As the sunrises to the east, Amelia started knocking and invited herself in to prepare Elara for her day.

  “I’m glad you’re awake, my lady” Amelia chirped as she open the curtains, letting sunlight grace the room with warm glow.

  “I didn’t sleep well, Amelia.” Elara sighed as she rolled herself out of bed. “Today is that day, right?”

  “Yes, my lady! The day of the tournament—” she gestured Elara to sit down in front of the vanity, then started to combed her hair—“I heard the palace is already bustling with crowd and not just the townspeople but also foreigners!”

  “I see,”

  “But I wonder why his highness would invite a lady to a tournament—” she assisted Elara with her dress by zipping at the back—“Are you perhaps interested in sword fight, my lady?”

  Elara could see Amelia’s lush green eyes widen with wonder reflected in the mirror, “N-not exactly, but I simply can’t refuse his offer…After all he’s a prince.”

  “Well, I also heard that they saw you two walking out together from the labyrinth.” She raised her eyebrows. “I wonder, when did you two got close.”

  Elara couldn’t control her cheeks from flaring, “I wonder, where do you hear all of this?”

  Amelia giggled as she fixed Elara’s hair into soft braids, “From the palace maids, of course. I have a couple of friends there, my lady.”

  “Of course…” Elara trailed off as her mind wandered back to the letter she received a month ago.

  Lady Elara,

  I extend to you a formal invitation to attend the upcoming swordsmanship tournament this summer. Your presence would undoubtedly add a distinguished elegance to the event.

  Your consideration of this request is greatly anticipated.

  Respectfully,

  Prince Sebastian Belmont of Emberlund

  ***

  Elara gazed up at the blue sky, the sun casting its warm radiance upon the gathering, its heat causing tiny beads of sweat to form on her forehead. She delicately wiped them away as she strolled along the bustling pavement.

  Spotting a butler, she extended the card that accompanied the letter. Recognition flashed in the butler's eyes as he realized she was the honored guest of the Prince.

  “This way, Lady Elara,” he bowed gracefully, guiding her towards a crimson tent surrounded by neatly arranged chairs and refreshments.

  “Please, be seated here, my lady,” the butler offered, indicating a front-row chair.

  “Thank you,” she murmured appreciatively, accepting a glass of refreshing orange juice from him.

  As she savored the cool drink, Elara observed the scene unfolding before her.

  The tournament was set to commence in an hour, and many attendees had already taken their seats, engaging in lively conversations. The open field lay exposed to the sun's unyielding rays, surrounded by tents to where combatants sat.

  ‘His highness must be there already.’

  Elara contemplated as her eyes roamed over the combatants beneath the tent. Positioned at a slight elevation, she gets to have a better view of everything. However, she failed to spot the familiar figure she was seeking.

  A polite clearing of the throat drew her attention from the left. Turning in that direction, she discovered a lady adorned in a vibrant yellow dress with brown locks elegantly pinned in a bun, appearing to be around her age had already sat down beside her.

  “Allow me to guess, Lady Elara Whitmore?” the lady in yellow said, using a delicate fan to disperse the heat.

  Elara averted her gaze, feeling uneasy about making eye contact with a stranger. She gently placed her emptied glass on a small table between them.

  “Yes, and you are?” she replied but held her gaze at the empty glass.

  “I’m Naomi Lockewood, pleased to meet you,” unfazed by her lack of eye contact.

  ‘Ah…the daughter of Baron Lucas Lockewood, I heard from mother that she’s a bright and kind person…’

  “Pleased to meet you too.” she mustered the courage to graced Naomi with a polite smile, which in return beamed at Elara.

  Just when Naomi strikes a conversation with her, the ladies behind them, their faces hidden behind fans, began to gossip. Elara, unable to escape the hushed words, caught snippets of their conversation.

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  “That’s her,”

  “Who?”

  “The girl everyone saw at last months Queen’s tea party who walked out from the labyrinth with Prince Sebastian,”

  “Oh my, what do you think they have been doing there?”

  Elara couldn't help but lower her head, feeling the warmth creeping into her cheeks. She had no desire to be the main topic involving with the prince, but it was inevitable when many had glimpsed the truth of them walking out from the labyrinth.

  ‘They just didn’t know everything.’

  Her eyebrows furrowed deeper as she contemplated whether it was worth spending her energy to explain to the ladies behind her.

  "Lady Elara, you shouldn't pay any attention to them," Naomi's voice broke through her contemplation.

  Elara looked at Naomi and met her warm brown eyes, finding solace and a refuge from her current dilemma.

  “They’re merely jealous that you have gotten close with the prince, I mean his highness for a long time doesn’t seem to take interest with the ladies—” she gestured Elara to lean closer and she whispered by her ear—“ I personally thought he’s more interested in men.”

