The Unwanted Prince

Ch. 6 - Mar

Droplets of sweat sprinkled out as I slipped the helmet off my head. My hair was drenched after a whole afternoon of training.

The changing room was getting musty with all the other soldiers releasing themselves from their armor. Many of them were quickly chatting, their voices echoing in the room. Some of the soldiers had already stripped down and were entering the showers.

I just grabbed a towel and wiped away the sweat on my face. I always hated wearing a helmet.

Sweat would always just pool in there, especially if we had to put padding in there. It did help with keeping dirt and mud from caking on my face, and it did protect me from flyaway swords.

But helmets still sucked.

"Mar!"

A groan escaped as a familiar high voice called for me.

"Trinn, hey," I turned around, facing a woman with her brown hair over her shoulders.

Trinn was a basic person. Not one who was annoying but she wasn't exciting either. Not too nice or too mean. Just... basic. It was easy to look over Trinn.

But it wasn't easy for Trinn to look over others. And unfortunately she decided today she would talk to me.

"Why haven't you taken your armor off?" She pointed a finger at me, drawing out my figure in the air. Trinn was just like the other women in the changing room, holding a towel around her body waiting for a turn in the showers.

I shrugged, "I'm going to train some more, I'm just taking a break."

"Train? More? But Captain said-"

I threw my damp towel at her and grabbed my helmet. Ignoring Trinn's complaints, I marched out of the changing room. None of the other soldiers bothered to look my way.

It's not like I expect them to anyway. I wasn't exactly well-liked among my colleagues. I'm not hated but I know I'm avoided.

Would I consider myself and outcast? Not really. I still get high remarks during our training and I've succeeded on missions plenty of times. I've gotten my fair share of approval from our captain.

As I left the changing room, I headed back to the training grounds outside. There should still be some spare weapons there, in case there were people like me who wanted to train more.

They say I work too hard, that I should take a break. I've heard my colleagues complain, saying I'm too serious and need to settle back.

I did get into a fight with one of them a week ago... They were slacking off on patrol. Who knows what trouble the Dark Empire could send.

I passed by some windows, catching the slight warmth from the passing light. I had to stop for a brief moment to appreciate the light.

In the window, there was a blurry reflection of myself.

Hair cut just like a typical men's. My mother didn't like it when I cut it but it was better this way. If my helmet fell off during battle, then at least my enemy couldn't grab me by the hair.

I had to keep going, otherwise I'd get distracted.

"Another prince sent on a pointless quest," A maid muttered.

I stopped, running behind a corner wall to evesdrop. A maid who was plump with round red cheeks was talking with another maid, one who was tall and lankly for a woman.

The plump one was dusting a light post on the wall, shaking her head, "It's a shame, he's pretty cute. I only got a quickly glance at him but his hair is like gold!"

"Gold?" The other maid said. Her voice was like a squeaky mouse. It matched her mouse-like eyes.

"Gold, like the richest gold Novaria has. And his eyes, so green!" I rolled by eyes. Of course maids would be fawning over him. Any prince that passes through Novaria is always thirsted over by the maids.

Of course, it only added to the prince's ego. Having women who had no chance being with him admiring from a distance.

"Greener than His Majesty?" The mouse girl asked, amazed.

"Like emeralds!"

Yeesh, that maid was head over heels. It'll pass over once that prince dies. I only assume the prince is here to go on that pointless quest to say Novaria's princess.

I was about to move on but something one of the maids said irked me. "But he looks so upset. The prince is quite the bitter person."

"Isn't he from Tavern?"

Tavern? Wait-

That prince?

The plump one nodded, "Prince Adrian of Tavern. He's been rejected countless times, it's a true shame. What princess would reject such a handsome man!"

"I heard it's because he's got a temper."

"True true. Handsomeness could only go so far with a temper like a fire."

Prince Adrian of Tavern?

He truly became so desperate to get married he came to Novaria? I must say... I'm impressed.

Prince Adrian has made a name of himself among the humans.

A stubborn prince born from a small kingdom, a second-born son whose brother is now king. He's been rejected by seven- no wait, nine princesses, all of whom he's saved.

Either it's because of bad luck or whatever, everyone knows that all the rejections have just made Adrian a bitter person over the years. He's only got like, what? One more year to marry a princess or else he'll be sent off to the church?

I feel a little bad for him, usually second borns don't last that long. They either get married right away or just accept the church.

But if this "Adrian" is as salty and pissy as the stories tell, then he'll definitely die in the first day of travel.

"Excuse me," The words slipped out even before I revealed myself. The two maids squeaked, nervously pretending as if they weren't talking earlier.

"Yes, Miss?" They both bowed. Polite.

"Where is His Highness, Prince Adrian staying?"

The two shared a confused look, wondering why a female soldier would want to know where a guest was. The round one answered, saying he was located in the east wing in the second guest room.

I thanked them, heading to the east of the castle. Which was a little annoying considering I was in the west end.

Right when I turned around, the two maids had already turned to each other in whispers. Loud whispers that I could make out what they were saying.

"Isn't that the former captain's bastard child?"

I didn't stay long to hear an answer because I already knew it.

The answer is yes.

I am a bastard child.