Chapter 2 Her Determination

As soon as she bowed she felt embarrassed about it. ' Huh, what am I saying? How the hell am I supposed to be so strong? I hope no one heard me. Especially that bastard bibek. Is he really dumb or dense that he can't see my feelings?' With those thoughts in mind the little princess went to rest as there was nothing she could do.

But when she tried to rest she couldn't. She felt restless for some unknown reason. She knew the character of the 3rd prince of Ren luo kingdom of china. ' I can't blame my father for making such a decision. He really needs to think about the people of our kingdom. But still I don't want to accept the fact that my fate is decided so easily. Is there really nothing I can do? Will I become strong if I try to train myself?'

Her mind was going to brust from the countless thoughts coming into it. ' Calm down Melina, calm down. Well I should try to learn about the history of those nations. Maybe I will gain knowledge to fulfill my dreams.' After that she went to her study room and wandered through the historical records.

At the same time in the imperial palace. The king summoned the knight's son.

After being summoned by the king, Bibek left his training midway and went to report. " Long live your majesty," The king frowned slightly as he said " Hmm, you do know the reason behind you being summoned here, don't you?" The king glared at him like a lion.

Yet he remained unfazed as he shook his head and replied " Your majesty, I do not know the reason. Even if I do then I dare not judge myself worthy to say that I know. 0lease enlighten me."

The king gritted his teeth as he said " Hmm, so you know how to respect your king? Then why did you seduce my daughter? Aren't you afraid of being punished for a capital crime of treason?"

Bibek shook his head yet again as he said " Your majesty, I dare not seduce the princess. I dare not go against you, my king."

" Oh is that so? Then why did she tell me that she has a thing for you in her heart? Now tell me, do you dream of courting your own princess?"

The terrifying aura emanated by the ruler was really great. Though a genius among the people of his age, he was still young and immature. ' How could he stand against a king who has faced many adverse situations in his life?'

Bibek trembled as he was being suppressed by the aura of the king. It was inevitable as there was a vast difference in experience between them. How could he be able to compare himself with a king who is used to dealing with the commanders, ministers, generals and even the foreign forces.

The aura wasn't fiery rampant and warm it was enough to suppress him. He shook his head as he gritted his teeth and said " Your majesty, I dare not. I am a lowly subject destined to guard you till my last breath. I am just a mere commoner. How could I dare court the princess who is destined to soar high above in the sky?"

The king finally smiled a little as he said " It's good that you understand your place. Now I have something that I want you to do for me. I heard my daughter is quite close to you, is she?"

Bibek nodded his head as he said " Princess, have been around me since her childhood. So I can say she is a little close to me but not to the extent that your majesty is thinking about."

The king's face twitched by the way he spoke. Calming himself the king said " Then I have a command for you. If you manage to fulfill this command then I will reward you with the position of captain and if you fail, I am not to be blamed for the downfall of your family."

" Now prostrate yourself to accept the royal decree. " You are to convince the princess to accept the marriage proposal. You have only 1 month to convince her. Any later and your head would be beheaded. Do you understand?"

Bibek nodded his head reluctantly and raised his head to take the royal decree as he said " I understand your majesty. You may rest assured, this servant will fulfill your command."

" You may leave."

He left the royal place. His facial expression was distorted. His emotions were in disarray. He went to a nearby brother to soothe his anger and agony. ' I am useless. I am such a shit. How can I deserve to stand beside her. I am going to send her away from my life by my own hands. Heaven, why are you so cruel?'

He gritted his teeth as he gulped the wine bottles without any rest. Despite being drunk he was reluctant to let go of these feelings. ' A month's time, huh. I need to improve my

powers if not I won't be able to face him the next time we meet.'

He then decided to gain experience. As per his father there were two kinds of aura that could be achieved after a lot of experiences and struggle. One had a dark aura while the other had a light aura. Warriors who have gone through countless near death situations would gain the dark aura. An aura that could instill gear in your opponent.

Light aura was different as it was gained after countless righteous acts. It was soothing yet terrifying. As a warrior he could only gain the dark aura. He also knew the other method which was to slaughter countless enemies. Till now while protecting the princess in the dark he had slaughtered hundreds of lives but it was far from enough.

It was already dark and the stars shone in the sky. Lying flat on the roof he stared at the sky with a blank expression.

At the same time Princess was flustered by the history she read through. ' What is this? How could this be? Does this mean that mother would have to abandon father if the stronger nation or the empire desired her? Is it wrong to be born as a woman?' Aargh... she scratched her head as she felt desperate.

According to history , women were treated like a tool. Either to heighten a family status or to bear children was the only choice women ever had. ' No, this can't continue on. I need to change everything. I need to make everything right. The man I love ignores me and the family who used to cherish me chose to sacrifice me. I can't stand this feeling. I can't give in to these filthy rules.'

She then went out to see the knight. Birbal was standing guard outside of her palace as he wondered why the king summoned his son. ' Has his majesty realized the relationship between my son and the princess? No, it's not possible. My son has never shown his liking towards the princess. Even the princess doesn't know about his feelings, how could his majesty know about it? Guess I am thinking too much.'

Just then he heard the creaking noise of the door. He turned around with a smile as he said " Princess, what are you doing out here? It's already late. You should go back to sleep." The little princess shook her head as she coquettishly asked " Uncle Knight, will you do me a favour?"

Birbal pondered for a while and replied " It depends on what favour you want from me. If you want me to take you away or help you annul the marriage then it's completely out of my ability. If it's something else then I would surely help."

With gleaming eyes with delight she said " Then uncle knight please teach me the art or war." Birbal was taken by surprise. He never expected a request like this from the little princess. " Hmm, why do you want to learn art or war? You already have me and other knights to protect you. Also you should learn courtesy and manners."

With a pitiful face she said " Uncle you are the same. You don't want to teach me at all. Is it because I am a girl and not a boy."

Feeling flustered he tries to calm her " No, no, princess, it's not what I mean."

" Uncle, I know you don't want to teach me because I am a girl. If it had been my brothers then you would have already accepted them as your apprentice but when it comes to me you are reluctant. Is it really my fault for being a princess and not a prince?"

He helplessly shook his head as he said " Princess, it is not your fault at all. Being born as a woman is not a fault but abandoning your wishes and accepting your said destiny is your fault."

" Then will you teach me?"

" I will but I need to know why you want to learn the art of war. Also this matter cannot be spoken to others."

With a determined face she replied " I want to become strong. No, I want to become the strongest person in this world."

" But why do you want to be so strong? Is there something you wish to do after gaining such strengths? Isn't it good that you are a princess who is guarded by hundreds of guards?"

She shook her head as she said " Uncle, I can't say for sure but I want to change the way women are treated. I want to change the way the world views women. What good are those guards if my wishes won't be realised? I don't want to be a decoration for nobles. I want to get those I want and smash those that I hate.

" Is that all?"

She nodded her head waiting for his reply. He was sweating profusely as she thought ' I guess I know the reason behind her doing all this. I want to ignore her but the determination in her reminds me of my youth. Well the king said her marriage would be in 3 months. I am sure she won't be able to do anything after that. Though I pity her, I can't do anything about it since it's the king's order. Well I guess she would give up after a few harsh training sessions.'

After that he turned to the princess and said" Well I will teach you the art of war but you have to go and rest for today. We will start to train tomorrow."

The little princess nodded her head and went back to her palace to rest.