SKERPLA DAY OF FRIGG

My eyes fluttered with alarm as the door banged open without any warning.

"Goodness gracious, Ace! Do I need to remind you countless times not to be reckless? Do you know how distressed I was when I learned that you were in Tetrae Lands?"

Wait. I was back in Deliora?

The room was undeniably the guest chamber I was staying at. I remembered exhaustion washing as we journeyed to Helia. I didn't even remember dozing off but now here I was in my bed. 

Reichen most likely had contacted Sullien and now he had told Cindra who had barged her way in with her arms crossed in front of me.

"You haven't even mentioned that you already know about the Crusaders. I was taken aback when my son informed me you've gone missing and with that brat to top it off."

"I'm sorry for worrying you, Cindra."

Those were only the words I could say with my thoughts muddled from the current situation.

"Do you plan on joining them?"

"I don't think so. I cannot go out at a moment's notice."

"True. So what really transpired?"

"Reichen said we were caught in an enchantment. We met some travelers and were able to return here."

"Hm. That might be. What else? Did he do something to you? Reichen is quite crass if I must say."

"Nothing. I just slept the whole time so I genuinely don't know."

"Just? My gracious Carline! Did you sleep defenseless with a man and a group of strangers? Have you not recalled all my teachings that a lady should not be alone with a man in the evening?" Her voice was raising a pitch higher and higher.

"It's not like I have a choice since we were the only ones separated. Besides nothing literally arose," I reasoned out.

After that attempt at small talk, all conversation ceased. He was injured and I was tired then lulled to sleep. In retrospect, it was weird I slept like a log when I was usually sensitive to my surroundings. 

Still, since I was able to return, surely nothing atypical had ensued. Right?

Cindra reprimanded me nonstop until there were heavy stamps outside.

"Don't forget what I said. You shouldn't be too careless. You are still a lady, a royalty to add so propriety must still be observed, understand?"

"Yes, yes. I will not take a single step alone with a man starting today," I swore halfheartedly.

"Good, see you, dear." She pulled me into an embrace and left with her portal.

***

I was in the middle of getting ready for this morning's event when I was called, saying I had a visitor. I pondered who it was along the way and was bemused seeing Willow sitting comfortably on the couch.

"Willow, how did you even come here?" I asked, stepping inside the drawing-room.

Other royalties could not attend the Selection unless they were relatives of the candidate. Moreover, no family members usually come to this event.

"It's not official but I'm your future sister-in-law so of course, they let me in. I was very anxious last night. I could not meet you since Sullien can only transport up to two people and Reichen wanted you to be sent back here right away."

"How was Reichen, by the way?"

"Speaking of that. He was bleeding heavily when he was sent to the headquarters. Apparently, you encountered Reapers along the way."

"What?"

I scowled. I didn't have memories of that. Then the fact that I was asleep the whole time came to my mind. I knew it. Something has happened.

"Let's get Sullien. I need to meet that guy."

"But the trial will be starting in an hour?"

"An hour is a lot."

***

Sullien was obviously flustered with the sudden request but he still obliged. We were transported into a log cabin. I did not wait for them and went ahead to enter the house. I searched for the surroundings and felt a presence inside a room the entered it with haste.

Reichen's complexion was pale but it was improving compared to the last I had seen him. Nonetheless, it should have been worse since his injuries were added. He had no mask on so the clear surprise was apparent.

"Why the hell did you not wake me up?"

The upsetting feeling grew deeper. Idiots like him who only thought about their ego remarkably existed. He was wounded and I was just tired. Anyone could see who had the better chances of fighting.

"You were caught in an enchantment again back at Tetrae. All that passed through it were sent into slumber."

Oh. I felt the redness creeped out onto me with my abrupt behavior. I stormed off thinking about the disgrace of becoming a burden to someone when he could've woke me up when the truth was he had no liberty to do so.

"That being said, how were you able to stay awake?' I asked instead.

"I have this." He tugged his ear to reveal the small topaz earring. "This can counter the effects of an enchantment."

It suddenly made me want to poke my nose. Words from Night came to my mind. He said I had an enchantment in my body and maybe that could help me since it was able to repel it.

"Where did you get that?"

A smile appeared on his lips. Not laidback nor it was the annoying one. It was just one smile but the anguish was evident that I was caught unawares.

"My mother."

For some reason, I didn't feel like asking more questions because of the rueful atmosphere. However, the somber air dissipated instantly when he looked up at me. This time his eyes were now twinkling with mischief.

"Now that I think of it, you must have rushed here once you learned about the events last night? I am glad to see you are concerned about my situation, Ace."

My brow arched. "You wish."

I whirled in my heels and grabbed Willow and Sullien who were just watching from the sideline.

