Patience

There were less than three weeks before the tournaments started, foreigners came from other lands, and were all excited about the future events that would happen during their stay. It amazed me, as I walked down the streets, to shop, I saw so many stylish and diverse types of clothing, of cultures.

Some of our guests were dressed in traditional clothing, their robes lightly dragging on the ground. Some ladies wore hairpins, and fancy necklaces while standing by men with swords strapped to their waist. I had to catch myself often for being rude, at times when I was staring at them.

It was almost impossible because they were all eye-catching.

I recognized many burly men, who looked like they were modern Vikings. They wore braids in their long hair, some had short hair, with designs etched on their head. The men were always loud, but always in a warming way. They were the ones to fill the streets with laughter and joy.

Who could not love them?

"Father?" I looked up from the book I was reading when I heard someone walk into the room.

"Rebecca, are you sure you want to proceed?" He asked while taking a free seat across from me. I knew what he was referring to, they all were worried. My therapy helped and I can now lift a sword and grip it without any problem.

Except, now, I wasn't getting plenty of sleep, lately I've been having dark nightmares of the future and the past. There have been many times that I've woken up the whole manor, with my screams.

"I'll be fine, I'll take sleeping medication if I need to. I didn't suffer through therapy to back out because of my dreams." I glanced out the window, looking at the small storm coming in. The weather was becoming unpredictable, leaves were turning their colors, and it wouldn't be too long before the ground is covered again.

"I'm just worried. For the past week, you've been having horrible nightmares, and you won't tell me what they are." I sucked in a breath, I knew I was making everyone worry. I'm mean, how could they not? However, these weren't my memories to share, it all led back to the Queen and the Dragon Hunter.

"I'm sorry." Those two words I've said so many times because I feel horrible when I see Father and Mother's eyebags grow. So I've kept it to myself. Not even Elias knows about what is going on inside my head, I just couldn't tell him how his mother died.

"Daughter," he let out a sigh, and patted my head affectionately, "I'm trying to understand what you're going through, and I want to know what I can do to help." I pursed my lips, not thinking of anything to say.

I reached out and patted his hand, "Caring for me, is enough. This will blow over, eventually." I smiled lightly at him, 'hopefully' I thought to myself.

"Then, I suppose you can continue, I'm sure you know your limits." He muttered while wiping his pants, ridding any dust. Father was in charge of many things, but he was mostly dealing with foreign leaders, and where they resided in the palace and the capital.

"How's work?" I asked and he let out a chuckle, a depressing one. I scrunched my eyebrows together in confusion, as he just dragged a hand over his face, letting out a deep sigh. Emotions shifted across his features as many different ones took place.

"The King and I, are having to settle some debates with others, and I'm sure it was Councilor James that stirred them up. Two countries are having to be placed on opposite ends of the castle and eat separately since they can't stand each other." I nodded my head, I've heard rumors about those two countries, neither one was a threat to our country.

"It seems you need a hand, can I help?" I asked and he smiled and nodded his head slightly. He stood up and waited for me to follow him, I didn't know where we were going until I saw that we were leaving the estate. "Are we going to the castle?" I asked as he started his vehicle.

"Yes, while I help the King, you will help Elias." I turned and faced him, I don't know how Elias will react to me being there, the whole royal house has been busy. "Just remember to use titles, His Highness is having to socialize with the children of our guests." I nodded. Elias has been too busy to meet at the hill, and he rarely has time to do calls.

"Will he accept help?" I asked and Father kept silent. Minutes later I saw Elias's gaunt and exhausted state, It was heartbreaking to see how his beautiful ocean eyes, had no life to them. He looked slightly ill from the lack of nutrition and sleep, and when he stood up to greet me, he stumbled.

"Your Highness, let me help you." I guided him back over to his chair, and then looked over the notes and papers on his desk. He grunted and pointed at the stack of unfinished work.

"What exactly are you working on, that has made you... look... horrible?" I paused to gain his attention and finished with a shocking word, a blow to his ego.

