Chapter 5: Faith

"Vitaire, leave these packing to the servants. They will do a better job than you would. Just ready yourself and meet with the party you will be travelling with."Prince Garcle replied.

"Oh my~! How rude of you my brother. Of course I would do a good job packing stuffs that I would need for the quest. Vitaire knows full well of what is needed." Vitaire replied pouting her mouth.

"Please, stop with the teasing and Vitaire, shall we get to the courtyard soon? They must be gathered soon." Prince Erdhart said.

"Oh, yes. Will brother Erdhart and Garcle be attending too?" Vitaire asked.

"Why, of course. We have to see for ourselves if they are up to the task and not to mention if they are people worthy of your accompanionship for this quest. Now, we wouldn't want any harm reach you, would we? Afterall, you're our precious Princess Vitaire." Prince Erdhart replied.

Prince Garcle laughed out upon hearing Erdhart's comments. Princess Vitaire was embarrassed with her face all red due to her brother's words. She knew they all doted on her and protected her well, but she still couldn't get use to their over-protective ways.

"Please, worry not. Your Princess Vitaire would not be a weak princess of the Kingdom of Seriona. I am versed with sword and magic, not to mention with knowledge. How could I be unable to fend for myself? Aren't you belittling me with your words? My Royal Brother?" Vitaire was upset with what Erdhart said.

"Well, it seems my little Royal sister is upset. Of course we're not belittling your skills. Afterall, you were taught personally by us. However, do not take lightly of the outside world, my dear Vitaire. It seems that you're not aware that the world is a harsh place, which is why we've assigned a few skilled people along with you for the quest. We placed our faith upon you, so please understand our feelings." Prince Garcle answered.

"OH, I'm terribly sorry, my brother. I will put your faith to good use and make sure to help the people whenever I am. I will ensure not to put the Royal family in shame. Please, worry not." Vitaire replied.

"Good that you understand. Now, let us be on our way to the courtyard. It is not good to let our guest to wait for too long." Prince Erdhart quickly said.

Chapter 4: Vitaire's Quest

Princess Vitaire, still unhappy being sent back to her room after throwing those bold and angry words of hers. Sulking in her room still fuming mad.
She thought to herself why men and women had different statuses even though they are of the same species and yet, both cannot live without each other.
Thinking that it was unfair for them to think that woman are unable to do great things, Princess Vitaire wanted to prove to them what she could do to help the Kingdom.
Just when she was thinking, she suddenly had the urge of breaking free of this place that trapped her thoughts.

"Don't even think of anything, my dear Vitaire. You should know how well that it will only cause grief to our Royal Queen and to us, your brothers." Prince Erdhart spoke when Princess Vitaire was trying to open the window.
Prince Erdhart had always known his dear little sister had hated the inequality status of men and women.
And he always knew that Vitaire had always wanted to break free from the cage that kept her freedom.

"Brother Erdhart... When did you get here? Have I no say in any decision that was made in the conference earlier? I'm such a powerless Princess that can't even help her own Kingdom in turmoil..." Princess Vitaire asked and started to mumble.

"Vitaire, my baby sister. Please, stop sulking. The decision has already been made. Please get ready to meet with some guest..." Erdhart could not finish the sentence yet while teasing his little sister.

"Brother Erdhart. I will not yield to any decisions that was made in the conference that will lead my life to something I do not want to do. I would run away no matter how much I love the palace." Princess Vitaire said in a demanding tone.

"Then... Do you not accept the journey to investigate the root of the problem our Kingdom is facing right now?" Prince Erdhart asked disappointingly.

"No, I won't! I have given you my answer, so won't you.... Hold on! Brother Erdhart, please repeat your sentence." Princess Vitaire demanded.

"Do you not accept the quest to investigate the root of the problem our Kingdom is facing? The council conference has given the decision to let you, Princess Vitaire to go on the quest. Your answer?" Prince Erdhart answered cheekily.

