Bloodright

Chapter 2

In the following days, the castle turned into a bustling hive of activity, the air thick with anticipation and uncertainty. Raiah's schedule became a blur of continuous patrols, relentless training, and endless coordination meetings. Her hours filled with the rustle of maps, the clinking of armor, and the soft whispers of strategies. She barely found time to rest, but when she did, it was the castle's midnight hush and the distant echo of a night watch's step that lulled her into a restless sleep.

Despite the constant clamor and organized chaos, she found odd moments of peace. One was during her early morning training sessions, where the only sounds were the rhythmic clash of her swords and her measured breaths. The castle grounds were still shrouded in the soft veil of dawn, untouched by the impending chaos of the day. In these stolen moments, the weight on Raiah's shoulders seemed lighter, the world outside the castle walls felt distant, almost unreal.

Another was when she patrolled the castle ramparts at dusk, overseeing the changing of the guards. She would watch as the sun set, its dying embers casting long, sprawling shadows across the castle grounds, painting the landscape in hues of fiery orange and deep purples. There was something about the silence of the twilight, the transition from day to night, that brought her solace.

Just when Raiah began to find a rhythm amidst the chaos, a page came to her one morning, his face flushed with excitement. "Captain Raiah," he said, panting heavily, "The royal family of Xuejiang has arrived."

With a curt nod, Raiah finished her current round of training and followed the page. As she strode towards the grand entrance, her mind was already spinning with the duties that lay ahead. The Zhangs were the last royal family to arrive, marking the impending commencement of the competition.

Her heart clenched at the thought. The storm was coming, and the castle, as well as she, must be ready to weather it. With one last look at the practice yard, Raiah took a deep breath and stepped into the wave of the upcoming storm.

Raiah made her way to the grand entrance, her heart thundering in her chest. The royal family of Xuejiang was known to be intriguing – a blend of kindness, audacity, and arrogance.

When she reached the ornate double doors, they were flung open to reveal the awaited guests. There stood Prince Jun Hie, his black hair glimmering under the sun, brown eyes sparkling with mischief. To his side was Princess Mei, her delicate features arranged into a warm, welcoming smile. Behind them, a figure loomed, blonde hair falling in cascades around a face that held an expression of distaste. Duchess Ying.

"Welcome to Melvale, Prince Jun Hie, Princess Mei, Duchess Ying," Raiah greeted them formally, extending a respectful bow. She straightened to meet the eyes of each of them. The Prince returned her gaze with a glint of amusement, the Princess with a nod of acknowledgement, while the Duchess merely sniffed, her eyes flickering dismissively over Raiah's uniform.

"We've had quite the journey, Captain. I hope our accommodations are suitable?" The Prince's question was laced with a teasing undertone, and Raiah responded with a slight nod.

"Rest assured, Prince Jun Hie, your accommodations have been prepared with the utmost care. I'm certain they will be to your satisfaction," Raiah answered. She then turned to Princess Mei, her expression softening slightly. "Princess Mei, if there's anything you require during your stay, please do not hesitate to inform us."

Mei returned her smile and nodded. "Thank you, Captain Raiah. We appreciate your hospitality."

As Raiah escorted them to their quarters, she could feel the tension mounting. The competition was set to begin, and with the arrival of the Zhang family, the castle was complete with all its key players. The chessboard was set, and the game was about to commence.