"Nana, nana" a little girl with red hair wearing a cute pink dress with flowers called out running, on her little bare feet . "Lorah sweetheart, no running" the old woman lightly scolded her adorable grand daughter.
Listening to her grandma, the little girl slowed down. Reaching her 'nana', she lifted her arms to embrace the old woman.
Giggling in the old woman's embrace, she said excitedly "I missed you nana" "And i missed you too little red" "where is Finley" asked the gray haired woman.
"He is in his courtyard, playing with his sword, be..because he doesn't to play with me" Little Lorah answered feeling aggrieved.
"Nonsense, no one wouldn't want to play with my adorable grand daughter" the old lady cooed and tickled the little girl's waist. "Hahaha stoopp nana it tickles" Florah said while giggling.
Placing the girl to stand on the ground, Grandma Margaret said, "let's go see how your brother's doing ",
"OKAY!!" Florah exclaimed jumping happily to Finley's courtyard.
'Clang' 'clang' 'slash' 'thud' ''FINN!!'' Florah yelled seeing her brother fall to the ground with his shirt stuck to his body because of how much he was sweating.
"There, you are dead" Grand Knight Ferdinand said to Finley. "Steady your legs, loosen your upper body and strengthen your sword grip, young master!!". Old Ferdinand sternly instructed.
Standing up, he reached out for his wooden sword and made a fighting stance. Attacking his opponent that was thrice his size with vigor and confidence.'Clang' 'Clang' wooden swords sounded as they crashed against each other, with a vigorous young master fiercely training.
"Nana" "yes" "why is Finn still fighting when he is sweating so much" Florah asked her grandma.
"Because even when you are tired, if you can still stand and hold up your sword, you have to fight until the very end my dear" Margaret told her innocent grand daughter sweetly.
"But why does anyone have to fight, can't we all just play together and be happy?" Florah innocently asked her Grandma. "Hahaha my sweet, we all have a battle to fight" Old Margaret softly told her Grand daughter.
'I just pray that we will survive, this forthcoming one' thought the old lady looking at her innocent Florah.
BACK TO THE PRESENT
An enormous off white castle sat on fifty acres of solid ground, green grass mostly covered the expansive land along with gazebos and realistic statues. A big well trimmed green maze was located at the East of the castle, several maid servants were tending to the rare flowers that grew at the front of the magnificent structure that was the heart of the 'Zadroth Empire'.
"Matthew" a deep baritone voice rang in a dim lighted room located in the upper east wing of the castle.
The door of the room, opened a moment later,"You called your majesty" the head butler, Matthew answered. "Prepare my meal" the voice instructed.
Matthew looked at the untouched parchments on the dark maroon mahogany desk and the man who was twirling a glass of whiskey, seated lazily on a high well curved wooden chair covered in smooth marron velvet and tiredly sighed.
"Your Majesty, if I may" poor Matthew tried reasoning with the King. "The witches from the western coven near Laziha Forest might be..." 'huuh' before he could finish his sentence the king sighed in exhaustion.
"Matt, sometimes i wonder who is in charge, you, that brown rat or me" the king said. "I was just encouraging his Majesty on where he can start" Matthew bowed apologetically.
" You know, i would believe that, if it wasn't for that sinister look in your eyes". "The witches..." The butler went on "I know... I wonder want my supposed aunts and sisters are planning this time".
The king straightened his tall figure as he stood up. The previously drawn curtains, opened by themselves to reveal a tall silver haired muscular man who stood about 6.7ft tall, with black eyes wearing an all black ensemble.
With a playful smirk on his full lips, he stated "Perhaps I should pay them a visit, especially my aunts".
"The upcoming Midnight ball, sire" Matthew simply said implying that His Majesty should not look for trouble so soon.
'Knock' 'Knock' Someone knocked on the door before opening it, "Your Majesty" bowing respectfully the brown haired man went on to say "The 'Bladens' are plotting again, they just made a marriage alliance with Druben that old Marques".
'tck' 'tck' he clicked in exasperation.
"Well given that 'his Majesty' killed their daughter, am sure you didn't think that, they would simply sit quietly" The butler chimed.
A sinister glint passed through Gavriel's eyes as he remembered that interesting ball, but he frowned upon hearing his Butler who sounded like he was blaming him.
"Lester, What is it that actually brought you here" The king asked bluntly. "I actually came to go over the preparations for next week " Lester replied.
"What is there next week?"Gavriel asked. "The Midnight ball" Matt answered.
"Please, would you just double the Empire's relations other than lessening them, your majesty". Gavriel smirked and downed his whiskey, at his friend's taunting.
"The Duke in the north seems to have a lot of time on his hands. Are they on the guest list?" Gavriel taunted his friend back and asked.
"Yes" the dutiful Butler answered "Good, an opportunity to express my heart felt condolences" the King chimed.
"I would be touched, if I didn't know you were the cause of her demise" Lester poked fun of his King.
"Excuse my disturbance sire, as I know you were very busy" the butler exited after subtly reminding his King about the untouched parchments on his desk.
"The western coven" Lester seriously said, "I know, it seems they wanted to gain attention" Gavriel said. "Your attention" Lester went on to say.