My cheek still hurts.

I should have known what was coming.

I should have been prepared before I was punched. It was so fast and sudden for me to see that coming, if I was prepared she would have been dead but I know I can’t do that. Something about her is different that’s make her unique from all the girls I have been with.

I don’t know how but she gets under my skin.

I can’t help but to let her do so.

“I can’t believe you, the great Maêl prince of spring court got punched by a mortal girl.” Oryn laughs sipping his wine. The others also laughs.

And with others I mean my asshole friends.

Oryn an elf just like me is my childhood best friend and son of the second commander of the spring court. We were five years old when we first met and his father told me that once I am the king Oryn can be my right hand. It is consider good for a king to have a right hand even in spring court. It is suppose that the King and the right hand shares a bond that attach them with emotions and physical contact too. There is also said that if the bond is strong the right hand can also feel the pain or injury experienced by the king.

But all I think is these are stories made.

I think the right hand is just there for you to support you in your bad times and give good advice, and for me Oryn is complete opposite it’s not like I don’t like being around him but sometimes he is more Oryn than my friend. Nyx a faerie, daughter of the Queen of Whiyji a small but powerful kingdom. She is gifted with the voice of nightingale and with beauty. Lysander is also a faerie son of a famous faerie merchant owing many businesses. He is nothing like us but more like a monkey. He is playboy just like all others and is good at stealing with his monkey tail. Deyanira, the most beautiful thing in all lands. She is the normal and calm one in us but I know that is nothing but a mask to hide the chaos.

“There is nothing like that. And you’ll see how I’ll break her pride and pretty face in the ground. And soon she’ll be under me begging me to fuck her.” I say leaning close to Deyanira ear. She rolls her eyes and push me away. I can’t help but laugh in response.

“Why are you obsessed with her anyway?” Deyanira asks.

“What do you mean? I’m the future king of the court I can do what I want baby.” I smirk giving high five to Oryn.

“Bullshit!” Deyanira gets up giving me a nasty look.

Everyone begin to howl in excitement just to tease me.

Nothing was like this before. We used to be happy and had a lot of fun but everything has been weird and so changed in between me and Deyanira after my father had announced that she is bestowed to me. I love her and she does too but something has changed, a lot has.

“Deyanira.. Wait.” I grab her arm. She looks me in the eye.

“I am sorry for what I said in there.” I say.

“Bullshit,” Deyanira mutters and push me aside. I hold her wrist once again. “What the hell is your problem Maêl?” she barks.

“You.” She startles. “Its you. You’ve changes ever since my father told that you are bestowed to me. You don’t look at me, you don’t talk to me. I miss the old you.” I hug her. She protest but I hug her more tightly.

“Let go of me, Maêl. There is nothing that has changed but you.” I look at her pretty face, “It is you who has changed. You never looked for me in anything but now you do and I hate it. I have never been someone’s first choice and it hurts me. And now all of sudden here I am. Soon to be bride of the future king of the spring court.” She scuff. “I hate it that you look up to me to back you up when I have never done so to you. You look out for me in things now. I hate it.” Deyanira push me and I cannot do anything but to let her go.

I hate it.

How my father ruin everything he touches. I hate it when he thinks he has the authority to control me and my fate. But I can’t escape it. He always have his tricks to trap me inside his cage of lies and traps.

My mind is filled with thoughts that I haven’t notice that I have already changed my robes and now I am wearing robe over another robe. I sigh and bring my hands to my face only to calm myself a bit.

Was I really forcing myself on Deyanira?

Was I really becoming someone that I never have been?

Was I really the one who has changed?

My mind and thoughts are driving me nuts. I grab my sword and leave my room for the grounds. All of my excitement has died. I am no longer happy about the challenge. My thoughts are drifting me away.

While passing through the corridors near the ground I see Verena looking beautiful as ever. Her red hair in a ponytail, her eyes sparking with anger and excitement. She is no longer wearing her gown but she is wearing a black sleeveless shirt and tights pants. Her boots reaching her mid thighs and in her hands is her sword. I can’t help myself but smile. All the thoughts fly away as I make my way towards her. But before I could reach her I see my father approaching her.

Anger boils again in my veins.

I stop at my tracks.

He is saying something to her and I can’t help but frown. She is smiling but I can see the hatred in her eyes. There is something common in her and I that we both hate one person and that’s my father. My father holds her hand and bring it to his lips. He kisses it as Verena tries hard to hide her eye roll.

My father walks to one of the bench in the ground and sits there with rest of the people who are here to see the challenge. The place is not filled with people as no one knows about it but from my estimation the total count is around fifty to sixty.

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TO BE CONTINUED........