3. The Hen Chemon part 1

"The Omega will not be enough; my lord will return someday, and you will regret it until the end of times."

Qui Mortem – Archdemon.

Lodtrack was heading to the palace library to gather information about the Hen Chemon, event that would be celebrated that day, and everyone in the capital would attend to mark the festivity. Lodtrack knew nothing about how the celebration in the city was, so he wanted to research before it began.

When he arrived at the library, the door was open, catching his attention, though he didn't pay much heed. He entered and was dazzled by the monstrous number of books. It was practically three interconnected two-story rooms, filled with books of all kinds.

"By the time I find a book that helps me, the Hen Chemon will have ended," Lodtrack muttered irritably. He first searched the second floor for any history book or, failing that, the Trad Mud (the most important book about the empire's cultures). He saw one titled "The History of Winter." Lodtrack took it and searched through its pages, although there seemed to be nothing useful when he flipped through the book's content. He put it back on the shelf, albeit haphazardly; the book fell and bounced on the floor before tumbling down the railing to the first floor.

"Ouch!" Exclaimed a sweet female voice. "But what the heck?" Lodtrack shuddered, jumped from the second floor, and landed in front of the princess, who screamed in surprise at his sudden appearance.

"Princess!" Lodtrack became nervous seeing the princess there. 'How did I not notice her presence?' he wondered. Lodtrack straightened up, bowed, and said firmly, "good morning, Your Majesty. It's a pleasure to find you in this place!"

"Shh, don't speak so loudly," the princess ordered. "I'm not supposed to be here."

"But then, why are you here, Your Majesty?" Lodtrack whispered.

"I like to read to clear my mind. This is the empire's largest collection of books," the princess pointed out the place and looked at Lodtrack again, who was staring at her intently. "What's wrong?"

"I wasn't entirely sure, but it seems I was wrong." The princess curiously looked at the guard. "Don't you use magic to enhance your beauty, do you?" Lodtrack let out a small smile, but the princess was angered by the comment.

"How rude! Why would I use magic for something like that?" Lodtrack didn't fully understand the reason for her anger, so he just looked at her trying to comprehend. The princess turned her angry gaze away, noticing the book on the floor and remembering how they ended up like this. "Aren't you going to apologize?"

"Eh? Apologize? Why?"

"For hitting me with that book. It hurt." Lodtrack glanced at where the book was.

"Oh, I apologize. The book just slipped from its place and fell on you." Lodtrack let out a small laugh, and the princess also mocked the absurd situation. "By the way, why are you hiding here? Shouldn't you be in the library?"

"It's not that" the princess looked down." I'm not supposed to roam the castle alone during the Hen Chemon, and my guard should always accompany me, you know, in case someone tries something. But sometimes I like to be alone and read a bit, and besides, my guard is very possessive at times."

"That's curious; one wouldn't expect a princess to be so interested in books." The princess glared at him.

"Well, I can say the same about a soldier like you." The princess analyzed him for a moment, noticing his scar and wondering how he got it.

"Yes, I suppose we're both strange people." They both laughed. Lodtrack heard the door open, and the princess shuddered. The one who entered was the imperial guard, the one who looked after the princess.

"Miss, are you here? I need you to come with me." Lodtrack looked at the princess again, who seemed frightened. He touched the princess's arm to get her attention and winked at her while smiling.

Lodtrack stood up and went to the guard. Upon recognizing him, the guard looked at him with disdain. "Do you know where the princess is? I was told she was seen entering here" the guard asked Lodtrack. "She has to accompany her father for an etiquette class."

"No, she's not here, and why would I know where she is? I have my own noble to take care of." Lodtrack replied with a sarcastic smile. "Besides, why are you looking for her so desperately? Can't she walk around the castle without being harassed for any nonsense?" Before he could continue, the guard unsheathed his sword and took a defensive stance.

"Know your place, commoner! Just because you're a guard doesn't give you the right to speak to me like that!" Lodtrack glared at him. "Why do you look at me like that, vulgar animal? Kneel before me, the son of the Pari house, and maybe I'll forgive your arrogance." Lodtrack was infuriated by the noble's comments. The princess, who was glancing sideways, began to worry about the situation.

"That's funny; you're a fourth-rate noble, and you think you can talk to me as if you were the emperor!" Lodtrack grabbed the hilt of his sword, ready to attack.

"You kneel, commoner" the Pari's son raised his sword.

"Force me, idiot! Let's see if you're up to your rank!" Lodtrack advanced towards the guard; he prepared his attack. The princess was about to interrupt when the door opened.

