The nights had already taken everything in it. arms. His gentle hands caressing our faces with the wind it blew and the shining stars guiding us towards the right path.


    The crescent moon hides its presence under the clouds. It was night toy down on the roof and stargaze but here I was riding a horse with all my might to reach my destination.


    When I rode at the distance I saw the horses still running at a distance but they were too far from me. I was sure I was going to be thest one to reach the end point.


    "Hundred, can you hold for a bit long? We are just about to reach." I told him and kicked a little to increase his speed.


    Soon, I was there but the 6th knights had already crossed the finishing line and I was the 7th one, barely passing the end point and finishing the race.


    I was tired, dishevelled and I assure you it was no better. A few times wolves were able to dig their nails on him and I was hurt by the branches a few times when I tried to flip on the horse and took aim.


    When I clinked down the horse, I walked straight to the bench and sat on it. A knight belonging to the prince came with hasty footsteps and narrowed his eyes on me. But I was too tired to care. She gave me onest look and took a hundred with him, while I just shrugged my shoulders.


    "Why did it feel like we both had run different races?" asked a knight of our dreams sitting next to me. As she looked at my hand.


    I followed her gaze and saw my sleeves were a bit torn and there were few scratches. I just ignored it and closed my eyes.


    "The winner of the second round is Josephine De Christesita. The first runner up is Sylvia aphy and the second runner up is Natalie Thompson.`` I sighed as I lost it..


    The final round will be tomorrow among the winners of today. So what now! Should I cry that I lost aftering this close!


    "Wait! Winners. Do they include the winners of the first round too?" I asked the knight who was sitting with me and she nodded.


    "They will add the scores of everyone and only one from each team will be eliminated. Six would still go in the third round." she replied and i hugged her ted.


    "How do we know we are selected or not?" I asked , coughing as the girl looked shy the way I hugged her.


    "Umm, there is a list on the main door, and even themandant would inform us." she said, tugging her hair behind her ears.


    "Thank you. You are a very sweet girl.'''' I said as I stood up and walked towards the door where 5 other girls were already standing.


    I found my name on the 5th number and took a breath of relief that I was still in the game.


    "But you would not win" I heard a voice and I did not need to turn back to know it was Sylvia, the same girl who had stopped me before too.


    "We will see that tomorrow" I replied and left the pce. Few people need to be taught a lesson through actions rather than words.


    I could feel many eyes on me when I turned back, but two distinct pairs of eyes could be felt very clearly. I looked above straight into the eyes of siblings whose eyes were not leaving me even for a second.


    To my surprise both were looking at me with confused but worried eyes yet I am thankful that they were keeping their distance.


    Since it was toote thest round was transferred for tomorrow but when I decided to go home and went towards my carriage the knights stopped me.


    "The crown prince has announced that all the participants of sword wielding match tomorrow will stay in the royal pce tonight as the guest of the empire since a few of them were from another town.'''' A round of apuse and cheers greeted her generosity but I just cursed.


    I just wanted to go home and take a rest. And now I am stuck here with these 5 girls who did not like me at all except one of the knights of my team, Lizzie.


    My father, who wasing towards me, stopped in the tracks too. He looked at me and then at the stage towards the crown prince with anger filled eyes.


    "Come let''s take you to infirmary before you go with the other girls to stay in the ROYAL PALACE '''' he saidst with so much force as if he was trying to take all his anger out in that.


    "There is nothing serious father, it is just some small scratches" I assured him but he did not listen and took me to the physician.


    But as i said they were just small scratches. Thanks to the high speed of Hundred, I was saved. He double checked everything once he let me go.


    "Just take care Abi, and stay away from the Crown prince" he said as he kissed my forehead. If he was discreet before, he was telling it tantly now and I could only nod at him.


    He finally left with a sigh. And I just shook my head.


    I walked in and a maid was waiting for me there. "Mydy,e with me, i will show you the room" she said politely and i nodded.


    All the other girls have already left the ground for their room.