"When people label you as a nobody, it's your moment to make yourself a somebody."

~🔥~

I want to be stronger. I've lost things that were important to me this past three years. I was a scared boy, scarred for life because of the horrors that this world could bring. I was depressed. I didn't do anything in my life. Now I want to change that.

It was eight in the sunny morning of July when the sound of clashing metal echoed all throughout the training grounds as two men fought inside the arena. It was an old building for sure as seen by the holes on the walls made of stones. There were various areas divided into different sections for the soldiers to train. There was a certain place with dummies where soldiers were practicing. Outside was a shooting ground for archers. And of course, the arena at the center where people fight each other to test their abilities.

Air was seeping in to watch the commotion inside. Every single one of the soldiers that were watching were cheering for the younger one, although some were still cheering for the older one. Both were wearing the same type of silver armor that the other soldiers wore.

The younger one thrusted his sword forward to hit the older one's breast plate but he missed him because his opponent was too quick to be hit. The older one jumped and slashed the younger one downwards, although he blocked it with his sword.

"Not too bad, Your Highness," praised the older one who seemed to be more experienced in swordsmanship than his opponent.

"Thank you, Pollo," the young man replied while struggling to parry the force coming from Pollo's attack but still, he pushed through, kicking him in the stomach afterwards which made Pollo lose his balance. The other soldiers cheered for the prince as loud as they could once Pollo faceplanted on the cold hard ground.

The prince came walking towards Pollo who was now lying on the ground, but Pollo immediately swung his foot, hitting the prince's knees which caused him to lose his balance as well. Pollo saw an opening so he grabbed the opportunity to get up and hit the prince's head with the handle of his sword.

"Argh!" The prince screamed with pain but he swiped his sword upwards which hit Pollo's entire torso, knocking him back in the process as well. He quickly got up, charging to thrust Pollo's chest causing him to fall off the arena.

"Well fought, Pollo," the prince praised Pollo as he removed his helmet. When he removed the armor, his beautiful hair slicked back, the white locks, just like the blooming daisies in the dawn of spring stood out against his very pale skin. The freckles that dotted his cheeks were as beautiful as the starry sky at night. And his blue eyes -oh, those ocean blue eyes which could draw in every single creature who looked at them. Pulling and drowning them in its deep blue waters.

The soldiers were marveled and extolled the exquisite fighting skills that the prince showed. In just three months, he quickly learned how to fight and the soldiers of the kingdom were very amazed by how fast the prince pick things up and apply them in his battles.

"You've improved a lot your highness." Said the other soldiers who are still shouting and cheering for the prince who just won his first duel against the royal knight of Cahserith.

The prince giggled. "I know you were holding back Pollo." He whispered to the man whom he was helping to get back on his feet, smiling at him at the same time.

"Maybe a little." Pollo replied while wiping the sweat dripping from his huge forehead. The color of his eyes were the wildest shade of forest green. His skin contrasted his eyes beautifully because of its rich brown color.

"All thanks to everyone. I know I'm not as good as my b—." The prince immediately paused and made a shocked expression. He then cleared his throat and continued talking. "I know that I'm not that good when it comes to sword fighting, but thanks to everyone here, I learned to wield a sword quickly." Profess the prince while looking at the people surrounding him one by one.

They were still celebrating until the door of the training grounds opened and a silhouette of a tall lady wearing a beautiful, intricate green gown appeared, standing in the open space under the light of the bright, burning sun.

"My dear Liam. It seems you have won your first duel with Pollo based on the soldiers gathering around you." She stepped inside the training grounds and who was it? Only a stranger who does not live in the kingdom does not know where that beautiful, soothing voice came from. And that long snow white hair that caught the golden rays of sun.

"Hello mother." Liam greeted her with a smile as he walked towards her.

"You've certainly formed a bond with the army, Liam. I wouldn't be surprised if you become a great king just like your father, maybe a better one." Noted the queen as she walked down the stairs, carefully, but also gracefully. One of her many ways of showing that she is also a delicate woman, not just a powerful queen.

"I wouldn't be the first one to say that he will be a great king someday, your majesty." Pollo said as he sheathed his rusty old sword while staring at the courageous young man standing beside a lovely woman.

