The Dragon Prince

Part 4

Mao: (sitting on his bed) Are you really fine with this?

Haruka: (sits on his bed) Yes...

Mao: (sees a futon laid out beside his bed) Whatever... (lies down)

Haruka: ...

Mao: (pout) Hey... I never got to ask your name.

Haruka: ... Giving you my full name seems unnecessary since I was never considered part of that family.

Mao: And you're telling me you don't have a name to give me?

Haruka: The nuns at the church where I was abandoned gave me the name, Haruka...

Mao: Haruka... Mine is Mao Shin Il. You can call me Mao...

Haruka: I understand...

Mao: (leans to look down to Haruka and sees Haruka's back facing him) You take everything that has happened to you way too easy.

Haruka: Is it what makes you feel annoyed?

Mao: No. What annoys me is your calmness and looks where you don't seem to care what happens to you. Aren't you confused or have a lot of questions about this world?

Haruka: I do... However, right now... I just wish I can forget everything about that place where I came from... (tightens his grip on his pillow)

Mao: (notices Haruka's behaviour) "If I were in his place, I probably wish for the same thing too."

Jin: General Gou, the dragon prince has not yet fully recovered. Asking him to have a duel with you, he'll stand no chance in his weak state.

Mao: (passes by the training grounds and sees Jin talking to Gou) What seems to be the problem?

Jin: Your majesty...

Mao: (sees Haruka standing not far) Huh? What is he doing here? Isn't he suppose to be recovering?

Yo: Sigh! General Gou is making lord Haruka fight him. We're not even sure if lord Haruka knows how to use a sword...

Mao: What reason are you challenging him in a swordfight, general?

Gou: Your majesty, I just want to make sure if he is worthy enough to be your protector. Yes, he has a strong power within him but, does he have the skills capabilities to fight without using them?

Mao: (looks at Haruka) Are you fine with this?

Haruka: (looks at Mao) Whether I do this today or not, I would still have to prove who I am, don't I?... (looks at the sword he is holding)

Gou: Good! Then, prepare yourself!

Mao: Fine. Go on with it.

Gou: I appreciate it, your majesty.

Haruka: (mumbles) It's not like I have a choice...

Mao, Yo, and Jin: (watching Haruka and Gou together with other soldiers)

Soldiers: Will the dragon prince be all right?... General is the strongest fighter in our empire... I heard in the other world they live a very different life compare to ours...

Gou: You should be careful. I might end up killing you. (starts to attack Haruka)

Haruka: (defends himself; mumbles) Maybe it's better if I should die... (could stop Gou's attacks) "I had that thought for as long as I could remember."

No one wanted me...

No one needed me...

What's the point of existing?...

Haruka: (15 years old; alone in his
room and covered with
bruises) ... 
(looks at the moon)

But...

Why am I still alive?...

Gou: You should keep your eyes on your enemy!

Haruka: I am... (attacks and defeats Gou easily)

Gou: (stunned for the sudden defeat) Wh- (sees the blade of his sword broken)

Haruka: (pointing his sword near Gou's neck)

Gou: ...

Soldiers: (surprised) He... He defeated the general?...

Mao: (also surprised) He did...

Haruka: General...

Gou: What?

Haruka: What do you live for?

Gou: I fight for the safety for the people of the dragon empire and to serve our young emperor.

Haruka: So, you would sacrifice your own life for them?

Gou: Yes.

Haruka: ... I see...

Gou: (sees Haruka lowering his sword)

Haruka: I envy you... Until now, I still can't find the reason what or who I should live for...

Mao: (trying to understand what Haruka meant)

Gou: Really... I can't seem to defeat that boy in anything.

Yo: It's the reason why you're this furious, doesn't it? And you should address him as "your highness" or "lord Haruka" not "that boy."

Mao: "lord Yo really loves to tease general Gou. That's because he gets mad so easily."

Gou: Of course... To think the general of this empire defeated by a mere kid like him...

Yo: But, it proves that he really is the dragon prince, am I not right?

Gou: (coughs) Yes, he has proved his worth...

Yo: See? There's nothing for you to be worried about. With his capabilities and abilities, he can surely protect our emperor with no problem. Don't you agree, your majesty?

Mao: Hm? Yeah... Speaking about him, where is he this moment?

Gou: He's in the archery area, your majesty.

Mao: Archery? I didn't know he can do archery.

Yo: The dragon prince is very outstanding in archery, your majesty. As your educator, I believe your skills in archery will improve with his help.

Mao: Learn archery from him? From him? That guy?

Yo: Yes. Do you disagree on it?

Mao: Why can't you teach me?

Yo: Ehem... I'm a lover, your majesty. Not a fighter.

Mao: Then, can't general Gou teach me?

Gou: I hate to admit it, your majesty. His... His highness is more talented in archery than I.

Mao: What? He's more skilled than you?

Yo: I've tried to ask him before and he's willing to do it.

Gou: This will be a good chance for you, your majesty. Please consider it...

Mao: (thinks) ...

Haruka: (shooting some arrows in the archery area)

Mao: (pouts; arrives and sees Haruka's form)

Haruka: (can always shoots the arrows in the middle)

Mao: "Amazing... The general couldn't even shoot at the center always..."

Haruka: (stops) May I help, your majesty?

Mao: Huh? Ah... lord Yo told me that you'll be teaching me archery.

Haruka: Did he now?... Before we starts, show me what you can do? (goes to the side to get another bow to give it to Mao)

Mao: "Grr... Your not testing my patience, are you?" I'm... I'm in your care...