"Your Highness," Opie was highly distressed seeing the princess bustling around with a slight smile on her face.
"I don't think it is proper…." The maid was also shaking in fear; she didn't know what went through her mistress's head.
"Calm down, Opie. I know what I'm doing," Lunneta responded calmly while still arranging her clothes.
"If the queen finds out…." Opie didn't want to think any further; she was responsible for the princess, and she could be punished if the princess ran around recklessly.
"I'll take care of my parents. Just pretend you have no idea of it," Lunneta said, not understanding the fuss. She wanted to partake in the fun and didn't need anyone spoiling her fun.
"Your Highness, but you are a lady, you can't take part in the games," Opie still tried to reason with her.
"Opie!" Lunneta called coldly. She didn't want to get angry with her because she knew that Opie was doing it all for her sake.
"Sorry, Your Highness," Opie apologized, finally keeping quiet.
Soon, Lunneta was done with her dressing. "How do I look?" She turned around to face her maid.
"No one would know it's the princess. Your disguising skills have gotten better, Your Highness," Opie praised her. The maid was indeed shocked as the princess had transformed from a beautiful lady to a beautiful man.
"You stay behind. You are not leaving with me. If anyone wants to see the princess, find an excuse to stall them back," she gave her instructions, flying out quickly before Opie could say another word.
The maid could only stomp her feet and watch her mistress fly out.
****
"Wow…." Lunneta looked around the venue for the game and was instantly entranced. "So this is how much fun they are having," she nodded in pleasure, stroking her bare jaw.
"Oh, little boy, are you also here for the tournament?" A young man asked Lunneta, sizing her up. She nodded, refusing to speak further.
"I would advise you to give up; I heard Jordan would be among those fighting," the man divulged secretly.
"Oh, you don't know Jordan," the man said in disbelief on seeing her clueless face. He laughed out loud, then he began;
"At the age of twelve, he had already ascended to the fifth rank. Right now, he is at the seventh rank. He is good in sword fight, handsome, and charismatic."
"Ehh…" Lunneta widened her eyes in surprise. Why didn't she know all these about Jordan?
"Not only that, he would soon be engaged to the princess," the man said heartily, his eyes filled with respect as he spoke about the individual. Lunneta's mouth twitched at his words; she kept her calm.
"Also, I heard the prince of the Dark Crescent clan would be coming," the man said, shivering in fear. "I heard he eats people." 'Ehhh, Kai was coming,' Lunneta felt shocked at this reveal but somewhat excited. What sort of rumor was going on?
"Hey, are you also here to participate in the game?" A young boy walked closer to Lunneta, bumping shoulders with her. Lunneta distanced herself from him, taking a good look at the person. The other man, seeing that there was one other person, kept silent.
"I'm just here for the fun of it. Isn't it exciting watching a fight?" He bellowed, placing his hands on Lunneta's shoulder; they looked like best of friends.
"My name is Keith," the boy introduced himself. 'I didn't ask you,' Lunneta thought in wonder. She wasn't here to make friends, but it would be too rude to ignore him.
"Alex," Lunneta offered coldly, distancing herself from him again.
"Such a cold man, although you look too soft and fair," Keith took a deep look at Lunneta, finding out that her lips looked well-shaped and red. 'What the hell am I thinking?' He shook his head in amusement.
"I'll advise you to sit this one out," Keith advised kindly.
"No, thank you," Lunneta rejected his fine offer, her eyes on the arena. Soon, the arena was filled with loud noise and rumble. The large drums were beaten to signify that the games were about to start.
"Don't say I didn't warn you," Keith reminded Lunneta, once bumping shoulders with her.
"Good luck, Alex."
"Everyone, welcome to the tournament held in honor of the princess. It is time to draw your lots," the soldier anchoring over the event announced. He stood in front of the ring, his back straight and righteous. The crowd rushed forward in an orderly queue to cast their lots. Lunneta followed behind Keith, hiding.
Lunneta picked up her lot; her number was 35. She had no idea who she was going to fight against, but she was excited about it.
"What number did you pick?" Keith peered into her paper, grinning.
"I picked 24; it seems my battle would be before yours," Keith felt close to this cold stranger, and he wanted to get closer to him. He viewed Alex as his brother. He had to find a way to protect him; his face was too handsome.
The crowd seemed to have been bathed in light as Jordan walked into the arena. He picked his lot and then went to sit down, not sparing anyone a look, cold but still humble.
"The rules of the games are simple… If you fall outside the ring, the other party is the winner. There shall be no use of magical weapons except the weapon the person had chosen. Otherwise, you will be disqualified. Number one and twenty, step forward," two lanky men came out, entering the ring. They seemed to be of the same strength.
"You may begin," the soldier announced, stepping aside. The fight was fierce.
"Oh, he is a Rank five, not bad," Keith said as he watched them fight, his eyes following the movement of their swords. The fight wasn't very long, and soon a winner emerged, the other party vomiting blood.
"Interesting!" Lunneta said as she watched the winner; his skills were good, and he knew how to wield his sword.
Other fights followed, and soon Keith was called. "I'll be back soon, brother," he said to Lunneta, waving his hands. He looked utterly stupid, and others watched him in disdain. Everyone in the arena was of affluence. Not everyone could have the opportunity to attend her birthday party, so Keith's status must not be low either.
"Ehhhhh…. Why did the arena suddenly get cold?" Everyone murmured one after the other. Lunneta shivered a little; it was a familiar yet an unfamiliar feeling.
"The prince of the Dark Crescent is here," they whispered between themselves, not daring to speak out loudly.
Kai calmly walked into the arena, his face and eyes cold. His face was just too handsome that even the men had to look again. His aura spread out, suppressing everyone. As he walked closer to where Lunneta was seated, she felt her heart beating way too fast, and her tattoo tingling. She felt an itch and wanted to scratch her arms but couldn't move an inch. She didn't want him to notice anything fishy. Kai suddenly stopped, his eyes turning to look at her clearly. Lunneta felt like a fish out of water; she couldn't breathe properly.