It was a radiant morning and Queen Raine had woken early to get dressed. She wore a lace and satin dress with an elaborate train. The lace was threaded with gold while the satin remained a dazzling cream. She had instructed the king and Prince Thelmus be dressed elaborately today. The prince was to be escorted to the entertainment arena and guarded till he was seated. Though she did not wear her official crown set, she had on an impressive crown. It was equally extravagant, having layers of gold threading and was accompanied by hair pins made from gold and gemstones. She met the king halfway and they boarded the carriage together and journeyed to the arena.
"You have not told me what this is about. You look so happy today and insisted to look extravagant. What are you planning?" the king asked.
"Worry not about this small thing. I assure you, you will like it. This is how we commemorate the development in the Northern Lan Capital," she said causing him to raise a brow.
They arrived at a densely packed Arena. Wood was used to make elaborate stands where commoners could sit. Then stands for nobility. The common folk sat on the floor of the stands while the nobility sat on chairs in a selected area. The stands were placed high up, allowing people to be able to see down into the forest. The forest had been slightly trimmed allowing one to see through branches and leaves.
Many were confused as to why they were there; but soon, the drums sounded the arrival of the prince. Once for the prince, twice for the queen and thrice for the king. As the royal family sat, the arena was hunted by silence. They wondered about the occasion that would cause the royal family to dress so extravagantly. Soon the queen was the only one standing.
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"Many wonder why we are here? It's simple. We have completely won all of Northern Lan, save the capital. The soldiers that went to fight did well. Four hundred thousand soldiers went. Only one thousand fell at war. Juhntt has never won a war this smoothly before. We have taken our place in history," she announced, causing the common folk to break out into cheers.
"Most of your sons, husbands and brothers have returned to your side and some are even here today!" she said and the cheers got more deafening.
"We celebrate this victory with a game. All able men can participate. The prize? A thousand gold coins," If the cheer was not loud enough before, it was now.
"Come out onto the stage if you wish to participate," she said and the common folk came out one by one, onto the centre stage.
"The rules are simple. A prey will be released into the forest behind you, whoever brings back its dead form, takes the price. As for our prey, I guarantee you will be entertained," she let loose a coy smile and looked into the forest behind the contestants. They all followed her eyes and looked in the same direction and waited. The silence was deafening. They soon could hear and see someone dressed in black running toward the arena.
"The person was female, they could see it through the trees, but could not see her face. She burst into the area before stopping and shielding her eyes from the light. Soon she removed her hands from her face and stared at them in horror. They too stared back at her. They could recognise this woman even in sleep, especially in sleep, as most men have dreamt of this royal body; she was the disgraced queen, Princess Lilith.
They took in her tattered form and dirtied appearance, before looking to the royal family. The noble houses were stiff, but they too looked to the royal family. The king had on a blank expression as he stared down at his former wife, Prince Thelmus had a look of horror, while Queen Raine looked to be enjoying herself.
"Train your eyes! Before you is Princess Lilith of Northern Lan. My hunters, I present your prey!" she announced to the
still arena.