-April 5th of 1313

Lena hides her yawn as she climbs out of the carriage at the arena’s entrance. The entrance was strictly for nobles which housed gardens to rest from the excitement of the arena.

From the distance, Lena recognizes several figures from the game, she had yet to meet, Princess Alita Solana, Belladonna Invidia and Princess Bridgette Hlynn. The three women chatted as their fiancés huddled in a group some distance away.

Out of the three, Princess Alita is the most fair and sweet looking. With long white hair carefully braided, she wears a simple blue dress with intricate sewing. What attracts Lena’s eyes is the feathers in her hair proving her avian heritage.

Lena’s fingers twitch at the sight of the feathers, before turning towards Belladonna. Lena sighs once she does. It’s not that Belladonna lacks a figure, but rather she wears too little. It is a common sentiment among female demons, but men want things left to the imagination.

Lena avoids staring at Belladonnas exposed body rather studies her features. Glossy silver hair with yellow eyes and a curved set of horns extruding gently forward almost like a crown of sorts. Belladonna has an arrogant look on her face, but it is not cruel if Lena had to say.

On the other hand, Princess Bridgette has fair skin, golden wavy hair with laurel in her hair for decorations. Her stormy colored blue eyes are fierce, but there is an elegant smile on her face. Her clothing is reminiscent to that of ancient Rome or Egyptian with a slight twist.

Bridgette was quite different from most of the females Lena had met. Not in appearance but how she held herself with confidence and pride. She resembled a modern 21st century woman.

Seeing Lena approach the trio of fiancés let out a relieve smile and take the chance to flee. The frowning women study Lena with mixed expression on their reserved faces. But their doubts vanish as they all set polite expressions on their faces at her arrival.

“Greetings Princess Alita, Lady Belladonna and Princess Bridgette. How are you this fine morning?” Lena said as she curtsied.

Princess Alita smiles faintly in reply as Belladonna loftily looks down her nose at Lena, whilst Princess Bridgette gracefully greets Lena.

A familiar voice emerges from behind them. “Good morning, Princess Lena. As usual your countenance radiates the purity of the Goddess of light,” Alastair drawled.

Lena winces at the corny lines as she turns to greet the charming visage of Alistair and sulking figure of Lady Monroe. “Thank your Holiness,” Lena politely said.

Alastair smiles at the other woman before saying, “Princess Lena, may I have the honor of requesting your presence for today’s match?”

To Lena’s surprise a soft voice comes to her rescue. “I’m sorry your Holiness, but Princess Lena has already agreed to sit with us. Perhaps another day,” Alita softly said.

Lena flashes Alita a grateful smile, before chiming in, “Yes, perhaps another day, your Holiness.”

Alastair sighs dejectedly and says, “Yes, I suppose so. But before I go-,” he pauses as he reaches into his pocket and pulls out a beautiful white lily. “A beautiful flower for a beautiful maiden,” Alastair seductively said as he held the flower out to Lena.

Lena mutely takes the flower as he grabs her outstretched hand and places a lingering kiss on her hand. Lena wretches her hand out of his grasp as a ripple of goosebumps appear on her skin. A mocking smile appears on his face, but is swiftly replaced by a heartbroken expression. Alastair excuses himself as Lady Monroe shots Lena as they stroll away.

Once out of earshot Lena sighs with relief as Alita begins to giggle as Belladonna joins in with a faint smile and Bridgette fights to hide her ferocious laughter as she clutches her sides. Rosy and struggling to breathe, Bridgette much more warmly says, “Shall we go?”

Lena follows the unlikely trio of friends and seats herself next to the side of Alita as Belladonna seats herself between Alita and Bridgette. Dolly, Holly, and Delilah quietly seat themselves behind them to watch the matches.

Lena leans over and whisper to Alita, “Thank you.”

Alita smiles sadly at Lena and replies, “I far too well understand the feeling. There is no need to thank me.”

Lena grips her skirt to keep herself from hugging the poor poppet. It was plain to see that the idiot was Gray Ashford. But what was the problem with pollical marriages, one was lucky if their partner considered them or even liked them.

Lena lets out a sigh to which Belladonna says, “You’re unexpected to say the least. I for would have thought, considering the rumors, that you would have launched yourself quite happily at his grace.”

Belladonna lets out a shriek of pain as Bridgette elbows her most firmly in the ribs. “Sorry about that, please don’t take her words to heart. Belladonna just lacks tack that’s all,” Bridgette said as she gave the sullen Belladonna a pointed look to behave.

Lena snickers, “No need for apology. Because if I was well, I surely would be the most famous courtesan in history. But in the end only time will tell.”

Alita lets out a small laugh as Bridgette lets out a chortle of laughter with even the sullen Belladonna letting out a small huff of laughter. Bridgette wipes a tear of mirth from her eyes and says, “Oh you are funny, I’m so glad. I was worried there for a bit.”

They are interpreted as the announcer steps onto the stage and begins to announce the fighters. They all clap appropriately and wait for the matches to start. The first match is between swordsmen Tiro of Bell and Onyx a Cat Beast-men.

Lena fights yawning as she tries to act interested in the matches. Noon mercifully arrives as a respite for the nobles and crowd to rest and eat before continuing the matches.

Lena stretches as Bridgette asks, “Why not join us for lunch?”

“It will be my pleasure,” Lena said as she followed them out as a bored looking Dolly trails behind, whilst Delilah looks on excitedly and Holly looks as cool as ever.

The streets are full of colors and gay people laughing and talking boisterously. Lena sniffs the air full of tantalizing spices as Dolly wrinkles her nose at the stench.

Lena’ stomach rumbles quite loudly as she blushes in embarrassment and the trio titter. Lena smiles apologetically as she feels pointed glares at her back. Holly was going to lecture upon their return.

