1 THE WEDDING DAY : GUINEVERE ARCELIA WEXLER… (25 YEARS AGO)

"Do you think I look good in this dress, Maryam?"

Guinevere look at her reflection in front of the mirror and bit her bottom lip nervously while the young lady who stood behind her just chuckled and shook her head amusedly and did some hairdo on the princess right now.

"My Lady, you just get nervous, don't you?"

"Yes, probably. Perhaps. Maybe…"

Guinevere closed her eyes and inhaled a deep breath. In and out. In and out, several times until she feels a bit relaxed. Her best friend is right. Today is her big day. Today is her wedding day and she can't mess it up.

"Do you think I look beautiful today, Maryam?"

"My Lady, nobody is more beautiful than you are today. Or, should I remind you who are you going to marry today?"

Guinevere smiled. Every time she remembers each detail of the man of her life, her lips would curl up like an idiot. But, even with her closed eyes, she still could imagine him in a vivid, clear image. Like she saw him in person.

"Julian Arch…"

"Yes, that's correct, My Lady…"

Maryam bent her head next to the princess and whispered in her ears.

"You will marry the most eligible bachelor in this kingdom…."

"The main commander and general of Sylvinian kingdom…"

"And, don't forget. He's your father's wingman…"

"Ever since the day he proposed to you, the king has given his blessing to you both…"

The curve on Guinevere's lips turned into a wide grin now.

"Do you think so, Maryam?"

"I bet all the girls would glare in envy and die miserably because of jealously. And, you…"

"My dear princess and best friend, you're the one who breaks their hearts because you are going to tie a knot with a man of their dream…"

Now, both of them burst into laughter and Guinevere can't stop giggling. Well, she needs this and asking Maryam as her bridesmaid, indeed, one of the wisest and smartest ideas that she has ever done. They both have been friends since they were kids. Her father, King Theon Wexler, once called Xaverius Xander, the prime leader of Maximus Clan, into the palace and seek for some advice from him. On that day, Xavier also brought one of his youngest apprentices, Maryam Feanor.

The young girls soon become close when they met on day one and Palace Gallantia has become Maryam's new playground afterward. Moreover, when the king officially anointed Xaverius Xander to be his royal counselor for his kingdom so, those young girls have been inseparable since then. For Guinevere who doesn't have any siblings and was raised alone in a huge palace, she has always felt alone and forlorn. She has maids and guards all around her that would be her playmate and keep her safe. But, it's not enough. Because they would treat her like a porcelain doll and do whatever she said obediently. No oppose. No offense. So, rather than being satisfied, she was bored. Guinevere also rarely talks with her father because…

Because her father always busies all the time and seldom being at the palace. Their quality time only at night. Right before she off to bed and her father would come to her chamber and ask her about the activities that she had done that day—just a small talk. A little chit-chat and that's it. That's all.

Every day, the same routine will go around and around. She will wake up in the morning, take shower, study with the tutors, practice her dancing, and then, walk around the palace with the maids or play dolls with them. In the afternoon, she would have violin and piano class, then, for the next, she would bury herself in a deep reading in the royal library.

But, when Maryam came into her life, everything feels so different. If Guinevere is aloof and unsociable, Maryam is different. She's carefree, open-minded, and independent. She's also very talkative. Something that Guinevere adores from her the most. Every time they meet, there is always a new story that Maryam will share with her. Maryam is a magician too. Same as her tutor, Xaverius Xander.

But, she still learning and improving her magical capabilities. Her element is the fire which is opposite to her mentor which can control air and water. That's why Xander often sends her to study and sharpen her abilities with his mage friends who also have the same element as Maryam so she can train with them.

Guinevere and Maryam. They both completed each other.

Maryam would tell Guinevere stories about the new places and people that she visited. A pair of emerald green eyes of hers would spark in excitement whenever she opened her mouth and share her experiences. Then, Guinevere will listen silently to her in adoration. Then, Guinevere would tell some fantasy stories to Maryam that she reads from the library.

