Effort reflects Interest

Two days passed and it is time for the Welcoming ball for queens and kings of kingdom. The royal children's parents will arrived on the fifth day of the Royal Commencement. Never ending scurrying footsteps, arrangements of flowers and furnitures, carpets and curtains.. everyone is too occupied to notice anyone's business. Like what is happening on Leonthera's chamber.

She was tied on a chair. Legs revealed and full of wounds from the hard wood Victrina is holding to beat her for a punishment.

"You never really learn everything! *wack* Making me always run after your stubborness and *wack* risking your title for your own entertainment? *wack* You useless creature.", Victrina declared with conviction, her voice is full of rage, disgust and distress.

The lady who is sitting with low bow look and smile that made Victrina more furious and beat Leonthera more— with more force and harm. Leonthera gritted. It is painful and making her difficult to breathe but she could handle the emotion— thankful for being used to getting beat.

"What are you smiling for? Don't forget, young lady, that your possession is dancing on my palms! I can just kill your old lady in one missive. Don't be too full of yourself just because you are a princess!", Victrina said while catching her breath for all the beatings. She hold Leonthera's chin and fix their gazes. "Remember, you are just a pawn to protect the king and represent the prosperity of the kingdom. One wrong move and all your little friends head will be cut.", she threat her about the young ones she is taking care of.

"Try to touch them, I will kill you.", Leonthera said back then glared at her. Eyes are redder than the usual and Victrina felt her bloodlust. "Don't be stupid, you slut! Tying me here could tell me how afraid you are for hurting me. You are fully aware of my way to end things. I may be dancing on your palm but I could cut your wrist.", she declared with madness.

Using her strength, she loosen the tie on her hand that made it snap. She free herself effortless that made Victrina retreat as she stand and face her.

"Holding my grandmama, captivating the youngs and threaten the town is not something could constraints me from your foolishness.", she started and walk towards Victrina. "You, a mere whore— who uses her body to be played just to have a power— is telling me how useless I am? Aren't YOU too full of yourself? Taking advantage of my sleep to tie me effortless then beat me unconscious?", she declared laughing. "Isn't this how you greet me early in the morning?", she smiled wickedly and smooth her wrist that have patterns of rope from what she was tied.

When Victrina created a huge distance between them, she immediately hold the doorknob and leave Leonthera inside. She locked it and looked around to clear the area before she talked.

'This damn kid...', she cursed. "Let's see how tough are you.", she said with haughtiness that made Leonthera laughed savagely that made Victrina shiver. 'This atrocious monster.', she commented then leave the door, walk away like nothing happened.

Inside, Leonthera sat on her bed and looked at her lap full of cuts and bruises. She sighed and curse Victrina before lying on her mattress with palms under her head, looking at the patterned ceiling. She remembered everything. She woke up by a pain on her body and some sort of cursing voices. Looking back at what happened last night, she blame herself for sneaking at the kitchen and steal a glass of strong wine. She is familiar to any booze because of her daily life at every bar before.

Growing up without a family and only her grandmama, she lived a life with outside reality and carefree daily. She was taught to plant, clean the house or fix it with a hammer and ladder, to caught a fish in a river, swim to hunt and so much more she always love. She also met some strangers at the age of seven on the woods and taught her the way of life using weapons. Then, she reach the age of ten and five. Being trust for buying clothes, ingredients and travelling— and met different people.

She discovered brothels, bars and gambling houses that change her life. After helping her grandmama on their house and securing she's safe, Leonthera will gamble at the afternoon.. go home at the sunset, cook for her grandmama and leave when she is sleeping just to drink at the bar. They lived at the middle of an average town in the middle of a deep forest far from the cruelty of their ruler. People treat her there as some sort of princess who have intelligence, skills and abilities no woman could do but her. She also once became a mercenary. For her everything is perfect. Not until the picture was stained by the nobility and titles.

Her reminiscing was interrupted by the sound of her growling stomach. "That damn whore think she could kill me by starving me here?", she cursed then stand by jumping and reach the glass of water beside on her table near a window. Before she drink it, she tried to open it but it was lock. Breaking it would just start a fuss— she doesn't like it at all.

Playing with Victrina's kingdom of imagination with her father, the king, could just start a flame that could swallow her grandmama, her people and the town she always protect even it cost her life. She might be a princess by title but she doesn't control her power. She may be weak and coward, but you can only win a war if you gathered enough strong soldiers.

While staring outside, she felt a dizziness. Little by little, her consciousness fade, making her fall on the floor— helpless. 'Fuck! I really didn't learn any lesson.', she thought then fell asleep.

THE AFTERNOON came and the celebration will start in one. Everyone is ready and the carriages are starting to enter the huge gate of the castle with their servants in tails.

