19 Chapter 4 - The Orange-Haired Princess

Part 3

Samantha

Estate of the Auryls

Being listless, at the same time, being anxious about wondering what to do is inaccurate.

As I had said, my day's schedules were already arranged even Johan had now gone to her journey to pick up some Moro. Early as the first crows, Johan left the mansion and I had missed her only by minutes. I wanted to send her off but it was unexpected for Johan would be going that early.

Nonetheless, life must go on for this lonesome princess.

It was not uncommon for me to wake up early like this morning. I like to say that I had myself adapted to wake up before the sunrise, but I don't. I always like to spend a few minutes on my bed.

I am unlike other pampered noble-born waking up on their domestic's call, marking the time for breakfast. I had to get up on my bed on my own as early as this foggy morning. My body has to adapt or else I would face his retribution again.

I yawned while looking at the mirror.

First, I need to change my favorite, comfy and cozy pajama into old, ragged pants and a light tee shirt, bundled together with the old ones inside the box on that corner. I looked out to the diluted large glass windows by making a small opening on the maroon curtain.

'Another cold morning for me, huh.'

I went into my enormous brown cabinet again. There, I grabbed a sweater to cover my tee shirt. A way better warming my body than the light tee shirt does. Then, I had to traipse the void hallways, guarded by the marble statues and some paintings of my ancestors. The lights were still on by this time.

Walking in this hallways made me realized that the weather is getting colder as each day passed by. Of course, it should since autumn was reaching its peak and most of the brown leaves were falling off into the ground. The color of the autumn. It should not be strange that the morning was getting colder since that was the case.

After a while, I finally reached the training yard. It is several steps from my bedchamber, which took me minutes to get in here. It's also a part of my training walking or jogging around the mansion as I made my way toward this training yard.

Even I quickened my pace, I had arrived late. A pair of a wooden sword was already lying on the cold stage of the training yard. My sparring partner was already there ages ago, perhaps he was there to send off Johan. Seeing him making her first felt the air become chiller. I expected that I have arrived here earlier than he had but there he was, already standing while watching the dark morning skies. I should be the one waiting for him. Nevertheless, what done is done. Another deduction for mine again. All I could do now was to accept his demerit later. All I had to do now was to face him with boldness. A lesson I heard from him. That's what all I had to do.

"G-good morning, Father" Oh no, another mistake for letting my voice trembled as I greeted him. "Another misty morning, isn't it, Father?"

"Nothing, it is. The cold morning is nothing compares warmth of blood." That should sound more or less funny and laughable but I could not bring myself to laugh at the front of His Highness. No one would be able to laugh in the front of his intimidating aura. I had to answer him without politely.

"Of course, Father."

"Louder!"

"Yes, Father!" I straightened up, stiffened as His Highness yelled. See? No one could dare to laugh in front of his face.

Now that I had answered him in such liveliness, loud and bold, he would most probably assume I was ready when I was actually not. After a few steps, approaching the wooden sword direction, something had reminded me.

'Your assignment is…'

Johan's voice echoed inside my head, which made me stop and stare into my father.

"Don't just stare… get the wooden sword!"

That made me movements bursting. My blood almost spurted out from my veins. Without further ado, after taking a large amount of air into my lung, I breathed them out, trying to relax and recovered my fainting heart. My father had already his wooden swords earlier moment and now, he was waiting for her daughter to prostrate herself. He tolerantly tapped his wooden sword on his toned shoulder. Then, seeing the grip of my hands tightened -

"Let's begin. Come" He announced in a calm yet bold tone.

A small grin came out to my face but not enough to let him see.

'Of course, I will. There's no other way but to come forward to you.'

The wooden sword resembled a one-handed sword but I had to wield it with two hands. For me, lifting with two hands would be more suited, more effective, and more efficient. His Highness did not bother about it even he could see the difficulty I had. Perhaps he was thinking that someday I will realize that holding this sword with two hands was utterly incorrect and I will eventually come out the right way of handling the sword. But sorry His Highness, I knew already my handling was incorrect. Gil sometimes would preach to me how to handle the sword correctly. However, I just could not bring myself to handle it properly. In short, it would be so difficult handling it with tiny hands such mine said, Gil.

His Highness knew it is not my style, this kind of combat, but still, he's telling persistently me I should learn one. Not for the skill, but for self-discipline itself.

