Everyone is excited and fidgety.
Ava Morningstar, the renowned princess of the Faery realm, sat on the high throne constructed out of pure crystalline and thick ice. Her white robe fell flat on her side. Her back straight, figure poised and proper. She had an air of elegance, not of arrogance. Her skin was fair, whiter than snow, even. Her face was small, definitely delicate and extremely flawless, like a polished, precious, rare stone. Her eyes are alluringly deep. One can see the ripples of gentle sky spreading at the iris of her eyes. And the expression that held them are definitely warm, welcoming, breezy even.
She acts as prim and proper in front of their subjects. Yet, only the king, queen and her servants know how much of a troublemaker she was. Her eyes will always scan around the grand hall with delicate golden contours. Searching for the right time to sneak out of the grand occasion.
Faeries from all races have gathered in the palace today for one reason. The king has finally located the legendary beast that every living being in the Faery realm heard and searched for. The Azure Dragon of Frost City. Proud warriors and fighters of each Faery race have heeded the king's call. Defeating the Azure Dragon needs a great amount of mana, needs skill, talent, and luck. The king called forth whoever will come with him and raid the said legendary beast. He had expected only a few will come. Considering the entirety of their realm is suffering intense snow and frost winter weather for years now because of this beast. What he had not expected, is the tenacity of his people. The determination to finally see the first sign of spring. The first leaf of trees. No more dried and frozen meat. They can finally enjoy the abundance of vegetables and fruits... if they had all taken the Azure Dragon down.
Of course, Ava must take part. Although she hated to. Not because she's scared, but because of the ridiculous reward the king made. He proclaims that whoever individual succeeded has the chance to marry her.
Ava hated it right through her bone. She demanded her father to revoke it, but once the words have been expressed, once they have made promises, there's no taking it back.
No one can deny how Ava is the fairest among all the faeries ever existed in the Faery realm. Every faery man wants her. They thirst to prove their might... just to have her hand in marriage. But Ava won't spare any of these men a glance. Her attention is always focused on improving her sword skills. Practicing her martial arts, deepening her mana core. These efforts garnered her the title of the strongest female faery warrior in all faery realms.
The main reason the king wants her to come is to improve her abilities more in fighting. She has faced many mortal enemies and monsters.... to face off the legendary beast and have the chance to be the faery who killed it, is the dream of the king for Ava.
Yet here she was, ignorant of it all and wearing a stubborn face. She has attempted to escape at least twenty times. Thank heavens the queen assigned to her the strongest and most capable royal guard at her side. He had successfully apprehended her each time she dared to escape.
The king slide her a glance from his high throne. She's still wearing that deep frown at the same time appearing polite expression before the masses.
"Your daughter is rebelling against me." The king whispered to the queen. His voice is low, yet heavy with disapproval. The queen glance at Ava and smiled.
"She's not, dear. She only doesn't like your decision to marry her off to anyone who defeats the legendary beast.," the queen responds. The king click his tongue.
"I only meant those words to motivate her to work hard on this expedition. If I did not say it, do you think she will relent in coming with me?"
"Yes, you're right. But dear, we already agreed to never force marriage to our daughter, didn't we?" the queen lightly chided. The king lessen the frown on his face and turn to his queen.
"I know, but do you think I can still shut the voices of my ministers and my subjects who keep on pushing and urging me when I'll choose a husband suited for our daughter? Every day my paperworks are full of petition for the marriage of the princess. They piled up so high they take up most of my working table every day. I finally found a break from reading those flowery flattery petitions to have their sons marry our daughter when the location for Azure Dragon is finally located. My queen, don't you agree with me when I say this decree of mine for her marriage kills three birds with one stone? First, I get to take Ava away from all her isolated trainings and introduce her to our people. Second, fighting the Azure Dragon of the Frost City let her gain new strength. Not only that, she has the most chances to receive its powers if she ever defeated the entity. Third, all strong and capable men in our country will cooperate and put down their lives on the line just for the sake of their princess. I don't have to waste any more time and effort in picking up anyone in the royal army. And these men, I'm sure, won't slack off. Just look at their optimistic and intense gazes at our daughter. Doesn't that tell they look forward to protecting her and showing their heroism? "
The queen chuckled. "Heroism? More like 'to impress'. You men are so good at pretending to be strong, acting all valiant and proud just to impress us, ladies." The king said nothing to refute her statement.
After a moment, the queen said, "Well, at least I know Ava will be in good hands. She can fight, at the same time avoid getting in harm with all these men ready to fling their bodies as shields just to protect her."
"My queen, I hope you mean nothing like using these men as her scapegoat -,"
"That's exactly what will happen. I can already picture her picking up one and throw the poor man into harm's way just to get a good kill."
The king shifted uncomfortably on his throne. "That's.... "
The trumpet blasted at the grand hall's gate. Signaling it is time to go. The king picked up his sword, put it on his waist, and the queen adjusted the light armor he wore for protection.
"May the heavens be with you, my king." The queen whispered.
"Thank you. Just wait for us. I will be sure we will be back bringing good news." The king caressed the queen's hand and put his lips on the back of her palm. When he let go, he faced the crowd and shouted, "Has everyone assembled?"
The mass roared, raising their swords in the air.
"Tonight, we shall march into the Frost City, defeat the Azure Dragon, and bring back the ever once Spring that ruled our lands!"
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