Visit to Greavaria: Part IV

Dylan and Archie remained silent.

"Well... I'll help the knights to release the horses we're going to use," he said getting up.

"Oh alright," Dylan forced a smile.

Finally Archie got out of the carriage.

Dylan watched Archie close the door.

Dylan rested a hand on his chest and relaxed against the seat.

"I'm almost discovered... It was close..."

He peeked out the carriage window and saw Archie, there, preparing one of the horses.

After five minutes the carriage door opened and it was one of the knights.

"Your highness, your horse is ready," the knight bowed.

"Thank you" Dylan said getting up.

Dylan got out of the carriage and followed the knight, both were walking towards two horses. It was where Archie was.

His eyes met and they both looked away.

"Here is your horse, your highness," said the knight, pointing out a brown horse.

"Thank you," Dylan approached the horse, wanting to climb onto it.

"Let me help you," Archie said, stepping closer.

Not that I needed to, but I'll accept it just for courtesy, Dylan thought, seeing Archie approach.

Archie held is hand and Dylan took it.

Dylan climbed onto the horse with his help, "Thank you," he forced a smile.

"Your welcome, Dylan," Archie forced a smile as well.

Archie walked over to the other horse and climbed onto it.

"Shall we go?"

Dylan nodded.

Their horses started walking.

In front of them were two knights, and behind them two others.

They walked slowly.

"I didn't think you knew how to ride a horse," Archie said, trying to break the tense atmosphere between them.

"Well... It's natural to think so. After all, all you know is that I lived in a convent for a long time. The truth is that even in the convent I had to have my education, as a member of royalty. After all, one day I would have to return to the kingdom."

"I see. You really surprise me."

"Thank you," Dylan said with a smile on his face.

What the hell was that Archie? Are you really flirting with this woman? Archie wondered.

After 15 minutes they arrived in the kingdom.

Upon arrival, they went directly to the training arena.

Because the general of the realm was already there waiting for Archie, to have their friendly duel.

There was already a table set up so Dylan could sit and watch the duel between her future husband, Archie Seaford and the general of Greavaria.

Dylan sat down and Archie went to where they had the weapons, to choose the one that was most comfortable for him.

With the help of a

Bentley, Archie put a shield over his abdomen and then took out a sword.

Archie picked up his sword and spun, heading to the center of the arena, where the general stood.

The general wore a knight's outfit, had a shield over his chest and a helmet covering his entire head.

The castle's herald announced the start of the match, and the end would only be if someone fell because of the opponent or if 30 minutes had passed.

Archie stepped in front of the general and spun the sword.

“Buffoon…” Dylan said, looking at Archie.

Finally, Archie ran up to his opponent and started attacking him with the sword.

The general dodged and recoiled, then he began to counterattack Archie without letting him breathe.

"He's good," Dylan appraised the fight, all excited.

Suddenly the general's sword went flying and Archie pointed the sword at his neck.

"Looks like I won," Archie said, all firm.

The general burst out laughing and removed his helmet.

"Father!" said Dylan, seeing the general's true face.

"Your Highness!" Archie knelt down.

"Stand up, Archie. It was a great fight... I had a great time," said Arthur, all excited.

Archie got up.

At the same moment a servant appeared, to help Arthur remove the equipment he was using.

"I haven't fought for a long time. I must be rusty," he said, holding up his hand, "not that I'm making fun of you. You're a great fighter, I believe my daughter will be in good hands," Arthur opened a very sincere smile.

"Thank you, your majesty," Archie bowed.

"Well... Let's have breakfast. I believe you're starving," Arthur walked towards the table where Dylan was.

Dylan rose and bowed, "Father!"

"Dylan my daughter..." Arthur smiled, "how was it today in the center of town? I heard the wheel of the carriage you were in came off, weren't you hurt?"

"No father, I didn't get hurt."

"Fine," said Arthur, sitting down.

Dylan sat down and then came Archie, also sitting down.

Three servants appeared bringing water for them to wash their hands, and a little later other servants brought the trays containing the meals for breakfast.

They stayed there for thirty minutes, having breakfast.

After Dylan finish his breakfast, he got up and went back inside the castle to get ready to go see the circus.

Dylan opened the bedroom door and walked in, saw Lizha, there, intent on straightening her clothes.

Dylan closed the door.

Lizha turned around, "Dylan..." You're back.

"Yeah..." Dylan sat down in the armchair.

"I've already prepared the dress you will use to go to the circus... Ah... I wish I could go see the circus. Too bad they'll only be in the kingdom for three days... Have you ever gone to see the circus before? Of course not. .. We grew up together in the convent after all," she burst out laughing.

Dylan remained silent.

Lizha turned and saw Dylan sitting there, all thoughtful.

"Dylan..." Lizha called him, "Dylan!" Lizha called Dylan again.

"Ah," Dylan snapped back to reality, "what were you saying?"

"I said a lot... What were you thinking?

Dylan sighed, "Something weird happened today.

"What?" asked Lizha worried.

"There was an accident with the carri---"

Lizha ran to Dylan before he could even finish.

She crouched down "Are you hurt somewhere?" she asked, looking around his body.

"No… I m all okay."

"So what is it?"

"I'm almost discovered..."

"How come?"

"One of the carriage wheels came off and during the accident the Emperor's son fell on top of me... He touched my chest... I'm surprised he didn't notice that I don't have breasts."

Lizha stood up, "So that was it…" Lizha sighed, "I thought something serious had happened. But maybe…" she paused.

"Maybe?"

"Maybe he noticed... But he is not sure... Did he look at you strangely?"

Dylan went into thoughtful mode, "No..."

