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Chapter 6

A week had gone by, and my training kept getting harder but my body felt amazing and stronger than ever! I’ve learned so many techniques and Celia and I became even closer friends. As I lay in bed I keep thinking about how great I felt physically, Tiberius was getting better with his studies already, and Rose was staying with mother most of the time. I haven’t seen my father for a few days, but there was an odd visitor that I glimpsed a few times coming to and from my father’s office.

I wasn’t sure who this person was but I really only saw him when I was going to or coming back from training. I decided to get up and get dressed, then head down to breakfast to start the day. There was a knock at the door, “come in”, I said automatically. The door opened and closed, I turned around and let out a breath. My dad was standing by the door with a beautiful jewelry box in his hands with a smile on his face.

“I had this made for you for when you’re in the tournament. For good luck. I’m so proud of you for doing this Immyria, I really am. I’ve watched your progress in training and you’re doing very well. Regardless of what happens today I want you to continue training and never give up.” He said to me. My eyes were tearing up. He was proud of me and wanted me to keep going with it regardless of what people said or thought. I ran over to him and hugged him tightly. “Thank you daddy!” I said to him. He hugged me tightly and then let go. We waked over to the bed and sat down on the edge. Dad opened the box to show an amazing necklace.

It had a silver base and a jewel in the middle that resembled the color of my eyes. When I touched it, it was firm instead of soft like normal necklaces. “Here let me,” my dad started and he put the necklace on. It was almost a perfect fit around my neck and it didn’t sway or move. It was solid against my skin and comfortable. My dad continued, “I had help from a witch to make sure it fit. No one can take it off except for you. And it will never hurt you while you wear it. But it will be solid and unbreakable. Just like my little girl.”

I didn’t know what to say. It was a gift unlike any other I’ve ever gotten from anybody. A tear left my eye without me noticing and my dad wiped it away with his thumb. “Have you figured out how you’re going to pull off today?” He asked. I nodded and started to talk, “Yes! I’ll stand with mother and when the tournament starts I’ll sit until everyone’s attention is on the fighting, then I’ll sneak to the training room and change.” I explained. He smiled and nodded in agreement. “Show them everything you have!” I nodded and dad got up and walked out. I decided to pack my favorite leggings and a crop top both are black to match the rest of the fighters. But the difference today is everyone will see me fight. Not the ‘special guest’ anymore. I hope I don’t ruin my friendship with Celia though.

I put on my dress for the party. It’s a pretty grey blue dress with loose arm fitting and cloth that runs off my arms. I did my hair in a simple bun and put a jeweled hairpin on the right side of my head then started to walk down to our ballroom. I was still wearing the necklace my dad gave me. I never want to take it off. It’s so beautiful and undoubtedly my absolute favorite.

My mother was waiting for me at the top of the ballroom stairs. “May you look so beautiful!” She said. She had water in her eyes and I immediately started to tell her, “mother, don’t cry. It’s unattractive on you.” I gave a chuckle at the end. But she laughed and nodded wiping her eyes. She walked over to me and we walked to the edge of the top of the stairs. The announcer saw we were ready. As he was announcing us I was looking around the room, I saw my brother and sister. And quite a few fancy dressed guests that I’m assuming were other royals.

By the time the announcer was finished with our names and titles, my father had come to my left side and walked with my mother and me down the stairs. When we got to the bottom my mother nodded to me and went to hold my father’s arm. My father bowed his head to me and winked as he and my mother walked away. I was left to mingle everyone else. My siblings came over when our parents were gone. “You look so pretty!” Rose said and laughed but then took off towards our mother. I laughed staring after her. “She’s right,” Tiberius said and then continued, “You look so pretty tonight! Are you ready for the tournament?” I nodded and said, “I am, I’m just really nervous…” I said. “You’re going to be the best one on the field. Don’t worry.” My bother said.

He walked away and I let out a sigh. I looked around the room to see if I knew anyone here. I couldn’t recognize anyone. I noticed things about the ballroom though that I hadn’t before. The ballroom had white walls, and cream looking glass floor but it was just polished tile. It complimented the walls perfectly. The decorations were gold. And as the royal family we had dragon tapestries around the room. It’s a funny legend. It’s said that as the top royals of the realm we had the ability to transform into dragons to protect our people.

Some of the much older generations that we have in our history books claim they could do it, but no one’s actually seen it happen. We had gold shaped dragon statues around the room and a buffet table on the other side. I walked over to the table to see if they had any apples, they had a few so I picked one up to see if it was good. “Isn’t it unlady like it eat a whole apple by itself?” Someone said. I turned around to see a young looking man wearing a dark blue suit. He had black shoes, brown hair, and dark blue eyes. “I’m not sure I know you,” I started. He instantly looked at me and said, “Apologies princess, I am prince Garret, from the eastern provinces.” He answered. He bowed and I returned a curtsy to him and introduced myself. “I am princess immyria.” I stated.

“I know, I saw you when you were announced. I wanted to tell you, you look beautiful tonight and happy birthday.” He said calmly. Just then my mother walked over to me. “Thank you.” I thought to myself. “I see you have met Prince Garret already. Not bad for how long you’ve been at the ball,” she started. “Oh no,” I thought instantly. That means she know his family and might try to betrothed me to him. Not that he seems to be a bad person but I just got the life I wanted, I didn’t want to give it up to go to someone else’s castle and live there to get to know him for a year or two.

“Your majesty,” garret said and bowed to her. “I was going to ask the princess to dance if you wouldn’t mind?” He asked my mother. Before she tried to answer for me the trumpets started playing and the announcer said the tournament was about to begin and we should take our seats. “Why don’t you and prince garret sit with each other and watch the tournament?” My mother said and smiled to us. Then she walked off to join my father in their seats. “You go ahead prince garret, I will meet you there.” I told him. He smiled, nodded, and walked away towards the fields.

“Okay.” I thought to myself. “This is it. This my chance. I’m going to be the best.”

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