Mobile Suit Gundam: Blood Price

Second Day pt.2

Tonight, the ballroom of the castle is transformed into a sea of color and movement. The air is thick with the scent of flowers, sweet foods, and wine, as musicians play lively tunes that encourage revelers to dance and mingle. Mika sips at his wine, watching the festivities with a mix of amusement and detachment. He's not much of a party person, preferring to keep his thoughts sharp and focused on tomorrow's match. Still, he can't help but be impressed by the opulence and extravagance of it all. Various warriors, who had lost, are drinking and eating their fill. As the night wears on, Mika finds himself growing increasingly restless. He excuses himself from the table where he's sitting with Dante and Lycoris, saying that he needs some fresh air. Wandering through the ballroom, he finds a quiet corner where he can be alone with his thoughts.

Alicia on the other hand, is enjoying herself. She dances with various people, politely declining any offers to be her partner from men who are notoriously bad dancers and known for their poor hygiene. She spots Mika in the corner, nursing his wine, and smirks. He thinks he can beat her?

But as she walks to confront him, she is beaten to the punch by her younger cousin, Prim.

"Mika!" A tic mark appeared on her head as Prim addressed the hoodlum with such familiarity.

"Oh! Princess!" Mika exclaimed in surprise as the young pink haired princess joined him.

"Well, I'm not a princess yet," Prim corrected him gently, "but I will be there one day. And you must call me 'Prim'." She flashed him a brilliant smile, her emerald eyes sparkling with youthful innocence.

Mika felt a strange sensation in the pit of his stomach.

"I didn't scare you earlier in the tournament right? With all the blood and broken bones I dished out?" "No, not at all!" Prim insisted, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. "It was just... very different from what I'm used to." She paused, considering her words carefully. "But don't you think it's better to fight fair? To use your skills and strategy, instead of resorting to, well..."

"Unfortunately, real combat isn't like that, Prim." Mika said as he took a small sip of the wine.

"In real combat, nothing really goes to your plan. All you can do is react, adapt and conquer. No fight is ever the same, each one is different from the other. Expect unexpected variables, interference and unlikely scenarios."

"To be a good warrior, you must be able to adapt to your surroundings and conquer." He ended.

"But you can still try to fight fair," Prim protested. "Don't you think that's better? Even if it's harder?"

Mika looked at the young girl, her eyes filled with innocence and sincerity. For a moment, he felt a pang of guilt.

"Life was never fair, Prim." "But we can try to make it fair, can't we?" Prim asked, her voice filled with determination. Her gaze met Mika's, holding his eyes with an unyielding sincerity.

Mika chuckled softly, amused by the girl's naivety. "Maybe someday." Alicia watched Mika's interaction with the young pink haired princess, Prim, with a mixture of amusement and irritation. The way he effortlessly charmed the girl only served to further annoy her. She couldn't help but feel like he was playing some sort of game with her.

Suddenly, a Feoh Knight approached Mika.

"Are you Mika? Prodigy of Marion?" Mika turned to face the newcomer, his expression guarded. "That's me. What can I do for you?"

The Feoh Knight bowed her head slightly. "My name is Saya, and I am a knight of Feoh and I have come bearing news for you."

"Just as of now, we have confirmed that the Knight Marion Welch died defending the kingdom last night. We have only recovered her body today after exterminating the remaining Orcs and Lycans that her scouting party encountered."