Chapter 15: Bad Omen For A Swordsmanship Competition

***WARNING: This chapter contains foul language and abuse.

***Alright Now Continuation Of Chapter 15...

"..." (Aurora)

Aurora's lips slightly frowned at his teasing.

It was as if her frown had told him 'Is this really what you should be laughing about?'

"Is that a jealous face I see?" (Dorion, asked)

"It's understandable after all with a face like this, I am the most handsome man in this empire after all." (Dorion, said)

Dorion knew who the lady was and so did she however seeing her frown because he and she knew what he had done that day only made his smirk widen.

To anyone other than himself, it was an event that he should not even laugh about.

After such a scene he had caused that day.

'This shameless man...' (Aurora's inner thoughts)

"Mmm"(Aurora, said)

Aurora continued to press on Dorion's bloody noise with the handkerchief.

Her face returned to her expressionless face but her dark blue eyes hand returned to gentle eyes carefully focusing on stopping the blood but still hearing her husband's flirtation attempts.

"Of course that fuschia-haired young lady would have fallen head over heels for me" (Dorion, said)

His red eyes looked up at her with a teasing seductive tone.

As if he was proud of it.

"Are you sure it wasn't the other way around?" (Aurora, asked)

She asked him as her eyes remained gentle.

Eyes that sarcastically played along with her husband's filtration attempts.

'...' (Dorion)

At her response, his red eyes had seemed to have some vulnerability and his smirked smile turned bitter.

"Perhaps, your right. I thought she was quite annoying when she was smaller. She followed me everywhere with her pink-cheeked expression" (Dorion, said)

"I seemed to catch no break any moment I tried to run she found me, but I didn't hate it" (Dorion, said)

"In fact, I found myself loving her more." (Dorion, said)

"Hoping she'd visit me like before." (Dorion, said)

He gently closed his eyes.

It was like there was a hint of sadness as he continued on.

"But that little girl pink-cheeked girl... I was no longer able to see her" (Dorion, said)

He chuckled bitterly and opened his eyes again looking at her listening dark blue eyes.

"Till the day I saw her again" (Dorion, said)

"That little pink-cheeked girl was no longer the little girl I had remembered...." (Dorion, said)

"It was as she was close but far away from me." (Dorion, said)

"..." (Aurora)

Aurora's face was still expressionless but her dark blue eyes had seemed to catch some vulnerability as well.

Dorion continued to look up at her, it was as if his red eyes tried to reach something in the distance.

"She was like a beautiful flower at the edge of a high cliff." (Dorion, said)

"If I tried to approach the beautiful flower I might  have caused the hill to come down" (Dorion, said)

"Taking down the beautiful flower with it." (Dorion, said)

'If I told you my past life I wanted to marry you, ask you for your hand...before I even got a chance to tell the emperor or propose' (Dorion's inner thoughts)

'You had rejected me before I could express how I felt' (Dorion's inner thoughts)

'I felt nervous that this second chance had changed...I became a selfish bastard' (Dorion's inner thought)

His red eyes had regained some passion as he looked up at her as if he was craving for her affection.

Afraid if he did the smallest thing that displeased her she'd run away.

That his second chance would shatter and he would wake up into a reality where she was no longer with him.

'Badump' (Aurora)

However, compared to the yearning Dorion, Aurora's hands had momentarily stopped patting his bloody nose as she felt her heart thumping strangely.

"Was she pretty?" (Aurora, asked)

She asked as she looked down at him while her expressionless face had slightly changed relaxing her face into a more gentle expression.

Even her voice had become especially soft, it was as if her voice had a tint of shyness and expectancy.

Dorion's bitter smile changed naturally into a soft smile looking at her with gentle red eyes with a hidden passion.

"Pretty? No.... I don't think pretty is enough to describe that woman." (Dorion, said)

"It's as if she was a goddess herself" (Dorion, said)

He closed his eyes with a happy chuckle making Aurora's heartbeat again.

