The silent morning was disturbed by the sound of clashing swords as they cut through the wind. The tension between the two best friends was high as they fought to win today's practice, and those who walked past them were astonished by their talents and scared to be their opponent. Both of them believed they had to train and fight as though they were on a real battlefield since their enemy wouldn't hold back. Thus, they were fighting as though nothing could stop them. Moreover, if during training they were trained lightly, would their enemy treat them the same? We only have one life, but what if we treat our lives as training? For how long are we going to fall till we succeed? Life is not a test; it is real. So when we trained as if it were real, we would work harder to succeed. If not, we just won't , because we know there will be a redo. So how can you win when you train like you are having a walk in the park?
"It's my win today," said Sir Felix.
"You think so?" Prince Leon gave Sir Felix one last strike, which made Sir Felix fall on his back because of trying to dodge the sharp blade that was coming towards him.
Then Prince Leon extended his hand, trying to help Sir Felix up.
"So as promised, I will be your slave for today. Actually, I don't understand why you want me to do this? You basically have your own maid, Leon," Sir Felix said with a grunt.
"Don't you think it's fun?" Prince Leon said and continued with a big laugh.
"Good job on losing today, Felix," he continued.
"Don't get cocky, Leon. Today is just not my day. Next time, I will make you, Prince Leon, my slave," Sir Felix said, and gave him an evil laugh.
Both of them were on par, so there was no guessing who would win the next day or the day after. Hence, to make things interesting, they tend to place a bet every time they fight. The condition is only 'You lose, you follow'.
"How is your beloved fiancé, Leon?" Sir Felix asked while cleaning his sword.
"Is losing once for today not enough for you?" Prince Leon said with an annoyed face.
"I told you she is not my fiancé. I will only marry the one I love, regardless of what others say," he continued.
"I understand, but it's the king's order and you are the crown prince. Or do you want your brother to take your place as the crown prince?" Sir Felix asked jokingly.
"You know I don't want this title, but I have to. Not because others wanted me to, but because I need to," he answered the question with a tinge of sadness and frustration.
He knows why he accepted this role, and that is because he wanted to make a change in this country. He was sick of seeing poor people getting poorer while the rich got richer. Besides, all the children that go missing, but no one seems to care. Some people believe that it is better to mind their own business than to be a busy body. However, being a busy body isn't always a bad thing. It is sometimes referred to as being human. He sometimes wondered what had caused the world to become so cold. Where does all humanity go? Some may just express their condolences, but is it enough? By just standing still and waiting for a ray of sunshine while pretending to do a huge deed of caring. But will the light shine through from a dark closed room? Or when you imagine everything's alright, will it actually be alright? Just by saying you care about something does not change the fact that you didn't do anything to make the changes.
"I know my brother is better than I am. I don't understand why they can't see it. It's all just because I am the Queen's son. How can they be so stupid? How will our country grow and be better for the future to come?" he continued with a slight anger in his voice.
Sir Felix just stayed quiet and listened to him. He knows clearly what's happening, and he regrets saying it before as a joke. It's all just because he likes to joke around. Sometimes he just said words without thinking twice.
"And because I'm the crown prince, I have to marry someone I love. Would you go home after a long, tiring day to see someone you don't love?" He continued as he tried to lighten the mood.
"Fine. I will back you up. Since I am stronger than you, right?" Sir Felix said, with a big smile on his face.
"You wish," Prince Leon said with a laugh.
As they were joking with one another, Lady Dulcea and a palace maid could be seen walking towards the training ground.
"Leon, I guess it's my time to leave now," Sir Felix said, as he looked towards Lady Dulcea while giving Prince Leon a slight nudge.
Prince Leon did not say a word, but only turned his head towards Lady Dulcea. He tried not to show his disheartenment by her sudden appearance.
Lady Dulcea, who was dressed elegantly in pink, smiled happily at the sight of her handsome Prince Leon.
"Your highness, it's been so long since I last saw you," she said with a smile.
"Yes, it's been a while," Prince Leon said.
"You should rest sometimes; don't work too hard," she said, feeling concerned.