"Lady Willow, you're very harsh." I chuckled, "I'm helping assign corridors for incoming guests, also helping with the mild disputes." I picked up a piece of paper and started reading about trade deals between Belfare and a small country that harvested wheat, and in return, they wanted fine clothing.

"E- Your Highness, is there anything I can help you with?" I stopped myself from saying his first name, as I didn't know how many were watching us.

"I trust your judgment, give me your opinion about the problems, and we'll settle it." I nodded and we started going through the huge stack of papers, half of them were useless and wasteful, and they got chucked, but about 20 percent, made it through our barriers and were thought to benefit our country.

"Your Highness!" I turned my head, to a young girl my age, blond hair, hazel eyes, and a heart-shaped face. I stood up and the young girl paused to glare at me before reaching over for Elias's arm. "You told me you could spend the day with me, and yet, you're with her, whoever she is." I gripped my dress in slight annoyance, that one sentence pushed my buttons.

"Princess Ruby, this is Duchess Rebecca. As for a tour, I was waiting on the other two to show up." He leaned against the table, releasing his arm from her hold. I studied Ruby for a couple of minutes, her hair was pulled into braids with ribbons tied to them.

Her dress was a mixture of purple and blue, it covered her shoulders and had loose sleeves, from what I could see, there were many layers, making it look like a ballgown. I curtsied to the princess and I could hear a scoff when I lowered my head.

"It a pleasure, Princess Ruby, of the country of Latil." She wore a grim look, and once again reached for Elias's arm. I was about to reach for him when I heard two new sets of footsteps walk into the room.

Turning around to look at both of the boys, I focused on the bronze-skinned boy, black hair, with part of it pulled up into a top knot, with a gold circlet with a pin holding the bun in place.

"Prince Elias, are you going to greet us or not?" I narrowed my eyes at the boy, I could already tell this group was exhausting to be around, just within minutes of meeting them. Elias pulled his arm gently away again, and came over and placed his hands on my shoulders.

"Prince Raymond Alexander, son of Emperor Alexander of empire Mysteria." He held out his palm in the boy's direction and the boy slightly nodded. "This is Duchess Rebecca Willow." I curtsied to the young boy. Who would have thought that the boy, of the second-largest country, would be standing in front of me?

"Is the country as much of a mystery as the name sounds, Prince Raymond?" I asked, and he chuckled lightly.

"It's definitely one of a kind." He murmured, and I saw his face flush when he met my eye.

"And this is Prince Erik Lucas, his father is the head of the modern Vikings." I curtsied again, gave a subtle smile, and could feel Ruby's glare just boring into my face.

"It's a pleasure to meet you all, however, I have to check on something." I stepped toward the door and walked in the direction of the ladies' room. Spending about ten minutes there, I waited for the young girl to come in. As soon as the door slammed open, she raised her hand, like she was going to slap me.

Before she could even manage, I caught her hand and watch her freeze up. "You may be a princess, but I don't care for people like you. Seeing how you just rushed in here to hit me, I wonder how it would look on your puny country." I seethed through my clenched teeth, and her jaw dropped.

The country of Latil is a small country that was known for backstabbing people or always cheating for their deals. This was one of the countries that would support the Councilor, unlike Mysteria, who didn't like to get involved with foreign affairs.

"You should know your place, I am noble blood." She spat out, the young girl's breath stunk and I bit the inside of my cheek before I replied.

"Know my place?!" I raised my voice a couple of intervals, and she widen her eyes, "Unlike almost every single noble out there, I have no desire to know my place since I'm the one that's at the top. Our titles may differ, but they hold the same authority." I released her wrist and walked to the door.

"I'll make you pay, Willow." Anger was evident in her voice, and I smirked to myself and she glared at my back.

"Welcome to the list, many people have said the same thing, Princess." Closing the door behind me, I balled up my fist in anger. it was not every day that I've lost my composure. However, the sentence, "know your place," irked me.