Later in the day, the moon is set, and the castle is filled with lords, queens, princes, and princesses alike. Everyone was chatting about old times and wives. The princes were talking about the princesses, and they were talking about the princes. The King and queen were on the throne, behind a table, eating and talking. I was leaning against a pillar, watching everyone. The King notices me and shouts, "Zechariah, champion of the Colosseum, get over here and have a seat." Everyone was looking toward me and started whispering. All I heard was, who is he, and the word peasant repeatedly. My long curly hair gave it away. Peasants do not worry about their hair like how royals do. So, it is easy to spot a peasant right away. The King slaps me on the back, "How are you liking the banquet so far?"

"Well, it is gleaming."

"Ha-ha, your father never really liked shiny stuff either. He was always blinded by the lights."

"I can see that."

"Welcome, Zechariah; please enjoy the feast.", the queen said. I did not know what to say after all I had heard earlier. I did not want to be rude, so I thanked her. I sat beside the princess and looked at the maid, who brought me a plate with a giant chicken bone, greens, and squash. I pick up a fork and start to eat. The princess tapped my shoulder, "Have you told them yet?".

"No, if I told your father, he wouldn't mind it, but if I told your mother, she would lash out at you and me."

"What do you mean?".

"I…I was here when the princes were trying to win your hand". The princess laid her fork down and wiped her mouth.

"I was hiding behind a pot in the main chamber. I heard everything your mom needed to say about me, pure bloodlines and her way about peasants."

"I'm sorry my mother was rude, but don't take it to heart."

"How could I not? After you left, she said no matter how hard I try to fight, I will always be a peasant, like my father."

"Zechariah, you are not a peasant in my eyes. You are more royal than the blood running through me." She puts her hand on mine. We held hands as we ate.

The door slammed open, and everyone stood idle and quiet. It was Gilligore. He showed up again in an all-white outfit and a hand full of all kinds of flowers. He walks to the steps and stands before the princess and me. She lets go of my hand. Gilligore hands her the flowers, "Here you are, my lovely dear." She grabs the flowers and bows to him. He turns to me and gives me a grim look, scanning me up and down.

"And who is this?", Gilligore shouted.

"This is one of my dear childhood friends, Zechariah."

"You, my dear princess, are friends with a peasant?!"

"What's wrong with befriending a peasant?'.

"It does not look good for your image; what will the other princes think?".

"I can care less about what others think. Image is not everything".

"Gilligore, why are you back here?" the King said.

"I was just dropping off a gift for the princess."

"Why are you arguing about peasants?"

"Because it does not look right; how are you okay with this?!"

"Zechariah's' father and I have been friends since we were children until his death. My daughter befriending a lower class does not bother me."

Gilligore turns his head to the queen, "Your majesty, are you okay with this?" The queen closes her eyes and wipes her mouth. "No, I don't agree with this, not a bit," the queen spoke. Gilligore turns to me, "See, the queen does not want you here; why are you?".

I reply, "Because the princess and king insisted, why do you care?".

"Because you are ruining this maiden's image with your disgraceful presence." Gilligore splashes my drink in my face, yelling, "BEGONE, PEASANT!" My hair fell over my eyes. The chamber was quiet, and little whispers floated about. I stood up. "Zechariah, no," the princess said, grabbing my hand. Gilligore looks down at our hands. She lets go of her hand. I look up at Gilligore and punch him in the nose. Blood spilled out. I grabbed his robe before he could fall backward. I look at him in his eyes, "Do not disrespect me ever again!". I look up and shout, "All of you!". I throw Gilligore down the steps and hop over the table.

"Nothing is wrong with befriending someone from another background than you, regardless of anything. If you do not like it, keep it to yourself, do not show it to those who feel bad about your insults. It is one of the reasons we do not want to be part of the middle and high classes. Because we are too afraid of being judged, even if we rise above our given ranks. You all think your image makes everyone like you without even knowing them. If you want to befriend someone, do it! Just do not base it off appearance, rank, or any other preference". I look down at Gilligore and spit at my foot, "Once a peasant, always a peasant." I have had enough; I strike Gilligore in the chin. He slides across the large table and hits the door. Gilligore gets up and walks out. I look back at the royals, then walk out the back door.

I run into an old man walking past the door. He looks at me as I pass by and says, "What happened in there?". I stop and turn to him, "Royals are a pain in the ass."

He responds, "I hear you, their kid." And walks off.

I sit at the bottom of the royal steps and reflect a little. My face starts to feel wet. I was crying.

A maid comes rushing out the palace's back door and yells at me, "Zechariah, come quick, please!" She sounded worried. I respond, "Why?"

"They hurt the king, and they have the princess hostage!"

Once I heard that I rushed back to the Ball Chamber and saw a tall man, buff as an Ox. He turns with the princess in his arms and a dagger in his right hand. He smiles at me, "Well, about time you showed up."

"What do you want?" I said.

"Woah, no need to rush things; let me introduce myself. My name is Xianock the Forceful, and I have come to exchange an ultimatum. As you can see, I tried to offer it to your dear King, but he refused, and I do not like to be refused".

"Okay, what does this have to do with me?".

"See, the word everywhere is that you are the strongest. Some say the world, for as long as you have kept fighting. So, from where I see it I…."

"Will you just tell me what you want from me?!".

"Wow, okay, rude. But I will tell. I wish to claim your whole country and you're your princess's hand".

"Why come here? There are 7 other countries to take over".

"See, I have already been through all seven. And they all have refused my offer. So, I killed their royals and conquered the countries myself".

"What about the royal guards?".

"Oh please, they were like pawns on a chess slate. I killed everyone".

"But why me? You could have killed the royals and controlled this place. Why ask me?".

"Because you are the strongest in this country, and from my perspective, the strongest is the country's best defense. The royal guards do not even stand to your rank".

"…. But why must you want a princess?".

"Because a strong leader must have a dashing wife to rule by his side."

The princess tells him," Dashing to who? Not you!".

"Oh, come now, don't be like that." Xianock starts to reach his hand below the princess's waist. I rush extremely fast and push him off. I grab the princess and dash backward. Xianock gets knocked down, and he then rolls back up. He dusts some food off him. He looks at me grimly, "I do not like to be refused." He snaps his fingers, and men in black-plated armor appear behind the pillars. They walk in closer. Xianock walks to me and tries to grab the princess from me. I move back. I lift the princess, jump, kick Xianock, flip over the soldiers, and dash out the front door. I run down the steps. More men were coming from outside the gates. They forced their way in, but I ran to the walls. Hopping off the wall, I rush to the alleyways and jump to the rooftops.