They arrive at a rather fancy establishment as the proprietor leads them upstairs to where three men are already sitting. Lena is surprised to see Bridgette stiffen before swiftly hiding her reaction with a cool smile. Well, it certainly looks like there is more to the story then it appears.

The woman seat themselves as Dolly, Delilah, and Holly seat themselves at a small table behind them. Lena subtly studies the men, but none of trio even glance at Delilah. But neither of the princes turn to glance at their fiancés either as the three women grow quiet before them.

“Princess Bridgette, please tell me more of your country. I have heard and read about it, but I have always been curious about it,” Lena swiftly said.

Bridgette relaxes as a confident smile appears on her face. “I’m so glad you asked. Although the Kingdom of Corral is largely an island based country, we have a strong navy and active trade. I’m not sure if you have heard-,” Bridgette said as Oasis rudely interrupts her.

Oasis self-assuredly leans back in his seat and says, “Pphht, please Corral is not as important as she makes it seem. Though vast in trade it is still only an island kingdom with many smaller islands.”

Bridgette does not get angry, but rather elegantly pours herself a cup of juice and takes a sip. After a brief pause she softly says, “Well, I suppose my husband is correct. After all I must agree with my intended, since he is doing me the favor of marrying into the family.”

Sparks almost seem to fly between the two of them at her words. Alita shifts uneasily as Belladonna sniffs and arrogantly says, “Waiter, where is the food?”

The tensions die down as the two of them remember themselves. Alita smiles gratefully at Belladonna who winks at her out of the corner of her eye. Lena smiles lightly back at Belladonna as Belladonna stiffens with embarrassment at being caught.

Xerxes doesn’t react as he seems to have not heard Belladonna and ignores her purposefully as he turns to speak to Oasis. A hurt expression crosses Belladonna’s face as she looks down for a moment to compose herself. Bridgette and Alita simultaneously reach under the table for one of her hands and give her a comforting squeeze before letting go.

The rest of lunch passes in tranquility as food arrives and they busy themselves eating. The princes excuse themselves first and return to the arena. Belladonna seemed rather downcast all through lunch and merely took a few bites.

Bridgette and Alita look worried at the state of Belladonna. Lena sighs to herself about teenage girls in love, but the heart wants what the heart wants. But did she have to fall for that fat head?

“Well, that was lovely but what do you all say we all go shopping? I mean the streets will largely be empty since everyone is off at the arena. Besides the good matches won’t happen until tomorrow. What do you say Belladonna, since you’re the local?” Lena persuasively said.

Belladonna stiffens her shoulders and looks haughtily back. “Why of course, I know every shop in the vicinity. You will regret inviting me, Lena Sorrell, I will make you rue challenging to a shopping expedition,” Belladonna teasingly said with a smile on her face.

Bridgette and Alita smile as they excitedly agree as well and rise to their feet. With a reluctant expression, Lena and Dolly follow while Delilah and Holly look thrilled at the prospect. To Lena’s horror, she finds Holly nodding in approval, no doubt fulfilling her role as princess.

There’s just one problem, Lena disliked shopping. Not for weapons, food and books, but just for clothes. Clothes shopping plays havoc on Lena’s nerves, but it was a small price to pay to mend a girl’s wounded heart.

~ POV of Prince Gray Ashford (Fiancé of Alita Solana) ~

Gray Ashford sneeze on his way back to the arena as he nosily clears his nose. Being a cat beast-men one has a rather sensitive nose and with all these spices assaulting the senses, it rather hard to breathe properly. Finished, Gray easily catches up to his two chatting friends.

Gray overhears the last words of their conversation between them.

Oasis says, “-That woman just drives me mad!”

Xerxes murmurs back, “Yes, but as I’ve said at least she is gracious about it.”

Well, he didn’t have that problem. His fiancé, Alita is rather quiet and complacent. Gray was rather grateful when in comparison to the other two’s fiancés.

Gray cheerfully says, “Nyan, stop it. Let’s just have some fun!”

Xerxes winks devilishly as he puffs out his chest. “Why if I can’t help you have fun to forget all your troubles than my name isn’t Xerxes Reinhart,” Xerxes proudly said.

Gray snorts, “Hmm…. I do sometimes wonder.”

Xerxes turns and glares at Gray as he puts him in a choke hold. Struggling to breathe Gray pats his hand signaling his giving up. Gray forcefully gasps for air as he glares.

Oasis snickers, “Serves you right, you idiot.”

Gray huffs and pats the fur on his tail down. Ignoring their mocking jeers, Gray loudly says, “Well, what do you think about her?”

They both look confused as Gray rolls his eyes at them. “You know the Scarlett Princess,” Gray exasperatedly said.

“Oh, her,” they both exclaimed.

Xerxes shrugs and says, “Not much, but I can understand how the rumors started.”

Oasis hums warmly, “Yes, that one has a body meant for wickedness. If she wasn’t a princess, I would certainly take a tumble with her.”

Xerxes nods in agreement as Gray snorts in reply. “I don’t know, there’s something scary about her. Everything I get near her my fur puffs out on its own,” Gray admitted out loud.

Xerxes and Oasis snort with laughter. “Are you scared that she might eat you?” They breathlessly exclaimed.

“If anyone is going to be eaten it’s the two of you. If I remember correctly Belladonna is a tiger when furious. And Bridgette, will one day be queen.

And Oasis, aren’t you the one marring into her family, which is ruled by women?” Gray pointedly said.

They glare darkly at Gray as they move threating towards him. Understanding that his life was in peril Gray flees towards the arena. The two of them shout and curse at him, but Gray doesn’t stop running.

But Gray wasn’t lying when he said that Princess Lena frightened him. He just hoped that he would never cross paths with her again. Once was more than enough for an entire lifetime.