Ting! Ting! Ting!

The clinking sound of two swords clashing. A beautiful girl so skilled at moving the sword in her right hand. She continued to attack the young man who was his opponent this time. The umpteenth movement made the youth back up a few steps. Since then, he has just defended without counterattacking. He doesn't want to hurt the girl who looks angry.

The beautiful girl with blonde curly hair keeps pressing her opponent. The sword in his hand was like a spoon that was very easy to control. Repeatedly he almost succeeded in hitting vital points in the young man's body.

The handsome white-skinned youth widened his eyes when he saw several strands of his hair fall victim to the ferocity of the opponent's sword. He jumped to the right side when suddenly the girl's sword tip almost stabbed his heart.

Ting!

He was again able to block the opponent's attack. But it seems the girl is not satisfied yet. Now the young man had to jump high enough because the girl looked like she was about to slash her legs.

Fighting both look increasingly fierce. The man continued to endure, but still, in the end, the girl's sword dexterity slightly injured his left arm.

The backyard of a mansion is a silent witness to how the girl expresses anger in such a way. He had forgotten that the man was his own lover.

"Enough, Adelia!"

The girl named Adelia almost stabbed Stevan's neck, his opponent and lover.

Adelia's sword tip was still drawn near Stevan's neck. His shoulders were heaving after nearly half an hour of sword fighting. This is something they just did. Usually only about fifteen minutes.

"Sorry," Adelia whispered as she lowered the sword. She was still trying to catch her breath.

"Is something bothering you?" asked Stefan.

Adelia did not answer. He turned around and walked away from Stefan. Then they sat down on one of the steps that led to the back porch of the mansion.

Seeing the unusual behavior of his lover, Stefan's duty was to follow and sit beside Adelia.

Suddenly Adelia covered her face with her palms, then cried .

Stefan was just silent. Adelia won't be able to speak if she's crying. So it would be nice to just let the girl cry until it calms down. After that he will surely talk to himself.

"Are you feeling calmer already?"

Adelia nodded slowly while wiping the remaining tears from her cheeks.

"Tell me what made you like this. You almost killed me earlier, there must be something big that I don't know about," pleaded Stefan gently.

"My world is destroyed, Stevan. I feel my life is no longer worth anything ...."

***

"Long live Prince Kairav ​​...!"

"Long live Prince Kairav ​​...!"

"Long live Prince Kairav ​​.. .!"

Echoes of praise sounded almost all over the country. Welcoming home a prince who has just won a war against an enemy kingdom. This is the umpteenth war between the Northrop nation and the Leguke nation. The two countries are equally deploying supreme strength. Makes the king send his son, Prince Kairav, as warlord.

For one month the war lasted, and today is the day when all the people of the Northrop countryside are happy after hearing the victory of their prince and his soldiers.

The king had a very luxurious and lively reception. All people from all walks of life are welcome to attend the event. Of course, it was greeted with joy by everyone.

The journey of Prince Kairav ​​and the soldiers from the battlefield back to Northrop took one week. That was enough time to create the surprise that the king had long planned. He wanted to say what was on his mind.

"I want Kairav's reception this time to be very special. You all also know that Kairav ​​is of the proper age to marry. So I want a welcoming party to be held, as well as to find a suitable partner for my son."

Everyone looks at each other to express their own opinion. They all seem to agree with the king.

"Of course, we all agree with the king's proposal. What can we do to make a welcome for the prince?" asked one of the advisors most trusted by the king.

"I want to hold a ritual to choose a girl who deserves Kairav."

The magicians immediately negotiated because the ritual required their services. Until a few moments later, it was decided to do a fire ritual to choose the girl who would be Kairav's companion later.

Since that day, the whole country has been busy preparing for the welcoming party. The palace was completely prepared for a big event. Security was tightened because the palace would be opened to the general public. Even though they are happy, they must remain alert to enemy movements that could attack suddenly. The palace kitchen also seemed to be the busiest place. The chefs continue to innovate for the latest food. Moments like this they use to show their cooking skills. If they are lucky, they will later be appointed as chefs for the higher ups in the palace.

The girls who heard the news about the fire ritual also looked busy. Moreover, the king did not specify which girls could participate in the ritual. That means any girl from any background can become a prince's partner. Whether it's a girl from among the people, from among the healers, witches, nobles, or also a girl from the higher ups in the palace.

There are those who start regularly bathing in milk to make their skin look bright and smooth. There are those who buy clothes at the market to make the most beautiful clothes in order to attract the prince's attention. Some choose to soak their bodies in water made from flower extracts. Not a few also meet amateur magicians to be able to win the prince's heart in a cunning way.

"Adelia. Did you prepare yourself like your other friends?"

The girl who was playing with the sword glanced at her father.

"No."

"Why? Are you completely disinterested in the prince's good looks?" asked his father again, grinning. Know his daughter's temper very well. "Up to you. But we also still have to attend the event, because we were invited directly by the royal adviser."

Adelia didn't answer. She continued to practice the sword while her father walked away.

They are one of the viscounts in Northrop. Of course, they became one of the families who received an award by being invited directly by the palace adviser.

Adelia was actually not interested in going. She prefers to spend time with his sword or Stefan, his girlfriend. But as the only daughter, she still had to maintain the good name of the family. So, inevitably, she will later go to the prince's reception.

*