Chereads / War is a game of chess / Chapter 5 - Chapter 5

Chapter 5 - Chapter 5

"But how there are no demons in this nation..?".

"Well yes it's true but he is a noble man coming here to meet our father" She takes the hairbrush from my hand placing it back to its original place.

She could tell I was confused and shocked at the same time yet it is hard to even believe. 89

My own sister falling in love with a being that comes from a nation who hates us was like a fairy tale to me.

"That's so cool! What's he like? Does he know you like him? Oh, you need to tell me more!" I scream in excitement as I hold her hands in mine, jumping on the spot.

She was surprised to see that I wasn't disgusted with her and she got out of her chair jumping as well squealing like a little mouse.

"Well then you better sit down silly but we must be quiet. He is with father having a meeting so no one must find out got it!" We both sit on the bed taking a comfy pillow and holding it in our arms.

"So you're ready to tell me everything?" I was too excited to even stay still.

"Ok listen close. He is one of the richest nobles in the demon nation and I found out that he is looking for a partner now! And his personality is amazing! He is very calm and kind like a prince out of a story book and I even heard that he is great with children" She giggles like a child leaning closer to my ear.

"Really!?" I whispered looking astonished.

"Yep and he is asking to have dinner with me at the festival in a few hours!" We both screamed silently picturing him in my head.

I wished there were more people like him in this world.

"So is that why you're dressing up extra nice today?" I asked, making sure no one was hearing our conversation from the room next door.

"Yep but we only have one problem" Her face turned from a joyful one to a ray of sadness showering down.

The problem must be a big one then but what could possibly be bad about it. He is a girl's dream!

"He is alot older than me so I don't think father will accept him" She said.

"Wait how old is he then?".

"Twenty six" she muttered but I looked at her with no expression, sighing.

In this world it's common for young girls and boys to be married or in a relationship with older people ever since the olden times.

My childhood friend Mary had gotten into an arranged marriage with a person five years older than her.

"Why the sad face he isn't sixty four or something" I roll my eyes laying down on the bed as I yawn for freedom.

But she punched me in the stomach, probably breaking every bone I have into bits.

"Ow! Ok I'm joking with you and yea I understand why. Father wouldn't go on with the relationship because first of he hates people from other nations and secondly he wants you to be married to King Rowan" I used my fingers to count each problem while Alina sat there frozen in place.

I think I might have gone a little too far on what I was saying.

"Wait so you're telling me I have a one percent change in succeeding and a ninety nine percent chance of losing!?".

"Well if you look at the science between them you are very manipulative so I guess you could try saving the relationship between him…?" Love wasn't really my thing and I'm used to talking about fighting techniques.

But I kind of felt sorry for my sister all this time.

Father never let her have freedom yet I have it only.

She is forced to be in a marriage with king Rowan who is way older than her and she is expected to attend every lesson and speak properly.

In our civilization today we have a saying in things.

A lot of people marry older people and some marry people the same age as them.

But I don't mind either one to be honest.

"Wait a minute something just came back to me!" I stood up on the bed punching the air with my fist.

"What is it?" She questioned me.

"The traveler I met earlier today was the same age as me! After I saw his appearance he looked young but not too young and if he looked older wouldn't he look like a crusty pumpkin!" I smiled happily with my mental work.

"Why are you happy about that?" She tilted her head confused.

"Right why am I happy-" I stared into the distance in my own dream world thinking closely about why I was so happy to find out we were the same age.

I mean it's just an age but did I really just blurt it out?

I guess he is very handsome and interesting but I only met him today.

Maybe I just think of him as a friend to me.

"Alina would you want a friend who was a million years older than you?" I sat back down on the bed feeling the silk of the blanket.

Her bed was very soft and covered with a strawberry pink silk that felt smooth and the texture was magnificent.

Sometimes I would sneak in the night just to sleep in her bed and we are used to sleeping side by side with each other ever since we were kids.

Whenever we thought about our mother we would secretly go to each other's rooms and talk about our problems.

Nowadays we only come to each other's room for stuff we need.

"Well not really. Having a friend who is a million years older than you might actually be sad for the other person. When I die they will be sad and full of regret and I would never want them to go through it".

"You know I was exaggerating right?" I look at her up and down.

"Of course! I just wanted to give the formal answer!" She crossed her arms annoyed at me once again.

Now it's back to square one.

"Fine do whatever you want. I'm going to go change for the ball now. I hope everything goes well with you guys" I get out of the bed walking to the door creeping silently.

"Thank you Marissa and once I come back I'll tell you everything about it" She smiles waving gently at me as I'm about to exit the room.

"You better do! And if you don't I'll go to him myself if I have to!" I scratch my head with my long fingers closing the door softly.

Now that my conversation with her is over I better make sure no maid sees me wearing my outdoor clothes and making an excuse ain't going to work this time.

