Chapter 6 ENCOUNTER AT THE CREEKS.

CHAPTER 6: ENCOUNTER AT THE CREEKS.

RAIKA'S POV.

***Earlier That Day***

"So, how do you feel about today, Raika? I hope you're not nervous?"

I honestly didn't know that anyone was speaking to me. I was absent-minded, staring down at my food, which I had only eaten halfway.

"Earth to Raika!"

"Mm," I gasped, looking up. "Were you saying something, Mother?"

"I'm surprised to see that you are nervous," Mother said, furrowing her brow slightly as she looked intently at me.

"Nervous? Me?" I scoffed. "Why the heck would I be nervous?"

"Well, it's just unusual seeing you this way. You've never seemed nervous. But it's okay to be nervous. Just so you know, I was a nervous wreck when it was my Betrothal Ceremony to your father. You're handling way better than I did," she said, then she gulped some wine.

"Thank you for the encouragement, Mother, but I'm not nervous."

"Then what's weighing on your mind?" Mother inquired. I munched a little bit of the grilled steak we were served for lunch.

How could I tell her I had a fight down at the Creeks, a place I was forbidden from going to? I needed to be there by all means.

"It's nothing, Mother. I'll be fine," I replied, cracking up a smile.

"I'm sure you will," she replied, smiling back at me.

Soon after, I was done having lunch and headed back to my chamber, escorted back by my personal guards, maid.

I checked the time and saw that I had but an hour and thirty minutes to be there, lest I forfeit the fight, and the right to defend my title. And I wasn't going to let that happen just for some betrothal crap!

So, I got ready, changing into my maid's dress, and did the thing I usually do. I shifted into her form and walked out of my chamber without being followed by my guards.

As I exited the palace, following the steward's exit behind the palace, a Sovereign guard looked intently at me.

"Hey, you. Stop right there!" he instructed firmly. I comported myself and walked over to him, looking a bit timid as my maid would normally look in such situations.

"Aren't you supposed to be with Lady Raika, helping her get ready?" he asked.

"Ye- Yes, I am. But she permitted me to go deliver some medication to my sick grandmother," I replied. I did my best in putting up the act of someone fearful. I needed the guard to buy the act.

He gave me a doubtful look for a bit, then he said, "You may leave."

"Thank you," I appreciated, and walked away briskly. I sighed in relief, glad that I was not discovered. Now it was up to my maid to do her part as I left her in my chamber with a plan.

I made my way to the Creeks, heading to the secret underground fighting pit. The crowds were gathered as other fights were going on. I shifted back to my true form as I got there, and got changed in the locker room.

"Hey, champ."

"Hey. Rea," I answered, smiling.

"You're really going to fight Kane, huh?" Rea asked, walking closer to where I sat, taping my wrists, and painting half of my face black.

"Yup!" I nodded.

"For one who's royalty, you never cease to amaze me," she said.

"The feeling is mutual," I responded. I was done getting ready and stood up.

"Go kick his ass," Rea bade.

"You bet." I headed out, waiting for the announcer to call me in. Kane was already in the ring. When he called me, I walked out, raising my right hand. The crowd went wild.

Seeing Kane in person, he was way bigger than I imagined. He was the champion from the East Coast of Callindor, the continent under the rulership of House Alakkan.

"Hey, sweetheart. Don't worry, I'll go easy on you. I wouldn't want to ruin your pretty face," Kane mockingly said, making the crowd laugh.

"Well, at least you have the balls to fight," I responded. The spectators laughed at my comment as well, making Kane fume.

"I take back what I said. You're going to be unrecognizable when I'm done with you," he said. I just smirked, saying nothing in response.

Soon after, the umpire kicked off the fight. Kane rushed at me, throwing punches, but I evaded them skillfully, doing some flips even. The crowd cheered, angering him to attack more furiously this time.

But they were to no avail as I evaded them as well. I wanted to get him mad. And boy, did I succeed. He angrily used telekinesis to shoot things at me. I also countered the attack, tossing them aside.

Then he fired heavy jolts of electricity at me. That was his signature finishing move, which was known to take down every opponent he fought. The spectators gasped, sure that I was done for. But little did they know I had a surprise up my sleeve.

I channelled the electricity and fired it back at him. He was struck by it, sending him flying ten feet away, slamming him into the wall pit.

Everything went silent for a bit as they were all in shock. Almost unanimously, they all burst out in cheers, chanting my name.

"Black Face! Black Face!"

I smiled, feeling fulfilled that I defended my title.

As usual, I had no interactions with anyone. I cleaned up and left, heading back to the palace. Checking the time, I saw that the guests would have started arriving for the Betrothal Ceremony, and I needed to be there with my parents. So I made haste.

As I walked through the streets, I passed by a sight that caught my attention. I saw two blonde-haired guys dragging someone, while the third followed behind. I could tell they were up to no good, and I couldn't ignore what I saw despite the time constraint.

I followed them and met them, punching and beating up the person they dragged. I zapped all three of them with electricity, stretching my hand at them. Then I choked them, lifting them up into the air. I was furious.

From the look of things, they were brothers. They all looked alike.

I flung them against the building beside them, and they fell to the ground. They got up and ran away. I walked over to the person who was on the ground.

"Are you alright?" I asked, helping him up as he tried to get up.

"I am now, all thanks to you," he replied, wincing in pain. As he looked at me, he took away my breath.

My God! He had such beautiful green eyes. I had never seen such before. Even though he looked all ruffled up, he looked handsome.

"Miss? Miss, are you okay?" he asked, snapping me out of my daze.

"I should be the one asking you that," I replied, gulping.

"Thanks for coming to my rescue," he appreciated. "I'm Max, by the way."

"Um, Rea," I replied. That was the best name I could come up with. And I couldn't tell a total stranger my real name, now could I?

"I better head back now," I said and walked away. I did my best not to look back as I walked away.

I got back to the palace and got to my chamber. I was elated that I didn't find the guards at the door. Just then, my maid arrived, just as we had planned. She helped me get ready for the ceremony, then I headed out.

The guards who were back looked shocked and perplexed to see me. But they couldn't dare question me. As I got to the door of the banquet hall, I sighed and nodded at the guards who stood guard at the entrance.

As the doors swung open, I cracked a mild smile and walked in.