Half a heart, half a crown

E L E V E N

We stood there staring and I knew for a fact that this whole thing wouldn't bring me any good. But I was very impressed with what's going to happen next because in the end, if I were to bring back all the things I've lost, I might be a very cold person with an unexplainable feelings and emotions.

Anger raised within him, testing his temper, I added "because of your irresponsible childish act."

Tense atmosphere appeared all around us.

I knew I've reached his limit when he decided to slam the door open and with his back faced to me, he said "Tomorrow at mid-day, at the secret entrance." His voice was fury and dangerous and I knew tomorrow would be the death of me. But excuse me, he wanted games, so I showed him the way it should be played.

***

Knife inserted under my waist band, I am protected. Mid-day arrives and I am more than ready to face him, the king of Emercidin, Antonio Davinsky.

I've reached the secret entrance and as far as I know, I am the only one who stood in the secret place with empty hallways. I know how it works, so I pressed on one of the square and the entrance wall opened, when I am sure no one is around me, I walked in. The entrance close and I was alone in the darkness. I was surrounded by incredibly massive uncleaned-looking walls. Silence echoed through the entrance, it was so dark, I am afraid I would trip if I took a step forward, but a queen will never be afraid.

She said "Queens never been afraid of anything."

So my courageous took me a step forward and I proudly managed to take another step, the deeper I gets in, the brighter the area is. I walked and walked until I could see various of candles laid out on either side of the rough walls. So this how the entrance work, rebel couldn't attack here because once they knew it was dark, they left. They didn't know the deeper it gets, the brighter the place will be. Once I reached the end of the entrance, I was faced with a massive-looking wall. I knew this is not the end, we have to get through this wall in order to find another secretive place. I kicked the wall with my foot and it was sure a very very thick wall, not an ordinary pressed wall. Knock code came into my mind, I knocked the wall to the beat of my knock code and it says, 'Let me in.' Unexpectedly the wall opened in half and I stepped into the place while the wall shut closed behind my back.

"Took you long enough." His back faced me, "I thought I would have to opened the wall for you but you managed to do it all by yourself."

"What do you want?" I asked straight to the point.

He slowly turned to face me and his eyes were no longer dark, he has a face of playfulness in him, in his blue ocean eyes. He doesn't have his signature smirk, he looked different. He doesn't looked like King Antonio Davinsky who killed many people just for entertainment. I was not expecting this at all, what kinds of game he wanted to play again? Another trick? No matter what, I'll play along with him.

"I wanted to practice sword fighting with you." He said, "but....this involves your freedom. You can go back to Ameragonia after this, if you win."

Just as the words left his mouth, it sounded so unconvincing. But another game lead to another trap.

"Bring this on." I said confidentiality.

He threw me an armor suit and a pair of golden sharp sword.

With his back faced me, while he put on his armor suit. I put on mine and quickly get the fabric hat out and put my armor helmet on.

With suit ready to fight and hands ready to win.

He turned around with the playfulness in his face. "Ready?"

"Yes." I nodded.

"If you wins, I'll let you go", he said, "without consequences."

"But..", he raised an eyebrow, "if you lose, I'll-" his gaze travelled down my body.

"For god's sake! I'm a man." I glared at him through my armor helmet.

"Sure you are." Smile plastered across his face.

My heart beat oddly when I noticed his smile, even if it isn't a genuine smile from his heart, it is the first time I have seen him smile. My heart flutters to the thought and I shook it away.

I brought my sword up and pointed it straight at him.

He pulled his sword out and began the fight.

I've gotten better at this and I'm sure I'll wins.

Or not.

The silver glint of his sword passes close to my ear and hit my armor helmet and he slid off my golden helmet onto the ground.

I was shocked.

Utterly shocked.

My long brown wavy hair fall down to my waist and there was silence.

The tip of my sword pointed straight close to his chest and his sword pointed straight close to my throat.

I swallowed down the imaginary lump in my throat.

This is it, he planned this. He planned all this just to reveal that I am a woman. Not just any ordinary kinds of woman, but the first woman to rule Ameragonia.

Our eyes locked.

"Princess Magnificent." He whispered softly with mixed emotions in his deep blue eyes.

"King Antonio." I said without a trace of fear in my voice and in my eyes.