“We are at the final match everyone!” shouted an announcer, “Our finalists are B8 and C4! Who will win? Referee! Take it away!”

“Alright,” began the referee, “I’m sure you both are familiar with the rules by now but I will repeat them anyway. Rule #1, you are not allowed to kill your opponent. Rule #2 you are allowed to bruise and cut your opponent, just no life threatening injuries. Rule #3 you are not allowed to punch or kick your opponent without a weapon; any weapons with the exception of ones with poison are allowed. Are you both ready to begin?” the referee finished and we both nodded. He backed up to a safe distance and gave the signal and shouted “Begin!”

My opponent was a guy about my age, though he was slightly taller than I was. He had blond hair and green eyes. He was wielding a bo-staff with intricate decorations and patterns etched into it. He was clearly the son of a noble.

When we heard the referee signal the start of the match we both drew our weapons. His weapon had a longer reach that my swords so I would have a slight disadvantage. I decided that the best thing to do would be to use my agility. I charged at him at full speed. I spun while alternating strikes with my right and left sword, trying to get him to get off guard, but to no avail. Damn he’s good. I thought. He blocked every one of my attacks. I was beginning to tire him out though. I had more stamina than him, which meant all I had to do was drag out the fight and he would eventually mess up. I continued to wear him out for a little while longer, until he did something I didn’t expect at all. He smirked. It was only for a split second, but I was sure it happened. I didn’t have much time to think about it because all of the sudden he pushed me with his hand, not hard enough for most people to notice, but just enough to knock me off balance some. Then he hooked his foot on my ankle and pulled, and I was on the ground, my swords about two foot away from me; where they had landed when I dropped them.

“Match end!” the referee shouted, “C4 is the winner!” I had lost, due to his cheap trick, I had lost. The stupid sneak had done it so that the referee didn’t see and the audience was seated too far away to notice.

“Looks like we have a winner and the one who will be chosen as the Royal–” the announcer began but the princess cut him off.

“No,” she said with simple and absolute authority. Everyone in the audience looked at her in amazement and confusion. “That man will not be my Royal Knight.”

“Bu-but Princess Rose…” the announcer began, “He did win...He followed the rules and–” she cut him off again.

“That’s where you are mistaken. You and the referee may have missed it and so did the audience. But he tricked you, I saw what he did,” she said accusingly crossing her arms and looking at C4.

The referee looked over at him and asked him if that was true. “Of-of, course not! I won by following the rules!” he said. He spoke to the princess this time, “I assure you, I did not cheat, your highness.”

“Oh really? Is pushing your opponent to get him off balance and then knocking him down by hooking your foot on his ankle in the rules? Because I thought that the rules specifically said that punching and kicking your opponent were not allowed,” the princess said looking down at him and raising an eyebrow.

“And I thought I was the only one who noticed,” I began as I got up, “you have good eyes your highness,” I finished with a bow.

“Why thank you Mr. Unnamed Knight,” the Princess replied with a curtsy, “And even if what C4 did wasn’t technically against any rules, it was still sneaky and dishonorable. I don’t need someone like that as my Royal Knight,” she announced. “I hereby declare that the knight under the alias B8 shall be appointed as my Royal Knight. My decision is final and irrefutable.” The crowd was shocked, so was the announcer.

“I-I guess that decides it folks!” said the announcer, getting a hold of himself again, “We have a verdict!” and the crowd cheered. Although it was somewhat drowned out I could hear C4 cursing his luck that the princess was paying so much attention, and swearing that he would get back at me someday.

She may regret her decision once she finds out my name… I thought as I was taken to a carriage outside of the colosseum and instructed to wait. Afterall, I am a fallen prince….Of the old kingdom that her father overthrew no less….

After a few minutes, I saw a door open out of the corner of my eye as I leaned my back against the carriage. From the door I saw a brief flash of crimson that caught my attention. I looked over in the direct and saw that the origin of the crimson flash was Princess Rose’s long, crimson, red hair. She was making her way to me and the carriage and I remembered that I needed to be respectful.