Okay, my respectable Father, whatever it is.

I readied myself for my first attack. I heaved the wooden sword on my back, preparing for a dash. Together as I exhaled, I bolted to my target that was wide open for His Highness's sword was still bouncing on his shoulder. However, the moment my wooden sword would slam to his torso's side, another wooden sword repelled it. It made a clap sound. I had already apprehended this would happen. Nonetheless, I still had to brandish my wooden sword just to make a scratch on him.

I swung my wooden sword at him, a thousand times but none of them had even scratched his clothes.

My father excelled in physical attack and a master of weapons, especially in swords. I knew my sheer strength was nothing to His Highness, I knew that very well. But I don't have that kind of strength or mastery of weapons. Once, it had come to me the thought that weapons must have hated me, especially this type of sword. On the first day of my training with my father, I asked for a wooden sword resembling a rapier so I could wield it better, but he denied it, saying I must follow the tradition. The insignia, our symbol, he said, I must learn that first. I had to follow him anyways so I had no objection when he said that.

It may be futile, my attacks were, but I had to continue my swings until I dropped dead. Using physical was not my forte, but still, I swung my wooden sword hoping to hit him. I gasped for air, and my bangs had soaked and hindered slightly my sight.

"That's all?"

Father sounded mocking.

For the longest time, I was thirsting for his appreciation and appraisal. However, I had to work hard to gain precious praise. I had to work to the bone and pushing myself over my limit. All just to prove myself before His Highness, to make him see I am truly his daughter, a Ferrara.

"Not yet!"

I breathed in deeply and exhaled hard to revitalize. I focused myself to my target, my opponent, His Highness, my Father.

"Oho!"

His highness blurted sensing the resolve on the way I made my stance, sword on the front of me and eyes squinted slightly. He grinned a little, as if not letting me to see, even though he knew that I was focusing myself on him and nothing else in the world.

Nevertheless, as I had mentioned, it was my style, not my forte, using a physical attack. But I did have faith that this one will work out, yes I did. I did my last attack on a decisive rush and last spurt of my strength.

Having the rule that my win if my sword touched him, I became undaunted and more pumped up. Of course, it was only a small thing to win by touching His Highness, but for me, it's my stepping-stone towards him praising me.

I yelled, pouring my last strength on her wooden sword.

"Yaaaaaaaaah!"

Clap!

A sword went flying into the mid-air spinning.

At the moment, I saw it was his sword that slipped from his hand. My faced lightened up.

I hoped it was. However.

His Highness did it remarkably easy by doing a heavy slash from below, intercepting my last downward blow. I became a statue for a moment, unmoving and unable to speak a word. But still, the stunted mind was working, still processing how he did it, still thinking. I thought it was unfair. I thought it was since it's not my style. I did give all my remaining strength in that last attack but it was not my style after all.

***

King Nero

I knew the train of thought my daughter's mind playing now. However, I was building it for her, only for her. The wooden sword made a brickle rattle as it hit the hard floor of the training yard. The sign the training had ended. I smiled a little, not letting her see. But even I had this smile on my face, the smile knowing my daughter is becoming more of her each day, she could not see it. She was facing down, looking down to the ground as she gasped for air.

'That's right, Samantha. Grasp for air.'

It hurt seeing my daughter like this. But it is all for her.

'Grasp for air.'

***

Samantha

He turned his back on me saying no word. Then, he left the training yard after resting the wooden sword into the rack.

As for me, I leaned into the cold walls. I was on the side of the training yard hiding within the shadows cast by the pillars with the aid of the gentle morning light whose like the color of the newborn. Looking into the glowing morning blue skies, I knew the sun was already rising up from his bed. Then, from somewhere, I heard Johan's voice again.

'Your assignment…'

I already knew what Johan want me to see. I already saw it my two eyes. I shouldn't depreciate my Father too much since he's strong, both in strength and in personality.

"I'm always looking up at him. I know he is strong, I know he is capable. I know already what you are trying to say, Johan, because I am always looking up on him but… he's the one not looking at me. Perhaps, sometimes, he does, but at those times, he's looking down on me."

It's far better not to look at someone than to look with those eyes that look down on them.

I whispery muttered, but no one was daring to respond me for the even shadows on the corners did not want to share my sorrows.

