In the mid-afternoon sun, the courtyard was bathed in a warm, golden glow at the training grounds. A crowd gathered in a circle, cheering on Oliver, a young knight, as he charged towards Prince Sebastian. Their swords gleamed in the sunlight.

  The clash of steel against steel echoed through the courtyard. The swift and precise movements of their blades created a dance of lethal grace. Sebastian's strikes were calculated, showcasing his refined swordsmanship. Oliver, equally skilled, parried his movements in a seamless blend of offense and defense.

  The sun cast long shadows across the ground as the duel intensified. More people gathered at a respectful distance, watching in awe as the combatants fought. The courtyard seemed to hold its breath, caught in the rhythm of the clashing swords.

  Sebastian's golden eyes remained focused, his expression determined. Oliver, with an arrogant demeanor, met each strike with skillful counterattacks. The sound of their footwork matched the metallic symphony of their swords meeting.

  “I wonder why we bothered to duel!” Oliver said as he went to strike at Sebastian’s side.

  Sebastian evaded it with a swift turn of his body, “This is a perfect training,”

  “Please, you’d still win anyway—” Oliver let out a laugh as he stepped back, barely escaping from Sebastian’s blade,—“I’d say we take it easy.”

  Sebastian remained silent; the duel reached its climax, both men fought with a fierce determination. The midday heat added an extra layer of challenge, yet neither Sebastian nor Oliver showed signs of faltering.

  In the end, as the sun hid behind passing clouds, the duel concluded with Oliver and Prince Sebastian lowering their swords. The adrenaline-fueled tension began to ease, and Oliver extended a hand toward Sebastian. The prince, with a nod of respect, firmly shook Oliver's hand.

  The courtyard erupted into cheers and applause as the combatants walked off, now catching their breath.

  “You were incredible, Your Highness,” Oliver grinned at him as they walked side by side, heading back to the fort for some refreshments.

  “You too,” Sebastian replied.

  Feeling restless after that fight, Oliver suggested, “Say, why don’t we go sneak out to the town square?”

  Sebastian stopped walking and stared at Oliver as if his friend had just told him to go jump into a freezing ocean where sirens were waiting to devour him. Oliver’s smile widened, delighted he got his Highness's attention.

  “Have you forgotten that I’m a royal prince?”

  ***

  “This is absolutely a terrible idea, Oliver,” Sebastian whispered as they crawled under a bush that hid a small opening in one of the walls surrounding the castle.

  Oliver chuckled as he went past the opening and out to a small group of trees and bushes. Beyond this foliage, a cobblestone road was visible. He nodded approvingly, seeing there was no guard posted yet.

  When he turned from the sound of rustling leaves behind him, Sebastian was already up and swatted fallen leaves from his coat.

  “You look good, your highness,” Oliver remarked, which was received with a scowl from Sebastian.

  He donned the attire of a commoner, complete with a cloak obscuring his face. Sebastian pulled the hood forward, casting a shadow across his features.

  “Let’s get this over with, Oliver.” he walked past Oliver and from the bushes until he’s out on the road.

  The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

  Oliver chuckled as he stood beside him, “We’ll be back right before dinner, your majesty.”

  “It would be best if you stop calling me that.” he frowned at him.

  “Right, let’s go!” Oliver jogged towards the market square where most townspeople had gathered.

  ‘I can’t believe I’m doing this.’

  Sebastian thought as he ran after his friend, whose face lit up as the market square came into view.

  The market square was a bustling place with fairy lights and colorful banners adorning the lamp posts and houses, lighting up the town. The food stands with enticing aromas filled the air, drawing crowds of people eager to sample the diverse culinary delights.

  Laughter echoed through the lively atmosphere as families and friends gathered around, enjoying their meals. Children darted between the stalls, their laughter harmonizing with the upbeat melodies of background music. The square pulsated with energy, creating a vibrant and joyous scene as the evening unfolded.

  Oliver guided Sebastian through the sea of townsfolk, and they approached a food stand where skewered meat sizzled over an open flame, sending aromatic wisps of smoky delight into the air. The meat, perfectly charred on the edges, glistened with flavorful juices, promising a savory and satisfying bite.

  They couldn't resist the mouthwatering sight; Oliver bought two for each.

  The night just got livelier as they walked through the lively crowd, the vibrant energy of the market embraced them as they venture to look at foreign items all around the shouting vendors till they reached stalls full of games.

  Feeling the infectious joy of the festivities, Oliver suggested trying a commoner's game. Amidst the crowd, they found a simple shooting game where locals and visitors alike competed. Sebastian, despite his royal stature, joined in the spirit of the event, showcasing a genuine smile.

  “Alright, your- ah…Seb, whoever shoots majority of the toys wins the game. The loser will have to buy food for the winner.” Oliver went ahead and paid the vendor.

  “I’ll go first,” Oliver continued as he positioned himself with appropriate distance in front of the game. The people who waited for their turn cheered on as he went and take his first shot.

  ***

  As the night progressed, the pair found themselves sitting on a bench near the fountain, a quiet place to eat and rest.

  “I can’t believe I beat you in that game!” Oliver exclaimed, slightly swinging his eleventh barbecued meat in the air before taking another bite. “Did you let me win?”

  Sebastian laughed, “No, you simply enjoyed it too much.”

  Oliver grinned, seeing his majesty relaxed and savoring every moment of their shared adventure.

  “It’s about time the maids will be wondering where we are,”

  Sebastian nodded, “We should go.” he stood up and walked to where the castle towered over the town.

  “Ah, wait for me!”

  As Sebastian walked further, knowing Oliver would follow along, in his peripheral vision, a couple of homeless children were sitting in a dark alleyway.

  In the dimly lit alleyway, two homeless children, a girl and a boy, huddled together with tattered clothing barely shielding them from the biting wind, and dirt-streaked faces revealed the struggles etched into their young features. Wooden board scraps beneath them served as a makeshift shelter against the chilly ground.

  The homeless girl turned to look at Sebastian as if she felt his gaze. Their eyes met, her clouded green eyes filled with despair and hunger.

  Sebastian took a step towards them and he held out a bag of bread he bought after losing the game.

  “Take it,” he said, waiting for the girl.

  The girl stared at it for a moment before reaching out with her thin arms.

  “Thank you,”

  The girl's voice reached Sebastian in a raspy whisper, reflecting to their dire circumstances. A pang of empathy resonated in his chest; it was evident they don’t have enough to drink or eat. In that moment, a profound sense of compassion washed over him, and he realized the depth of his ability to make a difference in their lives.

  With a new-found determination to aid these homeless children and others in need, he urgently beckoned Oliver to hasten their return to the castle.