Chapter Four
1211 Words
Games of Masks
Adelaide Nightvale
The arena buzzed with the same excitement it did every season.
Merchants shouted over one another, servants hurried through the crowds carrying trays of food and drink, and nobles filled the grandstands in dazzling silks while musicians played lively tunes. It was less a competition than a grand social gathering where reputations were built—or destroyed.
As always, the King was absent.
Rumour claimed illness. Others whispered he simply had no interest in such festivities anymore.
In his place sat Prince Rhydian, representing the Crown, beside Sire Morcant Ward, the King's trusted attendant and one of the judges overseeing the tournament.
Annora, naturally, spent more time observing the nobles than the arena.
She leaned closer every few breaths to point someone out.
"That duke is drowning in debt."
"That lady has rejected four marriage proposals."
"Those two families have hated each other for generations."
I barely managed to keep up.
"Who's the lady sitting beside the King's attendant?" I asked.
Annora glanced in her direction.
"That's Lady Briar Ward, Sire Morcant's daughter."
She wrinkled her nose.
"She's a snob."
I looked again.
Lady Briar certainly carried herself like someone who believed the world existed beneath her feet.
"And over there," Annora continued with a mischievous grin, "is the lady our dear brother is hopelessly in love with."
Curious, I followed her gaze.
My eyes widened.
"Princess Nyxa?"
I turned sharply toward Vesper.
"Wait... you like the Princess?"
"Yes, I do," Vesper muttered without looking at us. "Now keep your voices down before the entire kingdom hears."
Annora stuck out her tongue.
Vesper shot her a warning glare.
"I hope you both realise we're not at home," I whispered.
Their bickering ceased almost immediately.
Suddenly, murmurs rippled across the arena.
The whispers spread so quickly that even people seated far away turned to look.
"What's happening?" I asked.
"I heard it's the young miss of House Ravenor."
"Did she offend the Prince?"
"No... she bullied Lady Elissa."
"Poor Lady Elissa."
"She's so beautiful."
"What did Lady Lily even do?"
The murmurs only grew louder.
Everyone craned their necks to catch a glimpse of the disturbance.
Finally, Prince Rhydian rose from his seat.
He lifted the Royal Token bearing the King's seal.
Silence swept through the arena instantly.
"That's Lady Elissa," Annora whispered, pointing discreetly. "The gentleman beside her is her brother, Lord Zephar Duskmere. He absolutely adores her."
I studied the young woman.
She was breathtaking.
Her deep violet gown shimmered beneath the afternoon sun, perfectly complementing her warm brown hair, which had been styled into an elegant half-up princess braid that cascaded over her shoulders.
Every feature seemed sculpted with impossible precision.
Yet what captivated me most wasn't her beauty.
It was the quiet confidence she carried.
She knew exactly who she was.
There was no arrogance.
Only certainty.
The tournament finally began.
Competitors entered one after another, displaying their strength and skill before the judges.
The crowd cheered enthusiastically.
Still, I couldn't help noticing that Prince Rhydian paid far more attention to Lady Elissa than to the matches.
A noblewoman occupied the seat beside him while Princess Nyxa stood quietly behind the royal chair.
Surprisingly, the Princess seemed entirely unbothered.
"Who's that man?" I asked, pointing toward a broad-shouldered warrior whose expression looked permanently carved into a scowl.
Vesper barely spared him a glance.
"House Ravenor's dog."
Annora frowned.
"Dog?"
"His name is Sire Draven Ravenor," Vesper explained. "An adopted son. He throws his weight around as though he owns the house, when everyone knows who truly leads House Ravenor."
"Perhaps you could've started with his name, dear brother," Annora sighed.
Vesper ignored her.
"He's the sort of man who can send someone to death's door without breaking a sweat."
His tone carried unmistakable disdain.
Whatever history lay between them, it clearly wasn't pleasant.
Hours later, the final contests concluded.
After a commendable performance, Vesper was awarded the title of Champion's Squire, an honour given to promising young warriors who had distinguished themselves during the seasonal games.
It was hardly among the kingdom's greatest honours.
Still...
Every knight had to begin somewhere.
Uncle Borron would be proud.
Elissa Duskmere
With my arm linked through my brother's, I made my way toward the royal seats.
I knew I looked beautiful.
My gown had been crafted by the Royal Tailor—a privilege my dear brother had secured through the influence of his powerful friend.
One should never underestimate the value of useful friendships.
We stopped before the Prince.
I dipped into a graceful bow.
"Greetings, Your Highness."
Prince Rhydian smiled warmly.
"I sent you an invitation."
"I received it," I replied softly. "I was delighted, truly."
I reached into my satchel and dabbed dramatically at imaginary tears.
"I even had this dress made especially for today..."
His expression immediately shifted.
"What happened?"
"There is no need to cry."
I sniffled pitifully.
"Lady Lily Ravenor came to visit. She... she insisted I surrender the invitation."
"You liar!"
Lady Lily's voice rang through the arena.
Perfect timing.
I turned.
She looked magnificent.
Such a shame.
"How could I refuse?" I asked quietly, meeting her furious gaze. "You have the mighty House Ravenor behind you."
"You gave it to me willingly!" Lily shouted.
"You—"
She was practically shaking with rage.
I hid my smile behind another fake sniffle.
Prince Rhydian's face darkened.
His voice echoed across the arena.
"Guards."
Armoured knights stepped forward immediately.
"Seize Lady Lily Ravenor."
The crowd fell silent.
"For disrupting a royal gathering and insulting a guest under the Crown's protection, she shall receive twelve lashes."
His icy gaze swept across the spectators.
"Should anyone interfere..."
"...they will receive the same punishment."
No one moved.
No one spoke.
The guards dragged the screaming Lady Lily away.
"Come," Prince Rhydian said gently, offering me the seat beside him.
"My lady."
Princess Nyxa rose without complaint.
I accepted the seat with my sweetest smile.
Behind me, my brother leaned close.
"You're quite the actress."
Then he returned to his own place.
The remainder of the tournament was painfully dull.
The same contests.
The same speeches.
The same meaningless honours.
The only entertainment had already happened.
Sire Draven Ravenor attempted several times to strike up a conversation with me.
I ignored every attempt.
Judging by Prince Rhydian's expression, he disliked the interruptions even more than I did.
Good.
Perhaps the Prince would become Draven's problem...
Leaving me free to deal with the Prince himself.
When the ceremony finally ended, I slipped away unnoticed.
Or so I thought.
"You seem to enjoy my brother's favour."
Princess Nyxa.
I turned to face her.
"If I could refuse it," I answered honestly, "I would."
"People born above us have an unfortunate habit of forcing their favours upon others."
A faint smile tugged at her lips.
"You're clever."
She stepped closer.
"Stay away from my brother."
"It would be wonderful if life were that simple."
I smiled back.
"And besides..."
"...what's life without playing with fire?"
For the first time, Princess Nyxa laughed softly.
Whether she admired my courage or pitied my foolishness, I couldn't tell.
We fell into comfortable silence.
Side by side, we watched the bustling streets beyond the arena, each lost in our own thoughts......
.........
- Writer
