13 Chapter 13:

'no.' she stared at them.

'No no…what you're saying is not true…' she breathed heavily still shocked.

Ming backed away a little bit, afraid she might throw something in anger.

Red-head took the lead and ushered the princess to calm down.

'Princess, I'm sure it's not that bad. You still have other choices.'

'But I'm royalty…' she sighed.

They looked at each other in dismay.

'Yes princess, but still there are other options like losing warrior licence, there's still time.' Ming said while looking at her concerned.

'So what you're saying is I have to back down because I'm not good enough?' she asked with no emotions.

'Ehm eh…don't think of it that way, think of it as, starting a new path in your life, a new door, another chapter in the book. New challenges and opportunities.' Red-head explained while Ming nodded simultaneously.

Cyran nodded too since he wanted to avoid conflict.

Even peanut nodded since he wants anything but to get banished from the castle.

'B-but the castle is my home, I have so many memories with it, what about the effort I put in, so I strained every nerve in my body for this?!' she asked with tears in her eyes.

'But princess, otherwise it's hopeless, the guards are coming this way they might be here and you have to face judgement. If you say you want to keep your license you may have to be…' he refrained from saying the word.

'No please tell me there's something else I can do? Can't I participate in any other duels to prove her?' she cried.

'Enrich the strong, and discard the weak.' He repeated solemnly.

Cyran couldn't just put his head into the reason for this. Couldn't they just keep the strong and just NOT discard the weak? Seems like less work and besides, it's not going to help them get more strong members, they're just losing more soldiers.

'But why exactly?' he asked puzzled.

'Queen Maguire has been challenged by the peacekeepers and if she loses Zhan will fall and Gharxil will be the ones who control us. It's a matter of pride.'

'Really? But is this really needed?'

This seemed to make no sense at all. But then again, it's Queen Maguire they're talking about. She treats a teenager like a fricking terrorist.

'It doesn't matter, either way, she wants to show Gharxil that Zhan is not a coward. It's a matter of pride kid, you can't do anything about it.' Red-head sighed.

Kara was so mad she wanted to punch someone in the face. But she knew it will make things worse. So instead she kicked Cyran off the ground.

'Hey! The hell was that for?'

'Well you're not the one getting banished for being weak!' she yelled.

Her angry voice echoed through the palace and reached the mountains.

He scratched his behind harshly. This girl is trouble!

'Well, I can think of several reasons why…' he mumbled.

Red-head nudged him and mouthed to zip it.

'Stop being so inconsiderate to the princess. She's had a hard life and it's been not so easy as you think, young man.' Ming spoke softly.

'I'm not being inconsiderate, I'm just saying the truth, it's better than standing afar and staring.'

Ming hung her head in shame. He was right, and she was just too scared to be with her.

He looked at her, and then back at them, they looked scared. All they could see was a bratty, arrogant girl who had severe anger issues due to past events in her life.

But he saw her differently. Not so different, but still not the same as others.

When he first saw her, she resembled her mother, but she was much stronger but confused and alone.

Well, anyone could see that, she hung out with a monkey!

But he couldn't help but feel bad for her. She looked lost, like him but a little deeper inside.

Suddenly, he felt a cool breeze hit his arm, hugging him softly.

He looked up at the blue sky that was caused by the reflection of the sea.

'Maybe there is 'hope' after all.' He said.

Red-head simply shrugged.

'You never know how things turn out. That's why you shouldn't have high hopes.' He explained.

'Boomer.' He whispered.

Two guards rushed in and called Kara's name hastily.

'Your highness, the queen wants to meet you.'

She immediately came out, her amber eyes glowing with anger and disappointment.

'I'm here. Let's go.' She replied.

'Now remember I'm also kinda your prisoner and have like what? 4 hours to live?? So yeah take me with you. Thank you~' Cyran said as he joined the group.

The guards looked at each other and at him with confusion.

'Fine.' they concluded.

'Now, you have to bring the plane with me, I can't carry this heavy thing with me.' He pointed at the medium-sized wooden plane.

They gulped and turned to one another again.

'Why do you have to make our jobs difficult??' one of them sighed.

Apparently, it took more than one person to drag it inside.

'I'm not going to do this again. I want to quit.' One of the guards started chatting.

'yeh, but we are all needed for the annual contest. And people are whispering war, that's scary.' The other one replied.

'I'm probably quitting after the year end's bonus. I've had enough of this sh-'

'Can you guys be any louder?' Kara scowled.

They zipped their mouths all the way but it was clear they didn't like the atmosphere around them.

'So like, you have a license?' Cyran initiated the conversation.

She didn't reply.

'Does everyone have it?'

Still no reply.

'Alright fine, it's okay, no biggie, not like I want to be friendly or anything…' he rolled his eyes.

'Forget it, I'm already mad, one more word and you won't have any eyes to roll!.' She growled.

'Alright, I'm sorry, I'm sorry.' He apologized meekly.

After a long and awkward walk, they reached the courtroom.

It was the most amazing thing they've ever seen.

Like everything, there was glistening, the ministers' seats, the ceiling, the throne, even the floors.

Cyran admired the craftmanship and maintenance of the room. It certainly gives off a serious vibe and looks professional.

The ministers were seated in their respective seats and small talk was running.

They didn't look at their side directly, but it was clear they were talking about them.

There sat the queen on the big throne, even shinier, even grander than the ones below. It was clear who the boss was here.

'So you've come here my dear.' The voice announced.