Without Johan, no one would ever hear me.

Thinking there's nothing left to do, but mostly to lighten myself up, I made my right hand glowed red and a sphere of burning molten iron floated from my hand. A small one, no larger than an eyeball. My Legacy.

I stared it. I focused my eyes to its glowing yellow light yet my mind was burning a different image.

I may be not suited to fight with swords and other weapons but my attribute is the same with my father. It should. Furthermore, I am blessed that my affinity for mana is far higher than the common. Far higher, compare to father. Johan had always been saying to me not disvalue my own for I had a great similarity to the first king, except for being a woman. However, I doubted it for it was all according to the books all those epic tales about the first king and his heroic deeds and Johan had just read it for me, for the sake of keeping me believing into myself.

For one more thing, I am missing the first king Miral had, a companion. That is, something I will see sooner than I have expected.

His Highness had already assessed his own daughter's Attribute and knew I am superior to him, at least on magic. She had told me that directly to my face. However, he had told me also not to rely on it too much. He said mana burns faster than your own strength especially attributes related to a fire. Therefore, I have to build my stamina as much as my mana capacity.

It was an important reason for him to be strict teaching me how to handle a sword for the reason that all the kings in this small kingdom were a sword bearer. He said it to me. He has no doubt that his daughter will be a good leader in this kingdom only if she could wield a weapon. He has great expectation for me, he said, but I know I am still immature that's why he has the responsibility to carve and to mold me to be a great queen in the near future, he said it to me.

'Then, what with those looks? What with those eyes of yours, Father?'

We, apparently, were not on the same line. Perhaps it was my fault for misinterpreting his strict discipline but the worst is he did not notice. Her only daughter, I, is trying her best to impress him, my Father, but he had no words for her. All they needed is to talk about it. However, as it was said, we were not on the same line.

I just wanted him, after all. I wanted him to treat me as her daughter.

For her daughter is afraid, weak before his knife-like eyes. The thing she hated and frightened the most. She thought her own father might be blaming her for lost of the queen's life. In addition, he might be disappointed to the fact that his only child is a girl, not a boy that will carry their name. A king might be better to ascend to the throne than a queen might. Nevertheless, she has the first king's legacy, and that might change the downward flow. Still, she was wondering this cold must be a punishment for her.

I have the feeling I am the cause of the queen's death. I am the cause of my Mother's death.

'You are becoming more and more of her each day…'

Hearing Johan's voice, the ball of molten iron slowly faded and finally vanished.

I faced up with closed eyes, hearing the soft but sweet sharp sound of the early tiny birds. Come to think of it. My mother's birthday is more than one week away.

The shadows were still dominating the ceilings, though the morning sun had risen up. The day had just begun, so I exhaled, a loud one, to sweep all of my negativities.

"Yup, enough of this"

Life must go on. It was not I was unfamiliar with this defeated plot. In fact, I had seen and been this murky path a million times before. That must be the reason why I could pick up myself and rise again like the sun.

Leaving the dark corners, I was exposed to the morning light. I could feel my fair skin glowed when the light hit me. I became alive, as the morning sunray had illuminated my face and lightened up my orange hair. Yes, for a moment I thought I was like a fairy under the sunlight.

Let the lonely young woman enjoy the morning sun just for a once, okay?

I picked up the wooden sword I used. Having enough time, I examined it. Blunted spots lined up on the edge of the wooden swords. Another one had just been added from that last attack. For a second, seeing the lousy sword made me think of burning it into ashes, but I thought of father's response. It made me no other choice but to put the beaten sword into the rack, along with the other wooden swords.

I left the training yard without a word, and empty. It was not as silent as to when His Highness left me. For the birds were now chirping to cheer and to greet my new day.

***

Samantha

I was done with my breakfast.

Hmm, that may sound that I am not going to have my breakfast anymore in my life.

I already ate my breakfast but I was still on the dining table.

On the left side of the table, there next to me, Gil was holding a white towel while waiting for me to stand up. Usually, the one accompanied me having breakfast in the lengthy dining table was Johan. I had offered Gil to join me but he refused, saying he had already one. There's no point of insisting. If Gil said so, then, okay.