"Is that right? I owe you my thanks, brother Erdhart! This is an opportunity that I, Vitaire would definitely not turn down! I will pack for the journey now. Please be on your way, brother." Vitaire replied delightfully.

"How bold of you to forget your brother Garcle whom fought against the lords for this decision to be handed down by both your brothers!" Prince Garcle said loudly as he walked into the room.

"Oh, brother Garcle! Please, be appeased, I apologise for my rude behaviour. Please, won't you forgive your Vitaire for losing her calmness over the quest?" Vitaire responded quickly to Prince Garcle whom had always doted on her.

Chapter 3: Decisive Decision

"Very well then, please summon Healer Penalie, Dancer of the Moons and Master Knight Felonde, Knight of Seriona's Circle to the Main Palace courtyard at evening. A meet with companions before the journey would be good to make sure they get to know each other, at least a brief introduction to the Princess will be good." Prince Erdhart explained, but in fact, he wanted to judge by himself whether those recommended persons were worthy of his trust to accompany his precious sister for this important journey to save the Kingdom and the land.

"As you command, Your Highness." both Lord Dorake and Great General Hades replied.
"Now, as for the lands that are in turmoil, give me the report and situation." Prince Garcle asked anxiously.
"The northern lands, Vinaldro and westward lands Adilton to northern capital Grendale has all been devoured by the drought and plague. The people are surviving by neighbouring lands that are still fertile and some magicians suppressing the situation. It might not hold up if nothing is done.
The Eastern lands Urea and northwards land Dyyslil are slightly damaged by the rampage of the winds. It was reported that the damage was minimal as some magician had suppressed the angry winds.
The Southern land had worsened since yesterdays report. The damge has been increased and is headed for Scrochere.
The Western lands are fine as of now. The people are all feeling uneasy throughtout the land. That is all, Your Highnesses." Lord Gabrio reported the circumstances of the lands.

Chapter 2: The Journey Party.

Upon hearing what both the princes had said about Princess Vitaire, all the lords were fairly convinced and both the Minister and the Great General had no objections to it.

"Your Hignesses, I shall send one of my best men to defend the Princess. I'm sure he would be of great help for the journey." Great General Hades added in.

"Your Hignesses, shall I be of service to send a Healer whom is a great strategian to be accompanied with Princess Vitaire?" one of the lords added in, who was the Lord of the western capital of the Kingdom, Dorake Luarde.

Both of the princes did not gave a reply, instead the Minister spoke.
"It is a good idea to have a few more people to accompany the princess but I'm afraid too many people in on the journey will cause problems..." Minister Abringham said but was cut off by Prince Erdhart.

"I'm grateful for all your concerns. I think 2 more people would cause no much trouble more than having the Princess being lost during the journey. Other than the knight and the priest, may I have the names of those two that you've mentioned?" Prince Erdhart ordered.

"Healer Penalie, Dancer of the Moons." Dorake Luarde replied.
"Master Knight Felonde, Knight of Seriona's Circle." Great General Hades explained.

