidona answered. "But this MY night hunt. I can protect myself and hunt as well." The Princess let out her bow.
Averi didn't spoke again. He knew that Shayi wasn't your typical demure princess. She's strong and she trained with them. But training and actual battle is still different.
"Protect me instead, Ave." Cazim meekly said.
"Shut up."
Averi recognized the beasts—the pack that was surrounding them. Iiwankanea or better known as Iwanea is a beast that together if act. They don't have a King, but a Queen.
"Growl~!"
The Iwaneas attacked together. Averi faced one, slashed one, and attacked another one.
"Grrrr~!"
"Aaahh!"
Shrk!
Shing!
Pak!
"Rawwrrr!"
"Yaaaahhh!"
The battle went chaotic as the Iwaneas seemed endless. Many of the guards has fallen. Averi's clothes were bloody. Although he was bitten and scratched, there was more Iwanea blood on his clothes.
"Shayi!!"
Averi heard Cazim's shout so he ran in the direction of the Princess. He saw an Iwanea that was trying to bite the Princess. It bit the bow that Shaidona had blocked. The Princess was full of blood due to the scratches of the Iwaneas.
Shiingg!
"Cazim!"
Averi slashed an Iwanea as he called Cazim. Blood spilled on the Princess's face. She had a bloody face that was different from her usual clean self but right now, they are in a battlefield. He will just apologize to Shayi after this.
"Take the Princess away!" Averi ordered. They need to retreat, they were too many Iwaneas.
Cazim nodded immediately. The man knew his ability, he, Cazim Cirakh, was born with paper, not with sword. He didn't want to be a burden to Averi.
"No!" Shaidona struggled. "What about Asharie? What about the Crown Prince!?"
Both Cazim and Averi went silent. In the end, the two still thought of the Princess's welfare. "Take her away, Cazim!"
"Noooo!!"
"I'll protect the Prince, My Princess." Averi said that Shayi silent. Even Cazim. The two knew how much Averi doesn't like the Prince.
Princess Shaidona eyed the Young General, "I trust you!"
Averi didn't reply. He went in the direction where the Prince was. Even though he didn't like the Crown Prince, he was still their superior, the future Ruler of this Kingdom. He had to protect that damn masked Prince!
"Roahh-oohh-aaahrrr!"
Averi stopped for a moment. The Queen Iwanea's roar! Shit!
Averi's pace quickened. Many were killed, whether it was Iwanea or the weak guards of the palace. The wounded fled for their lives. The remaining Iwaneas surrounded him. Averi was confident that he could defeat them because he was used to fighting. As for fighting the Queen Iwanea ... He doesn't know.
Shing!
"Growl~!"
Pak!
Bogs!
"Arrgggrrrh!"
Blag!
Averi ended the last Iwanea that surrounded him.
"Shit!" Averi cursed. He checked his arm that was bitten by an Iwanea. He became so careless!
Holding his wounded arm, he still went in the direction where he heard the call of Queen Iwanea. The Prince must have been there.
"Grrrrr! Roah-oh-arr!"
Averi stopped his tracks when he reached the area. He was stunned to see a spectacular sight that was happening in front of him.
A beautiful woman was facing the Queen Iwanea. It was a one-sided battle; the woman was obviously the winner because not even a speck of blood touched her gear.
The Queen Iwanea has fallen just like that. The Iwaneas retreated. The woman, who's back facing Averi turned around as she put her bloody sword on its hilt.
They looked at each other. Averi was familiar with those hypnotizing dark eyes that were shining through the little light given by the moon. He then noticed the dress of the woman. It was the same as the Crown Prince, even the hairstyle was the same.
Don't tell me... This enchanting woman was His Royal Highness, the Crown Prince Asharie!?
The woman—the prince was towards him. Averi retreated.
No...
He was shocked to the core. Not only the face was not disfigured, he was even this beautiful!
He doesn't want to admit it, but the Prince's looks was even better than Shaidona!
When Averi retreated, his back hit a tree. He let out an hiss because of impact. Plus, his injured arm was stimulated.
Asharie stood in front of him. Averi can now see clearly the gorgeous countenance of the Prince.
Even though the holder was a beauty, his aura wasn't. Averi can feel the intimidating aura around Asharie. It was as if, the Prince wants to kill him right here, right now.
"Please spare me, Your Highness." Averi plead for his life. The rumor seems to be true. Those who saw the Prince' countenance, no one survived because His Highness killed them himself.
"You dared to lust over the Princess," Asharie stated. Averi went pale. Not only was he charged for seeing the Prince's face, but also for lusting over the Princess!?
"I dare not, Your Highness!" Averi shuddered. The night was cold. Although he was trained to endure the cold, he still couldn't help but tremble because of the Prince's aura. He can even feel his death!
"Hah!"
Crown Prince Asharie squatted down and held Averi's chin. He pushed the bottom part of his lips upwards. Averi didn't dare to struggle. His life was in the hand of this Royalty.
"Shpare me, Yer High... nesh The Crown Prinsh!" Averi words were gibberish.
"Spare you? Did you know that none of those who saw the face of this prince have ever lived?" Asharie grinned. His grin has a trace of evil that made the pale face of Averi even whiter. "To those who were left alive, they were either became crazy or served their lifetime to this prince."
No… he doesn't want to spend his lifetime with this Beautiful Prince…
Asharie took out a white pill and forced fed it to Averi. With no choice, Averi accepted the unknown pill. The Prince stood up; even so, Averi didn't relaxed.
The Prince returned his mask, "Enjoy your days, the General's Eldest Son."
Only when the Prince was nowhere to be found that Averi decided to breathe. He also tried to spit out what was fed to him but even after letting out the food he ate earlier, it still did not come out. He can only gave up and wait for his good days to end.
Why do he have to see the Prince' face?
-
"Your Highness, do we have to guard the General's son?" a guy with a black get-up appeared out of nowhere and kneeled in front of Asharie.
"No. He wasn't called a Young General for nothing," Asharie touched his mask as his lips curved upwards. He was looking forward to what will happen to the future.