  Elara swiftly pulled back, her eyes widen. Her expression brought Naomi to series of laughter catching stares from others.

  "Your expression just now..." a burst of laughter bubbled up from her, interrupting her sentence.

  "You have a fascinating insights, Lady Naomi," she murmured, turning her gaze toward the field just as the announcer made their way to the center.

  As Naomi giggles beside her, Elara felt a sense of relief, anticipating the possibility of warming up to Naomi and forming a friendship in the days to come.

  ***

  The swords clashed amid cheers from the audience. Warriors in shining armor from Valeria and Frostholm moved in a swift and precise battle. Lady Elara, observing from above, was captivated by the energetic duel.

  Each participant showcased a unique style, a combination of skill and strategy. The sunlight glinted off their blades as they meet in the middle. The combatants moved with agility, parrying and thrusting.

  Lady Elara's eyes darted from one pair of dueling knights to another, her gaze following the intricate choreography of the battles unfolding below. The cheers of the crowd intertwined with the clashing of steel, creating a harmonious atmosphere of competition and camaraderie.

  As the dust settled after each bout, Elara could feel the tension and excitement in the air. The combatants, though engaged in fierce rivalry, displayed mutual respect and sportsmanship. The tournament became not just a spectacle of strength but a celebration of the noble tradition of swordsmanship.

  In the midst of the action, Elara found herself drawn into the thrilling world of the tournament as she cheered along with Naomi, her fascination with the skill of the swordplay deepening with every passing moment.

  Three matches passed and it was Prince Sebastian’s turn, Prince Sebastian faced off against the skilled knight from Valeria, who had won most of the matches. The crowd held its breath as the two warriors circled each other, their movements measured, their eyes locked in unwavering focus.

  Elara sat at the edge of her seat, fingers gripping the silk of her gown as she watched. Every movement, every calculated strike, made her heart pound. Naomi, beside her, had stopped fanning herself, too engrossed in the duel to bother with the heat.

  A sudden strike from the Valerian knight sent a sharp intake of breath through the audience. The prince barely managed to deflect it, but the blade nicked his cheek, drawing a thin line of blood. Gasps rippled through the spectators. Elara's stomach clenched as a collective murmur of concern erupted among the noble ladies behind her.

  But Sebastian remained unfazed. His golden eyes flashed with renewed determination as he lunged forward, dodging the knight’s next attack with precise footwork. His blade danced through the air, swift and merciless, until it came to a halt just inches from his opponent’s throat.

  Silence. Then, the knight raised his hands in surrender.

  The arena exploded with cheers, the tension dissolving into victorious celebration. Elara exhaled, only realizing then that she had been holding her breath. She turned to Naomi, who grabbed her hands excitedly.

  "Did you see that? That was incredible!" Naomi gushed.

  Elara nodded, still watching Sebastian as he wiped the small streak of blood from his face. Their eyes met across the distance, and for a fleeting moment, everything else faded away. A small, almost imperceptible smile touched his lips before he turned away, retreating to his tent.

  Elara swallowed hard, feeling an odd warmth bloom in her chest. She hadn't anticipated Prince Sebastian finding her in this bustling crowd, yet he was the one who extended the invitation.

  ‘He must have known where I sat.’

  Elara reassured herself with that notion, feeling a gentle tug on her sleeve. She turned to find Naomi looking at her curiously.

  "Who were you looking at?"

  “Hmm? Oh, no one in particular,” she chuckled, the sound a bit forced as she gracefully rose from her seat. The crowd had thinned out, with many already making their way back to the castle.

  Lady Naomi accompanied Elara to the castle whilst conversing about trendy accessories to wear, they were escorted by their own maids for a meticulous preparations for the grand banquet awaiting them later in the evening.

  ***

  As Elara walked down the castle hallway, she felt a sense of awe wash over her. Her eyes focused on the fresh flower arrangements adorning the halls, their vibrant colors adding a touch of elegance to the surroundings. The flickering torches cast dancing shadows, creating an enchanting atmosphere.

  Knights stood tall and proud, their armor gleaming in the soft light, their presence adding to the solemn yet regal ambiance of the castle. In her beautiful blue gown, Elara felt a mix of excitement and nervousness bubbling within her as she approached the tall doors leading to the ballroom.

  Placing her hand over her chest, she took a moment to steady her racing heart, feeling the soft fabric of her gown beneath her fingertips. With a deep breath, Elara's eyes fixed on the ornate carvings of roses adorning the doors. She could hear the muffled sounds of music and laughter drifting through the cracks, adding to her anticipation.

  Glancing at the knight standing nearby, she offered a warm smile and a nod, signaling him to open the door.