"Let's return since he is alright but his head is presumably not."

We left Reichen unaided whose chuckle I heard before we disappeared.

***

"Thanks," I muttered when we were back in my chamber.

"It was a pleasure. That was the first time I saw our leader showing a lot of expressions," said Sullien.

"I agree. His impassive look can rival Yves after all. Have you known each other before this?" prodded Willow.

"Not that much."

"Truly? Doesn't seem like it. I've known Reichen ever since. He's not the type to open up to strangers after what he'd been through."

"God. Enough of him. I need to go down by now. The third trial will start at any moment."

"In that case, I'll leave first. I'll see you the next time. Good luck," said Sullien and left right after.

"I cannot stay long too, Carline. They won't let a guest from another kingdom see their selection. It's not even that private since the ladies will doubtlessly gossip about it by tomorrow," Willow complained.

"Well, each country has its own tradition. Let's just understand that."

I personally sent her off to her carriage as we talked a lot more. I didn't even know when would be the next we would meet and we didn't have much time to catch up.

***

Afterward, I proceeded to the palace courtyard, the one situated near the Knight's Circle. Unlike the last time, there were tents set up facing a staged arena. It didn't take much to know that the third trial was a duel.

"Greetings, Princess," saluted Reid. "I apologize for neglecting my duties, your highness."

"It is fine."

"Your tent is already prepared. After you, Princess." He gestured his hand and I walked ahead.

It was not hard to see my tent since it was the lightest shade of blue, the color of our kingdom. Our crest was imprinted on a banner atop. It was a scale with a crown and sword on each side and enclosed by skeletal wings. Its motto was in bold letters.

Never forget. Beyond we rise.

"Greetings, Princess Carline," said Princess Priscilla who dropped by at my tent just when I was about to sit down on the lounge chair they provided.

I was in between Carrion and Helia. I didn't even bother glancing at the other side since chances were high that the woman would cause another turmoil just because of a look.

"Greetings, Princess Priscilla." I returned the curtsy.

"I was informed you were sick, Princess Carline. I am glad to see you are better now. It's not every time your kind can get sick." She was obviously testing me out but I simply ignored her words with a smile.

"Thank you for the concern, Princess Priscilla."

"While on the subject, King Freed was also not in good health last night. Rumors have it that he collapsed during his time with that baseborn princess. Truly befitting for her poisonous name."

"Are you talking about me?" Princess Ivy was already there, glowering, and had her hands on her hips.

The tents were not that far from each other so Princess Ivy mayhap overheard everything.

"If the shoe fits, why not?"

Another bout ensued. It seemed like the incident yesterday had made them mortal enemies.

"Ha! At least I am not a dog who blindly revered a nonexistent goddess."

"Is that all your poor vocabulary can come up with? Do you know why Helia resented the Amicas? It is because they were punished by the Goddess due to their betrayal. This is why Carrion will forever be the strongest because we conformed to the Goddess' words and look where you are. You rebuked her teaching and became inferior. Helia had now become the lowest-ranked among the Great Five. You may have the largest territory but it may not take a long time before another kingdom will steal your prestige."

I suddenly relived the time the Carrion had visited our palace. Their family crest was too outstanding in person that I took note of it.

Goddess prevails above all. So that must be what it meant. They had an undying devotion to the Goddess just like how Solaris was with their True God and Ezriel with the Fallen God.

The two women were fully engaged in quarreling and that was what King Freed witnessed when he arrived at my tent.

"Greetings Princesses, I am not aware that the tent of Princess Ezriel had become a meeting place."

Meeting place, my ass. The arena should be for the two of them at this rate of verbal war that they were doing.

They were quick on their feet and we all simultaneously bowed to the king.

"I'm glad to know you are well, Princess Carline."

"Likewise, your majesty. I had heard you fell ill as well."

"I am grateful for your worry. I wish you and your team heaven's fortune."

I sure hope not. The last thing I wanted to was to win.

"And of course, the same goes for Princess Carrion and Princess Helia. I'll be off, Princesses."

The king merely came and went. He was far from view and Princess Ivy wheeled to me.

"Hmph! A king who looks like a monster and a bride candidate that is an actual monster. How apt," she sneered.

I motioned back to see Reid but he didn't show any reaction to Princess Ivy's contemptuous words. This woman should downright control her tongue.

"Oh, dear. You must be jealous since it's obvious King Freed is partial to Carline."

"You jest, Princess Priscilla. I am sure that King Freed is fair with this selection," I flat-out refuted.

"I doubt."

Princess Priscilla had more things to say but the trumpets were horned, signaling the beginning of trials. King Freed reached the center of the arena and everything went silent.

