The Rebellion
The story starts in the kingdom of Mellanoha.
A peaceful morning starting with the nation's prince being crowned the heir to the throne as the crown prince.
The emperor and the empress' only son.
Theodore
Sir Baynard! I am far too exhausted for the practice!
Baynard was a Knight Commander to the White Cavalry and one of the most legendary men to live on earth itself.
Baynard
I apologize, Your Highness. I am merely following orders to prevent you from letting you enter the palace until you have defeated me.
Theodore
Does the emperor wish to keep me outside for a millennium?
Baynard
You flatter me, sire.
A few light footsteps could be heard by Baynard, and he turned around to bow in courtesy.
Raven
Would you rather duel me?
Baynard
Greetings to the princess of the empire.
Raven
Greetings Sir Baynard.
Theodore sighs and gets up from the ground.
Theodore
They wish to keep me for eons, it seems... but I'd be down for a challenge.
They sparred time and time again, and yet Theodore lost every single time.
He was exhausted and huffing while laying flat on the ground. His sword thwarted away long ago in the duel.
Sir Baynard was asked to keep a watch from a distance as they sparred by the Princess.
Raven lowered the wooden sword and placed it in her lap as she sat down.
Theodore
Do you still think it was our father's fault?
Raven
His highness is of noble character. None shall speak ill of him nor question his decisions.
Theodore
Why do you always do this!?
Theodore
Each time you prove to be worthier and yet!—
Raven
I shall not hear more of this on the auspicious day of you becoming the crown prince.
Theodore
If... If only you were a man...
Theodore
Only I were a lady instead...
Raven
It is impossible... but yes...
Raven
Maybe then you could take my needle, and I could take your sword instead.
The first princess and the eldest amongst the imperial palace's children, she was the most honorable woman in the empire of Mellanoha after the empress.
Her abilities in all aspects far surpassed that of the emperor or his predecessors.
Both the princess and her younger brother had different interests for themselves yet were bound by the society's ways.
The prince, who was an excellent artist and art enthusiast, was trained day and night to wield the sword and administrate issues to be on a level of par.
The princess, who was secretly one of the greatest wielder of blades was relentlessly made to work with needles and ways of the societal cultures.
Emperor
I shall now announce Theodore Peter Van Mellanoha as the official heir to the throne and title him as the crown prince of this great empire!
The prince walked and knelt on one knee in front of the emperor.
Theodore
I, Theodore Van Mellanoha, accept my fate and responsibility to be—
An explosion was caused in the palace.
All knights shielded their respective lords, and the imperial soldiers surrounded the emperor and the prince.
Raven
Your highness! The mage tower has conspired! It's a rebellion!
Emperor
Whose insolance drives this!?
Raven
It's... Sir Baynard...
A plathora of arrows came shouting out of nowhere, killing our injuring most of the knights and guards.
Baynard
Would you look at that?
Baynard floated in with another man behind him.
Emperor
You shall pay you traitor—
Another arrow shot down the emperor at the flick of Baynard's wrist.
Baynard
Because a weakling like him was going to be of use.
Baynard
But then you taught him your ways.
Baynard
Crude and unfitting for a lady yet appaluded for a man.
Theodore charged at him, but he vanished into thin air only to appear right behind him.
Baynard drew his sword and in a flick sliced off his head.
Raven couldn't even react to protest or protect.
Baynard
Save your whinings for later.
Baynard
You won't stay long. I'll make sure it's painful, however.
Baynard
You have the mage tower to thank for their experiments that you had banned.
Raven
Mages are for the rightful protection of the empire!
Baynard
They are protecting the empire though.
Baynard
From your untrustworthy kin, that is.
Gruelling pain coursed through Raven's every nerve. The poisonous air had paralysed her.
She was dragged to the centre of the room by the other man.
She held onto her sword as tight as she could and mustered up all the strength in her being to strike one last time.
Baynard vanished into air once again, and she fell to the floor helpless.
Baynard
I can't believe I lost to you in every single duel, be it sparring or battle.
Baynard
Your kind lies and lies until their successor takes their place.
Baynard
I shall be the strongest swordsman in the empire and rule it!
In that moment, when Baynard was laughing, Raven remembered her brother's exhausted face from the earlier morning.
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