First Round Of The Contest.

"Thank you, your highness. When..."

"Immediately." She said, dropping her hands away from him. Her smile was wistful, much like the slow music that had been playing to put her to sleep, just before she lost both parents.

Hector wanted to leave. Go to Lana nad hug her. Feel her warmth. But he saw Queen Elvira's eyes once and decided against it. He could do her a favor like she had done him, even though she could have stood on her ground and refused him.

"Will you not go to her?" Queen Elvira said after clapping her hands for Donald.

He shook his head. "You did me a huge favor by letting her go. I should keep you company before..."

"Do not take me or anything I have to offer as a subject of a trade. I released her because you asked. So you can leave now."

Hector watched her for a while, then bowed. "I am sorry, Your Highness. If I have offended you again. Even if I have not, forgive me."

She nodded. "You are dismissed."

Hector stood for some seconds before bowing again, leaving her to order Donald to set Lana free. He did not feel as light as he thought he would, with the fact that the first stage of the contest would be tomorrow, and the look in Queen Elvira's eyes when she sent him away. She never wanted to send him away before, but now... He shook his head, trying to drive all the thoughts away.

"Thank you," Lana said to the guard as he helped her out. She wished Adrian had come sooner, seeing how he had immediately gotten her released. She had always been neutral towards the Queen, but now, she was sure she hated her. And if Adrian ever needed her help to conquer the Queen or put a stop to her obscene demands, she would not bat an eyelid before helping him.

"Lana." She heard Hector say from a little distance in front of her. She watched him indifferently as he walked to her, then pulled her into a happy, warm embrace. Except it was one sided. Her hands remained on her side.

"I am so glad you are out now. It was not so bad, right? You are not hurt, are you?"

She gave hin a glare. "How did you know I was released?" She asked, her tone steely.

He was a bit surprised by her coldness, but he decided to answer as honestly as he could. "The Queen had ordered it, and she asked me to come to you."

Lana scoffed in a very indifferent manner. "Defend her. I like the prowess you are showing."

Hector furrowed his brows. "What are you saying? She really was the one who released you. And she only kept you there because of the bruises on my face..."

"So you are complaining?" Lana asked, raising a brow. When he did not answer, she brushed past him, making sure to hit his shoulder violently enough to push him out of the way.

The night passed like a shooting star, all of it happening right in front of Hector's eyes. He knew another episode would happen with Lana once he attended that contest, but he knew he could not disobey Queen Elvira's orders either.

The servants were up as early as the first city bells going off, leaving him alone to his misery. Before he knew it, it was already time for the contest.

"The Queen is passing by!" Was the announcement that jolted him out of his reverie. He stood, his heart thumping wildly as he watched the slight crack of the door of the servant quarters anxiously. Just as he expected, he saw the maids that consisted of her entourage, and he would have been the one directly in front of her, had she not assigned him with another duty for today.

He saw her pass by, her royal black dress accompanied with a massive red cape that tumbled to the floor, and the maids carried. Her head gear was elegant too, and the veil, black, covered her face as usual.

He knew he did not have much time left anynore, so he got up and started getting ready.

This gathering was almost twice the ambience of the first, in decorations, food, service and attendance. The chairs and tables of the contestants were put under a canopy. On each of the tables were single papers and inks. It carried a simple message. You only had one chance. As usual, Adrian was within the first two rows, a knowing smirk on his face. They were all dignitaries there, all pompous in his own capacity, except for Hector. He lowered his head and minded his business.

"The Queen has arrived!"

Everyone stood to show their respects and she walked in, her personal camp even more elegantly dressed. She looked like the Queen she was, and Hector could hardly believe this woman had gone on her knees and kissed him.

"The contest may start now. You can only write one answer, with your name, and those are the only rules. Fold them and put them into the vessel that will be passed around, and the Queen will give the papers that contain the correct answers to be announced. Now to the Question."

A loud drum was hit twice, and the big banner rolled down, revealing the question.

"What are the colour of the Queen's eyes?"

The audience went silent, as most of the contestants stood to examine her. She was visible to an extent, but the dark veil she had worn was not letting her eyes to be seen.

The vessel, was however soon passed, and the answers collected. Everyone watched anxiously as the Queen read the papers, then indignantly threw them on the floor where one maid would get it, then dispose of it properly. She continued until she came to a paper, which she gave to the announcer, who had also been waiting, as if he was also contesting.

Sh continued to sift through, then handed the announcer another paper. With that, she waved the person holding the vessel away.

"We have only two papers here. And they will be the only ones coming for the last round tomorrow."

There were cheers and muffled gasps, groans of disappointment, and heavy breathing of anticipation.

"His lordship, Son of Lord Lucas, Lord Adrian." The announcer said, and the drum was hit twice.

He stood proudly and waved at the crowd, then sat back down, his eyes filled with pride. The announcer opened the second paper, then cleared his throat and turned to the Queen. Her stoic face was enough to convince him to say it.

"The servant, Hector." He finally announced, accompanied by the drum.

A hush fell on the crowd as everyone froze. The servant had just passed the first stage.



Hector walked back to the servants quarters, his head low as he tried to drain out the voices around him. People saying he wanted to climb the social hierarchy by aiming for the only single most powerful person in the entire kingdom, and others simply shook their head at his guts.

He got to his bunked bed only to find a letter.

"Please, come meet me at our usual spot beside the market." He knew it was Lana's handwriting, and he did not hesitate. He ran out, stopping only for breath, till he got to where she had specified. But instead of her, it was a group of five armed men he met.

He turned, believing they were not there for him and that he could just go and look for Lana.

With his back to them, he could not see what it was they had used in hitting him, but he did feel the heavy impact, the cold feel of his own blod running down as he fell to the ground, unconscious.