Sitting alongside your family while watching the trials take place wasn’t what you expected. Your parents never did favor you over the other princes or princesses. You assumed it was for some ploy that you were brought with them to watch the trial grounds fights.

Every year the royal family would host the trial fights which anyone could attend and participate in. Many of the common folk would participate due to the gracious rewards. Although as of recent one man had won the last two years. Apparently this man also did not keep any of his reward but donated them as well. His face was never seen and he was always masked. People around had started calling him the champion.

You excused yourself to quickly go to the bathroom which your parents allowed. On your way to the bathroom you overheard some people talking.

“Can you believe this years prize is the princess?”

“Whoever wins her hand is lucky.”

So that’s why your family brought you to the trials. This years prize is none other than you. You decide not to panic and go back to sit down. Now that you know of your fate it makes sense why your siblings keep snickering and whatnot.

You watched the trials take place. Then something caught your eye. The champion had rejoined. You watch him beat each trial until there’s only a handful of people left. The final trial ends with the obvious result of him winning.

Before you can say anything he points to you. Motioning for you to come down. To which you comply and go down to meet him. You head onto the room with a soft knock. He stands there sharpening his blades with his mask on. You had expected him to be nice but he seemed far from it.

“You are of no use to me so i’ll keep you around for now. You’re as useless as the other rewards have been.”

So much for the kind champion persona you had thought of him.