'Badump' (Aurora)

"Though I doubt she'd-" (Dorion, said)

"His eyes" (Aurora, said)

Aurora had interrupted his words making him open his eyes as he looked at her dark blue passionate eyes,

"I can't ever forget his red eyes." (Aurora, said)

Not only were her dark blue eyes passionate but her expression seemed to relax more gently than ever,

"People said they were the color of blood including that daring man but I thought they were so beautiful, they were like  jewels" (Aurora, said)

His red eyes widen at her words as she continued.

"They resembled two red rubies" (Aurora, said)

'Ruslte'

Her free hand softly ran her fingers through his golden soft hair unconsciously.

"And his golden hair sparkled against the sunlight." (Aurora, said)

"It was like his hair was made of gold" (Aurora, said)

-Six years ago in the Rhone Empire outdoor amphitheater arena-

It was a very clear day with rising temperatures reaching 100 degrees.

This burning sun made both commoners and nobles who either speculated from their seats or commoners who sold food and beverages to make a living.

Today was a special event that the emperor himself had hosted for his own entertainment.

The swordsmanship competition.

It was a competition for both nobles and brave commoners to participate.

Different in their purposes to claim victory.

Noble with titles sought victory for family honor while brave commoners sought the emperor's reward.

To be acknowledged as a victor and earn the title of a duke alongside a mansion.

Unfortunately the hopeful did not know that by becoming the duke it would bind them automatically to sever the emperor under the order to be sent off to war.

Not to mention the mansion they'd receive was unilaterally in a bad condition.

The neighboring kingdom, Bunezor, and the Rhone Empire were at odds, of course, the Rhone Empire had a nack to push their tolerance to their limit however the Bunezor kingdom wasn't as innocent as well.

This competition was free of participation, which motivated the commoners to participate more.

Emperor Ivan had used the free-charge admission to his advantage.

Every commoner who would participate in the swordsmanship competition must sign an enrollment document with their signature, but what they did not know was that every single participating commoner was signing themselves up for war enrollment.

And this idea was non-other influenced by the fake Empress Paola Von Rhone.

A woman who sat with a dark purple dress and black touches matching her fan.

Fake Empress Paola Von Rhone, currently age thirty-eight.

She had orange hair tied in a low bun with a large empress jeweled crown.

Her orange eyelashes fluttered as she looked down to the dirt arena with her brown eyes.

A smirk formed on her red lips with her fake painted black beauty mark near her mouth.

A face that did not resemble kindness, in fact, quite the opposite.

Cruelty as she sat on her red velvet throne chair.

On the left side of her was the main host of today's swordsmanship competition, Emperor Ivan Von Rhone.

He too smirked looking down in the same direction the fake empress was looking down.

He inclined his head with his large luxurious emperor golden with red crown filled with different jewels.

Emperor Ivan Von Rhone and the fake Empress Paola Von Rhone sat in their red velvet cushiony throne chair.

Normally only two throne chairs were customary but since today was a special occasion two red velvet throne chairs were set up on the emperor's left side.

However, those two red velvet throne chairs were empty.

This was because his two sons were down in the Arena participating.

On the other hand on the fake empress's side, two special chairs were filled to her right.

And this was because both Marquess Michael and Marchioness had attended the swordsmanship competition, well to watch their grandkids.

At least they thought.

Marquess Michael, age seventy-two with black hair with some grey old hairs and red eyes.

Marchioness Erica, age seventy-one with dark blue wavy hair with some grey old hairs and teal-aqua-turquoise eyes.

These two important people were the real Empress Oralith's parents, but they had fallen against the memory alteration.

However, you think of it they resembled nothing to the fake empress.

How could they not recognize their true daughter that had dark blue hair and red eyes like them?

"Honey, would you like me to call the servants to feather you?" (Emperor Ivan, asked)

Emperor Ivan who noticed the fake empress fanning herself from the heat asked her with a worried tone.

"No, it's just I'm quite a board. When is the entertainment going to start?" (Fake empress Paola, asked)

She didn't even turn to look at him as she looked down the arena where a light green-haired fuschia pink-eyed young man clashed swords against a young chubby man with brown-haired and light brown eyes with some freckles near his nose bridge.

The two of them who fought each other in the middle of a white large squared-shaped floor set in the middle of the arena designed especially for the duel.

