After Training:
"It took long. My back." complained Enya taking a deep breath walking across the street, "What is the time?" she thought eyeing the clock tower situated behind. "It's evening... I wish luck is on my side..." Enya held clutching her sword. "What if I go home for now? I want to see Noah." she thought waiting for a wagon on the road side.
Out of the blue, a man glimsped at her. Charmed, he headed over. "~Oh ho~ pretty girls shouldn't roam around on the road like this, you know~" the man hummed mischeiviously coming nearer. Enya who was already annoyed with the wagon not approaching, looked aside to find the man gazing at her attractively.
"I think maybe you really are in the mood to get torn into pieces." she snapped wih a sarcastic smile. "My~ Who would mind getting torn apart from you..." the man replied frivolous.
Enya with twits looking aside caught the sight of three middle aged labour men waiting for a ride as well. "Listen sir. Listen!" Enya called in worry coming near them. The frivolous man turned around confused to see her walk away.
On the contrary, the labour men looked back, "What is it?" Enya worriedly replied, "This man. He is a robber. He was going to pickpocket you. I heard him!" The labour men exasperated rushed over. The man flinched trying to escape but the three man knocked him off beating him, "You thug. How dare you." they asked vexed.
Enya stepped aside watching the scene with utmost entertainment, "Haha. Serves him right." she held satisfied.
... And who wouldn't think if she is a girl or a tornado?
In the meanwhile, another figure approached from behind, a dazzling presence. Draped in a silver belted tunic decorated with glistening golden jewels and embroidery, his amber-gold hair flowed loosely, crowned by a magnificent diadem. The iridescent gown he wore fluttered gently in the breeze, "Um excuse me, miss. Are you aware of what happened here? What is with the ruckus?" he questioned observing the scene quite troubled. An aide sood behind him solemn.
"Yes-" Enya left her sentence incomplete as soon as she saw the person behind her. "Crown prince Abel!!?" she thought baffled.
Abel's face twisted into a look of disgust as he reacted, "You?" "You!" Enya repeated. The both of them exchanged glances annoyed. "You two-faced girl. You tricked me yesterday! What are you doing here?" he asked recalling. Enya retorted, "Yes me s-So what?" Suddenly Enya's ears perked up, "Don't tell me-? You...you are following me?" she questioned astonished in caution.
Abel furrowed his eye brows, "Are you insane? Why in the world would I ever follow you? I am the crown prince. I have my dignity. Lunatic!" he commented looking aside befuddled. Enya stepped back, her eyes widening, "No way...I misunderstood. What if you are also into frivolous ways?" she assumed the worst.
Abel with a loss of words stepped forward retorting, "What is your problem? Show some respect. Do you have zero manners?"
"Back off." Enya spoke troubled.
"Why should I? You step aside." Abel countered.
"Just back off already, mister. You are blocking my way." Enya ordered while shooing him.
"Don't you dare raise your finger at me! You think you can get away after provoking me?" he scoffed.
"Oh~ I'll really do that. Such heroic dialogues. Which play did you watch, honourable prince?" Enya inquired teasing.
"Keep it down! Keep your finger down. You keep fighting with me? Did you eat crows for breakfast today? Show some reverence." Abel countered shoving his thumb in bicker.
The both of them bickered childishly. (sigh)
"Let me leave. I'll miss the wagon because of you." Enya moaned realising.
"Enough! Today I'll settle this! This is exactly the problem with lowly village people like you. Illiterate. No sense of manners and sharp tounged." Abel mocked shifting his gaze aside, "Look! How deserted this road is today. You know why? Because everyone knew. A calamity like you would descend." he continued pointing at the road side. Enya smiled sarcastically nodding over every word he said. The aide behind the scene stood speechless.
"By the way, Our knight headquarters cavaliers are well educated at have been raised up as model squires. While you... must have gone through a low class study from the village. If you become a batallion's commander. I am concerned that not only the cavaliers but the future of our realm would be ruined too. Tsk." Abel mocked politely.
Enya nodded smiling respectfully, "Oh, yes! Afterall. Our education did not teach us literature, rather runes. And we study some other planet's language. right?" she asked, boiling in rage inside. "See. Don't mind. Just realise that it's only because of the Emperor and Empress that you are standing here. Besides, I am concerned if your presence negatively affects my homeland's future." Abel bragged clarifying.
"Oh. No. Why would I mind? After all. I should be lucky to have such intellegent people like you in my company." Enya still smiled, "I am learning a lot! Like how to degrade others, throw tantrums and so much more-"
Abel eyed her, his expression furrowed. Enya suddenly shot up,
"Oh my gosh! Look your highness! The theif! He ran away." she told anxiously pointing at the side. Abel looked aside as Enya, taking the chance, bent low and escaped.
Abel looked back realizing he was tricked and stomped his feet gritting. The aide sighed eyeing him. Enya looking back bowed her head low, "Tricked again. So long. Honourable prince." she taunted shoving her hairs back.
"Sigh~ Finally...Almost caught me off guard. " Thought Enya taking deep breaths.
"Enya. Is that you?" called a young girl in a sweet voice possessing lovely light brown curl hair and eyes as vibrant as red cherries. Donned in an elegant rose-pink gown. Her striking beauty was reminiscent of the Queen herself, given that she was the Empress's daughter.
Enya could totally say wow. Perfect timing.
"Ah. Lady Raven. How have you been?" she asked stepping near her with a bow. "I am blessed!" told Raven with a soft chuckle. "Makes me glad." replied Enya, "By the way? How did you end up here?" she asked.
Raven smiled awkwardly, "Isn't it obvious. I sneaked out." Enya chuckled.
"But talk about yourself. You must've been tired of training! Humph! Look, what you have done to yourself? You are a total mess. Girls need to look pretty!" complained Raven slight angry.
