Chapter Four
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Meanwhile, in Avena 's garden, Calix appeared.
Avena looked at him with a smile. "You're here. I thought you were with Melita. After all, she is more beautiful than I am."
Calix's expression sharpened. "Is it your silver hair that is inferior to her black one? Or your silver eyes that reflect the moon? Or your beauty that is inferior to hers? If beauty means ugly, then you are ugly. In fact, you are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen—after my mother."
Avena tilted her head. "Your mother?"
Calix nodded.
"What about her? Did she die in childbirth?" Avena asked softly.
Calix's face darkened. "She inexplicably disappeared immediately after my birth
Avena stared at Calix, incredulous. "Ah? How's that possible?"
Calix shrugged, "Well, it happened. Come with me."
Avena handed a sword to Calix.
Calix blinked, confused. "This is—?"
Avena's tone softened. "My mother's sword. She gave me it before her death, when I was four."
Calix hesitated. "What caused her death?"
"She died in a battle," Avena answered simply.
Calix weighed the sword in his hand. "So why are you giving me this?"
Avena gazed at him. "Would you rather let Melita give you her own?"
Calix admired the blade. "This is a very good sword. I'll take it," he said, gently pecking Avena's forehead. "See you at the training ground, beloved." He turned and
left.
Avena smiled, silently repeating, "Beloved."
Anton stepped close and whispered, "My Lord, the Princess Melita seems to be interested in you."
Calix replied, firm, "I can only have one wife and that is Avena."
Anton pressed, "What about her antics?"
"She can't be beside me, and she doesn't interest me," Calix replied, just as the tower bell rang in the distance.
Anton nodded. "My Lord, it's evening."
Calix nodded and responded, " Let's go" He went over to the training ground with Anton.
Melita, already dressed for sword fight, was waiting. "You're such an early bird, aren't you, Second Princess?"
Melita met Calix's eyes. "As a Princess, I should stand by my word and not keep people waiting."
Roan leaned closer. "Princess Melita is so gorgeous."
Melita smiles and curtsied "I'm flattered, my prince" Wilder cleared his throat "Everyone is here. Let the fight begin."
Calix kept his focus on the gate leading to the training ground "My bride isn't here."
At that moment, Avena entered and smiled at all the Princes attracting everyone's attention despite having a veil on.
Edwin teased, "Sister, you said you weren't coming."
Avena confessed, "I was begged to come."
Calix smiles, "My honor, beloved."
Melita became jealous ''How does she steal
my limelight?"
Roan gestured, "My Lady, have your seat."
Avena nodded her head at Roon and sat down, Grayson standing behind her and Edgin sitting to her side.
Silas called out, "Who's the judge?"
Calix smiles at Avena, "My bride "
Avena cleared her throat from behind her mask. She declared, "Let's start the duel! The winner will be determined if one of the contestants is forced out of the radius of the stage, draws the first blood or gets the other contestant to withdraw. Start!"
Calix nods at Melita, "Don't disappoint me, Princess."
Melita gave Calix her sword"Use this"
Calix raised Avena's sword, prepared. "I prefer this, this looks like a good sword! So, let's get started."
Melita attacked Calix, who stepped aside, urging, "Be serious, Princess!" Melita, , to fight ferociously and Calix kept on defending until he got bored and began attacking, giving Melita no chance to retaliate. He sighs, "So boring" He gave Melita a hard blow which broke her sword and sent her flying some steps away.
Melita stood up and spat out blood, injured. Calix walked up to her. "Are you OK, Princess?" She fainted and was caught by Calix.