The Weight Of The Crown

Chapter 2- The dance/duel

It was time for the duels to start and see witch lucky man would win the hand of the lovely Diana. The first one began, between the heirs of Drenia, Arthur II, and Katros, Johan. Both nobleman's were known for their rich and vast clans. Johan, had a very skinny frame, with dark hair and the bluest of eyes. His father, Richard of Katros, was a stern yet understanding man, of all the five clans rulers he was known for bringing calm after the storm, a very reasonable man indeed. Nothing like Arthur's father, Ancelot of Drenia, he was anything but calm, a fiery soul if I do say so myself, since his children were little we would make them study and train, "no time for nonsense" he would say, and Arthur being the oldest of 6 children, had to carry the weight of all his fathers expectations, maybe that's why he was so nervous about the duels in the first place, well besides the fact that by the end of the day we might end up engaged to a total stranger. That was already so much to be worried about.

 
-Is that all you have Johan?- Arthur asked playfully.

-Oh you have no idea Artie!- He replied.

 
Johan and Arthur knew each other since they were mere children, their fathers were brothers, therefore, him and Arthur would spend a lot of time together as cousins. They used to sneak out after training and run to an old house near the castle, there they made their home away from home. Today they were competing with each other.

As the swords clashed and the metal sound echoed trough the arena, Diana was sitting with her father and siblings watching it all. She had hid her cloak and sword under her seat, and was getting ready to swiftly make her escape to go trough with the plan. After the meeting with that lord at the stables, she was more than certain that this was what she needed to do. She didn't want to marry a stranger, neither be a prize to be won by some brute.

 After the ending of the first round it was announced that the winner was Drenia, Diana listened and looked ate the fellow, there he was, him, the lord from this morning. She blushed a little before making her exit.

-Where are you going Día? - Alphie asked.

-Oh I just need to excuse myself for awhile, I’m felling a little sick.

-Do you want me to come with you?- Brigit chimed in.

-NO! I mean, no. It's okay I will be quick don't worry.

 
Alphonse and Brigit looked at each other in confusion as Diana excused herself and took something from under her seat.

 
-She is running away isn't she? -Alphie asked.

-Most likely. Should we go after her? - Brigit replied.

-Let her be. I want to see where this goes- Tristan, who had listened to the whole interaction, said.

 
Diana got ready in her little neck of the woods. She put a mask on to cover her identity, used her mother's cloak to cover her dress, and put on the belt that supported her mothers sword. It was a beautifully carved metal sword, it had the Opean insignia at the handle and a enraged wolf on the other side. Although made of metal, it was still very light and sharp which came in handy during battle.

 While Día was getting ready the second battle had commence, this one between the heirs of Theiya and Atron, Fredrick and Helios. Fredrick was a prick to say the least, walking around in his Sunday best all week, with that slick back blond hair hand his emerald eyes like he was better than everyone else. Since he was in diapers that he had everything he wanted, his mother, Roheis being the head of the capital of the Empire had always had a special place on the heart of the king, therefore, she also had access to countless riches like gold, the finest silks, food, everything really. Helios in the other hand came from Atron, the last clan to join the Empire, as of now at least, so they don't have as many favours as the other clans did. Helios was tall just like his mother Ysabel lady of Atron, his father died during the war before the treaty between clans.

 The duel started, both lads wielded their swords and started the battle. Fredrick might have been raised with everything he ever could have imagine, and surprisingly that didn’t leave much room for him to train his swordsmanship, so Helios was in advantage. His father had thought him since he was little and he had talent to say the least.

 As the battle ended the crowd cheered, and the judge announced the victory of Atron. Roheis looked furious watching from the benches near Nicol, Diana’s father. She looked at him with almost trying to scare him, he ignored her.

 As the winner was announced and Arthur and Helios prepared for the final round, the hooded figure came crashing in with their horse and separated the two.

-What the hell?- Helios screamed- Watch were you are going we are in a middle of a duel!

The hooded figure got down from the horse and stood in front of the two. The boys looked at each other confused and then examined the figure.

- Its you! The lad from this morning. -Arthur said.

-You know this man?- Helios questioned.

-He helped me this morning finding the stables. What are you doing here? surely you know that- Arthur was cut of by the sound of the blade that the Figure withdrew.

-Still not much of a talker I see. - Arthur chuckled.

-Let's end this, right now. - Helios proclaimed.

 
Arthur pov

 I watched as Helios battled with the stranger, I was so taken it back with it all that i didn't even think to help him until he screamed.

-Arthur! A little help?

-Oh Sorry.

I joined the dance between our three swords. Helios stroke first, attacking our opponent, the stranger defended himself by striking the Atroninan sword and sending it flying across the field and Helios went after it. The figure came storming to me, with sword in hand and launched an attack, luckily if was able to block it quick enough so that the sword didn't hit me straight in the face.

-Not so shy now are you?- I questioned him and got no response.

 Instead the figure just seemed more aggravated, his movements got harsher and heavier, but still it seemed like he was floating or dancing above ground. We kept dancing around each other while I was trying to catch a glimpse of his face that was covered with a black veil except for the eyes, those ice cold eyes. Out of no where he launched an attack and got me on the ground.

 -I lost.- I started laughing- I lost. I can't believe this.
 
The figure stood looking at me on the ground, and after awhile landed me a hand to help me up.

Diana pov

 I helped the Drenian heir of the ground and he said:

-Thank you. So are you going to finally bless us with your identity?

-I don't know if you are worthy of that.

-OH, come on. I think I deserve it after you humiliated me and Helios over there. It's the least you can do.

 I took the hood of as well as the veil, and stood with the proudest posture I could manage.

 - I am Diana of Ospea, First in line and heir for the Ospean throne. And I think I just won my own hand.

 I looked straight at dad. He looked Furious yet Proud, a weird combination. As I looked at the Drenian heir beside me, he looked baffled. I saw mine and his father with Helios mother talking and walking towards us. I whistled and Ignis came storming to me.

 
-Get on the horse. -I demanded.

-What?- The Drenian questioned.

- Just do it dam it.

- Milady I don't think that’s very wise.

- Do you prefer to get tongue lashed by our parents?

He thought for a second and got on the horse, and I rode us to towards the woods.

end of chapter