She has gone in and out, and even sent a letter to Prince Leon, but she has received no response whatsoever. Furthermore, without Lady Dulcea's knowledge, he always went out or pretended to be busy whenever they were supposed to go out.
"I have enough rest. Why are you here? This place is not nice for a lady," he said.
"I just wanted to see you," she said, with a pink blush on her face. She was determined to go out with Prince Leon today.
"Would you like to go to the newly opened cafe in town? I heard many people talking about it," she asked.
"I don't like sweets. Maybe you should go with someone who would enjoy it," he replied.
"Please? The coffee there was nice too. I would be really happy if you could try it," she said.
"Besides, I have no one to go with," she said in a low voice.
"Fine. I'll go with you," he agreed, as he felt sorry for her.
"Really?" She asked happily.
Then Leon gave her a nod as she was smiling from ear to ear.
"Take Lady Dulcea to the waiting room," he asked the maid.
Then both of them walked their separate ways.
"So, you're going out with Lady Dulcea?" Sir Felix asked.
"Yeah," he replied.
"Enjoy your date. Try getting to know her, Leon. Maybe she is really the one for you, "Sir Felix said.
"Fine, I'll try," he said, though he knew from the first time they met that he didn't feel anything towards her. However, he will try. Perhaps it will turn out exactly as everyone hoped.
After a few minutes passed, he was ready to go out. As he walked through the hallway, a knight ran hurriedly towards him.
"Your highness, we found it," the knight said while breathing heavily.
"What?" he asked.
"The children, we got a tip from a passing merchant," the knight said.
Then, Prince Leon just turned around and ran towards the stable before he shouted, "Call Felix."
He unconsciously forgot about Lady Dulcea, who was waiting for him, as the children had been his top priority for quite some time now.
He met Sir Felix at the stable, with his swords on his right side, waiting for the order.
"According to the merchant, they saw a middle-aged man walking with a boy near the river by Apricus Hill. He found it quite odd, so he followed him. That place is quite secluded as it is hidden far deep in the forest. People also don't go that way because of bandits," the knight said.
"At last, Leon, we are going to catch them." Sir Felix was happy to hear about it.
"I am glad, but don't be too happy. Save it after we arrest them," Prince Leon said.
He brought a couple of knights as he didn't want to alert the abductors. He was happy with the new lead and was hoping that this was the end of these cruel and monstrous acts. He wishes that all these children would return safely to their beloved parents with no more blood spilled.
Meanwhile, in the waiting room, Lady Dulcea got the news that Prince Leon had left her for work. She was furious as she walked out of the waiting room. She felt like she had been humiliated. She stomped her feet out of the waiting room.
Before she went home, she met the king, who was taking a stroll near the garden. She was happy to meet the king as she had something to say, and he, who was the king, could make it happen.
"Your highness," she said as she gave a slight bow.
"Lady Dulcea, are you here for Leon?" the king asked.
"Yes, I have met him. How are you, your highness?" she said with a smile.
"I am well. I can survive a few more years before passing everything to Leon, "the king said with a small laugh.
"I am sorry if Leon is always busy. He is never satisfied if the work that he starts doesn't finish. Actually, both of them are the same, always working," the king said as he sighed silently.
"It is fine, your highness. He is working for this country, for the better life of our people," she said.
"I am grateful that you are the one for Leon. Please take care of him," the king said with a smile, feeling grateful. He believed that Lady Dulcea was the best wife for Leon and the next Queen of Quirinus.
"Your highness, may I ask for one dance during the spring ball? It will be great as not long we will become family," she asked shyly.
"Sure, my child. I would be more than happy," the king said.
"Leon will accompany you, right?" the king asked.
"I am not sure. He hasn't asked me yet. He probably has someone already," she said with a sad face.
"This boy. I will talk to him," the king said.
"It's fine, your highness. I am alright going there alone," she said, seeking sympathy.
"It's alright, my child. He is my son. I know he probably forgot about this. He only got work inside his head," the king said to reassure her.
After the talk, Lady Dulcea went home feeling a sense of accomplishment. She knew that Prince Leon wouldn't disobey the king's orders. She, who always got what she wanted, vowed to marry Prince Leon, with or without love.