It was a bright and sunny day in the Royal city of Frundestein the capital of Hohenstaufia. The city was beaming with life. Everyone was going on with their daily businesses. The streets and markets were full of people. Such liveliness was not found anywhere in the kingdom. Inside the royal place which was separated by a wall from the city, in the room by the highest tower, the king was sitting in his study room looking through the papers that contains all sorts of information about the situation in the kingdom. There was a French window behind him and the sunlight entering through the window lit the room brightly. One particular piece of paper in the table made the middle aged king frown. "Someone call prince Theodore here immediately." Ordered the king. A voice was heard "As you wish your majesty." Followed by sounds of footsteps. The king patiently waited for the prince to arrive. A few moments later two footsteps were heard and words came from the other side of the door, "Your majesty, his highness the prince Theodore is here." After a slight sigh the king ordered, "Let him enter." With this, the door opened and the prince entered the room. "You asked for me father?" said the prince after bowing to the king. At first the prince was happy to be called by his father but now after observing the look of seriousness on the face of his father, he was a little afraid. The arrogant prince from the previous day was gone. He averted his father's gaze and looked downwards. "Is something... wrong father?" He asked. It was obvious that he was afraid. Pointing at a certain piece of paper on the table the king said, "Do you know what this is?" Now it was clear that the king was certainly angry. The prince trembled, "H-how could I know father?" "What did you do when I sent you to the Raubenbraum territory? The duke is very angry and he complained to me about your conduct." "But... but I have done nothing of any sort. I just refused to spend much time and left once the engagement deal was signed." The prince said in a trembling voice. "SILENCE," the king was furious his eyes were red and he was trembling with rage. "The duke has personally written me how you failed to show even the slightest of courtesy to the duchess and the daughter. He has threatened to break off the engagement if you don't improve your attitude." "B-but father, it is simply not true. I didn't do anything of that sort." Full with anger the king knocked the table with his fist. "So you are saying that the duke is wasting his time lying to me?" The prince was sweating. He didn't know or better yet refused to believe that he did anything wrong. He clenched his fist, "I believe so father. I have heard many saying that the duke is conspiring against the crown." "Nonsense," the king shouted forcing the prince to take a step a back. "Do you have any solid evidence of the conspiracy you speak of?" The prince turned his head signaling that he didn't. He was now too afraid to talk anymore. "As a prince, you should know how to discard rumors from facts. The duke is very powerful and there are many who envy him. As royals it is our job to be impartial and make judgements based on facts rather than accusations." The kings tone calmed down easing the prince somewhat. "Listen son, we as royals living in the luxury must do our duty to the kingdom and its people. It is political marriage. I am trying to bind the duke with the royal family to keep him under check and maintain stability in the kingdom. As a prince, you must understand your position and accept the facts. The duke is too powerful to be left alone. You have to continue with the engagement and marriage or find evidence to prove that the duke is really conspiring." The prince was slightly encouraged with the easing of his father's tone and tried to push his narrative again. "Enough," the king put up his hand and stopped the prince. "I will let it slide this time. But you have to promise to behave in front of others and also write a letter of apology to the duke. I don't want to hear another word from you about this matter. Now leave." The prince was angry. He clenched his teeth and closed his fist. But left after a bow. After going out of the room, he punched the wall in anger, "Damn you duke, I will get you and your daughter after I become the king." He thought to himself in anger.
Meanwhile in the Raubenbraum territory, the day after meeting the prince Erika was witnessing how far the training has progressed. Her Recruits have learned to stand in, fall out and some other military drills in this time. But there was no weapons training yet. Next in her plan was to have them march 10 kilmeters daily with a weight to 20 kg on their backs. This training would go on for a week daily. Some recruits were showing discord about the training. No one has ever seen training like this. Emil's friends were more accepting as they trusted Emil but the other two were acting mostly under peer pressure. They didn't like it. But Emil has been handling the situation well. "You look tense milady." Emil asked Erika. "Its okay, I am just worried. You have most certainly heard about the attitude the prince the other day. I was thinking about it. No matter what the engagement happened and quite unexpectedly if I say so. The prince didn't even talk to anyone. He just took the deal and left. I am worried that the future may not be changed." Erika looked exhausted. It was more mental then physical. She was dejected. "If the prince's attitude is like this then I must speed things up as well" Erika thought while looking up. "Don't worry milady," Bauer who came just now after sending the craftsmen who were making the weapons, home. They were done for the day said in a calm voice. "Since god has given you the necessary knowledge to avoid your doom, I think you will succeed." Bauer comforted her. Erika forced a smile to ease them up. "That is the problem. There is no God I am just doing things from the knowledge of my previous life." Erika didn't say out loud but thought in her mind.