My room was only a couple of doors away from hers so it will be easy for me to get past everyone.

As I walk with my hands behind my back I examine the walls looking at its crimson wallpaper.

Red was my favorite colour but not the right shade for it.

There are light red colors and even dark red colors.

Mine would be somewhere on the lines between a dark red colour.

The castle I lived in looked more like a gigantic mansion looming over everyone in the village than an actual castle.

The place I live in now is my second home.

My first one is in the capital where the whole city is. Swarming with people and shops of cafes and clothes everywhere.

I didn't really like it there because it was too noisy and rumours spread around very quickly in a flash.

So father let me stay in our second home even though the village looks more like a posh town.

Also Warren lived here and I didn't want to be apart from him.

As I was about to enter my room my personal maid popped up from the corner of the stairs about to enter my room to check up on me.

I couldn't let her find out so I darted across my room quickly locking the door so I could get changed.

Thankfully the stairs we're not that close to my room so I had time to change into my pajamas even though I may get scolded for wearing them in the evening.

I went to my closet rummaging through anything I could find and I quickly put on my black silky pajamas running towards the bed and sitting down taking a book I found beside me.

My maid kept telling me to let her in but I didn't want to get out of bed so I told her to use the emergency panel.

She used the code and opened the door staring at me wondering why I was acting so suspicious.

"My lady, can I ask you why you're reading a book upside down?" She walked towards me, taking the book out of my hand.

"I'm doing some upside down reading today and it's very interesting. The words are especially fascinating" My lie wasn't even that good but at least it's better than saying. Oh, I think I might have gone blind all of a sudden.

She thankfully ignores my words and goes to my closet seeing the clothes I had on the floor.

"And what is this my lady?" I lean on the corner of my bed noticing how I didn't clean up my mess.

"Well I was in a hurry today to go to the library since I have exams coming up soon so I needed to revise" Each lie I said was better than the last and my maid had no evidence to show that I was lying.

I did feel a little bad for saying these things but I wanted to go to the festival so bad this year.

"Well my lady you better be more organized next time a well-mannered lady must never be untidy" She started acting like she was my mother again telling me the pros and cons of what I do every day and how to be more like my perfect sister.

"Yes I understand and next time I'll try my best".

"Very good my lady but we are already off track on time so I will find a nice outfit for you to wear tonight" She goes back inside my closet collecting all the clothes I threw onto the floor in a neat pile.

I sighed in relief knowing things would have ended badly for me if I walked home instead of getting a free ride.

I still sat on my bed staring at the window's view thinking about the festival.

It only happens once a year and it is one of the most popular festivals in the whole world.

I remember last year me and Warren accidentally started a fight at a nearby pub being grounded for a whole month.

But this year I won't make any mistakes and try to find the traveler from before.

The guards from before looked very scary up close but they kept calling for the travelers name.

Did he do something bad or was he trying to run away?

It was the first time seeing god's enter our nation but father must have done it to keep the peace.

If father didn't let them in the kingdom they would probably think that we kidnapped him or even maybe helped him escape.

It's sad to see that everyone hates each other's guts even though we are all the same.

No matter what happens we all have feelings, emotions and personalities and we can't run away from it.

But what made things a little confusing for me was his eye.

Back in the crumbling house I couldn't stop staring at the prince's one black eye. The scar was long and didn't seem to heal at all.

But weren't their healers in their nation's?

Couldn't they just make the scar disappear or is there another reason why he is keeping it.

Living in the nation of Gods must be a dream come true.

Food that makes your mouth water, men and woman with amazing beauty, Houses made from expensive materials and streets filled with colourful lights all day long.

Mother told me all about that kingdom and how fascinating it is.

Her dream was to go there at least one time in her life and experience the world they live in but it never happened.

So I want to carry the dream for her by visiting it myself one day.

What if I try finding the prince at the festival and asking him to take me. I mean threatening him would never work but I could try persuading him.

My maid soon came back holding an outfit in front of me.

It was a black and red dress that wasn't too long and not too short. It was alluring and attractive, something that Alina would wear.

But I wondered why the maid showed me this even though I wouldn't wear it.

"My lady I think this would fit perfectly on you. I understand it is different from your usual wear but it's a festival and wearing something nice can bring good luck to you for the whole year" She was right about it.

Most years I barely wear anything suitable and always the same old training outfits.

Father did tell me something big was going on this year and that it would be perfect for me to try and wear what everyone else is wearing.

I thought about it for a long time wondering if it was a good idea or not.

I took the risk of wearing it for once and my maid was delighted to hear my answer.

She laid it down on the chair. Going under my bed and taking out a jewelry box that must have been there for a very long time as it was dusty.

