บท 2: Evelyn
Far away from the forest, a young lady slept in her bed. The sun's rays caressed her face through the window, waking her up from her slumber. Her steel-blue eyes gleamed as she opened her eyelids.
A middle-aged maid arrived to inform her, "Miss Evelyn, everyone is up at the breakfast table."
"Will be there in ten minutes," she replied in the morning voice.
"Alright," the woman said, bowing and returning to her job in the kitchen.
Evelyn put on a long gown and walked down to the breakfast table, where other people were waiting for her.
"Good morning," she greeted everyone at the table.
"Morning Eve." Her uncle returned the greeting. She smiled and yawned as she took her seat.
"Did you stay up late again?" Her father asked.
"Mhm, yeah," she replied hesitantly.
Her father let out a sigh. "You don't have to stress yourself, Eve. You can join the council any time. With just one word from me, you'll be a member of the council," he said concerningly.
"I want to prove my worth, father. I will join the council through examinations, just like the other candidates, and assure them that I am deserving of a place in the council because of my abilities, not because I am a princess," she expounded herself.
Being the only daughter of the lord of Zenira dynasty, Renaud and his wife Isabel, she was raised with extreme care and affection. She could have gotten anything done just by her one word. But instead, she chose to prove her worthiness to be the next queen after her father. Her mother died when she was a child, therefore she didn't have many memories of her. Nevertheless, she always remembered her mother in her ups and downs in life.
"How are you doing with your council exam preparation?" Her uncle inquired.
"Good, I guess," she said, smiling at him.
"What's going on in the council, Admiral?" Her father asked her uncle.
"Everything is alright and is under control so far," he replied, taking a bite from his plate.
"Mhm,"
Council was formed to maintain the peace between eight other dynasties, including Zenira. There used to be frequent wars between the lords in the desire to conquer other provinces. Soon the situation became worse, where many villages were destroyed and human agonies raised, but the lords didn't back off.
If one lord backed off from the war for the sake of peace, the other would intentionally attack the provinces under the enemy lord, provoking him. In order to save the innocent villagers suffering from the wars between the eight lords, the council came into existence.
The council comprised sixteen neutral head members, two from each lord's region. The number of two people was wisely picked. It was a council rule that after a year, one council leader would transfer to the other lord's region, as they did the work in pairs, and the rotation would continue. This assured that no one was betrayed and that they strictly followed the protocols.
"Greetings, my lord and councilman, Admiral," a young man greeted, bowing at them.
His looks were enhanced by his height and chiselled jaw. His hair was light brown, and his eyes were brown. As he gazed at Evelyn, he smiled softly. Earl Owayne, a loyal subordinate of the lord whose entire family devoted their lives to the lord and his upcoming generations.
"Why are you here, Earl, instead of training the soldiers?" Lord Remaud enquired.
"I was called here by the princess, my lord," he replied humbly.
The lord looked at his daughter, who nodded in agreement.
"I have planned to visit my friend's place. So I asked him to take me there," she replied.
Her father nodded in agreement. She had her breakfast and left with Earl in the royal carriage. She sat behind the carriage and Earl rode it.
"Which place today, my lady?" He asked, smirking.
"Same place," she answered.
Earl nodded, and the carriage gradually gained speed. It came to a halt just outside the forest.
Evelyn hopped out, and they both went inside the dense forest, where no one could see them. As she walked ahead of Earl, her gown got stuck to her heels. She bent lower to fix it.
Earl looked around to see if anyone was nearby. He looked at the back of Evelyn with a smug face. Without making a sound, he pulled his sword from its scabbard. He glanced around one more time to make sure there was no one before launching his sword, attacking the princess.
Evelyn took out a small knife hidden under the gown and resisted the sword from slashing her shoulder. She quickly stood up and turned around, taking a defensive position, protecting herself from further attacks.
Her sudden movement of defending herself made him a little baffled and shocked. Nevertheless, he had enough time to realise what happened and get prepared for further attacks.
She tightened her grip around the knife. Earl sniggered, looking at the small knife in her hand.
"You think you can win against me with a small knife?" He chuckled.
"A wise man had once said, 'having a weapon is better than being unarmed'," she returned him the same evil smirk.
"How do you know that I was going to attack you?" He asked her.
"Heard the slight clinking of the sword," she replied.
Earl looked at her bemusingly but didn't show any expression on his face. He ran towards her with his sword briskly. As he reached near her, he attacked with the sword in his right hand, which she dodged by stepping right to her side, ready to attack his left arm like an experienced combatant.
Earl smirked and quickly took the sword in his left hand, turning sideways. Before she could realise what was happening, he ripped her sleeve with the sword, leaving her stunned by his attack.
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