章 26: Feelings

Princess Aretha watched with mixed feelings as Kael took his seat. Minutes later, kael headed out of the arena into the open space. He felt his head getting filled with thoughts and memories that he didn't want to think about. Not now when he was in a fight for the better of his future.

Princess Aretha, looking at her mother, walked out of the arena quite conflicted. Walking into the open area, she saw Kael sitting atop one of the high pillars while staring at the sky.

"It's beautiful right," Princess Aretha said, sitting beside him.

"Yeah," Kael muttered, staring at the setting sun. It truly was a breathtaking sight.

"Tell me, why did you decide to participate in the event?"

"Why did I decide to participate?" Tsk. "Can't you see what's going on. Isn't it obvious? If I fail your mum, the Queen, she won't have use for me anymore and will very well get rid of me."

"Ohh," for some reason, Princess Aretha felt a bit pained from his reply, which she didn't quite get. "Damn! What's wrong? Get yourself together." She muttered to herself while looking ahead.

"I'm just doing everything to survive. I'm not sure you understand what I mean. After all, you've been living a great life." Kael muttered, staring at her face for a moment before looking back at the sky. "Don't get me wrong-"

"Do you think I wanted all these? Being a princess, you don't know how stressful it is. You don't know anything about my life! Sometimes I wish... I wish I was born into a normal family... get to live a simple life without getting worried about any unnecessary stuff."

Sigh~

They both stared in silence while the battle continued in the arena. The cheers and laughter from the crowds were getting into their ears, causing Kael to stare back at the arena.

"Aren't you going to watch them? Y'know, one of them is gonna be your future husband." Kael said with a chuckle.

Staring at him with a frown for a moment, she let out a chuckle. "Thank goodness you know you aren't going to win."

"You think so?" Kael chuckled softly, jumping down to the ground. "Do you believe in miracles?" He asked, staring at her from below.

"Miracle? Why the sudden question? No... I mean, yes... I guess."

"Well, miracles do happen," Kael said, slowly walking back to the door. "My coming here…" He paused by the entrance and then took a long look at her "...was a miracle." He finally passed through just in time to see Lucius dealing the last blow to his opponent.

"Like I thought, the final won't be an easy one," he muttered, walking back to his seat. "That's true, I got a notification from the system." Calling forth the system window, he summoned the blinking light to his face.

[You've defeated a follower of a Pantheon god: +1000 exp]

[Exp: 6800/8000]

"Oh, that." Swiping the screen off, he stared at the last match about to begin. Princess Aretha had finally returned to her position after a few minutes. She glanced at Kael for a moment before looking away.

Lucius, watching from his seat, let out a frown while staring at Kael. "Can't wait to break those bones of yours in her presence." He muttered to himself before staring at the battle about to begin.

Duncan, the dragon prince against Thorff, the follower of one of the lower gods in the realm. "The battle has already been decided," the crowd murmured quite sure of the outcome of the battle.

Thorff, already pressured from the figure before him, couldn't help but feel less confident from the murmurs of the crowd.

"I'll prove them wrong!" He muttered, charging forward.

"That guy... finally, I'll be able to have a nice fight." Staring ahead, he saw the charging Thorff with his axe brandished.

Tsk!

"Annoying fly!" Stretching his hand out wide flames blazed in spirals, fully wrapping around his fingers down to his shoulders. "Forfeit the match or face my wrath!" Duncan exclaimed.

Thorff, angered by the statement, increased his speed while swinging his axe rapidly. Thin line appeared in the air momentarily before streaking forward.

"So be it," Duncan muttered. "I guess I should show them a bit of what they are up against." Spreading his legs apart, he slammed both palms together, releasing a shocking sound wave accompanied by a blast of flames.

"Shit!" Thorff cursed, stopping in his tracks. The wave of dark flames was something not even two of him could stop. "I surrender! I forfeit the match!" Thorff exclaimed in fright. His drenched body was instantly dried by the heat of the flames getting closer.

The barrier flickered just from the sheer power behind the flames, causing the Queen to quickly act. Jumping down from her throne, one of the bracelets on her arm lit up as she swung forward.

The flames were drawn to her hand, fiercely spiralling around her. The flames began reducing in size with the figure of the Queen coming into view.

Kael watched with keen eyes as the queen successfully absorbed the flames. "That bracelet, that was the artifact that negated my powers. Are there other artifacts around the world? She will certainly have more tricks off her sleeves, and I'm yet to witness her true strength."

"The match is over," she said, staring at Duncan with a smile.

"Most people won't be able to easily dispel those flames," Duncan replied with a smile, making his way out of the platform.

"With this, we've gotten our final contenders. The final will take place in two days' time." With that, she left the arena, followed by her daughters. Everybody slowly made their way out of the arena, excitement evident in their faces.

Kael made his way back to his room while growing through his matches. "It wasn't bad after all. But, the final it won't be an easy fight. Luckily, I've got two days to prepare. But first, I need a long nice rest."

Meanwhile, back at the throne room in the palace, Queen Otrera sat on her throne with Princess Aretha pacing around with a frown. "Mum, I'm scared. Do we really need to do this? Like, I mean, I'm safe here, right?"

Sigh~

"I thought we'd discussed this before." Queen Otrera said softly. All I'm doing… is for your best. You have no idea what's coming. I'm doing this for your safety."

"My safety? Or for your selfish desires!" Aretha finally snapped, unable to take it anymore. Having her life being controlled all because of a future threat which she didn't even know if it was real.

"All this I'm doing is for your safety, can't you see? They would come for you, and the gods know I don't have the strength to match them. I don't see what is hard for you. You're just to marry one of them and stay under their protection! Why do you have to make things hard!" The Queen replied in a furious tone.

Princess Aretha stood before her with eyes filled with fury. "This won't have happened. It's all because of you... all this is happening. If only you kept those legs shut, then I wouldn't have been born into... this! No-"

The queen's hand moved with speed, striking Aretha across her face. "I won't let my daughter insult me right before my face," she said in anger before walking away. "It's final. The winner of the competition will get to marry you. You better face reality and accept that now."

Stopping at the door, she breathed deeply. "Later on, you'll understand that all I did was for your protection." Her voice was now gentle as she stared at her one final time before leaving.