Still, being a princess and the future queen, they said I needed someone to accompany me anytime and anywhere, which I thought would be unnecessary. I've been telling these guys that I could handle my own but they still insist. Ah. What a bother.

I'm okay having Johan accompanied me but having this Ever-silent, monotonic butler escorting me was somewhat bothering me. It's not I am uncomfortable around him. It's just… ugh.

For a while, I went to spend my time in Johan's office, reading some books. After turning some pages and leaves, I felt the urge to burn all I had eaten this breakfast.

'Time for practice... Again.'

I turned a look at Gil who was quietly sitting on Johan's desk while he was reading a book that he got the cabinet of Johan's desk. I found him almost letting out a smile on his poker face reading Johan's note. Definitely, definitely, I will tell Johan about this.

'Just confess to her, you coward!'

I could tell Gil was enjoying reading the booklet that I felt almost bad when I called for him. Nonetheless, as I did so, he immediately turned back to his usual silent and calm self.

"Yes, Young Miss?" He stood up immediately. Why can't he just make himself at ease when it was just the two of us here? I am not His Highness or something. I am just her daughter.

"Yellowblade field" I answered him with a stiffened smile.

"Certainly, Young Miss" He quoted and walked toward the door, then – "Astral Attribute: Dark Divinity Door – Yellowblade Field"

Gil, in his black and white suit, opened the door supposed to lead into the hallways after invoking his skill. His golden eyes shone as his white-gloved hand touched the lustrous knob.

A line of bright light, the door was opening. Fresh morning air whooshed into my face and brushed my hair.

I stepped out into the door and then I was before a wide field of yellows. The door, supposed to take me into the hallways, had led me here, in this vast field, under the endless blue skies and bright morning light. I had seen the skill of his many times before and I became too familiar to react, teleporting using the doors.

Finally, Gil came out after me and closed the door. Now, we came out to a door that was struck on the old tree's wide trunk. The shadow of the big tree was slightly slanting for it was still pass mid-morning but still the shadow was giving enough shade to cover the both of us. Brown dried leaves covered and encircled near the tree, each step I took made a crunch.

It was far warmer now that the morning sun had fully bloomed into the skies so I decided to take off my jacket I had this early morning and now dressed on my old practice clothes only.

Once a week, together with Gil, I did practice in this field.

Okay, let's begin.

I turned a look to Gil in which as a response, he nodded. I was confident he got me as I looked at him, saying 'prepare my robe'.

The Yellowblade field is wide. The old monolithic tree with a mysterious door stuck on its trunk is in the center. Far eastward is a sea of forest and trees and the boundary of the Mansion's barrier. To the west, the mansion seems so small.

The yellow grass in this field is always reminding me of my mother's hair. The grass is humble but it is not merely for decorations. This field is perfect for practicing my attribute since the grasses here have the tolerance and affinity with the infernal attribute I have. The yellow grasses gladly embrace my fiery wrath.

"I'm ready."

I said when I was far enough from the door Gil was standing. In first glance, it was like I was challenging Gil to be my sparring partner. However, Gil only opened the same door struck onto the big old tree while invoking the same skill again and golden eyes glowing as he said:

"Yes, Young Miss… Astral Attribute: Dark Divinity Door – Riverside Dungeon."

Beyond the door, the place was dark and damp. The light coming from the door revealed a little portion of the strange place. But it was enough to tell me it was a part of a cave based on the wet stalactites hanging on the ceiling.

The illumination from the open field might have awoken some slumbering monster inside the cave as a thundering roar came rushing out from the door. It must be curious and at the same time annoyed to the appearance of the mysterious door as the approaching heavy footsteps became clearly louder. Sooner, a big hand came out, grasping the brown trunk followed by a head of a bull with two sharp protruding horns.

The beast made its first step out of the door and my eyes immediately caught its intimidating appearance. It wielded an oversized rusty halberd on its back and one hand holding onto the handle, ready to smash. The beast drummed its bulky and hairy chest twice and roared again to intimidate me. Its glowering eyes were bloodshot.

However, his tremendous image was not enough to make me step back. Instead, I grinned seeing my opponent had a competent look.

'This should be interesting. Sorry, but you have to bear the stress I have on my back.'

"Nice one you got here, Gil."

"Yes, Young Miss. A Minotaur, one of the deadliest creatures of the nearby dungeon. Responsible for the loss of lives of several adventurers."