"Paola, my dear don't worry I think the Marquess Elex's oldest son, Arian will give us a befitting match against that bastard" (Emperor Ivan, said)

"This match will soon end and after the upcoming break their match will begin" (Emperor Ivan, said)

The emperor said trying to cheer up her mood.

"Yes, my daughter I heard the Marquess Elex's oldest son is really good" (Marquess Micheal, said)

He added on while Marquess Erica nodded in agreement.

"Hmph" (Fake Empress Paola)

She closed her eyes in annoyance as she covered her face with her fan.

And so the royal family sat in there seated customized higher castle tower designed section in the arena that separated them amongst the regular plan citizen rowed seats.

Unfortunately, the closed tower seated section was the only cool enough place with a roof, unlike the whole amphitheater arena which had no roof for them.

......

At the same time on the left side in some distance further down some row seats sat four three old noble ladies chatting among themselves.

"She's been standing there for at least four hours straight in black clothes, is that really her?" (Old noble ladies, whispered)

"Of course, that has to be her, or else what other maid would wear a dress from a seamstress?" (Old noble ladies, whispered)

"Your right, she's such a bad omen why would they think of bringing her here?" (Old noble ladies, whispered)

The three old noble ladies whispered as they looked at a young lady dressed in a black dress with a black hat that had a black net attached to it covering her face.

That young lady was dressed in black colors that only attracted the sun in this heat.

Nor was her hair or face visible since the black net did its's job to cover her identity fully.

The young lady in black had wrist lenght gloves that gripped onto a large black feather fan.

'Swish, Swish'

The young lady fanned up and down repeatedly for four hours till this moment fanning Adelina who sat in a white loose dress with a long golden-colored cross embroidery stole from the Chessuraus temple.

"It's such a disgrace to see her face here but thankfully if it's her I'm glad her face is covered" (Old noble ladies, whispered)

"I bet she's so ugly that must be one of the reasons why her family would be embarrassed" (Old noble ladies, whispered)

"Yeah, I heard a rumor that apparently she's very ugly that's why they never let her go out of her room" (Old noble ladies, whispered)

The noble ladies whispered loudly as Aurora continued to fan Adelina who had a side smirk in satisfaction at the noble ladies' whispers.

As for Marquess Elex, he could care any less if the old noble ladies humiliated Aurora.

His eyes were set on Arian who was talking to a huddle group as he prepared his sword since the break had now started.

His match was next and Marquess Elex expected Arian to win especially when his opponent was non other than Dorion.

However, the fourth noble old lady who was gazing silently at Aurora fanning Adelina finally spoke up.

"Still, don't you think she should at least drink or eat something during this break at least?" (Old Marchioness Carlen, asked)

At her question, the three old noble ladies looked at her while Adelina had flinched.

"No matter how bad she is of an omen she's still his daughter, it's not like she's an illegitimate daughter" (Old Marchioness Carlen, said)

"She's clearly wearing all black as if it isn't hot enough she must be tiered and hungry I can't help to feel a little bad" (Old Marchioness Carlen, said)

She said as she looked at Aurora with a somehow pity expression.

"...." (The three noble ladies)

They had looked at Aurora fanning Adelina with a somehow pity expression too.

'...' (Adelina)

Adelina frowned at the old Marchioness Carlen's words.

"Well...I guess it's hot maybe they should give her a break before the next match starts again" (Old noble ladies, whispered)

"Yeah, that poor thing. She must be sweating" (Old noble ladies, whispered)

"They won't keep her like this will they?" (Old noble ladies, whispered)

'Tsk' (Adelina)

'These old grannies how fast they change their sides as soon as that old bitch feels bad for her' (Adelina's inner thoughts)

'How fucken annoying' (Adelina's inner thoughts)

She glanced at the old Marchioness Carlen and back to the front.

'I'll remember that old hags face, I'd never use my power and dirty my hands with her' (Adelina's inner thoughts)

'I'll pray that bitch dies in hell' (Adelina's inner thoughts)

'Turn'

She tried to hide her anger veins as she turned around to look at Aurora with an innocent face.

"Sister, you must be hot I was so careless" (Adelina, said)

Adelina acted pitifully as she reached out and grabbed Aurora's left gloved hand.