"Thank you Pollo." Said the young prince before glancing to Pollo, then returning his focused gaze to his mother who is yet to tell him something she promised the night before today.

"By the way, Liam, the people of our kingdom are expecting you to visit every corner of this wonderful place." She recalled after puting her arms around her son, then they walked together towards the open field outside the training grounds.

The beautiful field welcomed them with a very warm and gentle breeze, just like an angel's touch. Liam could hear the sound of the trees, as well as the animals that had gathered in their presence. Just a few yards from the training grounds was the ginormous crystal white castle topped with roof coated with the loveliest shade of gold, almost shining because of the reflection of the burning sun.

"Good morning everybody." He greeted every animals, and they answered him with a sound of their own. Some birds chirped, the three dogs owned by Pollo barked at him in a well behaved manner, and the cows, horses, elks and deer that came to see him.

"It's amazing how they always come towards you whenever they hear your voice and footsteps. They might've engraved your sound in their minds, to use it as a signal that you are coming." The queen said to her son as they strolled towards the courtyard of the gigantic castle that was located to the north of the Cahserith Kingdom.

As they continue walking, majority of the animals followed the two of them, as if they were guiding them through the open fields, and at the same time, protecting them from the terrors that may occur after witnessing the incident that happened in the castle three years ago. Some of the elk that was walking behind them glanced to their left, and then to their right to see if there is someone or something suspicious, while the horses walked alongside the queen and the prince.

The queen suddenly stopped walking and a sudden realization appeared on her face. There was something she forgot to say to her son. "Oh, goodness me!" She cried. " I almost forgot Liam. I requested the white horse of the lily of the valley for you to ride while visiting the people of our kingdom." She said and an enormous smile appeared on the boy's face. His smile gets from ear to ear.

"NO WAY!" He screamed with pure joy and excitement that echoed all throughout the open fields of the Cahserith Kingdom. Even the animals that were joining them stopped whatever it is that they're doing as they were shocked because of the prince's joyful scream.

"I GET TO RIDE SPADE!?" The prince screamed again, but a lot softer and gentler this time, not scaring the animals that was surrounding the two of them.

"Oh mother thank you so much! I miss Spade very much!" He repeatedly said as his mother was nothing but happy because of the boy's reaction when she said that he will be riding Spade, the white horse of lily of the Valley, one of the fastest, most beautiful horse there is in the kingdom of Cahserith. Well, once, the fastest.

Spade was only a foal when Liam's older brother, Jasper, found him wounded at the side of the road after coming home from a trade with the kingdom of Qlhaverya. He immediately looked for Hopp's help, the man who owns the horse stable of the kingdom. Jasper left him in charge of taking care of Spade that night, and the next morning, he brought his little brother Liam to visit his new friend.

Liam quickly fell in love with the horse and formed a deep connection with him. Whenever Liam, or sometimes Jasper, would step foot inside the stable, Spade would immediately make some noise because he was very much excited to see his favorite friends. As Liam grew up, so did Spade.

Liam would always ride Spade in the open fields next to the horse stable of the kingdom. The three of them, including Liam's big brother, Jasper, were inseparable. Liam was Spade's closest and best friend, while Jasper was his savior. That is why Spade always has Jasper's gratitude.

But something in Spade died the night of the coronation three years ago. The happiness to be excited whenever Liam steps in the stable, the drive to run as fast as he could, and the voice to make those lovely, happy noise, it all faded, withered like a beautiful flower whose source of sunlight and water had disappear. Liam knew why, but was still excited to see the horse once again.

Once the queen and the prince arrived in the courtyard, all of the animals went back to the open fields before making a noise saying goodbye to the two people.

"You should hurry up and get dressed Liam. You need to look presentable when you meet Spade after three years. And also, to look nice in front of the people of our kingdom. But mostly the first one, since I know, you love Spade very much." She said, as she pat the boy's shoulders.

Liam smiled and nodded at the same time. "I know mother, I must look my very best before meeting Spade after all this time." He said. He glanced at his mother, and then to the hedge that was shaped in difference animals, but he was looking more to the horse in the middle. And then he ran to his room as quick as possible to get dressed.

~🔥~

Feel free to give feedback. I need it. Very much so 🌞🌞🌞
Thanks for reading 😁😁😁