As Time Goes By

Chapter 2 - The Blacksmith's Daughter and the Knight Princess

Time Skip:

The Dark Ages

It was a time of chaos all over Europe. Feudal lords from different regions battled each other for the right to rule all over England. And the one who is chosen king must see to it that England doesn't fall to any outside threat. One of the kings that ruled England was King George Edinburgh. He ruled the country with both an iron hand against the external threats and a soft heart for the masses. His wife Queen Mary Ann died while giving birth to their daughter Princess Melissa. Because she was an only child. Melissa decided to become a knight. But not before having a hard time getting her father's approval.

Meanwhile in the outskirts of the kingdom. Specifically the small town of Allestaire. A blacksmith was given a bouncing baby girl. Her name is Diana. Just like the knight princess Melissa. Diana decided to become a blacksmith herself. When her father died of old age. She took it upon herself to continue her father's legacy of forging the best swords for the Royal Guards of the Red Camelia. King George's favorite flower which he would always give to Queen Mary Ann. Although he has been through many battles himself when he was a knight. King George knew how to protect himself and avoid getting captured. Thus earning him the monicker "The Iron Ghost of Cape Owen". As he nears the twilight of his reign. Melissa is now being groomed as the new ruler of England.

One day Melissa decided to get out of Cape Owen and visit the nearest town as part of her royal duties as a princess. She is escorted by her childhood friends Charlotte Emerson and Elaine Montgomery. Together with a small band of knights to protect her from harm. Since Allestaire is located near the border of Cape Owen. Melissa decides to go there first. The townfolk immediately recognizes the red camelia symbol on shields of the knights. All of them bow upon her arrival. Many stall and shop owners stop what they are doing and also bow to her as a sign of respect.

However, one shop owner didn't know that she is passing by and continues to forge a sword that she is going to sell along with several other swords and assorted weapons. One of Melissa's bodyguards sees her and decides to make her stop what she is doing. And make her bow to the knight princess.

????: You there!!

????: Huh? Me?

????: Yes you!!! How dare you show disrespect to Princess Melissa?!!! Don't you know that you must bow whenever a member of the royal family passes by here!!!! What is your name you disrespectful low life!!!

????: (Gets scared and sad at what the knight said to her.) M-my n-name is Diana Sinclair. I can't just stop forging a sword at that moment. (Sees the sword that she is making has now cooled down and it's still not in perfect shape just yet.) Oh no!!! My creation!!! No!!! I must redo this all over again!!!

Just as she was about to put the blade in the furnace to make it hot enough to pound with a mallet. The knight grabs her arm and pulls her towards the knight princess. Diana winces in pain as the knight holds her arm tightly. She struggles to break free from the grip of the knight. Another one sees that she's trying to escape. He decides to punch her in the stomach. She grimaces in pain due to the strong punch of the second knight. Princess Melissa sees the commotion caused by her bodyguards. She gets off her horse and angrily asks them about the whole commotion being caused by her two knight escorts.

Princess Melissa: What is going on here?!!!

Knight 01: I'm sorry your majesty. But this girl showed disrespect to your visit here.

Knight 02: She tried to escape as my comrade is taking her to you.

Princess Melissa: And what is your purpose in taking her to me?!!!

Knight 01: I want to make her apologize to you for not bowing your majesty.

Diana: Please let me go. I have to redo the sword that I am making. I beg of you.

Melissa: (Looks at Diana) *She's beautiful. Her face looks familiar. Have I met her before in the past? I must make her my woman.* (Slaps the faces of both knights.)

Melissa: How dare you hurt this woman?!

Knight 01: But your majesty.

Melissa: If she is still busy with her sword crafting then who we are to stop her. My father would not tolerate such a display of arrogance. The same goes for me Princess Melissa. Miss may I know your name?

Diana: My name is Diana Sinclair. I'm an orphan your majesty. My father has been crafting swords for the Royal Guards of the Red Camelia.

Upon hearing those words. The knight who tried to make Diana apologize to Melissa for not bowing as a sign of respect. Looks at the symbol of his shield. He feels ashamed of what he did to Diana. The other knight also felt ashamed of what he did to Diana. Both of them kneel down in front of the blacksmith's daughter and apologize to her for their harsh action. This catches Diana by surprise.

Knight 01: Forgive me Lady Diana. I didn't know that it was your father who forged this sword.

Knight 02: The same goes for me Lady Diana. I'm sorry for punching you in the stomach. If it pleases you. Then let me take a punch from you. What I did to you is unforgivable. So please, feel free to punch my face as hard as you can.

Diana: Please stand up. I know that both of you are just doing your job. I'm sorry milady for not bowing in front of you.

Melissa: There's no need for you to apologize. Thanks to your father's skilled craftsmanship our kingdom has remained safe because of the quality swords he makes. Please continue to craft the best swords for the kingdom.

Diana: Thank you your majesty. I will guarantee you that I am going to continue my father's legacy.

With the sudden commotion settled peacefully. Princess Melissa and her entourage continue to tour the town of Allestaire. As they slowly fade away from Diana's view. The woman goes inside and transforms into Calliope. She says something to herself after seeing her beloved Helena being reborn as the knight princess Melissa. And this puts a smile on her face.

Calliope: I can't believe that I would see her again in this era. I'm glad to be born as a blacksmith's daughter. I hope and pray that we won't be separated by death once again.