"This was your mothers when she was the same age as you. She wanted me to give it to you at the right time and today will be the most magnificent day for you to wear it" She slowly opened it as I could see pins, hair clips, necklaces and earrings from all shapes, colours and sizes.

They looked more appealing every time I stared right at them and I wondered how my mother could even get them.

"They look amazing! But is it alright for me to wear it..?".

"Of course! This jewelry box and everything inside of it represents your mother and her blood combined".

I was mesmerized by what my mother had collected.

I poked my fingers inside the box taking out a pair of dark red earrings that had a pearl and sakura flower on it I also took out a small crystal carved into a heart necklace that had the words 'It is your decision" on it like I heard it before somewhere.

"They will look great on you my lady , now quickly get changed i'll fix you up before you are late for the festival" She picked the dress back up again putting it in my arms like a small baby.

I smile gleefully as she holds me into a tight hug rushing towards the vanity and preparing everything I need.

"Oh Maia if you like you can use the makeup box Alina gave to me" She looked to her side to see a box and picked it up unboxing everything.

I took my clothes off steadily putting on the dress.

It wasn't very comfortable like my training outfits but it was decent and nice looking.

I fixed the ends of it making sure I didn't put it the wrong way round.

Wearing dresses were complicated so I wonder how Alina was so good at putting ribbons on hers.

As I was done I sat on the vanity chair fixing my posture.

"Now my lady do you have a hairstyle in mind?" She questioned.

"Well, could you make it look cute but easy to do?".

"Yes I can do that for you my lady and I know a very good one that will make you look fantastic" She picks up the hairbrush and thoroughly brushes it taking any knots out.

I tried not to move a lot and even thought about the places I could go to with general Helio.

He doesn't like places with a lot of noise so I can try going to different parts of it where he can be at ease.

Helio was a lot different from most people. He smokes a lot and likes to train half of the time and I also know in his free time he would go to the village and help the elderly people.

Everyone thinks of him as a cold and tough man but to me, he is a kind and caring person who just can't show it.

Maia took half of my hair pulling it back into plates linking them together. The rest of my hair was not tied up and as she quickly fixed it I was finally done with my hair and I looked at the mirror in love with my look.

"This looks amazing! I can't believe it actually suits me!" I laughed a little looking from side to side.

"Thank you my lady I put a lot of thought into it" She put a hand on my shoulder leaning close to me as I was still staring at the mirror.

She then put makeup on me with the extra powder my sister gave to me.

She puts a little bit of blush and lipstick on me.

My lips were a colour of soft cherry red but it looked more of a pink colour.

I was in love with the new me.

I was beautiful, majestic and powerful like a new person had been born.

I stood up showing my maid. "You look terrific your majesty and I hope tonight will be the greatest day of your life" Tears fell down her eyes as she saw me.

She was proud to have served me ever since I was born.

Even though I don't have the same blood as her, she is like a mother to me who was always by my side.

As the tears fell down I got a tissue and wiped them away trying not to cry myself.

"Now you better get going my lady it's already time" She takes the tissue from my hand and dabs it on her puffy eyes.

I say goodbye to her and grab my ruby cloak while walking to the carriage.

Mr Varon was waiting for me outside to take me to the village.

I rushed towards him with my black heeled boots trying not to trip over.

It had been years since I had last worn a dress like this one.

"You look great, your majesty. It's been too long since I saw you like this" He said in a humorous tone nearly making me laugh.

"Thank you Mr Varon. You look expectantly well in that suit you are wearing now" I smile as I take his hand to pull myself in the carriage.

He chuckled once more, closing the door and getting on the front of the carriage, riding away.

As the carriage started moving I stared out of the window to see all kinds of lights lighting up the night sky.

I was excited to see general Helio and Warren.

As the animals went to bed the leaves were still dancing away as the flowers swayed on breeze.

My face felt tingly after wearing the makeup but it didn't matter. I have to endure it even if I am forced to.

I thought of all the dancing and games I can do and play. Last year I broke my leg so I wasn't able to join the dance but this year might even be better than the last.

I wanted this day to last forever and that I could replay it over and over again remembering happy memories.

There was a saying that "No matter how dark the world may be there will always be a speck of light waiting at the end".

Even now I still remember those words playing in my head every time I'm sad.

As the carriage was being pulled by the horses, the village was just minutes away as well as the time of seconds.

A couple of minutes went by and I finally arrived at the village getting off the carriage.

I was astonished to see what had become of it.

Banners, food carts, game stalls, selling and buying, dancing, parades were everywhere and children holding ribbons while playing tag. My mouth was wide open while Mr Varon pulled the carriage to a safe spot.

The lights were flying everywhere like magic was finally real to me. Birds tweeting the song of prayer as men and woman come together to celebrate what they have today.

I strolled towards the crowd looking and smelling foods that were fresh out of the oven.

What will happen next I thought.