What's more…

During their friendship, Maryam never treats her special because of her status as a princess from a powerful kingdom. Maryam always speaks up about what is inside her mind. Act like a normal friend like she always does to everyone. She always being honest with Guinevere and never badmouthing her behind her back. With Maryam, Guinevere somehow feels safe and secure. She trusted her. And, so does Maryam.

After another hour, Guinevere was ready.

Again, she looks at herself in front of the mirror, smiled in satisfaction, and stood up gracefully. When the court lady showed up and called her up, Guinevere turned her head around and said.

"I'm ready…"

......................................

Paladine Chapel, Palace Gallantia

The chapel was decorated in soft peach and white lilies. Eight standing white rose bouquets are placed during the aisle on the red carpet. The air filled with the scents of spring and the sweet fragrances of the flowers. A white arch beautified the altar. The sunshine seeped into the room from ornament and colorful window glasses. Adding more shades into the chapel. Most guests arrived and greeted one another. Some of them are nobles and invitees from other kingdoms. Some of them are wizards and elves. And, some of them are the chief leaders from the internal territories.

Everyone seems in a bright and good mood that day. The guards also have been assigned to be eager and have been placed inside the palace to keep this ceremony from any unnecessary nuisances.

And, then, the door opened…

All laughs stopped…

All chattering stopped…

All eyes set on the door and at the graceful figure of a young woman with silvery hair that combed neatly to her back. A crown was on her head. She is walking slowly down the aisle with her father who also walks next to her. Both of their eyes are teary. Smiles beamed on their face.

When they arrived, the king gently held his daughter's hand and put it on Julian's hand that have been waiting on the altar. Before he let it go, he whispered.

"Please…"

"Take care of her, Julian…"

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GUINEVERE POV

"Princess Guinevere Arcelia Wexler…"

"Will you make me the happiest man on earth and marry me, please?"

It was six months ago. But, it feels like yesterday for me. I almost jolt and fly to heaven when he finally said those words to me. He knelt and opened a small wooden box in front of me, then…

HE PROPOSED TO ME!!!

CAN'T YOU BELIEVE IT?!!

Julian Arch…

The whole kingdom knew this name. He started his career in the military when he was so young like he was ten years old or so and what I can say is…

It wasn't an easy journey though. It was incredibly hard and a tough one. Brutal even…

I think that's the fittest term for giving you a whole image of how the competition started and ended for choosing the best candidates for royal armies.

Each month, the generals will gather thousands of young kids and teenagers from all provinces in our kingdom and put them in an arena for a duel. Five huge arenas have been prepared for this competition in our capital, Gomesh. And, each kid would fight against one another in one-on-one combat with their bare hand. From a thousand, the number of those who would get eliminated on the first day will be reduced by a half. On the second day, "the audition" will be continued where the winners from the previous day will be divided into three or five small groups which each group will have around 5 to 10 participants as their teammates and they will fight together against other groups until the best two won the fight. Then, on the third day, the winner will be ranked as the First Soldier by the general and they officially will be starting their training as cadets for entering the royal armies in the next couple of years.

My father, King Theon, has brought me once to watch those competitions, and to be honest, I despised it. I don't like violence and I have never been a huge fan of it. Watching lots of youngsters in my age who were fighting against one another with their bleeding knuckles and bruised face…

Agree or disagree, but in my opinion, being a persuasive talker as a negotiator suits me well in this matter. Being violent is never been my cup of tea, and I would never take a part in it.

But, this is our family's tradition. The Sylvinian Kingdom was known as one of the oldest kingdoms in Midearth. Compare with other kingdoms, the Kingdom of Fyn (Midwest), Kingdom of Etherea (Midsouth), Orindoth (Midnorth), and Samar (Midforth). Our armies were known as the best amongst all. The most powerful soldiers. All thanks to our thousand military histories that run in our veins, except for me.

Rather than being in the wars and battlefields, I spent more time in the library and studying other languages with my tutors. Nobody knows that I'm a polyglot. I'm able to speak 5 different languages fluently, besides our Sylvian language and I keep this a secret. I never tell anyone, except Maryam. My best friend, of course.

Now, let's go back to my future husband…

Julian Arch…

Do I need you to tell all the stories after you heard about the fighting?

He passed them all…

Brilliantly…

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