ALORA LUX RADEN

CHAPTER TWO ; FIRST BATTLE

CHAPTER TWO

Princess Alora could feel the heavy tension and anxiety reeking off of Lord Elion , she assured him with a squeeze of her delicate hand as they both whirled and twirled to the rhythm of their dance.
Elion had braved himself as he began a conversation with the princess.
"A lovely dress you have on princess". He compliments.
Alora, knowing that this was his cue to begin a conversation, she replied.
"Ah... It was made by the Madam Duckling, seamstress of Cuntesse. A limited edition at that belonging to only me in the whole of the four regions. Isn't it amazing.
" Amazing it is, I think..., no it is beautiful no ... breathtaking.
Elion fumbles in his confusion as to how to answer the princess. He stammers and fidgets, until a gentle hanwas placed on his chest. His breath hurriedly catching in his throat.
" Do not be nervous Elion, do not be pressured by this charade of dances and fake smiles of all these people. They are venomous vipers underneath, waiting for you to fail and have a good laugh at you. So straighten your shoulders and be confident.
If at all Alora knew that Elion was never bothered by the stares and glares of the nobles around, but by proximity of the princess to him, her every movement, smile and actions. He was not at all used to the attractions of the opposite gender, after all he was but seventeen.
Taking in deep breaths, he steadied himself and continued with his waltz.
"So tell me about your grimoire, how has it been since you began bonding with it. Alora asks, eager to learn more.
Elion was very moved by this topic, he knew quite well how important magic was and was diligent in his path and approach.
"You know our family, the house Kentley, have always specialized in the element water. I have inherited the grimoire of my great grand uncle. It is an advanced level grimoire that assisted him in his life and was part of the things responsible for our family's great history. I have begun on the journey of mastering water; Water is a force of nature, capable of shaping the world in ways both gentle and fierce. It is constantly in motion, evaporating and raining back down on the land. I have achieved minor mastery on the way of water, the flow and ingenuity of the element. As forceful as water could be, it could also be manipulated to become soft and gentle, making it a perfect element for both attacks and defence. I have gone through scrolls, books and ancients on the path to complete mastery of water. I have seen that water could be frozen, vaporized, steamed, even thinned. I have also seen blasphemous scripts as to the healing components of water, this I cannot prove based on my own knowledge. But all in all, "water is life".

Alora watched and listened to this calm young man as he went on about the element , she never interrupted him. Gazing on him as he listed his observations and thoughts on the element, thereby increasing her own knowledge of the element. She saw his passion for magic and the intensity of his own motivations. This was his "path", a fruitful path.

"I see"... Alora curtsied as they both concluded their dance. "
"I can't wait till I'm seventeen to choose my own grimoire and master my element. At time, I shall have challenges with you.
Elion bowed back in return.
"And I shall be waiting eagerly for that day, Princess"...
"Call me Alora...
It is forbidden, I must address your highness with your title... Elion rejects.
"And I insist, or is my word no longer law? Alora Interrupts, her tone edged with a command.
As your highness Alora commands.
They both walk back to their seats, amidst the gossips if the crowd.

    How could they not gossip? They watched the interaction of the two and saw that the princess had already taken liking to the young lord. Some had even began matching them in their hearts, such gestures truly could be expected in politics.

Queen Riona sat back on her throne, her gaze was still gentle as she oversaw the ceremony, she responds to the curtsy of the princess with a nod, as she had thrown a careless gaze on the young lord, something of such import could not escape the prying eyes of the crowd.
"Gods be gracious, the queen just smiled at the young lord of house Kentley, she is thinking of matching them.
" Oh Gods!!!. The queen is even whispering to the chancellor, I reckon they are really going to personally groom lord Elion .
"He could even be listed to go for the grand mage competition in the faraway "Nova Star Empire." If he could go and represent us, he would become famous, such a genius, his talents wouldn't be wasted.
The queen was not deaf to the gossip of the masses, she understood all that had transpired. Truly she saw the genius in the young lord, he was but only a month into paving his path and he has such understanding of the element. Truly he was worth grooming. Though Lord Kaiser was a man who had vast knowledge in the elemental path of water, he had not that time for teaching his son, this was left to the magical academies in the empires. Though no parents will want his child to leave home at such tender age, it was relevant for their future and for the path to be complete.