Chapter 1
840 Words
Therry loosed the seventh arrow.
Applause cut through the air.
*Lorry:* Seventh in a row. I’m keeping count.
Sweat clung to Therry’s skin beneath the mask. He dropped the bow and picked up a sword from the table, examining it as the light caught the blade and gleamed against the exposed part of his face.
Gasps sounded nearby. He turned and saw six or seven maids peeping in from the edge of the training ground. Their hands were over their mouths, eyes wide. They stood frozen, mesmerized.
Lorry chuckled softly.
*Lorry:* You’ll forever be a lady’s man.
Therry ignored him. He took a stance and moved with the sword. The maids gasped louder, and one of them swayed as if about to faint.
Lorry laughed out loud.
*Lorry:* At this rate, they’ll die of a heart attack.
*Therry:* Send them away.
*Lorry:* Come on, don’t be like that. They’re here for you. We can’t just chase them off.
Therry glared at him.
*Lorry:* Alright.
He rolled his eyes and walked toward the maids.
*Lorry:* You all have to leave now. You’re disrupting training.
The maids pouted.
*1st Maid:* Are we? We’d just stand quietly and not disturb you.
*Other Maids:* Yes, we just want to see His Highness train.
Lorry shook his head.
*Lorry:* You wouldn’t be able to stay quiet. Every gasp throws him off. Leave now.
His tone was firm enough that the maids knew to stop. They left with disappointment written on their faces. Lorry returned to Therry.
*Lorry:* You just broke a few hearts.
Therry raised a brow.
*Therry:* Let them watch you, then.
He tossed a sword at Lorry, who caught it easily.
*Therry:* You have a lot of free time. Duel me. Winner treats the loser to a meal.
*Lorry:* Isn’t it supposed to be the other way around? The loser buys the winner a meal?
*Therry:* I know you can’t afford to treat me.
*Lorry:* You think you’ll win?
*Therry:* I know I will.
Lorry chuckled.
*Lorry:* Don’t go back on your word, then.
The two dueled for a long time. Both were formidable fighters.
Therry, the first prince of Gashi Kingdom, was known as the “Dark Devil” for his black outfit and mask. The mask covered only half his face, and his reputation as a fighter had almost no rival.
Lorry was a high-level warrior who had won countless battles for the kingdom. He looked ordinary, but he was a dangerous fighter. He was also Therry’s personal guard and cousin—his aunt was Therry’s mother.
The duel went on until Lorry dropped his sword and raised a hand in surrender.
*Lorry:* I give up, Your Highness. No one’s like you. And I didn’t have anything to lose anyway.
He smirked. Therry glared, dropped his sword, and walked away. Lorry smiled devilishly and followed.
---
*Military Cafeteria*
Therry and Lorry sat opposite each other, eating quietly. Nearby, several soldiers were gossiping.
*Man 1:* Did you hear about the Queen’s party?
*Man 2:* Yes, I did.
*Man 1:* What’s your opinion on it?
*Man 3:* I think it’s just squandering money. Why not put it toward military funds? We need it more than another party. How many times does she throw one in a year?
*Man 2:* Shh, lower your voice. They’re royals. We don’t get a say in how they spend money.
*Man 4:* So what? We’re the ones risking our lives in war, and yet…
A young man entered, and the men stopped talking immediately. They stood and bowed.
*Men:* Your Highness.
The young man stared at them with mild disgust, scanned the room, and walked toward a seated figure.
*Thego:* Brother.
Lorry stood and bowed slowly.
*Thego:* I knew you’d be here.
*Therry:* Why are you here?
Thego looked around.
*Thego:* I don’t know why you like eating here. This place is…
*Therry:* If you have nothing to say, leave.
*Thego:* Let’s talk outside.
He left without waiting for a reply. Therry sighed and followed. The men resumed whispering.
---
*Outside*
*Therry:* I’m sure you didn’t call me out just for that.
*Thego:* Mother’s birthday is coming up soon. Don’t act like you don’t know. She’s your mother too.
*Therry:* I didn’t say anything. What’s your reason for calling me out?
*Thego:* You should prepare a gift, and…
*Therry:* You came all the way here just to tell me that?
*Thego:* And… Mum said I should invite you for dinner.
*Therry:* I’m not interested. I’ve eaten. Thank you.
He turned to leave.
*Thego:* What should I tell Mum?
*Therry:* Tell her anything.
He left without looking back.
*Thego:* Jerk.
---
*Later*
*Lorry:* You’re going?
*Therry:* Do I look like I have a choice? It was a command disguised as an invitation.
He entered his room and started changing his clothes.
*Lorry:* You’re going out?
Therry ignored him.
*Lorry:* It wouldn’t kill you to answer.
Therry ignored him again.
*Lorry:* You remember that…
*Therry:* I remember it clearly. It’s as clear as day, and I know what I’m doing.
- Writer
