“As many of you well know, this past year has been fraught with challenges for our kingdom. Unprecedented threats have made themselves known and shaken the very foundation of what was previously believed to be possible. Still, these challenges also present us with opportunities to learn and grow, ultimately for the betterment of our kingdom and its people.”

A low murmur could be heard around the long banquet table in response to the princess’ words. She was giving the opening speech for her birthday festival, and many were surprised to hear her address the incident from six months ago, even if only indirectly. 

Many of the nobles seemed less than impressed with her words, but nobody said that too loudly. They didn’t believe that one priestess alone could do so much damage, but Ophelia knew better. She had trained and fought alongside Captains Orthus and Elias. Both were powerful, capable, and intelligent. They wouldn’t have gone down without a serious fight, and the fact that this priestess had taken down not only them but forty lesser mages and a staggering number of soldiers meant that she was someone truly formidable.

Ophelia might–might–be able to pull that off, but Ophelia herself was an anomaly. For someone outside the influence and tutelage of the Collective to do so was chilling to say the least. 

The princess cleared her throat and waited for the collected attendees of this morning’s banquet to quiet down. When all eyes were focused on her once more, she continued speaking confidently. Listening to her, it was as if there couldn’t possibly be concerning sentiments in the minds of her esteemed guests. Ophelia admired the woman’s composure.

“Some of you likely don’t believe the stories you’ve heard, or only partially believe them and think them exaggerated to save face. Let me assure you right here and now that every word of those incidents we have announced is nothing but the truth.”

Her tone became biting, as if daring disagreement.

“You may think us weak, or cowardly, or some mix thereof. We don’t hold that against you. How could we? You didn’t bear witness to that monster. You weren’t here for the funerals. The loss of so many soldiers wounded us deeply, but not because they lost their lives in defeat. Rather, the sadness we feel is because they lost their lives defending us from a force of nature that they couldn’t hope to even wound. We of house Andrade shall never forget their courage in the face of such a thing, nor shall we allow ourselves to sink back into a false sense of security.”

The princess locked eyes with each attendee in turn, her gaze a mask of only partially hidden rage. It sent chills up Ophelia’s spine. She almost instinctively bowed her head, but she fought the urge. Ophelia could recognize a predator when she saw one.

When Dinah spoke once more, her tone had softened significantly into the passive and cheerful tone one might have expected from a princess at her birthday celebration.

“That is why we will be taking the opportunity here at this festival to assuage your fears.” She waved a hand at the side of the room and her brother, Prince Dante, strode out from a side entrance in beautiful black and gold leather armor and carrying a gilded black spear. The Andrade crest was emblazoned on his chest and a simple, spiked circlet of black steel rested upon his brow. He looked every bit the warrior-prince that he was, a sharp contrast to his elegant sister beside him.

Some attendees flinched back as if fearful of the prince lashing out to punish them while others gaped or shot confused glances amongst their neighbors. Ophelia noticed a faint smirk on the princess’ face, but it disappeared just as quickly as it had appeared.

Ophelia was curious as to where this was going. She knew that the prince had been training, obviously, but she hadn’t been informed as to the reason. 

“My dear brother, Crown Prince Dante Andrade, heir to the Andrade Dynasty, has graciously agreed to offer us a demonstration of our nation’s resolve and might. He has always been my most vigorous defender, but today he will be defending my very honor by serving as one of my champions.”

The gathered nobility (and mages) fell deathly silent. Ophelia could practically see the questions on their faces. She had questions of her own. Namely, why would they decide to open the prince up to challenges? He could get injured, or be defeated and risk humiliating their kingdom further in the eyes of the nobility. He would be fighting for an entire day nearly non-stop. No matter how skilled he was, that would wear down any–

It struck her like her own lightning. He won’t lose. They're confident in that, or at least confident enough to risk it. It makes sense. He beat me, after all, and he continued performing at about that same level long into the evening, bout after bout. 

Dinah continued speaking, her tone never implying anything other than proper nobility and cheerfulness.

“I’ve also decided to add another prize into the mix. Anyone who can best my dearest brother in a challenge today will become eligible to take my hand in marriage. If more than one challenger manages to do so, we will hold a small tournament tomorrow to decide who is most eligible.”

This sent the long banquet table into an uproar. Nobles began frantically calling for their servants, conferring with one another, and just generally whipping themselves into a frenzy. The princess was the most eligible bachelorette among the three alliance nations after all. Dinah was nineteen, unmarried, and of royal birth. So many suitors had been turned down by now that rumors had begun to spread that she would never marry, yet here they were being presented with an opportunity to claim her hand by force.

Ophelia’s eyes locked onto the prince, searching for anything that could clarify the situation. Why would they risk not only the prince, but the princess as well??? She was taken aback when she saw Dante’s pale complexion and frantic eyes as he tried and failed to keep a poker face. The tan, handsome, stoic prince was now white as a sheet and eyeing his sister like she had just stabbed him in the kidney.

“I wish you all good luck!” Dinah finished her speech. “I look forward to watching the competition.”

The words were delivered so sweetly, so innocently, that Ophelia couldn’t help but feel that it was a trap.

…