The Red Princess

Part 30

Natalia was ready, with a knight's armor on, sword in one hand, shield in another, her hair tied in a fine braid, her hands and feet covered by thick leathers.

Steven had gotten her ready himself. He had done every single thing to ensure she was safe to fight. And even though he had trained her well, he was scared.

While Natalia did everything for Steven herself. She knew about Loki and his evil ways. She was scared he would try to hurt Steven and so she didn't let him do anything without her watch on it.

Loki on the other hand, was far more clever then he got credit for. He and Maria had the perfect plan to get her to loose.

As the time of the fight neared, Natalia got nervous. She wasn't afraid to loose, she was afraid for Steven.

Natalia stepped in, perfectly ready, to face Loki in the grounds, while her people sat as audience. Steven stayed on the top with King Anthony, King Nicholas and the Queen.

Loki stepped in wearing no armors, as if to insult Natalia's bravery. But she didn't care, she just wanted him to loose, the easier, the better.

As the announcements were made, and everyone got onto their seats, the fight commenced.

Loki didn't charge on her, and only resisted her attacks. He had a wicked smirk on his face all along, as he glanced at Steven time and again.

Natalia attacked him again, and this time he caught her wrist, pulled her into his arms, trapping her, his arm on her waist, and above her chest, her back to his chest.

Steven fumed, and looked away.

"You are going to be mine forever, Natalia" Loki whispered in her ear. She nudged him hard into the stomach, stepping on hid foot, she moved away, and then kicked him.

As Loki fell, his smirk widened. Maria had slid away, as the knight's armor behind Steven fell, the sword almost stabbing him. But King Anthony saw it in time, and pulled him away.

"Steven!! " Natalia screamed, and as she lost focus, Loki tried to empower her. She was on the ground, with Loki above her, making it almost impossible to get up.

Steven was worried, he held onto a pole for support. Natalia wasn't able to do anything, her thoughts clouded with what could have happened.

"Natalia!! Your legs" Steven shouted.

Immediately, Natalia kicked Loki with her knee hitting his abdomen. She moved her legs up, trapping his neck in her thighs, she almost choked him down. And then sat on his chest, with her sword on his neck.

"Princess Natalia wins" the announcer said.

Natalia smiled and looked at Steven, who sighed in relief.

"All is well that ends well" King Anthony said, "Now, I would like to take your leave fellow king. My kingdom awaits its new King and Queen. Every matter here seems resolved".

King Nicholas nodded helplessly. But as Natalia returned she held a sword to Maria's neck.

"Natalia? What is this behavior? " King Nicholas asked in anger.

"Ask your beloved wife, father. What did she have planned with Loki. " she said.

"Nothing, my king, believe me" Maria said.

Steven pulled Natalia away, "Let it go, please " he said. She wanted to protest, but Anthony stepped in.

"My queen, if you want Romania, we would win it easily for you. " he said.

"I don't want to win it by shedding blood of my own people. It is mine by birth right. " she said, "but I am not a greedy gold digger, I want to serve my people not rule them. And I have nothing against my half brother. Just this woman, who tried to harm my husband. " she turned to face Nicholas, "punish her father, or else I would claim my rights properly ".

Nicholas sighed, "Guards, arrest the queen and send her to the dungeons" he said with a heavy heart.

Maria went pleading as the took her. Loki was arrested too, for attempting murder and even his brother Thor didn't intervene.

Natalia and Steven decided to leave the kingdom for good, and took the people's leave.

"Are you both ready to go to your new kingdom? " King Anthony asked.

Natalia and Steven exchanged looks.

"Not yet, my king" Steven said.

"We want to be on our own for sometime. Just us, exploring the world, lost in love. We don't want to be indulged in politics and worry all the time. We just need some peace, with each other" Natalia said.

King Anthony smiled, "Then I wouldn't stop you. You both deserve the happiness. Go on, but be back before I loose patience" he said. They both smiled and hugged him, before he left.

"So? " Steven turned to face Natalia.

"So? " she blushed.

"Let me take you on the journey of love. Are you ready to loose yourself? " he asked.

"I am, your grace" she said.

He got on the horse, and pulled her with him, and together they set off for the most beautiful journey. Far from all the negativity, from all troubles. Just the two of them, on a journey to explore love and nature.

The End.

*****
I know. I always rush endings.
But I am helpless. It was getting too dragged & to continue I would have needed another twist. Which I didn't want. I wanted to give them a happy ending. Because this is such a beloved story, I might return with a sequel. But till then, you have "Queen of Atlantis" to look forward to.

Do give your reviews for the whole story. The best scenes. The worst. What was the thing you loved most about this story?
And please, do forgive me for the crappy ending 😝. Because the story kind of already ended with their wedding.