"Do you think everything will be okay?", Viola asked while staring at the window, looking at the luxurious and elegant carriages. She then turn to look at Amise who is smoothing Viola's dazzling gown.

Amise didn't look but answered politely. "Is there something you're worried about, my lady?"

"I don't know. I just have this.. uncertainty.", Viola said in a low voice.

"Did something happened last night, my lady? We are forbidden to follow you because it says a gathering for introduction.", Amise said, still assuring the gown's perfectness.

Viola shake her head in a slow paces. "No. It was actually a wonderful night... but.. in every delightfulness comes with every despair.", she said worriedly then look again at the window.

"Permit me to ask, my lady. Is it about Lady Leonthera? Did she—", Amise was interrupted by Viola's declaration.

"No. No. Lady Leonthera didn't say anything about what happened that day nor remind me of any of it. She actually.. last night.. talked to me like nothing happened and offer me a tasty sweet food. She also promised to give me some again because I enjoyed it.", she told her happily that made Amise breath with relieved.

"Say, my lady. Hearing everything about Lady Leonthera being a horrible and improper lady, I all forgot it when I first talked to her.", Amise said with comfort that made Viola nod.

"It is really true that a rumors are sometimes the opposite of what they always spew.", the princess said and then ready herself to change.

"How about the other princesses, my lady?", Amise asked out of curiosity of her lady's associated.

"Mhm.. I never talk with Princess Fiola yet. Princess Stapelia... is kind of.. intimidating. I was actually afraid of her because I once.. saw her gaze to Lady Leonthera. It was threatening, strong and.. I can't perfectly explain but it was scary.", she confessed about what happened last night and the things she noticed.

Amise looked at her and felt guilty when Viola looked unmotivated. "How about the princes?", she changed the subject to lighten Viola's mind. The princess looked at her with excitement and told everything about her memories with them.

THE COMMENCEMENT will be celebrated at the round huge room at the middle of the castle. It have passageways on surrounding on it. There's this ancient design enormous stairs at the side of the room attached on the wall. The guests are starting to enter— the family of nobles, invited fathers and debutantes. It is starting to get all noisy and bright because of the ladies dresses and men's clean visage.

Like the first day of commencement, the family of every Kingdom was announced. It was Ovi's job to lead the ceremony.

"Ladies and gentlemen, it is a pleasure to be honored to see you in our castle. The long awaited tournament will began fourteen days from now on. This year is the most special memory of anyone today yet please remember it as a history. Be all be proud to participate in our challenges. Please, enjoy the day to night ceremony.", Ovi read the golden paper where the emperor wrote but didn't announced it on his own because of some circumstances.

'He is just lazy.', Ovi complain in his mind as if it was the normal routine he always accept.

Everyone is looking at him and stand all mighty when they heard the big horns and beating strong drums. The lights get dim and all was focused on the top of the stairs.

"King Gideon Maxitellus and Queen Valentia Maxitellus, Royal of Indigofera Kingdom. Beloved parents of Princes Sal Maxitellus.", Ovi declared with honour and proudness. The family couple appear with the prince at their back. Walk slowly down the stairs. The King and queen stand with the crowd with distance at them and waited for the other families.

"King Olie Octacher of Lavender Kingdom. Beloved father of Princess Viola Octacher.", he again declared followed by the father and daughter walk downstairs. When they reach the crowd, Maxitellus nobles greeted them with a smile and bow.

"My great friend, Olie.", Gideon said with a huge smile. Even he wanted to give him a hug, he can't as a standing king infront of people. "Your daughter is as beautiful as Violet.", he complimented to Viola who blush and didn't make any eye contact.

"My lady Valentia, do you not regret marrying this man?", Olie said, teasing his friend. The lady laughed.

"Mhm.. can I think about it?", she replied with ridiculousness.

Gideon looked at her with surprised. "My dearest, what's with all the thought if our sixth child is the proof?", he said that made Valentia flush.

The prince beside the pregnant lady also laughed a little with the humor of the adults. Amazed by the friendship without the limit of the titles. He look at Viola who's smiling and having fun on the conversation their parents is making.

'Still as beautiful as ever.', he thought while looking at her and hoping to be dance by this beautiful young lady.

"King Verdante Cassiadian and Queen Mouna Cassiadian of Emerald Kingdom. Beloved parents of Princess Folia Cassiadian.", Ovi announced that made them all looked at the family walking downstairs. They also greeted each other and little conversation with old friends.

"King Romelio Selvimus and Queen Salvina Selvimus of Narang Kingdom. Beloved parents of Princess Stapelia Selvimus.", Ovi declared that made the whole crowds change in atmosphere. Viola and Folia could feel it and got confused.

Sal looked at her mother who held his father's arm as if she wanted a protection. "Is something wrong, mother?", he asked. Valentia looked at her with caution in her gaze.

