As the last days of winter drew close, I could feel the strain from my constant exercising get to me, weakening my body, yet, I persevered.
"96...97.....98....99...100" I huffed loudly as I laid on the ground, flat and exhausted.
There was relief in the air though, because progress was being made.
I got up and walked towards the huge mirror that hung opposite my bed, staring at my developing compact frame.
I had move from a skinny, sickly, thirteen year old boy to a more firm and attractive nobleman, in just a month.
Feeling like I needed a prize, I decided to take a stroll to my usual relaxing spot, to gaze quietly at the setting sun.
I walked towards my wardrobe, pulling a simple silk top and black trousers.
Dinner would be within the hour, so I rushed towards the back exit point so as not to waste any time and get caught in the process.
My stamina had also improved exponentially over the month too, as I could now run for miles without feeling like my lungs were about to burst.
I finally came face to face with the field, the eerie feeling i got from just standing in front of it didn't change today also.
It was amazing what could be accomplished with magic.
An entire filled that changed colour at different points in time throughout an entire day; light orange grass at dawn, velvet red at dusk and jet black at dead night.
I never would have believed such a scenery existed, even if I read it in a book but there I was, standing over it and gazing at the vast valley that stretched endlessly in my view.
It was as if whatever designed the landscape of this world, had studied perfection endlessly, for I could not find any flaw in the view.
Short glossy grass fields with short trees dominating almost every ten foot of it; multicolored fruits hanging from them.
After the field, laid two mountains, opposite one another, forming an arch at their peak but not touching one another, like the entrance to a heaven.
I slumped on the grass, feeling the wind carry all my worries and fears away, making me feel exceedingly light.
Amidst all the beauty, a voice crept in from behind me, startling me and propping me up my feet.
"It's beautiful, isn't it? The voice spoke, an angelic tone residing deep within the sound of her voice.
I turned and stared at yet another beauty, her pale skin glistening even in the peak of dusk, with silver hair and blue eyes and a crystal glimmer at the end of her eyelashes.
I was immediately out of breath as I stared at her, every part of her face was of the perfect proportion even down to her nose.
"Why do you come out here every evening" she inquired, flashing a smile at me as she stared at the awe written all over my face.
I shook my head, blinking rapidly so as not to stutter from all the amazement.
"Why do you ask?. Wait, you're the one always hiding each time I come here, aren't you?" I snapped, pointing at the goddess I sat in front off.
Her smile grew eventually, till it was a full blown laughter, filling the air as she went on and on.
"For about a week now, yes" she replied audaciously, not withholding the fact that she was now a labeled stalker in my eyes.
"What's your name" I asked, feeling relaxed from the pacing of our conversation.
She adjusted her white gown, crouching on both legs as she got down to sit.
"You wouldn't believe me if I told you"
"Try me"
There was silence, she smiled yet again, as if contemplating her next actions.
Standing on her feet and offering a courteous bow, she held her gown at an angle before speaking gracefully.
"Sylvia Deneros Rotherdale, crown princess of the Targetus empire, at your service". She concluded, smiling as she sat back down.
I burst into laughter at that moment, falling over from how hard I laughed. I stopped after a few minutes, gazing at the stars that laid sparingly in the nigh evening sky.
" Why don't you believe me?... Don't i Iook like a princess " she was confused by my reaction, justifiably so.
It wasn't that unbelievable, I mean she was definitely beautiful enough and since I hadn't met the royal family yet, I couldn't draw any conclusions.
Even still!!...
"The empire is miles away from this county, are you telling me you came all by yourself, huh princess?" I launched at her, hoping to uncover her act.
"Yes I did, I used teleportation magic" She replied, smiling proudly at me.
'Huh?'
I burst into another laughter, this time I was rolling on the floor.
'Teleportation magic???' ...
'The 10th great arcane level spell??'
It was all too unbelievable, but I stopped laughing though, coordinating myself the minute she frowned.
"I'm sorry, but you can't expect me to believe you used such an advanced spell" I answered, apologizing for my behavior.
"Well technically, it wasn't my spell but still it's true" She persisted, punching my shoulder lightly.
I raised both hands in surrender, chuckling softly as I spoke.
"If you say so, princess".
"What about you?" she questioned, feeling a bit concerned she didn't ask earlier.
