15 the challenge

Black One's pov.

I glance down at the girl stirring from her sleep, knowing her habits, I know she is going to wake up. I use qing-gong and leap into her room.

"Master, you have returned late last night."

Damn it! Why am I questioning her? I scold myself.

"Oh, it's Blackey, I have not seen you for long, I went out to drink, that's all."

Ruthless rubs her head hard, her forehead turning pink from her roughness.

"Let Black One massage your head for you." I cover her temples with my fingers, massaging in a circular motion.

She trusts me because she has saved me 2 years ago, and I have agreed to stay at her side for 7 years as her servant. I sense that one day, she is going to soar above all of us, and I am willing to be her dog, by her side.

"Your Highness, we are to leave the campsite soon."

Infina comes in to report, I immediately leave, don't get me wrong, but the fewer people who know of my existence, the better it is for everyone.

Ruthless waves her hand and gets up to wash, "Pack my things."

They return back to their own nests.

The camera's pov.

"Mother, how much do you know about Lilando?"

Ruthless asks as she puts a black chess piece down.

"Well, he is very deep. He is not too bad, he has helped me a few times before. I am not sure what he thinks about the throne, but he can be your friend. After all..."

Cordelia raises an eyebrow and puts a white chess piece down, trying to trap the black chess.

Ruthless nods, deep in thought, places another chess down and kills all of the white chess.

Ruthless went back to her chamber, settles her reports from various places that have been collected for a few days that formed a small hill.

Brush after brush.

Frowns after frowns.

Next day.

Talent Competition.

The night has fallen, stars have risen.

The ministers have all reached the palace to watch and judge the competition.

Participants can challenge anybody during the competition.

The winner gets a point, the loser does not get any point. If you are not challenged, you can challenge the others.

This competition is to decide which country has the better ladies and princesses.

Ruthless reaches early too. She is determined to shine and this decides whether she will be stuck with some imbeciles for two years in class.

"Ruth!"

Lilando waves from his seat.

"Here!"

Ruthless shakes her head in helplessness and walks over.

"You are so early today." Ruthless accepts the cup of tea that Lilando passes over.

"No wine for you today, you better win some face for your brother."

"I am not early, I just reached too, me and my friend has agreed to reach at this time, but he's not here yet."

Lilando shakes his head and gulps the wine down.

"Ohh? The one that you said will bring him to drink with us too?"

"Yepp! And even though he's handsome, but he cannot be your husband!"

Ruthless slaps him on his shoulders, rolling her eyes.

A cold glint cuts them.

Ruthless whips around sharply, sensing danger but everything is normal.

Malbeno's pov.

I stare at the young girl arriving like a ball of flame, how I wish she will come to my side, but, I watch her settle beside the sly fox. Lilando, it is unsettling watching them so intimate.

Are you jealous? A small voice speaks up. I cannot control myself as Crown Prince of Cohen struts over, meeting them. Meeting her.

I am not jealous, certainly not.

Back to the camera!

"Dev!"

"Princess Ruthless."

"Crown Prince Devyn."

The crown prince of Western Cohen, Devyn Cohen.

His mild brown eyes touch Ruthless's face, as hers touch his. His lips, not too thin, but not too thick, giving a perfect volume, his nose is not too sharp like Dark Prince or Lilando's but tall too, and with a gentle edge. His features and aura all speak of his gentleness.

Like the spring's first wind.

"Ruth, this is my best friend, Devyn, you can call him Dev, this is my sister, Ruthless! Don't you dare play her!"

Lilando turns to introduce each other.

"I am not like you, Lan." Devyn Cohen sighs and smiles at Ruthless.

"Dev."

"Ruth."

They nod their heads at each other.

"Don't be so calm. Come on, get high, guys!" Lilando hits the table and waves his arms around.

"Shut up and drink your wine." Ruthless pulls his hair back and pours him another wine with another hand, seriously why is this dude so loud?

"Do you want to enjoy the sweetness of 7 Days Torture again?" Devyn takes a seat beside Ruthless and sweeps his brown eyes across his friend.

They speak at the same time.

And look at each other, the brown meets the violet.

Another cold glint cuts their backs, making Ruthless's hair stand on the ends.

"Hey, this is my sister, don't you dare have any thoughts on her."

Lilando scrunches up his eyebrows and glares at his best friend.

"Close your big fat mouth and sit back down."

Ruthless throws away that uneasy feeling and pulls Lilando's hand down roughly.

Lilando is going to argue about his lips being the most perfect thing when he catches Devyn's heated stare and quietens down.

Throughout the banquet, they chatted and shared their stories like they were long lost friends, with no more cold glares, Ruthless thought in relief.

"Everyone, our dear guests and ministers."

"The competition is starting, who will like to go first?"

The Emperor announces and gets straight into the topic.

"Your Majesty, I, the granddaughter of the Grand General, Dilina Dong will like to challenge Princess Clarita!"

The ministers all look at each other, everyone knows that Lady Dilina and Princess Clarita were known as the Swans of the South. Both of them were enemies. But Princess Clarita is sick and cannot dance, that Dilina Dong still wants to challenge her, is this not throwing the face of Lasombra to the ground?

The ambassadors all lay back on their seats, waiting for a good show.

"Ms. Dong, my daughter is now sick and cannot answer to your challenge, please choose another lady."

"Your Majesty, this competition, we can challenge anyone including her!"

"Your Majesty, the old general understands your pain but in front of our guests, we should not trample their interests and we must be fair." The Grand General Damien Dong speaks up.

"Ms. Dong, you say can challenge anyone, so do you want to challenge my Father too? Do you want to challenge your maid too?"

Ruthless plays with her teacup lazily and argues dreamily, her back sinking into her seat.

"Ms. Dong, please choose your words carefully."

Devyn smiles at Dilina Dong warmly and speaks.

"Bleh, that is a fake smile, he is a sly fox, smiling at everyone like that. Fake, don't fall for his tricks." Lilando complains to Ruthless but Devyn catches his words and shoots him a glare.

"Who are you to speak to me like this!"

Dilina Dong is known for her arrogance and poor temper in the Kingdom.

"Outrageous! She is my sister, Royal Princess, daughter of the Emperor, who are you to speak to her like this!"

Liliando bolts up from his seat, his amber eyes challenging Dilina Dong.

"I..." Dilina starts.

"Father, I can accept her challenge, please do not worry for me, I will take good care of myself."

Princess Clarita speaks up and smiles at Ruthless warmly.