Adelina, age fourteen.

"I didn't realize you were hungry and thirsty because I was too focused on the matches" (Adelina, said)

"I ask for your forgiveness dear sister" (Adelina, said)

She said with an apologetic look causing the three old noble ladies to gain her empathy.

Adelina tried hiding her smirk as her extra hand reached into her white pouch and pulled out one gold coin.

'Place'

She placed the golden coin into Aurora's palm and closed it up for her.

"I hope this golden coin can buy anything you want on the stands" (Adelina, said)

"So take your time and pick whatever you like sister, just make sure you come back before Arian's match starts" (Adelina, said)

Adelina said pretending to be a carrying understanding sister.

"You see I told you that the saintess Adelina is very kind" (Old noble ladies, whispering)

"She truly has a heart of gold" (Old noble ladies, whispering)

"Yeah, to give her a gold coin that's already too much kindness" (Old noble ladies, whispering)

"..." (Old Marchiones Carlen)

The three old ladies whispered pressing Adelina's belovedness while the old Marchioness Carlen remained silent staring at Aurora.

"..." (Aurora)

Aurora remained motionless, till Marquess Elex's attention finally directed to them.

"Did you not hear your sister, go" (Marquess Elex, said)

"Don't you dare embarrass us, or think of coming late when Arian's match starts" (Marquess Elex, said)

He spoke to her rudely with a frown.

'Nod'

Aurora nodded gently and bowed slightly in understandment.

'Tss'

She grabbed the black feather fan and placed it gently down in an empty seat so it would not get damaged as Adelina, Marquess Elex, the old noble ladies and the on viewers looked at Aurora's actions in silence.

Aurora finished placing the black feather fan and bowed slightly to dismiss herself and left elegantly making her way to the back outside the amphitheater where there were various carnival stands from entertainment, products, food, and beverages.

"~~~~ ~~~~" (People, chatting)

"~~~~~~~ ~~~~~" (People, chatting)

"~~~ ~~~~~" (People, chatting)

It was a very lively section especially because at this moment the swordsmanship competition had taken a break.

So nobles, commoners, and participants roamed around looking at the stands.

"Fireworks on a special price for today's celebration!" (Firework seller, yelled)

"Grilled fish to your likes ladies and gentlemen!" (Food seller, yelled)

"Fresh cold beverages at your disposal!" (Beverage seller, yelled)

A man selling beverages passed near her with a potable beverage holder.

'Halt'

The beverage holder man seemed to stop as he noticed Aurora looking at him.

"Oh young lady would you like to purchase some fresh beverages?" (Beverage seller, asked)

"I have fresh cold water, fresh lemonade, fresh orange juice, and very popular at the moment we have cold wine" (Beverage seller, said)

He gestured with his hands at the dinks with a vendor tone.

Aurora looked at the beverages for a few seconds.

"May I have three fresh waters" (Aurora, said)

Aurora said as she finally spoke.

Aurora age, fourteen.

Her dark blue eyes looked at the man now without emotion but of course, the man could never know as her face was covered.

However, she had a gentle elegant voice unconsciously making the beverage seller flinch at such a pretty voice.

'Wow her voice is pretty nice and elegant, she must be really educated' (Beverage seller's inner thought)

"Ah, yes of course..um but don't you want something to carry it with?" (Beverage seller, asked)

He regained his focus and looked at her thinking by her thin looks it be hard to hold three water beverages.

"I have a stand over there you can get a small basket to go with it and I also sell some fruits and large sandwiches" (Beverage seller, said)

The man said with a polite face pointing at two stands away.

'...' (Aurora)

'Nod'

Aurora gently nodded.

Both Aurora and the beverage seller walked to his stand as he placed the box beverage on his light orange-colored table cloth covered table.

Luckily his stand had an orange fabric covering the roof giving them a break to refresh under the shade.

"Young lady do you just want the tree waters?" (Beverage seller, asked)

'Turn'

Aurora turned to look at the clear foil-wrapped large sandwiches and red apples.

'Turn'

She turned her attention back to him.

"May I have three sandwiches and tree apples as well" (Aurora, said)

Aurora said politely again.