I just waved her worried away, since it didn't matter.
"I'm Milo von Brithuels, and although it's a pleasure to meet you, I really must get going, Princess". I responded, jumping on my feet as I began to run.
She said something as I ran, but I couldn't totally make out what it was, at least not until I got to the main house, panting and short of breath.
"The Milo I've heard of is nothing like you.....liar"
******
"You seem to have gotten better at this, young Lord, tch" Mark winced, feeling pushed back from my continuous attacks.
I definitely had gotten better, but my growth had nothing to do with talent but rather, simply pure hardwork.
I pullled back from the attack, switching my blade from left to right as I prepared to end the spar.
"Don't look down on me young master, you'll regret it" Mark raved, charging recklessly at me.
An utterly foolish move, especially when he's balance was off by a lot.
I dodged his attack, moving rapidly to his side and unsurprisingly he swung back in an instant, hoping to catch me off guard but sadly, I had already predicted the line of his attack.
"Too slow" I whispered in his ear, reacting to his counter in a split second and releasing a jaw breaking smack that threw him across the room.
I could feel his jawbone crack from when I attacked, and immediately rushed towards him to check if it had killed him.
He raised one arm, getting up on his feet, as he accepted his defeat.
"I've lost this time, young Lord" He confessed, blood trickling down from his mouth.
'I know that already, dumbass'
The uproar from the rest of the squadron shook the entire hall, as everyone was surprised that Mark, who was already in the intermediate class presently, could lose to me who picked up a sword for the first time only just over a month ago.
I barely made it out of the clutches of the overly jovial squad as they wanted to toss me up for eternity.
Secrust was smiling at me, like an accomplished father watching his son win a world title.
I proceeded to smack the smug look of his face but was interrupted by one of the maids, standing at the entrance as she announced the arrival of the eldest son.
"Young lord jade has arrived" she announced, brimming in joy as she walked away. Everyone quickly rushed out to see the young Lord, but I stayed back, silently waiting for the entrance to clear so I could go eat dinner.
'He's finally here huh'
"Young master, I prayed for you while you were away"
"Young master jade, take this for good luck"
"Young master please look at me"
The ladies at the front gate all screamed after Jade's entourage, clustering at the gate so they could get a glimpse of his face.
I wasn't surprised though, since in terms of beauty, James made even me look like a commoner.
He stepped out of the carriage, removing the hat he had on, and revealing his jaw dropping face.
"Keuukkkk!!!!!" The ladies all screamed in unison and by now, I was starting to get jealous.
His skin was as light as the morning sun, radiating even in sundown, his silky jet black hair formed an arch and fell just before his eyes, almost clouding his blue eyes.
He had the stature of a model, his thin body revealing some muscles from the gap in his shirt.
He was wearing a blazing red regalia, with the family crest on its back and a light armour around his body.
"You know they called him, prince Morningstar in the capital" one guard quoted
"Huh?? After the god of beauty, that Morningstar??" The other questioned, amazed at the title.
I too was nothing short of surprised, taking a seat so as not to fall from my impending dizziness.
He stopped and greeted Milo's mother who was the first to get to the entrance, kissing her ring finger as he bowed.
"It's nice to see you again, mother" he greeted, smiling at her.
" It's nice to see you too son"
The patriarch had disregarded the use of 'stepmother' in the household, hence why we all the referred to the wives as mother respectively.
The rest of the family then came outside, the children each paying their respects and I decided it was only smart that I, too, do the same.
By the time I got to the entrance, he was greeting the patriarch, so I decided to wait for him to be done and stood besides Jem, holding her hands.
"Welcome back, elder brother". I offered, keeping my greetings short and precise.
He turned and looked at me, the smile on his face fading little by little at the sight of his arch nemesis and top contender for the position of patriarch, but then faked another smile, reaching to hug me briefly.
"It's good to be back home, little brother " He replied, whispering in my ears menacingly.
I shrugged off his hands gently, walking inside as I carried Jem in my arms.
"Well then, see you at dinner, brother" I proposed, watching everyone look at me shocked, with a smile on my face.
I was done with the labels, it was finally time to act since all my cards were in place.
"Watch out Jade von Brithuels, I'm coming for your throne" I murmured to myself, smirking villainously as I walked away.