Then relax... He must not have noticed. At worst he must be embarrassed," Lizha chuckled slightly.

Dylan sighed and stood up, "I better get ready to go see the circus."

"Fine," Lizha said picking up the dress from the bed, " You better look good and have fun for me," Lizha handed him the dress.

Dylan took the dress Lizha had handed him.

"I'm tired of this..."

"Tired of?" Lizha asked him, confused.

"Of dressing like a woman..." Dylan was undressing.

Lizha gave a slight laugh, "Really, you better see what you do... If you don't, you'll never be able to reveal your true gender... Have you thought about what your father can say about that or rather, what would be his possible reaction?"

"I don't know... I never thought about it...," he said turning around, "help me to close the dress..."

Lizha helped him to close the dress, "What do you want to do with your hair?"

"I want you to get it stuck..."

Dylan went to an armchair and sat down.

Lizha combed his hair and tied it up.

"Here it is..."

"Thanks."

Dylan got up and went to the bedside table and picked up the pair of gloves that were on it.

"See you! The Emperor's son must already be waiting for me."

"Yes... But you're forgetting something..." Lizha said, heading towards the wardrobe, "here it is!" she smoothed a cream velvet hooded cloak.

"What would I do without you Lizha?" Dylan cracked a smile.

"Nothing Dylan..." Lizha tied the cloak around his neck.

"Take care..." Dylan walked out towards the door.

"Bye... Have fun for me..."

Dylan left.

He walked quickly down the hall, heading towards the stairs.

He went downstairs and passed Archie.

“Your Imperial Highness…” he said, seeing Archie.

Archie bowed, "You look very pretty, Dylan…" he said, lifting his head.

"Thanks, Archie. You look stunning too," Dylan looked him up and down.

Archie wore a long-sleeved brown velvet tunic, matching pants, and a pair of black boots. He had a sword at his waist.

"Shall we go?" Archie asked him.

"Yes," Dylan nodded, with a smile on his face.

Finally, they both started walking, side by side, heading towards the castle's exit.

They left and reached the foot of the carriage, Dylan entered first and then Archie, both headed towards the center of town, where the circus performance was taking place.

After thirty minutes, they finally reached the heart of the city.

The city was bustling, several people of the nobility were there, all interested in seeing the circus performance.

Dylan and Archie got out of the carriage and looked around.

They saw a huge line.

"You know...I've never seen a circus performance before..." Dylan said, trying to strike up a conversation.

So this is the first time, thought Archie.

"I saw it a few times... When I was younger..." Archie said.

"Really, that's good..."

Suddenly one of the knights approached, "Your highness Dylan and Your Imperial highness, your seats are already reserved. Will you please accompany me?"

"Yes," Dylan answered him.

Archie nodded.

Both followed the knight.

As they walked, everyone looked at them and muttered, not sure if it was Dylan the princess of the realm and Archie the son of the Emperor of Promor.

The three entered the tent, where the knight introduced them the two seats they could enjoy the spectacle privately and without too much interference.

Both sat and looked around.

The tent was partially filled, only by the nobility.

Time passed and the tent filled up, thirty minutes passed and the show finally started.

A gentleman entered the stage.

"Ladies and Gentlemen...! Welcome to Bonares Circus!"

Everyone clapped their hands.

"For the first time, we are pleased to present us here in the kingdom of Greavaria! Please! Enjoy our show!" The man bowed and left.

The show started with a beautiful trapeze.

After an hour and a few minutes, the show ended.

Dylan and Archie exit the circus tent.

"Wow... I had a great time," Dylan said, all excited.

"Me either..."

"Wow... How can they do that... That fire-spitting thing?" Dylan asked, extremely curious.

Archie chuckled slightly, "The torch is already on fire. Looks like they get oil in their mouths."

"After all... None of this could have crossed my mind."

"It's normal. Well, I'll be right back. I need to go to the bathroom."

"All right."

See if you're careful."

"The knights are out there..."

"Fine," Archie walked quickly away, heading for the bathroom.

Dylan watched him go.

He just stood there looking around. Suddenly he saw a man going towards him.

The man was blond, green-eyed and extremely handsome.

He was tall and appeared to have a well-defined body.

He wore a light blue cotton tunic and trousers of the same color and fabric. He wore a black robe and black boots. The man appeared to be of the nobility.

"Good afternoon beautiful lady," he cracked a smile.

"Good night. Thank you. How can I help you?" Dylan asked.

"I couldn't help noticing your beauty. My name is George Macklemore, I'm Lord Byron Macklemore's son. I can see that you are part of the nobility, but I've never seen you before."

"Ah... About that---"

"Good afternoon!" Archie greeted George, even before Dylan could answer him.

"Good night! Do I know you?"

"No..."

"Ah... You must be one of the men my brother is in debt with..." said George, opening a bag.

"Huh! What are you---"

George held out his hand, "Here! That should be enough isn't it?"

Archie looked at his hand and frowned.

In George's hand were ten gold coins.

"Look! There must be a misunderstanding here... I don't know you and I don't know your brother."

George was dumbfounded, "So what do you want? I'm talking to the beautiful lady," said George looking at Dylan.

Dylan looked away.

What a strange atmosphere, he thought.

"Yeah. She's my fiancée," Archie confronted him.

"Huh!" George looked at Dylan.

Dylan nodded.

"Huh! Sorry. Have a good afternoon," he quickly walked away.

Archie and Devis looked at each other simultaneously and both burst out laughing.

"What was that?" Dylan asked, still laughing.

"I don't know. Let's go back to the castle."

Both went to the place where the carriage was and returned to the castle.