"Is that so? Then, I shall make this beast repent."

"You mean burn to ashes, Young Miss?"

"No… not even ash, not even a trace"

Being more annoyed as I had the guts to have a conversation while I was facing before him, the Minotaur roared once more like a rumble of thunder and made the first move. It brandished down the halberd with a heavy force. The blunted edge was aiming straight into my head, but I rolled and the yellow grass was doomed receiving the deadly blow.

I quickly glanced on my right side where the halberd crashed. The yellow grass I like was tarnished. I love these tiny yellow guys here so I could not bear to see them being powdered.

"Ah, now that you have done it. Let me do this quick."

I blurted out while the Minotaur was lifting its halberd again. There were still a few seconds until the beast fully lifted up its heavy weapon and attack again. I took the chance to attack.

"Iron melt Attribute: Magma Bolt!"

Three consecutive smoldering magma balls fired off from my hands and hit directly the chest of the Minotaur. Small kindles and burns were on its chest. I could hear Gil sniffled his nose as the smell of burnt hair reached him.

The attack was nothing, however. It just made the beast to be more irritated. Steams came out from his pierced nose and the Ill-tempered beast displeasingly shook its head.

"Tougher than I thought"

Now, the beast lifted the halberd and was ready to attack once again. Being his hairy chest burned, I had the feeling that the Minotaur would finish me in one attack.

The Heavy Halberd of the Minotaur glowed with reddish light. It was accumulating mana. One hand on the ground and other on the halberd's handle, the Minotaur made a charging stance.

Its horse-like hooves pushed to the grassy ground and the beast came sprinting towards me with the speed slightly slower than the blink of an eye. The glowing halberd swung vertically, then horizontally, then vertically again, all with agility. A three-way slashes hit.

This Minotaur must be underestimating me. Having seen the monster desperately charge in front of me, I erected a barrier that would intercept his charge.

"Iron melt Attribute: Fiery wall!"

Three defensive magma walls materialized at the time when the halberd was going to reach me. They perfectly caught the blunted blade of the halberd's consecutive strikes.

However, I saw the Minotaur made a grin. He was not done yet, it's his combo attack. As the burning walls had repelled his previous strikes, he lifted up its weapon again. The halberd had still charged with mana.

No, it had more power than the previous attacks based on its intense luminosity glowing around the blade of the halberd. No wonder why it was one of the deadliest monsters in the Riverside Dungeon.

'My walls could not bear this…'

Therefore, I had to dodge the fatal strike. As I had predicted earlier, all the protective wall I had erected shattered and broke like glass.

I managed to evade by jumping backward immediately and the halberd was stuck on the grassy ground again.

However, before my feet touch the ground, I was still mid-air, the Minotaur left the Halberd on his hand and aimed its protruding horns on my body. He was more flexible than I thought. There's no way I could evade this attack since I was still airborne.

This must be the reason this monster killed many adventurers. It was intelligent enough to have battle tactics.

I unconsciously had my lips grinning. It's quite rare that a monster would push me into the edge and corner me. It quite rare that I would feel this feeling. This rush of my blood. This hard and heavy beat of the chest when you're life is in the stake. I love this feeling, this burning sensation. It made me feel that I am indeed alive.

It's quite rare that I had left no option but to do that.

Casting 'fiery wall' would not make it on time. I had no choice but to do my special skill, my trump card.

"Grandio ability: Archon…"

My incantation whispered into my ears as I intended those words only for me to hear.

Slowly my clothes burned as my skin became darkish red like burning coal. I was naked as the garments I was wearing burnt out but I felt no shame since now I was more likely wearing a tight-fitted smoldering suit. Bright yellow-colored veins ran through my darkish red skin. The dancing tongue of hellish flame replaced my orange hair. Light yellow eyes were merciless at one glance.

Seeing my abrupt metamorphosis, the Minotaur abruptly canceled his offensive charge and went more defensive. The beast was alarmed on my rapid transformation and he was now more cautious, witnessing the young lady on his front was obviously not the same person earlier.

She is an archon, her true self but it's still incomplete.

The first king and I had the same special ability, the Archon. The special skill transforms our body on the likes of fire deity. Though, the ability was not so convenient for whichever I touched would be burn or melt in an instant. As I had said, it's because it was still incomplete. Moreover, there is a time limit in this incomplete transformation, 10 minutes more or less.

