Lia Ardenian
“Sweetheart, we need to talk,” my father said, his brows knitting together. I could almost guess what this was about. What had I done to tick off the universe this time?
“About what, Dad?” I tried to flash a smile. Maybe I was wrong. Maybe this conversation wasn’t heading where I thought it was.
“Lia, you promised me: the moment you meet a worthy man, you’d marry him.” Here we go again. He didn’t even notice the sour look on my face. “You’re already sixty. Hasn’t anyone caught your eye?” At the end of his sentence, he threw his hands up in exasperation.
“Dad, I’m not breaking my promise. It’s just that no worthy guy has shown up yet,” I said with a shrug, putting on my most innocent expression. Did he buy it or not?
“Yeah, yeah, I know all about your annual tournament. But really, not a single suitor has appealed to you?” I shook my head, and suddenly, he lowered his voice and added, “You could… let yourself lose.”
“Lose? As in, throw the match on purpose?” I blinked, feeling my eyes widen to the size of saucers.
“Well… yes. Of course, only if you like the guy,” he mumbled, looking a bit embarrassed. “Lia, I’m not forcing you to marry against your will! I just want you to find love, but you’re too harsh on everyone. You can’t keep doing this, honey!”
Wow, what an emotional speech! It had been a while since I’d heard something like that from Dad. Usually, he’s calm and composed, even a bit detached. But this? He must really be worried.
“And how am I supposed to act?” I threw my hands up, irritation bubbling inside me. “Is it my fault that I don’t like any of them? They’re not fighting for me—they’re fighting for the cherry on top of the cake. I’m your only direct heir. You’d have to be a complete idiot not to realize who’s going to rule after you.”
The words slipped out before I could think them through, and I regretted them instantly. Dad flinched slightly, his face darkening, a flicker of pain crossing his eyes. He didn’t say anything, but I knew I’d hit him somewhere deeper than I’d meant to. Why did I say that? The king already knows his time isn’t endless.
A heavy, tense silence settled over the room.
“Just try,” he finally said, his voice soft but firm. “Give them a chance.”
I pressed my lips together, but I couldn’t not respond. After all, he just wants me to be happy… even if his way of showing it is pretty weird.
“Fine, a chance it is,” I muttered, nodding reluctantly.
“There we go,” Dad perked up immediately, as if I hadn’t just agreed but was already racing off to find a fiancé. “I’ll send out invitations for the tournament to the neighboring kingdoms as well.”
A sly smile, a satisfied look on his face, a lightness in his movements. He knew I’d cave, didn’t he? He was just patiently waiting for the right moment.
“Well, looks like I’m hooked,” I sighed to myself and trudged back to my room.
My mood was lousy. My head was a whirlwind of thoughts, each pulling me in a different direction. Could Dad be right? Am I really too harsh? Or have I just not met “the one” yet?
Nonsense. More likely, “the one” just hasn’t dared to approach me. Okay, stop. If I keep going like this, I’ll completely lose myself in my own head. I need a distraction, pronto. And what’s better than a good training session?
The decision came naturally. I changed into my favorite outfit—comfortable, unrestrictive. I headed down to the training hall, breathing in the cool air deeply. Today, I craved speed, lightness, clarity of mind, so I picked up my dual swords. The cold metal felt good in my hands. Two short exhales, my body tensed… and I began my dance.
Emin
A persistent knock yanked me out of sleep at the crack of dawn. Who’s the daredevil brave enough to disturb me this early?
“Come in!” I shouted, not bothering to get out of bed.
The door swung open immediately, and my father’s assistant appeared in the doorway.
“Your Highness…” Alfred hesitated, casting a quick glance to the side.
I frowned in annoyance, brushed off the arm of my latest fling, and propped myself up slightly, showing I was listening. Alfred wouldn’t wake me without a reason, and this was clearly something important. Or unpleasant.
“Your father has ordered me to wake you and summon you to his study at once,” the assistant said with a slight bow before leaving without even waiting for a reply.
Well, there goes my sleep.
“Olivia, you’d better head back to your room,” I said, sitting up in bed.
The girl let out a heavy sigh but didn’t argue. She got up quickly, started dressing, and didn’t even complain. Good girl. My flings know exactly when not to test my patience.
I didn’t waste time either. I got up, strode to the shower, washed off the remnants of sleep, and was dressed and ready in ten minutes. When I returned to the room, Olivia was already gone. I smirked to myself: quick girl, might be worth a repeat.