Chapter 1: Seriona Kingdom

A Kingdom that was a huge continent which ruled over a few centuries known as Seriona flourished and gained peace.
Now, the Kingdon is facing great difficulties and the country is in turmoil.
King Adrius, who had been in reign of 17 years, now bedridden.
No one knew the cause nor what sickness it was that made him that way.
With no ruler, everything was in chaos.
People were fighting over for authority and some, trying to kill the King.
As if that wasn't bad enough, there were many natural disasters going on everywhere in the continent which made the people suffer.
To make matters worse, the World Tree was withering.
Prince Garcle, the 3rd prince of the Kingdom, a well-mannered, fine , young man who loved his country deeply.
The people loved him fairly for how he treated every commoner and nobles as equals.
But his power wasn't enough as compared to his brothers.
The eldest prince, Prince Dominat, one who gained the most power amongst the 3, were a popular prince amongst the nobles.
He was one with charsima and also one who carried himself with elegance befitting of a King.
But he was a person who held grudges and is an extremely cunning person.
The 2nd prince, Prince Erdhart , like his younger brother, Prince Garcle, was a popular figure.
Prince Erdhart was charming, benevolent and also well-loved by everyone.
The prince was a wild, playful young man but he loved his country like his family.
He traveled many parts of the continents without the consent of the King by himself while also helping people and training himself.
Although he might not ascend to the throne, he knew deeply that no matter what, he had the responsibility to learn and to help his brothers whoever ascends to the throne.
And now, the country being in the state of emergence, he tried to push Dominat to do something about the pressing issues of the land.
But it was all futile. Only Garcle came to him after the news had reached him.
There was another who possessed authority.
The Minister who held half the authority and the Great General who had power over the army.
Those were the next two power that stood apart from the King himself.
Although the nobles fairly had some power but they wouldn't be as kind to give away their power nor would they combine their powers just for anyone other than gaining something else from it.
Lucky for both the princes, both the Minister and the Great General was of some influence by either princes.
Minister Abringham whom favours Prince Garcle and Great General Hades whom favours Prince Erdhart are in loggerheads everytime when they talk about both the princes.
But when it comes to their duty, they both put down the enmity and does their utmost loyal duty to their fullest.
Both Prince Erdhart and Garcle went to ask for advice from both the Minister and the Great General.

Since the King is bedridden, there has to be someone on temporary authority to give the commands.
Supposingly, Prince Dominat was to overseer the Kingdom.
But he had gone fooling around at some nobles' party again.
He had never cared about the affairs of the Kingdom except for riches and how he carries his charms and elegance.
He always was the vain and useless prince who cared nothing but himself.
King Adrius had never once pinned any hope on him as he knew he would one day cause the downfall of the Kingdom.
And the King was right, even now the temporary autocrat authority is passed to Prince Dominat, he still did not do anything for the country.
Now, the Minister and Great Genreal after having a pressing meeting with both the younger princes and other lords, had gain some supports.
There were strategies and many plans to be implemented throughout the whole land.
One of the ideas was to recruit Magic wielders to suppress natural disasters that came about.
Plans of sending groups of people to find out the cause of the problems and sending armies to help out the people in distressed were also implemented.
Prince Erdhart himself suggested that giving a team whom they trust to go on a trip to see how the country is doing and also to conduct investigations through covert duties.
He volunteered to go but was brought down by the Minister as it was dangerous and also the country could no longer afford to lose any of the royal families to harm.
Then, just as they were at the topic, someone came into the discussion.
It was Princess Vitiare, the youngest of them all and the only princess of the Kingdom.
She interupted the conversation and begged her brothers to let her go on this journey that wthey were just speaking of.
"I don't want to be closed in my room, void of any news and keeping myself safe from harm when all of you here are going to be doing something for the Kingdom. I will not tolerate myself having the title of a Princess but I can do nothing for this Kingdom I so loved." Princess Vitiare threw these words at the people in the room.
"Your Highness, please be appeased. Someone! Please bring the Princess back to her room for the moment!" the Minister said.
Princess Vitaire was unhappy but she knew she had to head back to the room if the Minister had spoken himself.
After the little commotion, both the princes had little conversations among themselves.
"After some considerations, both Garcle and I have agreed to let Vitaire to go on the journey she volunteered to. It is not because we want to spoil her. It is that both Garcle and I trust that Vitaire will do this her way well and also accomplish what we may not have expected. Also, I believe that she would grow to understand more of the world and be a better princess of our Kingdom. I hope there is no objections to this matter." Prince Erdhart spoke.
The discussion went a bit longer and argues about the princess being a woman to accomplish the task is rather tough.
"Please refrain from all of your thoughts of whether she is a woman or not. Vitaire has learnt combat ever since she was 3. She is no weak princess and all of you here should know that she is a talented magician and one of the most skilled of our Kingdom at that. She possess at least half of what both me and Erdhart's skills the most. We should have no worries on that. I also have some other people in mind that should accompany her on this journey. A knight and a priest shall accompanny her." Prince Garcle said.