Solitary Princess - Nalu ✔️

Chapter 4

It was the first day of the General Games and Lucy sat in a wooden throne, next to her father, that was overlooking the field where battles would be held.

Even if they were still inside the castle grounds, Lucy was excited to finally see some of the commoners again. She felt it was her duty as future queen to at least show her face to the people she would be ruling over. That's what she was raised to believe. And Lucy wanted to be even just half the queen her mother was. Even if her father didn't want her to be.

Lucy watched as the crowds beneath her began to form around a circle to see the battles. Wooden weapons were offered to the enrolled fighters. She scanned the crowd, hoping for a familiar face.

"Lucy," Jude Heartfilia spoke, making Lucy freeze, "Make sure you don't do anything stupid today."

"Yes," she spoke softly as her small delights were washed out of sight, "father."

...

Eventually, the people began to quiet so they could listen to the announcer for the games. Lucy was still seated next to her father, filled with anticipation.

The announcer spoke loudly and clearly, "To all you gathered today: Welcome- to the rare and celebrated, General Games."

Lucy leaned forward slightly as he continued, "Each man or woman above 16 that is signed up, will fight today to see who is the most skilled or powerful," his voice boomed through the crowd, "But remember: there will be NO killing. Use the wooden weapons given out today and wear whatever armor you yourself have. There will also be no crowd interference or foul play." He looked around, meeting a few eyes in the crowd, then looked back up to Lucy's father. Jude nodded and the man turned to speak again, "Without further ado, contestants 1 and 283 step forward and listen to the referee."

A scrawny man and a buff man stepped forward. Lucy didn't know much about fighting, but her money was on the bigger of the two. The small man looked almost underfed and easy to squash. The big man made up for any excess bulk with brute strength and confidence. The referee nodded to both fighters and stepped back.

...

Lucy watched the fights with interest. Some were predictable, some were not. The soldiers who participated along with the villagers had the clear advantage as they were covered in the kingdom's metal armor. Lucy frowned slightly as she watched 73 and 210 battle. The smaller one was way too quick for the big man he was opposing. He got in lots of small hits, and eventually, the big man fell to the ground in sheer exhaustion and Lucy watched as the winner seemed to not even be winded.

The smaller man went to go stand with the winners. They were still in round one; not even dividing the original group in half.

The princess thought it was a shame that only about four women had even attempted to battle. Of the few, Lucy was particularly impressed by a redhead dressed in metal armor who had beat her strong opponent with incredible speed and accuracy in about six seconds flat. He didn't even know what hit him and was out cold before he touched the ground. Lucy was excited to see how far the redhead got.

The princess sat next to her father and waited for 68 and 209 to step onto the field.

The one she guessed was 209 stepped onto the field. He was a middle-aged brunette who was muscular and tall with a challenging look on his face. He had scars covering his arms and face and looked to be pretty experienced.

Lucy looked to the other fighter. 68 was a hooded figure who seemed to have the perfect weight- muscle index. She couldn't really tell his height or expression but even the way he walked was mysterious. Lucy leaned forward with interest. Something about him drew her in. She wanted to see his face.

As the referee stepped back, 209 immediately gripped his sword and charged at 68. Lucy winced, but 68 simply stepped to the side and bashed the hilt of his own sword into the back of the brunette. 209 coughed and tried not to fall, but 68 left him no time to rest.

Lucy watched intently as the hooded man turned and swiftly bashed his wooden sword into the side of the other man.

Number 68 then just stood still. Lucy couldn't tell where he was looking because his hood was covering everything from the nose up. Lucy closely observed him while he stood, unmoving. He wore no armor. Most of the people competing at least had a wooden breastplate. But all this man had to protect him was a white scarf. Lucy tilted her head. The scarf looked kinda familiar. She plowed through her thoughts, trying to remember something at the edge of her mind.

Lucy returned her head to the battle as 209 stood again with crimson blood dripping from his mouth. The brunette refused to surrender. Lucy watched as he charged another time.

68 seemed to be distracted, though, and was only able to dodge at the last second; causing his hood to fly off.

Lucy stood abruptly- not caring that her father was looking sharply at her in warning.

She knew that hair. Who wouldn't?

It was pink.