A couple more minutes, and I was standing in front of the door to my father’s study. I took a deep breath, knocked briefly, and entered.
“Ahh… It’s you,” His Majesty looked up at me and immediately frowned, as if he’d been expecting someone else.
Great, seems like I’m not exactly welcome here. So why call me in? Though you don’t argue with fathers, especially when that father is a king. I straightened up, clasped my hands behind my back, and said with a slight bow, “You summoned me, Father?” Good boy. That’s how he likes me.
“Yes, you’re going to a tournament.” Fantastic. And so informative.
Father handed me a piece of paper. I took it and started reading:
“…are invited to the annual knightly tournament held on the Island… blah-blah-blah… for the hand and heart of Princess Lia Ardenian.”
What the hell?!
Participate in a knightly tournament for… some girl? All I have to do is snap my fingers, and every woman in the kingdom will line up for a night with me! And now I’m supposed to chase after someone’s hand like some broke nobody without a title or influence?
I didn’t get to finish the thought. Father clearly read something on my face and spoke before I could protest.
“Emin, this is no joke. You’re going to this tournament.”
“I’m going,” I echoed, even nodding. Of course, I’m going. Where am I supposed to hide from a king’s order?
“And you’ll try to win.” His gaze pierced through me, and to my surprise, I even felt a little uneasy.
“Well, I’d like to at least see her first…” I shrugged lazily. “Might not even want to win. What if she’s uglier than a nuclear fallout?”
I don’t know what kind of war that is, but I once read in an ancient book that people long ago invented nuclear weapons and nearly wiped themselves out. Thousands of years have passed since then, but the memory still lingers.
Father’s face darkened.
“Are you trying to joke with me?” His voice dropped to a dangerously low tone.
Okay, that was a mistake.
“You’ve always had plenty of girls for your bedroom antics. I doubt marriage will change that. But this alliance is necessary for us.” He didn’t raise his voice, but I could feel the threat hanging in the air. “Do you understand, son?” As if I had a choice.
When the king looks at you like that, options are limited. Either I win the tournament, snag the girl, and marry her… or I’m toast. There’s no third option.
“No, Father, I get it. Win the tournament, grab the princess, and marry her. Crystal clear.”
I tried to sound compliant, but His Majesty just grimaced, clearly unimpressed with my flippant tone.
“Don’t play the fool, Emin. This isn’t another one of your flings; this is a princess,” he paused, letting the weight of his words sink in, then continued, “Ardenia has sent invitations to other kingdoms. Not just princes, but dukes, marquises, even lords have received them. The king intends to choose a worthy man for his daughter, and I expect that man to be you.”
I frowned, mulling over what I’d heard, but Father wasn’t done.
“The Silver Mask Tournament has long attracted the best fighters in the world, and with a prize like this, the competition will be especially fierce. Reaching the top won’t be easy.”
And now he knew exactly how to hook me.
“The Silver Mask Tournament?” Damn, I’ve dreamed of competing in it since I was a kid. But it’s a foreign kingdom, different rules, and Father would never have let me go just for a fight.
Now he’s sending me himself.
“Yes, that’s the one,” his voice carried a firmness that made arguing pointless. “I hope you understand the gravity of the situation. And you must win.”
There was no threat in his words, but somehow I felt like my future depended on this tournament. I gave a short nod, deciding not to drag out the conversation before he came up with something else, and left the study.
But the anger boiling in my chest didn’t dissipate so easily. I knew I wouldn’t be given a choice, but knowing it and facing it in reality are two different things. I’ve never even seen this princess! What if she’s hideous? Or old?
The irritation wouldn’t fade, and the only way to let it out was a solid workout. I quickly changed, headed down to the training hall, grabbed my dual swords, closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and exhaled, trying to clear my head of unnecessary thoughts.
I’ll handle this. I’m going to the Silver Mask Tournament. One of my dreams is finally coming true.
That realization lifted my spirits a bit, and I even allowed myself a small smile. Lucky Princess Ardenian, getting a catch like me. What’s her name again? Lia. It stuck in my mind. Let’s hope the woman behind the name is as pleasant as it sounds.
Dear readers, welcome to an unexpected new story titled "Lady of the Isle of Dreams." Here, we’ll meet two headstrong characters who will learn to truly live and love. I hope for your support and attention. Don’t forget to like and comment. Let’s dive in!