Having our resistance boost up, magical attacks could damage me a little. Only soul-chattering skills could penetrate my heavy defense. Physical attack, like stabbing my scorching body with a normal sword, would be futile since the sword would melt before reaching my skin.

However, right now, I am incomplete, unlike the first king. Still, undoubtedly, I am a force to be aware of and my burning aura was saying this to the appalled Minotaur.

Having my feet above the grassy ground, I floated with ease toward the stunned monster.

The trembling Minotaur shook its head to vanquish its growing fear and fading confidence. Then, it roared showing his brave enough to overcome my belittling aura.

Now even the table's turn in a snap, His right hoof galloped twice to make another dash. His sharp horns were desperate to thrust the princess. His breath was heavy.

In a blink of an eye, the Minotaur bolted towards me yet I just watched, waiting as the sharp horns aimed at me.

"Archon: Phoenix."

I chanted it with boldness.

The mythical phoenix came out from a shining magic circle. Its blazing body entangled and embraced the Minotaur and stoppered his last charge, and then the Phoenix faded into the thin air. The Minotaur was even shoved backward creating two lines as his hooves were dragged against the ground. That part where the summoned phoenix embraced darkened and Gil smelled the sweet fragrance of cooked meat.

On his face showed agony, still, the Minotaur pushed to stood with his two hooves, trembling.

I smirked, amused for his endurance.

"That's futile… thought" I said with a voice of different from my own while approaching the injured Monster. It was like my voice was echoing inside of me before it would come out from my mouth.

The Minotaur fixed on his place but he had the urge to move away while the distance between him and me was slowly but surely decreasing. He roared but not like earlier. Maybe for displaying he still had the dominance or his bravery. Or maybe he was telling me to go away and get lost. I smelled the fear had done big in his mighty roar.

The final rite thus came. I raised my hand aiming for the pleading monster. Sparkles and kindles of red-orange light gathered on the center of my palm, charging for the finishing blow. Now, it's my turn to gather mana into my singeing palm.

Now I stood before the laying Minotaur who's desperately crawling to save his own life but I had no intention letting this beast alive in the first place.

As Gil had mentioned, it had killed so many lives and I thought it had done enough to gain its notoriousness. The happy days of this beast were over now, however.

"Begone… Archon: Stellar ray."

The last moment of the Minotaur was the intense brightness, which blinded his eyes. For the split of a second, the screaming pain ran through his body that immediately went gone as the deathly ray evaporated his whole body. Not even an ash- that's what I meant, not even a trace.

The only reminder that I had a battle with a Minotaur was the plump burrow on the ground, the place where the Minotaur stood last before I erased him completely.

"Ah… I overdid it"

My previously casted skill had vaporized the grass, too.

The training ended now the Minotaur was with its creator, but there're things still left to be done.

****

Gil, who was standing next to the door, bowed down on Samantha and left the robe into the grassy ground near the door as Samantha had requested earlier. After doing so, he went ahead, leaving alone the princess. He had to.

Gil was on the other side of the door, inside the mansion but still waiting for the princess to knock after finishing what she had to do.

Samantha now cooled herself down. She had returned to her normal self but she was now naked, as her fair skin had returned but not her burned clothes. Her monstrous aura earlier vanished instantly along with the dropping of temperature around her.

She knew this would happen every time she underwent a transformation. She looked so weak against the world. Hand wrapped on her chest and another to the other private part that needed covering. Her hair dropped straight, covering her back. Her orange ruby eyes sparkled again, wet, almost crying.

This was the undesirable stain of her incredibly powerful skill. After doing this incomplete special skill, she would be left naked.

She was a chick.

Even no one would see her in this embarrassing state, she ran quickly on the robes like there's no tomorrow for her. She ran towards that robe with that arduous position.

She wrapped herself as soon as possible and she quickly knocked on the door.

"M-My bedroom..."

"Yes, Young Miss"

Gil's voice on the other side of the door answered the faltering voice of the princess.

As the door opened, she was inside on her familiar and spacious bedroom. Of course, Gil was not inside her room. Then, she went on the cabinet to get dressed in her comfortable white dress.

Yes, that's the reason why Johan had to buy her new clothes every week.