Leonor entered the library along with Sir Versert. The guards stopped just before their attacks landed. Both nobles looked puzzled at the guards.

"What a disgrace, Alonso Pari!" Versert reproached. Leonor found his name amusing, but then thought she had no right to comment on names and turned her attention to Lodtrack.

"You better have a good reason to attack a Guard and a noble besides," Leonor said, challenging Lodtrack with her gaze.

"This idiot entered the library looking for the princess and started losing his temper when I told him she wasn't here!" Lodtrack replied, furious.

"That happened because this damn commoner was impertinent," the imperial guard retorted. Leonor glared at him. Immediately, he lowered his sword and completely changed his expression. Although these situations were normal when a noble and Lodtrack met, he couldn't allow an inferior noble to treat a future Lord in the same way.

"That's amusing, a pathetic little nobleman who thinks he can speak so superbly." said Leonor, emphasizing her superiority.

"Oh, for the gods, stop being a spoiled brat and shut up" Lodtrack challenged, still annoyed. Leonor was about to slap him in the face for that.

"Well, I think we should give them both a punishment" Versert said thoughtfully. He waited for a few seconds and decided "neither will participate in the Hen Chem..."

"Wait!" Versert was interrupted by the princess, who came out from behind the shelf.

"Your Majesty!" Sir Versert bowed, and the nobles knelt. 'What is he doing? If he finds out I knew she was here, I'll get into more trouble', Lodtrack thought as he saw her. Leonor glanced at him and noticed the concern on his face.

"Please, do not punish these two Guards. Lord Pari was distressed because I had left my room without informing him, and I asked this Guard," she pointed at Lodtrack, "to tell Pari that I wasn't here. I didn't think it would come to this; I am the one responsible."

Lodtrack looked at her in amazement; she had just taken the blame to defend them. Pari also seemed surprised. "What a problem... Nevertheless, the Guards' behavior is unacceptable and must be punished," Versert replied.

"Then, punish them after the Hen Chemon. The Empress herself requested that the Dragonoid Guard participate in the tournament," Leonor had an idea and let a mischievous smile appear.

"If I may suggest... What about a competition," Leonor proposed; everyone turned to look at him. "Both will participate in the exhibition matches, and whoever goes the farthest will be exempt from punishment" the princess pondered the proposal for a moment.

"I think it's a great idea. This way, they can settle their disagreement as warriors," she said more animatedly.

Lodtrack looked at Leonor, hoping he would say it was a joke, but he was serious. Alfonso Pari seemed confused by the suggestion. "If there are no objections, it seems like a great idea, Your Majesty," Versert said while looking at the two Guards. "You should get ready; the tournament starts in six hours. Don't even think about missing it, or you'll have a more exemplary punishment than before."

Lodtrack glared at Leonor, who just shrugged while smiling and spoke. "Well, if that's all, I'll take this impertinent one away before he angers someone else and gets hanged."

"Hey..." Before Lodtrack could say anything, Pari interrupted him with a shout.

"How can they lower me to the level of this commoner? This is..."

"Alonso, control yourself before I decide to punish only you," Versert retorted, beginning to lose patience.

"I just don't understand how I ended up as a fourth-rate noble, unable even to speak to 'Lord Leonor', and he can speak to him so calmly and get away with it as a simple commoner," he complained, enveloped in anger.

Leonor looked at him furious, much more than before or more than he had ever been against Lodtrack. Lodtrack himself remained motionless seeing him. At that moment, Pari realized he had spoken too much.

"Do you want to know why?" Leonor challenged him. "Because he's my damn friend, and as far as I'm concerned, he's much more valuable than a noble with grandiose airs who isn't even the heir to his house. Maybe that's why" he continued, maintaining his anger. Pari's expression changed to one of terror.

Lodtrack took Leonor by the shoulder. "That's enough" he said calmly. Leonor softened his expression and turned his back on the Guard.

"You two can leave" Versert said uncomfortably. Lodtrack and Leonor headed to the exit.

"But..."

"Be thankful we arrived at the right moment, or you would have lost your hand," Leonor provoked, leaving Pari confused as he watched the duo leave.

On the way, Lodtrack asked Leonor the reason for giving that suggestion to Versert.

"We're leaving tomorrow, but if you get punished, I'll have to wait for you longer, and I don't want to do that. So, you better win if you don't want a truly sadistic punishment, understood?" Lodtrack nodded, knowing that Leonor wasn't joking about "sadistic".