I entered the throne room bright and early the next morning, expecting to just see my parents, but what I found was Chance and his family. My father and mother were talking with them casually and laughing. I smiled. I wanted them to do that with Shunsuke and I. I saw Chance leaning up against the wall looking slightly bored.
Chance was a good guy, very handsome. He was tall, I'd say around six foot four. He had shaggy, curly, blonde hair. His blue eyes were his most prominent feature. His clothes were of the latest fashion in the Shadow World. Chance, from the little I had remembered from when we were younger, was very polite. He was a complete gentlemen.
I could say that for a time, he had been close to my best friend. He came and stayed at my house with his parents for a whole six months for some business his family and my family needed to attend to. At first, neither of us liked the other, but we came around quickly and soon became friends.
When he had to leave, I took it kind of hard. He told me he would never forget me. Right before he boarded the ship that would take him back to his palace across the waters, he leaned down and kissed me. He had been my first kiss. And for a time, I pined for his return. As the years went on and I never got so much as a letter from him, I gave up thinking he'd ever come back for me.
I took a deep breath and picked at a piece of lint I found on my baby blue, dress. I wondered briefly is Shunsuke liked the color blue. Shoving all unnecessary thoughts from my head, I strolled over to my parents, but Chance caught sight of me and cut me off.
He smiled charmingly down at me. "Lady Kayden," he took my hand, kissing it gently, sweetly. "It's been far too long."
I took my hand back quickly and clasped my hands together in front of me. "Yes, it has. Four years I do believe."
"So you missed me enough to keep track of the time," he teased with a small smile. "Fret not, as I missed you as well."
"I never would have gathered that as I never received so much as a letter back from you. I wrote you over a dozen letters that year, and you never replied to a one."
A look of regret crossed his face. "I never got your letters. I had to go to a boarding academy down in Basho. My parents probably kept the letters to give to me later, but since I hardly ever came home, they probably got pushed aside."
"You went to Basho?" The Academy was an all boys school for warriors. Only the best were allowed to cross the shores onto their ever so private island.
"Yes, I wanted to join the army here, but I ended up finishing school and returning home where I could fight if they needed me, but Father needs me to learn how to run a kingdom."
I nodded. "And, in Basho, they didn't have paper to write to me?" He opened his mouth to say something. I held up a hand, "Don't worry about it. It's all in the past. Shunsuke will beat you in the challenges and you can go back to your kingdom and marry one of your many women in your life."
"There is only one girl I have my eyes on," he replied, grabbing my hands and holding them in front of him. "Kay, I never forgot about you, but I wanted to become a man again before you saw me." Pain and regret reflected from his eyes.
"I may have loved you once," I admitted. "But, those times are done. I'm no longer the naive little fourteen year old. I found someone who cares about me and who loves me. I couldn't ask for more."
"But, he doesn't know you like I do. He hasn't lived in the same room as you for over six months. He wasn't your first. He cannot offer you anything other than pain and sorrow."
"You are crossing the line here, Chance. Shunsuke means more to me than you ever did. Shunsuke and I are binded, so you wouldn't be able to have me even if I wanted to leave him. We share a special connection that you and I never will."
"I will keep fighting for you. After I win the challenges, you will have to marry me. I can handle you loving another for a time, but as time progresses, I'll make you forget all about Shunsuke," he moved and whispered into my ear.
I frowned, shoving him back. "Chance, I choose Shunsuke. He will win today. You have my word on that."
"And I say I am not giving you up without a fight." He leaned back, a small smirk on his otherwise perfect face. "You forget that I was in the Basho Academy."
My sisters and older brother walked in then. I smiled at them and left Chance to go talk with them. A servant rushed in then and told us Shunsuke was on his way. My father nodded and took his place at the thrown. The rest of us went to our designated spots and waited for Shunsuke to come in and join Chance in front of the throne.
The double doors opened to reveal the man I had come to love. I smiled at him, reassuring him everything would be ok. He bowed slightly to my father out of respect and manners. I noticed the two boys eyeing each other, sizing up the competition.
Father cleared his throat, speaking loudly. "Let's us adjourn to the arena. There, the two of you will dress in your proper attire and I'll introduce you to the people. The servants will bring you along."
We all nodded and began following father out into the arena. I slowed my pace so I could walk with Shunsuke. "Don't be nervous. You'll be fine," I assured him.
He nodded, right. "What's the first challenge?"
"Dragon slaying," I replied.
"D-dragon slaying? I have to kill a dragon?" he whispered to me, a little bit of fear in his eyes.
I nodded. "Yes, and Chance does this for sport, so you have to beat his time. It'll be a tough round."
"Kayden!" I heard my father bellow.
"Good luck," I told him, reaching up and kissing him lightly on the lips before dashing off to join my father. He gave me a look, but I ignored him and continued out into the throne in the stands of the arena. Shunsuke and Chance were led down below to the ground level of the arena.
The whole arena was filled with Hollows who wanted to see who was going to be able to take the hand of their beloved princess. There was hardly any empty seats, and people were standing in the back. The crowd roared to life as soon as we stepped up the balcony of the throne.
"MY people!" my father called out. "Today is a very important day. Two men think they have what it takes to ask for my daughter, Princess Kayden's, hand. They will compete against each other today in seven different rounds. Best four out of seven assures the champion my daughter." The crowd applauded and whistled loudly.
"Let us introduce our champions. "Sir Chance of the Huri family is a distinguished individual having graduated from Basho Academy." Chance ran out into the arena from down below. He held his hands high above him, pumping his fists as the crowd whooped and hollered for him. "Then, is Shunsuke, a bright young lad, who journeyed far into this land for the opportunity!" Shunsuke ran out next to Chance, a little slower. He was too busy looking around at all that awaited them. He looked slightly nervous. The crowd cheered for him as well. "Now, let the first task commence! Dragon slaying!" At this, the crowd went crazy.
We turned and sat in the Royal's chairs and watched from our perch. Chance went first, so this way, Shunsuke could watch and formulate a plan of action. My heart was racing ever so quickly. I knew Shunsuke could do it, yet I couldn't help but be nervous. He had never done anything like this before. It would be interesting, to say the least.
