The Female Soldier

Chapter 5

Falyn stared at the soldiers from above when the prince called to challenge. None of them stepped up. Not even the bullies standing right in front of the crowd dared to look back into the prince's eyes when his gaze fell on them. Instead they cowered in fright.

Hah! So they do know fear! Those were the stronger set of soldiers that were not from a prestigious family hence they were not granted to be part of the Elite soldiers. To vent their anger, they would usually pick on the smaller fries like Reon and occasionally Falyn.

But seeing how they stood in fear now with their tails between their legs truly made her wonder if any of these men standing before her are truly men at all. And her mother wondered why she did not want to get married at the age of 16.

Hah! Dream on. There were no man to be found for marriage.

She couldn't help but let out a soft snicker.

The next thing she knew, her face was about to land face first to the ground. She immediately rolled out to reduce the impact but still landed on her body. Still hurt like crap.

She looked up from the dusty ground and noticed a pair of black boots standing in front of her eyes. She heard snickers coming from the bullies she was just internally cursing at.

She sighed. Mother did say bad things happens ten folds to those who did bad things. Even if it's in their mind.

She quickly stood up and bowed respectfully to the Dark Prince. From her side views she saw it was the prince's sword that had cleanly and accurately cut down the branch she was sitting on. An inch nearer and it would have killed her.

She wondered how she could have missed the sound of his sword flying towards her. She must be more vigilant around this prince.

"Forgive me, your highness, this lowly servant is ready to receive his punishment," she said and kept her eye low on the ground.

"You dare think of this as a joke," he accused her. "My army has no need for such disrespectful soldier like you. You are to receive twice the punishment and thrown out of the army!"

Even the bullies pitied her. Being thrown out of the army is the greatest dishonor you could possibly bring to the family as a son.

Falyn's heart rate picked up quickly as the information registered into her mind. This cannot be happening. She can't leave the army yet. Not when she still has unfinished business in the army yet. Quick Falyn, think !!

"PRINCE!" she called out before the Dark Prince walked away. "May this lowly one speak his mind if you allow." But not waiting for the prince's approval, she continued on, " May I also participate in your combat today. If you are pleased with my skills, please allow this servant to stay in the army and serve the king."

The prince looked down at the scrawny body of the soldier. If the wind blew any stronger this boy would disappear as well. "And if you fail, you will receive ten times the punishment." He said with finality.

Falyn gulped.

Immediately a sword was thrown in front of her, asumingly from Moren who stood by silently watching. He almost yawned.

"Thank you, your highness," Falyn greeted him like any soldier would. Slowly she stood up and raise her gaze to look at the prince.

Now that she was standing in front of him, she could take in his full view. He had a tall figure taht could easily overshadowed her. Maybe one head and a half taller than her. He wore everything in dark colours. She noticed he had a black imperial jade ornament hanging from his wait. 

Even his imperial symbol was black, Falyn thought. Could that be where he obtained his name as the Dark Prince from? She looked further. 

He had jet black hairs but what captured her attention most was his dark eyes that never wavered from her sight. They held such intense hold of her soul that it was very hard to look away.  She quickly looked away to the ground before her soul left her body. 

The other half of his features were hidden behind his mask. Although she was unable to see his face, she knew he was amused with her reactions. He must be thinking that this little boy is scared out of his wits to even move. The sword in front of her even looked too large for her to carry.

He must be very amused.