A maid protruded her head into the room. "The physician has arrived, princess." She whispered.
I waved my hand to signal them in.
Two armored guards marched in, restraining a skinny old man by his arms. His back was hunched into the shape of a hook with his tanned skin just loosely draping over his frame. His teeth were nearly all gone, with the few remaining ones being in different shades of black and yellow.
I immediately recognised him as Dalton, the head doctor of the palace back in Sillia.
The younger of the two guards tossed Dalton violently onto his knees, before standing at ease nonchalantly as if nothing happened. The other guard purposely looked away, turning a blind eye to his partner's misconduct.
"How have you been, my majesty? It is me, Dalton from the Sillian capital of Flores. It is my honour today to be your physician." His jittery voice greeted as he slowly got back on his feet. There was a look of scorn in his eyes as he glared at the guards, but it quickly faded, probably for the sake of professionalism.
He then turned back towards the guards with an overly polite grin, standing stationary for a few seconds, almost as if he was anticipating something.
"I am sorry my majesty, are these pigs not aware that only Sillians are allowed to witness our magic?" He asked calmly.
Offended, the young guard took a big step forth, but the older guard pulled him back before he could raise his weapon.
"Calm down, we are in the presence of a princess." He whispered rather loudly, causing the younger guard to back off, still shaking in rage.
The smugness on Dalton's face was almost palpable.
"Guards, you may leave. If the king questions it, tell him it was a direct order from myself." I commanded.
Unwillingly, the guards bowed, before moving out the room. We remained still in awkward silence as the guards' footsteps turned softer and softer, until we heard the creaking sound of metal gates signaling that they had left the premise.
"That was feisty of you, standing up to a guard twice your size. One swipe with that sword could have easily decapitated you." I teased.
"I may be old, but I shall let you know I was once a respected..." Dalton replied,
"A respected knight who served the last king right? You have told me that too many times to count."
He smiled back. Dalton was our family physician back in the Sillia. A former medic and knight of the Sillian army and a trusted friend of father.
"If I as a Sillian knight were to let those Vesterians push me around, that wouldn't look very good for you; a former Sillian royal."
There was a strong sense of valor and pride in his eyes. His chest was puffed out, revealing a gold pocket watch hanging around his neck. It was a gift from father, something Dalton often brags about. He often says that for as long as he lives, he would always treasure the watch. Seems as though he hasn't thrown away his knighthood yet.
"I appreciate that you would think of my honour Sir Dalton. On a separate note, how is Sillia doing?"
"Sillia is progressing well, your highness. The recent drought across the whole continent has been devastating for all nations. However, thanks to the grain reserve his highness implemented, we are faring better than Vesteria. We have even begun selling off some of our grains to the neighbouring nation."
"I see father is still too soft for his own good."
"Quite the contrary. I believe his highness is trying to garner support from the other nations to crush Vesteria in one fell swoop."
"My father isn't the type to do that, he is too much of a..." As my lips flapped, Dalton raised his palms, halting me from slandering my father any more.
King Robert VI, or more commonly known by his epithet, The Spineless King, is well known throughout the continent as a coward. Vesteria, in particular, relishes that nickname more than others. Vandalisms of the Spineless King being slain by a Vesterian knight can still be found all over the streets. However, it is for that reason, I must never partake in such slander. Afterall, if even his daughter claims he is a coward, how could he command the respect of others? Aren't I just reaffirming their belief? Dalton must have known that.
"Well, shall we begin?" Dalton initiated with a large grin on his face, acting oblivious to my careless flibber.
I nodded, sheepishly, placing my feet on a pillow. Dalton then reached for his briefcase for his equipment, humming the Sillian anthem, his favourite song.
"But to think your majesty would sprain her ankle whilst fencing, you are just as boisterous as I remembered." Dalton snickered nostalgically.
I smiled. Dalton was always there whenever I had any cuts or bruises from playing. His artes may have certainly diminished in potency with age, but his medical knowledge and caring personality certainly makes him a very reliable doctor. As a regular in his office, I sometimes feel like he is a grandfather to me.
"Wait. Sprain? Fencing?" I asked, just as I realised something was wrong.
"Why yes. I was told you wanted Sillian medicine for your sprained ankle, did you not?" Dalton replied confused.
My eyes opened wide as I stared at Dalton. In return, he tilted his head like a confused puppy.
"Dalton, did you come to Sillia alone?" I asked sternly.
"W-Why n-no! The Vesterians escorted me here."
It was at this moment I realised what was going on. I grinded my teeth. Of course they couldn't risk Sillia knowing about what happened. Purposely offering to escort Dalton so that they would only have to silence one witness… those cunning Vesterians! We have been tricked!
The taste of blood filled my mouth as I bit down on my bottom lips. Rudely, I was reminded that we are in enemy territory, and hence, at the mercy of their whims.
Without exchanging words, I rotated my heels sideways exposing the gnarly wounds. Dalton picked it up, rotated it and inspected it. The more he looked, the more his hands started to shake.
"The scars… Who did this? Was it they!" Dalton snarled.
I nodded silently.
His eyes grew wide as he stared in disbelief.
It was here where I came to the realisation, the Vesterians have no intention of letting Dalton out alive.