Levishia: The Prophesied Quest

Chapter 4: The Princess' Knight

ZOREN

I've been slapping myself countless times today. And I know who to blame. 

That gorgeous yet cunning Princess. 

"General Torrenzala," I heard the King address me. I immediately stood upright and my fellow troupe leader, Rio, assisted me from losing balance.

"Yes, Your Majesty?" I tried my best not to sound sleepy.

"I'm deeply sorry for what my daughter have done to you. I have summoned the finest apothecaries of Ralenti to identify how long that drug will last." The King's look of pity is the expression I don't really want to see today.

My eyes are starting to give up on me again so I had to slap myself really hard, for the nth time.

"We need one knight to follow her, I can't let my heir go in there alone," he worriedly continued.

The King is obviously worried for his daughter. That, or because he doesn't have any other possible heir to ascend the throne if ever the Princess dies.

Eitherway, I don't think she'll die. She was gifted an ability and that alone proves that she is a strong woman from this generation.

But what ability is it? Illusion? Or Shapeshifting? Whatever it is, she obviously mastered it already.

"You Majesty, may I ask something?" My fellow troupe leader and close friend, Rio, asked.

"Yes, Rio. Go on."

He glanced at me. "How did the Princess imitate Zoren's form?"

The whole throne room silenced at that question.

I heard the Queen's sharp intake of breath. The King turned to his Queen and whispered which made the Queen nod after a few moments.

He must've asked for permission.

"My daughter is gifted," he stated, looking a bit proud. "She's a shapeshifter."

Murmurs and whispers filled the wide room. While I, wasn't exactly shocked.

I yawned.

"Doesn't shapeshifters need physical contact to the one they're going to copy?" A Duke asked the King.

Most eyes turned to me. I would've scoffed if I wasn't sleepy.

He shook his head. "She can shift to their form once they make eye contact, or even when she has a clear image of the creature in her mind."

"She has mastered the art of shapeshifting, so she's obviously strong. But with the whole of Ralenti seeing her face and ability, people with bad intentions will surely come looking for her," he continued.

That's right. News spreads like wildfire here. With her beauty, power, and title as heir to the throne, people will be hunting her.

Add the fact that she's coming with a group who'll explore the world in search of a weapon.

She's in danger.

"I will," I yawned, the stare of the people returning to me, "follow her."

I'll protect her, even if she fooled me and used my identity.

Because I understand where she's coming from, she only wants to prove herself—not only to her parents but to Ralenti. I understand her. Because I had to prove myself to my father and the whole Ralentian army that I deserved to be a General at this age.

"Are you sure?" The King clarified.

I nodded lazily.

I sloppily went to the middle and kneeled with one knee. I bowed my head and brought my left fisted hands to my heart.

"I solemnly accept this mission, Your Majesty."

Wait for me, Princess.

"Alright then. I appoint you, General Zoren Torrenzala, as Princess Quintessence Rouvenfelt's official personal Knight."

I mentally smirked. I'm coming. This time, no more falling for your traps.

☫

LEVISHIA QUINTESSENCE

"Princess—"

I cut off the charioteer. "Don't call me that."

He sighed and lowered his gaze. "We're here."

I woke up from his taps on my shoulder earlier and immediately roamed my eyes around. We're in front of the two gigantic acacia doors of a tall and wide tower. I looked up and saw numerous brick towers, and wide buildings.

So this is Giraen's royal palace. Not bad.

I noticed the kingdom is located in a savannah with numerous neighboring mountains and hills. This landscape is pretty.

I started walking slowly in front of the double doors, tightly clutching my bag on one hand. I heard the charioteers whip hitting the horses before they ran off.

This is it.

I took a deep breath and fixed my stance. I stood up confidently and strutted toward the doors. The two knights guarding the doors opened one of the door slightly and escorted me in.

"Where are the other representatives?" I asked one of the two knights.

None of them answered and continued ignoring me. How rude.

