Arc 1.8

Nicolás smirks when the ball commences he took his seat which is right next to Princes Lance. He wonders if the Carreira will come or not. He knows Luciana will come one way or another. He watches as the people come in and pay respects to the Emperor. That's when he sees them the Carreira really are shameless! They even brought Luciana after she embarrassed them and blocked their way to rank up. Nicolás purposely showed a bit of disgust towards them. A couple of families notice Nicolás disgust and the heads of the families smile widely.

"My children if you have the chance embarrass the Carreira" some of the heads whisper to their children. As in each ball, the families compete so the Emperor can see new talents that can join the workforce in the palace. The heads wanted Nicolás to favor them even a bit.

"Everyone is here now let the first part of the ball commence!" Evan announces which is the competition. Many were excited as this is the place to show off their skills. They could also even find a potential partner. Some ladies look up at the princes but mostly Prince Lance as he is the crowned Prince.

"You competing future General Nicolás?" Asks Prince Lance curiously as the Montes are all spread out in the empire and the only Montes here is Nicolás.

"Hm, it seems that I will have to my cousins are all doing their training this year" Nicolás answers. The Montes family every three years send everyone to training out of the capital no matter age. Except for babies and kids ranging 1-4 are left with their mothers at their homes. His uncles are actually all in the army and doing their duty. Some of his aunts also in the army or helping in training the children.

"I was wondering why the only Montes here is only future General Nicolás," Prince Lance said in realization. He heard about the training that the Montes do before. It slipped his mind that it was this year.

"The first round will be archery everyone who wishes to participate please walk to the middle" announces a servant. Many joined both male and female ready to show off their skills.

"Will you be joining?"Prince Lance asks Nicolás.

"No, I'm only joining the last round" Nicolás responds. Prince Lance chuckles as that's the sparring round. No one will be able to beat Nicolás in any spar. He also feels like a lot of people will surrender right away instead of facing Nicloás.

"I'll avoid the last round then" Prince Lance states. Nicolás looks at him and gives a small grin. When Nicolás looks back in the middle he sees Luciana is participating. The competition starts and the person who is currently most astounding is Luciana she has beaten 6 people already. Nicolás frowns a bit he can't let her climb back up. He can't let her win the last round he looks at the other competitors. Princess Marie is doing very good and so is the first son of the Harrington. He just needs to make sure one of those two win the competition and not Luciana.

Princess Marie looks to where Nicolás is and she smiles at him. She had this glint in her eyes of determination. She will beat Luciana and Santos Harrington. She is determined to get Nicolás attention so she could be the future wife of Nicolás.

Luciana sends a small glare at Nicolás but also gave him a smug look. She is going to win and slowly gain favor well just enough to get close so she can start her plan.

"William, send this letter to the emperor secretly" Nicolás whispers to William as he gives him a small paper. William nods and disappears he gives the letter to one of the Emperor closest servants. Who promptly gives it to the Emperor. Emperor Evan laughs when he opens the paper he glances at Nicolás and nods. The Emperor orders his servant to do something.

"The winner of the archery will be able to enter the Montes training ground or can ask Nicolás for a favor" the servant announces. Everyone in the palace starts to chatter in shock. Santos's eyes widen the Montes training ground is where many experts in the army gather. To get into the Montes training ground is very difficult but many say it's worth it. Since you get to spar with experts and get guidance from them. It can also get him a good position in the army or even join the Montes main force!

"Lady Luciana you are first" announces the proctor. Luciana steps forward and shoots the targets placed for them. She hit three in the center, one in nine and the last one at eight. She scored 47 out of 50 she did pretty well.

"Princess Marie your turn" the proctor states. Princess Marie shoots she, however, got three on nine, one eight, and one center. 45 out 50 for a princess Marie.

"Lastly Sir Santos from the Harringtons family" the proctor announces. Santos takes a deep breath and looks at the targets. He needs to beat Luciana. It's for his family future! He will not allow his dad's enemies to climb above him! He shoots arrow after arrow four arrows make the dead center and the last one on nine.

"The winner is Sir Santos from the Harrington family" announces the proctor.

"As the winner Sir Santos, Future General Nicolás gifts you a Montes training seal! This will allow you to go join the training ground or you can give it back to Nicolás for a favor" the proctor cheerfully states. Luciana in the background clenches her fist in pure anger! How could she lose she looked up everyone's information and Santos only on average scored 45!

"This you must have cheated!" Luciana whispers to herself as she looks at Santos. A lady who was near her heard. She smiles widely this her chance to embarrass Luciana.

"Lady Luciana just said that Sir Santos cheated" the Lady exclaims in shock. Everyone in the room gasps in shock.

"How did Sir Santos cheat Lady Luciana?" Sneers Prince Lance in pure disgust.

"He must have he..he..h" Luciana stutters a bit trying to look shy.

"He did not cheat at all! If he did it would be easy to see especially in archery. There is barely ways to cheat in archery. My guard and I think he did great. His posture was perfect and no big mistake was done. While you did have some shaking which made you arrow go a bit of course. Stop being a spoiled brat and just take a loss" Nicolás scolds. Everyone around agrees with Nicolás statement.