"Good day to the lords and ladies, our humbled knights, and most importantly, the princesses who had left their kingdom to come here. For today, our theme is Prosper. The last word of our maxim. The main goal of our, with peace and progress in hand, Deliora will forever prosper. It is the duty of our knights to balance it all. A knight can be found in anyone but a loyal knight is harder to come by and only a true queen could incite the loyalty of their knights. He who attains the top will bring honor not just to himself but also to the queen whom he offered his rose. May luck grace upon all of you."

It was a long speech without a pause. After it was over, the knights picked up flowers and laid them one by one on their chosen candidate.

Everyone was done without further ado and I controlled myself not to let my true sentiment slip. There was only a single stem in front of me while even from the distance, Princess Charlotte could make several bouquets with hers. Even Princess Ivy had tens on her basket.

The number of knights rightly showed our social aptitude. Princess Charlotte was the social butterfly among us while I and Princess Norinne had little to nonexistent seeing that she had only five people lining up to her.

I looked straight and only Reid was standing in front of me. I didn't know if I should be happy or sad about this result. Eventually, I settled with the former. Who cared about pride if this was a given opportunity to lose.

***

"Ezriel"

Another duel began after the herald announced the winner. Minutes later, the opposing knight dropped his sword and forfeited.

"Ezriel."

It was already twelve consecutive wins and Reid didn't show any signs of flagging. His sword had been drenched with crimson and the fresh ones dripped on its tip. It was not a brutal fight but the number of people he had encountered and the injuries he caused was evident in the cascading blood on his weapon.

His stance remained sturdy as he easily defeated all his opponents. The knights were divided into four sets. The ones who belonged to the same set as him all failed miserably.

The knights of Deliora were strong. They have a foundation of a formidable knight, their skills were not that exceptional but they have good build and technique but it was all useless when dealing with Reid.

I had to say that he had one of the best I had seen in terms of fighting. His swordplay was above average. He knew how to read his opponents and where to strike.

His continuous streak of wins kept on and the grand finals passed by a breeze.

Isn't this blatant cheating? How could he single-handedly beat all of them? Nevertheless, there was no complaint from anyone which meant they acknowledged his win.

It was painfully obvious, Reid would be declared as champion, and I was not wrong.

***

The lords and ladies who watched the whole show came to me one by one and sent their congratulations.

Reid had excused himself and had not been back yet and I was surrounded by people.

"Knight Reid lives up to his name. Such a young age and already a master of swords. Truly marvelous, " a noble stated.

"It was quite a feat, I must say. He had turned the tides in your favor, your highness," said another.

"That is true. The duel recurrently determines the result. I remembered the past queens always got their crown because of their knights."

I staggered from what she said. I suppressed the flabbergastation I felt as I looked over the elderly woman.

"Pardon, my lady?"

"What of it, your highness?"

"Can you repeat what you said?"

There was a slight wrinkle on her brow but she still repeated her statement. "The past queens were chosen since their knights won ever since I remembered but it was the first time I had witnessed a candidate with a single knight but had won."

My face slowly was washed out of color as her words sunk in. No way.

"Then what the hell are the other trials for?"

The widened eyes showed they were obviously stunned. Be it from my voice growing a timbre higher or I slipped out a curse, I couldn't care less.

Damn it. I miscalculated. I didn't think that the duel had a huge effect on the Selection.

I was glad to have only Reid as my knight but it seemed like I was chosen by the strongest one.

Slowly, the nobles who surrounded me had parted to give their way to the king. A smile lingered on his lips as he drew nearer. He gestured for the rest to be dismissed and there were only the two of us remaining.

"Congratulations, Princess Carline."

"Thank you, your majesty," I answered automatically.

"As the winner of this trial, I am looking forward to being your escort for tonight's celebration banquet."

My mind spun with countless explanations. I could not go. I had to go back. There was only one reason I could think of. I had to clear my throat and even swallow a large breath before saying my outrageous made-up story.

"Your majesty, please accept my apology. I could not attend the ceremony because I had an urgent matter. Father had sent a missive this morning. He was particularly worried about me for he had heard about my sudden sickness. He had sent his concern and wished me to go back as soon as the trial had ended..."

Lies after lies spurred in my mouth. Reichen was right. I was a hypocrite. I was a liar, myself. 

But all these lies were the only ones that could save me and the lives hampered to me.

I expressed my regret once again and left without turning back.

I made it up to my chamber in no time. As soon as I opened the door, I stifled looking at the scene. If I did not know any better, I would have assumed that they knew the whole matter that had occurred minutes ago. Contrariwise, they were possibly instructed that we should leave before the night came.

Ah. Father was indeed a meticulous man.

***