"Of course young lady I'll get right to it!" (Beverage seller, said)

He said politely and excitedly as he turned his attention to prepare her order.

'...' (Aurora)

Meanwhile, he prepared the things Aurora glanced down at a squared brochure with a drawn map of where things were.

She looked at the main arena amphitheater, on the right side on the outside of it was where she was at.

Her dark blue eyes moved to the left sections on the outside of the amphitheater where gathering areas took place.

A special guarded Area for the noble participants from the swordsmanship competition gathered in the rest area.

A second section for commoner participants from the swordsmanship who had no guards in the area.

It mean that the noble participants from the swordsmanship could freely enter the commoner participant rest area without a trouble and cause a commotion.

However, the commoner participants could not enter the noble area so they were stuck to remain there.

And finally the middle section, for anyone that loved to take a rest in general.

"Here you go young lady" (Beverage seller, said)

He said as he placed a little basket with three fresh waters, three red apples, and three large clear-wrapped foil sandwiches.

Aurora thanked him and gave him extra for being kind with her finally making her way toward the noble swordsmanship resting area, gripping onto her basket.

......

-Noble swordsmanship competitors' resting area-

Aurora had stopped in front of the noble swordsmanship competitor's resting area entrance guarded by two Rhone imperial knights.

"Name and family" (Knight One, said)

"Aurora Lepiliondel" (Aurora, said)

"!" (Knight One and Knight Two)

As soon as she gave them her name they were shocked hearing her name.

There was no one in this empire who did not know her name.

"Hey, isn't that the daughter of..." (Knight One, whispered)

Knight One whispered to Knight Two.

"Yeah your right..." (Knight Two, said)

He whispered back.

'No matter how cursed she is it is by law that we cannot forbid any noble from entering this area' (Knight One's inner thoughts)

'Besides, it looks like she's an errand girl' (Knight One's inner thoughts)

Knight One looked at her holding the food basket.

Then gave the knight Two a look.

'Nod' (Knight Two)

Knight Two nodded.

'Turn'

Knight One turned to look at Aurora again.

"You may enter" (Knight One, said)

Knight 1 made way for her to enter as she nodded in a thanks leaving them behind.

'Click, Clack, Click, Clack'

Heeled steps.

She made her way further into the noble swordsmanship competitor area.

Since they were noble naturally their area was larger which required her to do serval minutes of walking.

'Click, Clack, Click, Clack'

Heeled steps.

'Click, Clack, Click, Clack'

Heeled steps.

'Click, Clack, Click, Clack'

Heeled steps.

As she finally approached her she started to hear some chatting.

"Arian aren't you excited to dule him?" (Gevans, asked)

Young earl Gevans Xander, age sixteen.

A silver-haired young teen with golden eyes asked.

"Yeah, I bet you'll crush that bastard" (Noble young men, chatting)

"He deserves to roll in the pitted dirt" (Noble young men, chatting)

They said cheering him up as believing there was no chance Arian would lose against him.

"Guys but have you not heard that he's very aggressive like the emperor only made him challenge young Marquess Arian, the second prince, and the third prince" (Tenz, said)

Young Baron Lionel Lons, age fifteen.

A light blue hair light blue-eyed young teen said.

"Ha, well if you think about it isn't the emperor smart. That bastard is only going to bring shame as he finds himself defeated by Arian, the second prince, and the third prince" (Geven, said)

He said with a high and mighty tone.

'Turn'

Geven turned to look at Arian as if seeking approval.

"Don't you think so Arian?" (Geven, asked)

"I could care less" (Arian, said)

Arian, age sixteen.

He said with an unbothered face as he tightened his gloves.

"..." (Young noblemen)

The young noblemen remained silent at Arian's indifference till they spoke up again to kill the awkward atmosphere.

"Well, young Marquess Arian is confident there's no need to worry" (Noble young men, chatting)

"You can count on us cheering for you and-" (Noble young men, chatting)

The noblemen chatting were interrupted by another young nobleman who looked forward with a distorted expression drawing the other young noblemen to turn and look.

'Turn'

All the young noblemen turned to look at Aurora who was approaching in the distance, except for Aiden who was still focused on fixing his gloves.

