The Prince's Return

I dashed underneath the trader's table to catch my breath, as I hurriedly wrapped my hair back into a tight bun. My heart almost leapt out of my chest when I saw four feet approaching me.

"Where is he?!" I heard a deep husky voice charge at the merchant, who had no idea what exactly was happening.

"Do..Down there." The helpless man replied him before running off for his dear life, abandoning his goods. I scoffed as I pulled out a dagger from inside my blue pants, ready to brandish it if it came to that.

"You have no where to run now, you slimy piece of..." His profanities were cut off the table splitting into two, as I sprung up from underneath the table.

I swung my knife at the two buff looking thugs, with scabs and scars splattered all across their arms and faces. They were barely fazed by it and made an attempt to grab me.

Unfortunately for them, I was swift on my feet and tossed the day old bread at them, making sure to aim for their eyes. Those things were as hard as stone and didn't sit in well.

Using their brief stun to my advantage, I nabbed the sword resting on the left side of the larger one's hip and gripped it with both hands.

"Two against one? Where's your honour in combat?" I retorted with a quirky smile drawn across my face as I lunged forward to attack.

**********

I blew off the dust particles on my nails as I stood beside the tied up traffickers I had been hunting down for two whole weeks. Waiting for my backup to arrive and escort them to the prison house.

It had all been exhausting, infiltrating their hideout and pretending to be a gold smuggler looking to sell off my bounty. If it hadn't been for how gullible they were, I might have spent an even longer amount of time.

"There you are!" I exclaimed, using my fingers to shield my gaze from the sunlight, allowing me make out the figure that approached me in a navy blue uniform.

Though his shoulders weren't as broad as most men, nor did his aura exude confidence, that black hair officer was one of the best men in the clean up section.

"Took you long enough." I teased, resting my shoulder on one of their heads, using it as a stool to support my weight.

"Arnold isn't going to be too pleased once he sees this." Stewart told me, as soon as his eyes laid sight on the aftermath of my battle with my prisoners.

"You just keep doing what you do, and add these two to my accomplishment on the roster. And here..." I discreetly pushed two silver coins into his ****** pocket, grinning from ear to ear as I looked into his brown eyes.

"Just keep your lips sealed, the captain won't know unless he finds out, right?" I casually shoved my elbow into his side, forcing him to grin as well.

"Why of course Rue! I didn't see a thing." He replied, straightening his back as he tried to look intimidating to the criminals. "Come on! Let's go!" He commanded, pulling them up by the collar towards the awaiting carriage a little distance from here.

"I'll see you at tomorrow's briefing." Stewart said, bidding me farewell as he happily shoved those men into the carriage, labelling them as criminals.

It was times like these that made we wonder who really were the criminals in society. I picked up their swords and raised them above my head, examining the Craftsmanship.

"This will definitely fetch me a good price." I told myself with intention to head to my next destination.

The trade shop.

*********

Right from the entrance, the little shop spelt business, the trade shop was the busiest place in the kingdom, right after the palace and the black market. Almost anybody and everybody stepped into this place with one item or the other.

I noticed how busy things were at the counter, and decided to take a seat, not wanting to cause a fuss. Everyone's glare was already on me the second I walked inside.

'Must be these shabby looking clothes' I figured, completely forgetting the huge swords I casually flung around like it was nobody's business.

"Things sure are busy today, any occasion coming up?" I asked the lady who sat across me, sipping the tea served to entertain patronizers.

It tasted like soil and sugar, but I wasn't one to judge, so I just avoided having to drink from it.

"The biggest! His majesty just announced that his highness Prince Roland has returned from his travels and is to chose a bride!." The excitement in her voice was so rich that it spread across her face.

"Isn't it foolish to get your hopes up? He won't pick just anybody, he'll probably settle for a royal or a childhood sweetheart..."

The maiden knitted her brows and scoffed at me, due to the mere mention of the word foolish. "I beg to differ, the royal decree stated that his highness shall pick any woman of his choice from any social standing! Which is why all the mamas and maidens are gathered here!" She sternly retorted, looking to start something with me.

"But is it not too sudden? You maidens have all the time in the world to find a dress and..." She almost jumped from her seat and seized my collar!

"Not when the royal banquet shall be held tonight!" She boldly announced with wide eyes, seizing up all the attention in the room to us two.

I felt my world split into two when she said that his highness was throwing a banquet tonight! And more so, I was busy sitting in a trade shop, so far away from home!

Jade would definitely have my head on a dinner plate!

Luckily for me, my favorite person in this establishment spotted me and signalled me to come through the special entrance, a command I readily adhered to.

"Thank you for the company, it was very... delightful." I forced the word out of my mouth as I made my way to the back room, to receive special attention from the daughter of the owner.

Gisela.

A woman I had become close to, close enough to share my deepest secret with She shut the door behind me and brought out two pouches of silver coins, setting them before me.

I greedily picked them up and started to count each coin, making certain that they numbered up to fifty each.

"Did you heard about the banquet being held tonight? All the maidens will be in attendance." She told me, hoping to make small talk.

"Why should that interest me?" I casually asked, rubbing my precious silver coins against my cheeks, glad Stewart was so easy to buy off.

"It shouldn't interest Rue, but I'm sure Ruelle would beg to differ." she remarked, wearing a mischievous grin on her face, as she eyed my attire from head to toe.

I froze where I sat at the mention of my real name, the only thing that could have me kicked out of the training academy.

The truth that I was a woman, disguised as a man enlisted under the royal training house to become a Regal Knight.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***