"You must distance yourself to Cassiadian lady.", she whispered to her son in a whisper. Sal was confused on her mother's advise but didn't asked more when they need to pay the respect.

"King Arthuro Evantonia and Queen Carolina Evantonia of Sapphire Kingdom. Beloved parents of Prince Caelum Evantonia.", Ovi then again announced and the family made their ways downstairs. When they reach the other nobles, they all bowed to each other and didn't greeted casually, afraid to offend the other family. Carolina just winked before turning her back to them to walk on their place. Her friends smiled because of her not ladylike signs again.

The declaration continued. "King Carloz Caesar and Queen Liathy Caesar of Golden Kingdom. Beloved parents of Prince Sidus Caesar.", another family came out and walk with their luxurious grace and passionate movements. The other nobles who they form with friendship are still amuse by Liathy's gracefulness. Still dreamy and perfect. They all again greeted each other with a bow and simple smiles.

"King Diabino Veslacia of Scarlet Kingdom. Beloved father of Princess Leonthera Veslacia.", as when the rumored shameful king heard by many, the crowd was totally silent. It was defeaning.

As Caelum looked at the old fat man, he wondered if he's also as unique.. or improper as Princess Leonthera. He is a man who could know a person in just a glance.. and seeing Leonthera's father doesn't make him comfortable. It was intimidating and worrying. He then remembered what the princess told her.

'They kept my grandmama's captive and some of my siblings.', her voice ring on Caelum's mind. He then realized that the king is alone without the company of Leonthera. Looking around if the mistress named Victrina is around, he got worried when she isn't around.

'No. Why would I care?', he asked himself. He bowed at the King who just set a foot on the ground. 'Perhaps she's late again.'

"Greetings, King Diabino.", King Verdante greeted him as he was the one who's near. "I could see you are not with you daughter's company.", he said, sounding like her really wanted to point it out.

Caelum guess Viola is also thinking at Leonthera's missing presence. The King smiled undoubtedly. "Princess Leonthera will join us at night. An ill got her weak.", Diabino explained then stand at the side where Victrina appeared enthusiastically.

Caelum notice Sidus who is looking around carelessly. Not caring of how many people are staring at them. He was sure that this prince is then again, anxious of Leonthera's welfare. Caelum sighed and think of an excuse. He act like something spilled on her mother who's face is hiding on the crowds vision.

"Mother, can you act like something spilled or your hands is sticky?", he asked on his mother. Carolina looked at her with confusion but still followed him. "Okay.. and..", Caelum act like he was searching for a napkin on his attire and find non. "I need to..", he was interrupted.

"Go ahead, dear! Play as much as you want but be back at night. My, my! When the tournament start, you cannot taste any woman again.", Carolina said on her son, she looked at Caelum's eyes but she noticed it was... different. When he turned his back at her to go somewhere, Carolina smiled with amusement.

'Interesting..', she thought then focus on where the Majesties are going to introduce.

CAELUM WALK towards the different passageway opposite on Leonthera's chamber to not look suspicious. He can just run in another direction. When he reach her hall, he saw the two knights guarding her door.

'What is going on?', he asked in his mind then hide not to be notice.

He took out his pin made on a blue gem beside his chest on his pocket. At the back of it is two thin long needles. It was fold into three just to be fit at the pin. He mess with his hair to looked in misery for an act. He walked briskly towards the knights.

"Goodness gracious, aren't you a Castle's knights? Can you..", he breathe deeply to act tired. "There was this man inside my chamber and stole my mother's ring.", he ridiculously said, hoping they could believe it.

The knights look at each other. And the other nod as a sign that the other should go and the other will stay.

"Oh, can you grab me a drink? I must fix myself and my presence is important.", he said to the other and left them with no choice but to follow.

Caelum was now left with Leonthera's door. Assuring that no one is going to interrupt, he immediately open the huge door and slowly opened it. He was surprised by the lady lying on the floor. Wearing a thin sleep dress with legs revealed.. full of.. injustice. He immediately grab the blanket on her mattress and wrap carefully. Caelum carry her like a bride, she is unconcious but he was sure she was just sleeping. With no time to wake up the sleeping beauty, he just got outside, lock the door again and walked to Sal's chamber.

It was the only place he could barge in without worries and need of authority. He was also convince by his friend not locking his room. He instantly open it and lay Leonthera at the huge mattress. Looking at her helpless and full of wounds body, he cursed.

"What did they do to you?", he asked gently while caressing the princess jaw. Looking at her with passion and possessiveness. Caelum clenched his free hand that is leaning on the mattress, because he was guilty for being careless. For trusting she would be fine on her own. For not protecting her. "And why didn't you asked for help?", he asked.

Leonthera opened her eyes that made Caelum startled yet not shaken. Still looking at her like she was the only thing he could see.