Chapter 14: The Mysterious Lady

Arthur couldn't shake off the feeling that Lady Victoria was hiding something. Her smile seemed too perfect, her eyes too calculating.

"What brings you to the castle, Lady Victoria?" Arthur asked, trying to sound polite.

"I'm here to attend the games, of course," she replied, her voice dripping with excitement. "I've heard so much about the bravery and skill of the princes. I simply had to see it for myself."

Arthur's brothers exchanged a skeptical glance. There was something about Lady Victoria's story that didn't add up.

"We should get back to our quarters," Gedeon said, nodding at Arthur. "It's getting late."

But Lady Victoria's eyes sparkled with amusement. "Oh, don't be so quick to leave, princes," she said. "I have a proposition for you."

Arthur's instincts told him to be wary, but his curiosity got the better of him. "What kind of proposition?" he asked.

Lady Victoria's smile grew wider. "I have information about the games," she said. "Information that could give you an edge over your competitors."

Arthur's brothers leaned in, their eyes narrowing with interest. What could Lady Victoria possibly know that could help them win the games?

But Arthur's instincts were still screaming at him to be careful. There was something about Lady Victoria that didn't feel right.

"I'm listening," he said, trying to sound nonchalant.

Lady Victoria's eyes glinted with amusement. "Good," she said. "Because what I have to tell you could change everything."

She paused, looking around cautiously before leaning in closer.

"The games are not what they seem," she whispered. "There's more at stake than just winning or losing."

Arthur's heart skipped a beat. What did Lady Victoria mean?

"What do you mean?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Lady Victoria's smile grew wider. "Let's just say that the games are a test," she said. "A test of strength, courage, and wits. But they're also a test of loyalty."

Arthur's mind was racing. What kind of test could the games possibly be?

"Loyalty to whom?" he asked.

Lady Victoria's eyes glinted with amusement. "That's for you to figure out," she said.

And with that, she turned and disappeared into the darkness, leaving Arthur and his brothers staring after her in confusion.

"What just happened?" Antorn asked, frowning.

Arthur shook his head. "I don't know," he said. "But I think we're in trouble."

As they made their way back to their quarters, Arthur couldn't shake the feeling that Lady Victoria was hiding something big. And he was determined to find out what it was.

Over the next few days, Arthur and his brothers trained harder than ever, determined to win the games and uncover the truth. But they couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched, that Lady Victoria's eyes were always on them.

And then, one night, they received a mysterious message. It was a simple note, slipped under their door, with a single sentence:

"Meet me in the old windmill at midnight. Come alone."

Arthur's heart skipped a beat. Who could be behind the message? And what did they want?

He looked at his brothers, who were staring at him with concern.

"What do we do?" Antorn asked.

Arthur took a deep breath. "I'll go," he said. "Alone."

His brothers nodded, their faces set with determination.

"We'll be waiting for you," Gedeon said. "Be careful."

Arthur nodded, his heart pounding in his chest. He knew that he was taking a risk, but he was determined to uncover the truth.

And so, at midnight, Arthur made his way to the old windmill, his heart pounding in his chest. What would he find there? And who would be waiting for him?

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