With Desmond Adler and Thomas von Petra being the decided winners of their fights, they were moved into the final four. It would be two, one-on-one fights with the victors of each facing off in the champion fight. That winner would have their request from King Aleksander granted.
After her fight against Desmond, Rena was escorted to the viewing box where Lyrah and Natali had been watching, but only after she had been healed and recovered first. It was there she was introduced to Lady Adellia. The woman's beauty was astounding. She had the same silver eyes as Lyrah, but they were paired with long, silky blonde hair.
Beside her was a maid who looked a little like Natali, who must have been her mother Mylene. After introducing herself to the woman, she gave her a kind smile. "It is quite nice to meet you dear. I hear you are good friends with my Lyrah and little Natali. Thank you for being their friend."
"I should thank them for being mine. If they were not at the academy, I would be isolated and alone." Rena responded with a bow. "Thank you for making them such kind people Lady Adellia and Miss Mylene."
"Why would you be isolated? You seem like such a sweet thing?"
"I..."
"She fell in love with a Marked One and her father found out so she was stripped of her rights and sent to the academy, then her cousin spread the rumors among the other students." Lyrah blurted out quickly while stuffing her face with cookies.
Rena looked at her friend with wide eyes. Lyrah was about to defend her actions when she suddenly yelped in pain from Natali smacking the back of her head.
"Oh my. Well as a Marked One myself, I must say I am surprised... I hope that he treats you well?"
Rena felt a lump form in her throat, keeping her from speaking. Adellia noticed the silence immediately and apologized. For a while after that, things were awkward and tense, then Rena asked, "When do the next fights for the final four begin?"
"Huh?" Lyrah blinked. "They already happened."
"What? I wasn't gone that long!" Rena nearly shouted.
"No..." Lyrah said. "But, the fights ended quickly. That Titan person was fighting some snobby prince from Paede and wiped the floor with him using a lightning spell. It was quite interesting. The other one was an elf girl from Aedrider. She used this wicked-looking hammer..."
"Verdayl... what is it the boy is going to request?" Aleksander asked.
Verdayl put down his drink, which was a fortified wine they were serving for their esteemed guests. "I'm unsure. I did not think to ask. Whatever it is he wants though, I am sure will be entertaining."
"I'm sure it will be."
"You know, Titan joined the order of the King's Shadow before he was even eighteen. Did you know that? I was shocked when I found out someone so young was so talented. In only six months he even rose to the rank of Commander within the order! I presented him with his mask. Quite a unique fellow that one!" Verdayl laughed.
Kalivas coughed lightly. "My liege..."
"Oops it seems the liquor has loosened my tongue. As an apology for making this display Aleksander, allow me to assist you in providing the fulfillment of the winner's request. You have conceded much to my kingdom for this event and now must deal with my drunken state. It is the least I can do!" Verdayl laughed.
Aleksander felt his eye twitch a little from annoyance. "Thank you very much, Verdayl." He managed.
Every other leader in the room clenched their fists in frustration. It seemed most of them had spent countless manhours looking for information on the elusive and mysterious 'Titan' and here Verdayl was simply providing them a wealth of knowledge because of a simple bottle of liquor.
"Ah!" Lady Voltara al Famyn called out. "It looks like it is about to begin."
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A/N:
There was a glitch in my internet that caused a double-pasting of the next chapter. I did not catch it till after it was posted. As such, I could not delete it or correct it. So the next chapter contains 2 in 1. I am SO sorry for this. Please feel free to berate me in the comments
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