Offer or Force

"Well, in addition to these honors, this party is also being held to welcome the only emblem of the beauty of our kingdom, my little princess Catallina here," said the King proudly.

Everyone was surprised and excited to see the king's daughter.

Catallina was seen hugging Taneaya.

"This is so embarrassing me, I told him not to do this," she whispered to Taneaya.

"Go Cata, uncle is waiting for you," Taneaya said while pinching Catallina's cheeks.

"Ugh, okay," Catallina pouted.

Then she noticed the gawking expressions of Uldor and Gorstag.

"I'll explain later," Catallina whispered as she begged for mercy.

Catallina stepped into the center of the hall to approach the king, then gracefully pulled on her two ball gowns and bowed her head before the crowd in the hall.

"Please enjoy this award party," Catallina said to applause.

Catallina's embrace with her parents, the king, and queen, revealed a deep secret that only a select few knew. Born into a noble family, Catallina is the daughter of the king of the Kingdom of Berillan.

However, Catallina's journey with the band was not a fad or an attempt to rebel against her noble lineage. It was rooted in a deep sense of justice and a desire to make a real difference in the world. Her decision to join Theo's band has a long and complex background stemming from her unique experiences and personal beliefs.

From a young age, Catallina sought to understand the plight of the common man, going undercover and interacting with people from different walks of life. She witnessed their struggles, their hopes, and their dreams, and it ignited in her an unshakable empathy for their plight.

It was during one of his secret meetings that he first met Theo, who had embarked on his quest to bring justice and liberation to those oppressed by corrupt regimes. Inspired by Theo's unwavering dedication and his ability to rally others, Catallina felt an immediate connection. She recognized in him a kindred spirit, who shared her deep-rooted desire to change the world for the better.

Driven by a sense of responsibility to her people and a strong belief in the power of collective action, Catallina decided to leave the comfort of her noble life and join Theo's cause. It was a choice driven by her unshakable belief that true change can only come from the ground up, through the unity and resilience of ordinary people.

By joining the Band of de Sun, Catallina sought to utilize her position and privilege to amplify the voices of the oppressed, champion their cause, and ensure that their cries for justice would not go unheard. She realized that her presence within the band would lend credibility and resources to their efforts, allowing them to reach further and effect greater change.

Catallina's decision was met with both admiration and fear from her parents. While they understood her yearning for purpose and justice, they also worried about her safety and the potential repercussions that her association with the band could have. However, they respected her beliefs and admired her noble intentions, eventually giving her their blessing and support.

Through her dedication and commitment to justice, Catallina became a symbol of hope and inspiration for many. Her decision to join Theo's band was not only an act of rebellion against her noble lineage but also an act of deep love for her people and a testament to her unwavering belief in a better future.

The crowd was both surprised and awed by the princess who had chosen to walk among them as an equal. Her presence in the band further cemented her reputation and support.

After the awards ceremony, the Band of de Sun mercenary group celebrated together in the palace gardens. They mingled with royalty and citizens, celebrating their success and the awards they had received.

The moment was proof that no matter their background as mercenaries, they were heroes who were valued and recognized by the kingdom. Their joy was incomparable, as they had found family and true happiness in their struggle together. The moral of the story is the power of unity and dedication to achieve success, regardless of background and social status.

***

Night had fallen and the party was still going strong. On the sidelines of the party, Taran approached Theo to bid him farewell.

With a sincere smile, Taran spoke, "Theo, my Prince, I cannot express my deep appreciation and I am also honored to have fought with you.

Theo's voice resonated with sincerity as he replied, "And you, Taran, will forever be a symbol of courage and integrity. May your path be filled with victory, and may when the time comes the Kingdom of Oakenhaart flourish under your wise rule. Please convey my warmest regards to your father, the king."

With a final grip of his hand, Taran bid Theo farewell. Afterward, he chatted with the clan and kingdom officials, but he felt bored in fact, in between their chats, Theo glanced around to see his group enjoying the feast, and saw Catallina explaining her identity. Then he glanced to another corner and his smile grew wide.

Theo saw Eran who was alone in one corner of the park while enjoying food and drinks. Without hesitation and full of politeness Theo left his conversation with the high official and approached Eran.

"Eran, why are you alone here? Join us in celebrating the victory!" greeted Theo smiling. Eran glanced at the man standing in front of him, and he already guessed who it was.

"Ah, it's okay. I feel comfortable alone." Eran replied with a faint smile.

Theo sat down next to Eran. "But this is a happy moment for all of us. You fought a great battle on the battlefield. Your actions during the war were impressive. You saved the lives of many of our comrades," Theo praised enthusiastically.

"For being so heroic, I would have lost my head if your sword hadn't blocked General Paul's attack that day," said Eran.

"But not everyone can do what you did. You are an extraordinary soldier. You deserve the same honor we do," Theo praised again.

Eran raised one eyebrow. "But I'm not part of your mercenaries. I'm just someone who follows the battlefield for my stomach,"

Theo smiled gently. "No matter whether you're part of the band or not, you're very good. Your solo acts have proven your toughness and bravery. I was amazed to see that."

"Well, whatever you say."

"You know, Eran, if you want to join the Band of de Sun, the door will always be open to you," Theo offered while rubbing his head.

Eran chuckled. "You know how to woo someone into joining, don't you?"

Theo smiled broadly with pride. "That's one of my specialties."

Eran smiled too "Maybe one day I'll consider your offer. Who knows?"

Theo changed his expression to a serious one. "I'm serious about my offer."

Eran felt Theo's air feel like it was pressing on him.

"You want to kill me, huh?" Eran asked.

Theo remained motionless, his eyes piercing Eran.

"Okay," Theo's expression instantly returned to the cheerful Theo. "But I have a condition," Eran said.

Theo quickly replied to Eran's words, "Say it."

"Fight me seriously. If you win you are free to do anything to me," Eran bargained.

Theo without thinking immediately answered, "Okay, when?"

"Now."

Theo nodded. "Follow me," Theo said and they left the palace garden and went to a quiet park in the corner of the capital not far from the palace walls. They stopped near the only old tree in the center of the park.

"I will be serious from the beginning as you asked. Are you sure, Eran?" asked Theo as he took out a thin sword from its sheath.

"A man speaks with his sword," said Eran as he took out his two daggers.

"Wow, I'm surprised, even with a suit like that you can hide your two daggers," praised Theo.

Tonight the moon was full, the park was very quiet. Its light refracted until it illuminated every corner. Without anyone knowing, without anyone seeing, this battle witnessed their strength.

*****