"That young lady is wearing black who'd wear...ooh isn't that young marquess Arian's first sister?" (Noble young men, chatting)

'Flinch'

At the noble young man's comment, Arian looked up spotting Aurora in the distance who had stopped walking.

"Look at her she looks like a nun, not like her sins will walk away" (Geven, said)

Geven who looked at Aurora said with a disgusted tone.

"Young Marquess Arian's second sister is like a holy white light but it seems that his first sister's black clothes seemed to fit her really well" (Noble young men, chatting)

"..." (Arian)

'Throb'

Arian who remained silent had felt anger inside his heart that he could not explain at the words at the noble young men judging Aurora in front of his face so cruelly.

"I can't believe they even let her enter this area, whoever let her sure doesn't know how to do his job" (Geven, said)

He continued to say with a disgusted tone as if Aurora was a bug who had infested food.

"Her presence only brings disgrace" (Geven, said)

He added on with a scoff.

Arian who had tried to hold in his frown finally let it show.

'Step, Step, Step'

Walking.

Arian headed towards Aurora with an angry frown.

'Step, step, Step'

Walking.

'Halt'

Arian had stopped in front still angrily growing.

"You....what are you doing here?" (Arian, asked)

He asked her with a displeased voice.

"..." (Aurora)

Aurora remained silent for a few seconds before her attention turned to the basket.

'Rustle'

She placed the basket handle on her right arm while her left hand took out one cold water, one large clear foil-wrapped sandwich, and a red apple.

'Extend'

She extended her left hand with the cold water, the large clear foil-wrapped sandwich, and the red apple at him.

Her lips finally parted.

"I thought my brother might be hungry" (Aurora, said)

Aurora said with her soft voice but cautious voice.

'....' (Arian)

Arian started at her in silence with eyes that seemed to have an unexpected surprise to them however the noble young men began their comments again.

"Is she really giving him commoners food?" (Noble young men, chatting)

'Flinch'

Arian flinched again as Aurora kept her hand still extended.

"Does she not have any dignity?" (Geven, asked)

His disgusted voice was heard from the back as well as the others.

"Do you think young Marquess Arian would eat such a thing?" (Noble young men, chatting)

However, it seemed that Aurora was unbothered by their comments since she still kept her hand extended.

That bothered Arian even more.

"Guys she's just a needy bad omen she can't help to beg for something that-" (Geven, said)

'SLAP!'

"I never asked you to come!" (Arian, yelled)

Arian had slapped the food and beverage off her hands furiously as he yelled at her in anger.

The large clear foil-wrapped sandwich landed on the dirt floor, and the cold water bottled water rolled against the dirt along with the red apple that was now covered in dirt.

Information on the fake empress: She hates commoners with all her might, she feels disgusted by them even though she was a commoner herself. She gave the emperor the idea of the competition or entering her kids to fight against ML, she doesn't love the emperor she just wanted everything ML's mother had, and she persuaded the emperor to start a war with the neighboring kingdom because she wanted more land (although the neighboring kingdom and the Rhone empire where doomed to start a war because they did not get along).

Extra information about the war of the neighboring kingdom: The neighboring kingdom and the Rhone empire kingdom did go to war and were conquered due to ML's efforts so now the neighboring kingdom people belong to the Rhone empire.

CLARIFICATION WHY FL GOT THREE SETS OF FOOD AND BEVERAGES: One for herself, one for Arian, and one for ML.

THE REASON WHY FL ATTENDED THE SWORDSMANSHIP COMPETITION: She begged her father secretly to let her go to the swordsmanship competition to see Arian fight and when she heard that Arian would fight ML, she made it her mission to go. Her father allowed her as long as she attended to Adelina's needs and stay put obediently, it was also the first time in years since she has been out. She had hoped to talk to ML, to check up on how he was doing.

Next Chapter!!: By far it's one of my favorite chapters so much is going on at a time, it's chaotic but soo satisfying. You'll meet new characters and the unexpected character who's a fan of ML but is not allowed to show it (He will be like a younger brother to Fl and fight for Fl's attention as he bickers with Arian) You'll also get a big SPOIL on the emperor and ML's relationship.