I put my swords down on the ground and knelt on one knee, my eyes towards the ground at my feet. “Pleased to meet you your highness,” I said.

“The pleasure is mine,” she said, “after all, you are a very skilled knight to be so close to my own age. How old are you, my knight?”

“18, your highness,” I replied.

“Only a year older than me, impressive. And how long had you been training at your barracks?” she asked.

“Seven years, Princess,” I replied, with my head still bowed.

“Only seven years and yet you’re this skilled? I’m even more impressed,” she said, “You may raise your head now, let me see your face.”

I did as I was told and looked her in the eyes. Her eyes were the most beautiful stormy grey, although I felt a sense of nostalgia from them. I had the same sensation when I looked at her hair. That crimson color seemed all too familiar. But I couldn’t recall where I’d seen those eyes and hair before. I moved my gaze back to her eyes and I saw that she was still looking at me, her brow slightly furrowed.

“Is something wrong, your highness?” I asked.

“No. No, it’s nothing. You just look eerily familiar,” she said slowly. She had been thinking the same thing as me. “No matter,” she furrowed her eyebrows and said that we were going to travel by carriage to the palace. “It will be somewhat of a parade, an annoyance, but necessary to show the citizens who you are,” she said. “Oh! I forgot something!”

“What is it?” I asked, startled.

“Would you serve me as my Royal Knight?....But first….What is your name?” she asked. She spoke the question so simply, oblivious to how the answer might affect her.

“Edwin…...Edwin...Amaranthys….” I replied solemnly and bowed my head again. I didn’t want to know what expression she had on her face. Had it been disgust or horror I didn’t want to know. Whatever it is, I thought, it can’t be kind.

“Why are you bowing your head?” The Princess said. I was shocked by her words. She seemed genuinely curious, “Why do you seem so ashamed?”

“I-I am a Fallen Prince of the Old Kingdom,” I stuttered.

“So?” the princess said, “Raise your head. You are not a Fallen Prince. Fallen implies that you did something wrong. What did you do wrong?”

I looked up at her, “N-Nothing, your highness–”

“Exactly! You are not a ‘Fallen Prince’. You are a knight of a great kingdom, and a very skilled knight at that,” she said. I was completely stripped of all defenses when I heard those words. I didn’t care if they were lies. Those words. Those simple words. Had changed my view of the world. I saw the sincerity in her eyes as I looked up and I bowed my head again.

“Didn’t I tell you not to be ashamed? And to raise your head?” she said.

“You–you did...but...but I–” I began to stutter out, but she cut me off.

“I said, raise your head,” she said through gritted teeth.

“I cannot.”

“Why not?” she said. She was beginning to get angry, but at that moment she noticed a tear fall from my bowed head.

“A knight is not supposed to show tears to their master…” I replied. I had been moved to tears by her words.

“Why are your crying?” she said, confused.

“No one, has ever said such kind words to me with such sincerity…” I said. I wiped my tears and took her hand. “I would be honored to have you as my master. Your highness, Princess Ashfell. I swear that I will always protect you with my life.” I kissed her hand to show my loyalty to her.

“Th-Thank you,” she replied. She seemed a little shocked by my display. I couldn’t blame her. But I couldn’t help it either. I stood up and looked at her. She seemed lost in thought.

“Are you alright, Princess Ashfell?” I had let go of her hand but she left it where is had been. She seemed really lost in thought but apparently I brought her back to the real world.

“Don’t….” she mumbled the rest of her thought so I had to ask her to repeat herself. “Don’t call me that….” she said.

“....What?” I said confused.

“Don’t call me ‘Princess Ashfell’,” she said, “Call me Princess Rose,” as she said “Rose” I was suddenly reminded of a memory of my times in the palace before the Coup D'etat. When I met a girl hiding from one of the servants.

End Part 1