A Land Of Secrets: ATALANTE

Act I- The Freak

The Princess's POV

"Hah!" I exclaimed as I swung my sword. Sweat is dripping down my face as I breathe heavily, tired from training. My stomach hurts, it's probably not a good idea to start training after I just ate lunch.

"Your Highness, I'm afraid it's not a good idea to train after you just ate," A familiar voice called for me. I looked at where the voice was coming from. It was my childhood friend, also my personal knight, Alexander. Al is the nickname that I use, he is also three years older than me.

"I told you, you can call me by my name, Al," I told him in dismay. This guy is just too stubborn, I've been with him for all these years yet he still calls me so formally. Al smiled and walked closer to me. 

"But Your Highness, calling a royal by their first name is disrespectful. Especially if His Majesty is around." He said but I ignored him. If he is stubborn, I can be stubborn too.

"The King asked me to bring Your Highness to His Majesty's throne room," Al said. But I simply ignored him and continued swinging my sword. I can hear his footsteps getting louder, indicating he is walking toward me. This idiot... don't come near me if you don't want to get hurt!

I stopped swinging my sword when he got too close to me, afraid that I might hurt him. He gave me a knowing smile. He did it on purpose!

This impertinent behavior of someone towards a royal is punishable by death. But since Al is the son of a Duke who is also the right-hand man of the King, they are an exception. We are close as a family. 

"What are you thinking? Why did you come close to me when I was clearly swinging my sword? You are gonna get hurt!" I scolded him but he replied with a smile.

"I made a knight's oath* to you, I don't mind getting hurt or killed by you since my life is all yours." He replied confidently. I angrily threw my sword to the ground and glared at him.

A/N: *A Knight's Oath is a knight's biggest goal, an everlasting oath, Anyone who takes this oath must sacrifice not only their belief and glory but their life as well for the person they take the oath to.

When we were younger... I was forced to perform a knight's oath on him. He wanted it so badly so that he could protect me, but I hated the idea of having control of his life which pisses me off every time we have this conversation.

He knows that I get angry when he says that. 

"Meira..." Al called my name. 

"So unfair. You always use that tactic so you can get away." I muttered and walked away. I want to stay away from him for a while. Father is calling me anyway, I might as well go.

↞♕↠

When I arrived in the lavish throne room of my Father, I saw him sitting on the throne with a glass of wine in his hand. It's always his routine to sit on the throne while drinking his wine after eating lunch. 

"Greetings, Your Majesty." I greeted him and bowed down.

"Ah, my dear Meira..." He called with a big smile. He signaled me to rise up and come closer. 

"Why did you call me Father? Do I have new tasks?" I asked him, he often calls me when he needs me to do something. Father shook his head and smiled at me.