"I am terribly sorry. But there are so many obstacles to go through everyday that forget looking pretty, I can't even have lunch at time. Well talk about lunch. I do feel hungry." told Enya looking around.
"How sad." added Raven in sympathy.
A delicious aroma of freshly baked bread filled the air, "Mm." Enya sniffed, "Baked bread." she mumbled turning around to find the baker selling bread.
Checking her wallet, she found three copper coins, "Huff. Why don't I ever have enough money." she reacted with a dotted expression biting her lip, "But at least it's worth a try." she whispered walking forward. Raven too followed.
"Greetings sir." Enya greeted the old baker. The baker eyeing her responded, "Greetings to you too child." Enya kept three coins at the counter, "Can these do for a loaf?" she questioned.
The baker eyed her laughing, "What are you saying child? The inflation is so high that forget a loaf, you can't even buy a cup of tea with three copper coins. Haha." he told.
Enya smiled sarcastically, "Yeah, a cup of tea might not do but a loaf can definitely do. You know the reason why? Because legal stuff cannot be bought on illegal prices. If you don't get it how about I ask the guards for you?" she retorted pointing at the Imperial Palace situated on the left.
The old baker gulped, "Why? No, there is no need to involve guards child. I am an old man. I was joking." Enya nodded drewing her brows nearer with a smile, "Joking? I never knew we have such a relationship." she questioned amused.
"Alright, enough with the jokes. Off you go. Have it free." the baker told with a sweat. (he definitely knew this girl was a disaster.) "No need. Just give me a loaf with this money only." Enya requested.
Raven observing the entire scene chuckled, "Enya. You are so entertaining. Are wood land village commoners always so entertaining for bargaining?" she asked still laughing. Enya ruffled her hairs slightly embarrassed.
"What a girl. It's like she revolves the world around her." Raven thought at the same time smiling.
"Thanks." Enya thanked, taking the pack of loaf. Raven eyed her, "You'll eat this?" she asked. Enya chomping nodded, "Mm. It's sweet. Want some?" she asked. Raven shook her head right to left, "No. I had lunch already." she told. Enya nodded.
"What would you do now?" Raven asked. "I was planning to visit home but thanks to your honourable brother, I missed the wagon. Moreover it is about time... General Void asked me to meet the Emperor by dusk." Enya explained.
Raven beamed in enthusiasm, "Wonderful! Let us go together then." she offered. Enya munching the bread nodded answering, "Okay."
After some casual conversation, the sun had set by the time Enya and Raven reached the Imperial Palace. Raven halted to take a leisurely stroll while Enya made her way inside to meet the Emperor and Empress.
"It is too dazzling!!!" Enya exclaimed in her thoughts gazing at the picturesque sight inside. An imperial guard escorted her to the Throne room.
"Your Majesty. Enya Verne has arrived." the guard told formally and as she was permitted, she entered the hall.
Enya in a gape gazed at the hall stunned and wordless. The Empress settled on a majestic throne smiling, "Good to have you here, Knightess Enya Verne." she spoke up. Enya with a slight jolt grasped her sight, "How... Pretty..." she held blind.
Soon coming back to reality, she bowed low, "Greetings to you too. Your Majesty, the Empress." she greeted.
"You have arrived?" spoke the Emperor while entering the room. Enya eyed him bowing low once more, "Greetings." she greeted.
"Enya Verne, can I have a word with you?" demanded the Emperor. "Yes, sir-oh! I mean...Your' Majesty!" stuttered Enya. The Emperor walked forward, his back facing her, "I noticed that your sword fighting skills are indeed remarkable." He whispered as Enya smiled. "Thank you!" she answered proud.
"My core objective is to evaluate your skills, a process that will grant you the authorization to ascend to the esteemed status of a full-fledged Knight, under my authority." explained the Emperor. "Test me?" thought Enya.
He continued, "Upon succeeding, you shall be granted with the amulet that alligns to your elemental abilities. Aside from that, continual missions are assigned to cavaliers to measure their progress, even after they have acquired the amulet."
Enya genuinely spoke, "I am willing to accept any task you give me, Your Majesty. "
"Splendid! Therefore allow me speak plainly, the assignment is that I want you to have a duel with Arawn." he stated. The Empress nodded, her gaze sharp.
Enya nodded, "Duel with Arawn, huh? Fine." she responded blatant while the Emperor's eyes dilated quite surprised. Enya realising furrowed her gaze confused, "Wait- what? Duel with who?" she reacted dumbfounded.
The Empress laughed quietly, "Don't tell me, you don't know him. The second prince of Almeria." she comprehended.
Enya blinked her eyes, "What the...?? " she thought confused, "Oh you mean. The dark man. Oh... I remember now. The sovereign of darkness who is merciless?" she asked recalling in a real peculiar manner.
The Emperor coughed, "Well. Pretty correct you are." he responded with a straight face. The Empress smiled awkwardly.
"Indeed! I'm aware that it is a demanding and arduous task, however win or loss is not the focus, you see. What matters is the test of your resolve and inner strength. Facing Arawn in combat carries significant risk, but I intend solely to evaluate your capabilities and ensure you identify your own vulnerabilities. But again, you may decline if you find it too perilou-" Explained the Emperor.
Enya beamed, "I'll do it! I will also see what sovereign he is. Don't worry, this is not a big deal." she retorted pumped up. The Empress and Emperor went silent. Enya awkward gulped bowing, "... Pardon."
The Empress smiled, "Such an amusing personality she has…" she contemplated. The Emperor coughed, "Well. It is reassuring to see your confidence. Therefore, at midnight, arrive at the Evelyn Bridge. You will meet him there." He guided.
Enya bowed nodding, "Sure...Then I'll take my leave now." She said and soon departed.