They walked stiffly and in unison in front of me. I followed them and they opened another double door, but smaller this time, and ushered me inside. I took a peek inside and saw four thrones, two standing out because there were royals sitting on them.

I calmly walked inside and ignored the three other people in the room, keeping my gaze to the couple sitting in their thrones. They must be the King and Queen of Giraen.

I stopped in front of them and bowed like a female warrior. I used to observe the female knights in our palace who works at the field. In short, those who get sent in missions.

I used to adore them and wish that I was just allowed to train with them. But now, I act like I'm one of them. Like I'm Ralenti's knight.

But I'm more than that—I am a warrior princess. Change my mind.

"Your Majesties, I am Levi. The representative of kingdom Ralenti."

Levi, is short for Levishia. And, it sounded tougher.

"Levi, I thought they were sending their General?" Wondered the Queen.

I licked my lips out of nervousness. "The General is unable to accept this mission because of an accident. There had been a change of plans," I vaguely replied.

She nodded and smiled. "Now that we're complete, we need a little introduction from each other to have a greater connection."

The King kept silent. I wonder why.

"If you look to your right, darling, you will see the other representatives from the other kingdoms."

I finally looked at the other three and nodded at them.

A dashing, tall, ebony-kissed skin, and lean guy  went near me and offered his hand and gave me a boyish smile, his pearly whites sticking out because of his dark skin and curly hair. "I'm Sinphomer, call me Sin."

I shook his hand.

Another one of the men came to me, also offering his hand. He had ivory skin, and a shining blonde pushed up hair. The two of them looked like polar opposites. 

"I'm Parafortien, I'm usually called as Fort," he smiled, revealing his dimples, and we shook hands.

I looked at the last guy who haven't come up to me yet. He looked bored and didn't care about introductions.

Whatever.

He had narrow, almond eyes with single eyelids. He also had a fair, dewy skin in contrast to his coal black locks. Come to think of it, he has a slight resemblance to the King.

Fort noticed where I was looking and chuckled, he introduced him to me. "That's Ardal. He prefers to be called Ard, and is the Prince of Giraen."

That explains it. He's the King's son. But wait, he's coming with us? Maybe because he has former king Piraen's blood, then he can surely hold the sword. That makes more sense.

"Warriors." The King called us.

I looked at him, still adjusting to my new title. We stopped in front of them, forming a horizontal line.

"We have plotted your destinations, all we need to do now is to send you there," he stated.

"We can't waste time, Rivolus is awake." My breathing deepened. I didn't know about that. "And he's storing energy. The longer we take to find the sword, the stronger he will be," the king continued. "Your journey starts tomorrow. Rest for now, warriors. It's been a long travel."

Tomorrow already? They're really reacting in such a haste. I need the energy as well. I can show them my ability if it's really needed but I'll try hard to be under the radar for now. I can't risk it. Magic isn't really accepted in the world of Viran. Witches are banned from the lands of all four kingdoms, and even if I'm not one, I'm still blessed by the Gods and is unusual. So I will surely be exiled. 

I was only kept alive in Ralenti because I am the crown heir, but I doubt I'll still be once I come back. My parents will surely receive backlash from the townspeople because I already exposed my ability. But, oh well, at least I get to save the world. 

"The fate of the four kingdoms is on your hands," he reminded us.

The pressure is heavy. It's heavier than my duty as an heiress.

"Tomorrow will be a long day."

We were dismissed and led to the guests' chambers. I silently followed the palace maids and said goobye to Fort and Sin when we parted ways. I ignored Ardal.

When I reached my room, I immediately laid on the comfy canopy bed.

I sighed and closed my eyes.

I wonder what's happening to Ralenti right now. I wonder what my father's explanations to the townspeople are. I wonder how they're solving the ruckus I made.

I chuckled at the last thought that popped up in my head. How stupid of you to think of that man, Levishia Quintessence.

I wonder if Zoren's snoring right now.