A Spring Day

It was one beautiful spring day. Cynane, who just turned ten years old a week ago was so enthralled at the pink and white flowers in full bloom as they passed by the entrance of the Vernan estate.

"Don't stick your head out of the carriage, princess", Cynthia told her. She meant that it was improper to do such a thing, especially for royalties like Cynane. Once again, Cynthia had proved to be the best etiquette teacher to the princess.

Cynane pulled her head back inside the carriage and pouted. She just wanted to have a better look at the flowers. After a moment of silence, the carriage came to a stop.

"We're here!" Cynane exclaimed in excitement.

"Careful now, princess. Remember, you are meeting not just one of the generals of the kingdom, but also the head of Vernan. Compose yourself."

Cynane bit her lip and nodded. She had a tendency to get overexcited over things. The coachman opened the door of the carriage and assisted Cynane to come out. As Cynane stepped out, she immediately noticed the man standing in front of the huge castle. She recognized the man. It was Duke Zora Vernan, the head of Vernan, the Duke of Wallace and one of the generals of the kingdom of Macedea. She had met the noble man a couple of times already at the royal palace. However, she never really had a proper conversation with him.

Beside Duke Vernan, on his right, was a young man who resembled him very much. They both had dark brown hairs and grey eyes. Cynane remembered seeing the young man at the royal palace before as well. He was the one who gave her a rose during her birthday just a few days ago.

Cynane's eyes averted to the other male standing beside the Duke. He looked younger than the duke's son. The boy didn't look familiar to Cynane. She couldn't recall any encounter with him. However, something caught Cynane's attention.

'His hair...' Cynane thought to herself. 'It reminds of me of the December snow.'

Duke Vernan, together with the two boys beside him bowed their head at the princess.

"Princess Cynane, it is a great honor to have you in our humble abode", the Duke said.

Cynane couldn't help but smile at the Duke's statement. To Cynane, he seemed to be a humble man. Oddly, Cynane felt comfortable around him. Typically, when she would be introduced to new people or any aristocrat in the kingdom, she would be tense. Yet, the Duke of Vernan made her feel at ease. She wondered, what was it about him that made her feel in such a way.

"Duke Vernan, thank you for having me here and for accommodating my request. I know it came in such a short notice, and you must have been surprised, but please know that I genuinely desire to learn from you. You are the best swordsman in the kingdom and my father's trusted friend at that. Please take care of me from now on", Cynane replied.

Despite being young, Cynane knew what to answer. She and her brother had been trained since they were little how to act and speak properly in such situations.

Duke Vernan grinned at the princess's response. "I was indeed surprised when I heard the news from the King. To be honest, he was really against it. However, I talked him out of it and convinced him to give it a try. Although rare, the kingdom has had women warriors in history. Who knows, you might become one of them."

'Of course, father would say no', Cynane thought to herself.

Her father, King Phirrus was a very strict man. He expected nothing but perfection from both his children. However, the siblings seemed to be lacking in the areas which he expected them to excel. Filip, Cynane's older brother was not really good at fighting. The King once even called him a 'coward' as the young man was terrified to spar with him. Cynane on the other hand, who was expected to be the best role model of ladies in the kingdom was far from being a graceful princess. She didn't really get along with girls her age and she was rather a tomboy - preferring to climb trees, ride horses and fight with boys.

The King had not hidden his disappointment from his children whom he referred to as 'failures' of the Bilistiche bloodline.

Even Cynane was in shock when her father informed her that she would be training directly under the supervision of Duke Vernan. Her father never gave her the details as to why he decided to approve her request. Regardless of that, Cynane promised not to let him down and to bring honor to the royal family. Now, Cynane finally knew that the reason behind it was actually Duke Vernan.

"You have my deepest gratitude, Duke Vernan. I didn't know that it was you who convinced my father. I promise to honor your effort. I will be a very good swords man like you."

"There is no need to thank me princess. I can see how much you really want this, and I believe you will indeed do great."

The Duke's words filled Cynane's heart with joy and confidence. She had never heard her own father even say such words to her. But Cynane, was determined to make her father proud and finally recognize her.

"By the way, this is my son. I believe you have already met him during your birthday last week, princess", the Duke said.

Joram moved forward and took Cynane's hand. He gently placed a kiss on her tiny hand. Such gestures were not actually uncommon, especially for young noblemen. It could be their way of showing respect to a lady or a romantic gesture. Either way, Cynane, accepted it.

"I hope you liked my simple gift princess. It was from our garden", Joram said, referring to the white rose he gave her during her tenth birthday.

Cynane nodded at him.

"Yes, I really liked it. I was used to receiving red roses. That was the first time I received a white one. It was really beautiful. It reminds me of a freshly fallen snow", Cynane replied, taking a quick glance at the silver-haired boy.

"Thank you, sir?" she continued, unsure of the name of the Duke's son.

"It's Joram, my princess."

"Thank you, sir Joram."

"This boy here, is my nephew, the son of my brother, princess", the Duke interrupted, pointing at the silver-haired boy.

"It's a privilege to meet you, princess", the boy said, bowing his head at Cynane.

"Please be patient with him. The boy is quite reserved lately. He just lost his parents a few months ago."

It was only that moment that Cynane realized that the boy indeed looked sad. Unlike his older cousin Joram who had that gleam in his eyes, the boy's eyes had no light in them. They looked dead.

"What's your name, sir?"

The boy was taken aback at the princess's question.

"It-it's Michal princess", the boy replied quite shyly.

Cynane gave him a warm smile, "Let's be friends from now on sir, Michal."

That was Cynane's first encounter with Michal, and she wonders how that bashful boy turned into the bastard and player of a man that he is right now.

"Friend? Seriously, why did I even say that to him. Friend my as*", Cynane blurts out of frustration at the memory. Her opponent withdraws, and so does she.

She is currently sparring with one of the royal guards. After taking a bath earlier, she roamed around the royal palace and randomly picked up one of the royal guards on her way to spar with her. She needs something to distract her and to vent her anger and frustration to.

The guard looks worried at the princess as she keeps on talking to herself as they spar.

"Ahmmmm, princess, I do not want to come off as insolent, but are you alright?"

"Huh? Of course, I am!" Cynane replies confidently, oblivious to the fact that the royal guard is actually asking about her emotional and mental state and not her physical and fighting ability.

"Come at me with full force - don't hold back!"

The man nods and follows the princess's command. He lunges toward Cynane, but he was too slow - Cynane was already in front of him, her sword's blade just an inch away from his throat.

The royal guard gulps in fear and awe.

'The rumors from the camp are actually true. The princess is lightning fast', the royal guard thinks to himself.

"You're still as fast as lightning, aren't you?" a familiar voice says from behind. Cynane turns around and finds the six-foot-tall man with dark brown hair grinning at her.

"Joram!"