She was sat on the arm of her fathers throne. Minos was in front of them for judgement and Bianca was not happy with him.
Hades gave his daughter a nod. Bianca slides down off of the throne and walks to Minos.
“Well I hear you have been treating my brother badly, and I want you to know I’m not happy,” she smiled dangerously.
“Excuse me! I’ll have you know I am a king-“ he tried to argue, only for Bianca to cut of him off.
“And I am the princess of this kingdom, which is not yours. I suggest you keep your mouth shut. I don’t care if you were royalty 4000 years ago. I’m royalty now.” Bianca’s tone was low and angry.
She was never one for threats or intimidation, but she could make exceptions for those who hurt her baby brother.
Hades flicks his hand, signaling the skeleton guards to take Minos to the fields of punishment.
His punishment was Bianca’s suggestion. He would experience the punishments of all those he unfairly judged for the rest of time.
Bianca sat back on the arm of her fathers throne. She would have had her own throne but hades didn’t want Nico asking questions if he saw it. So Bianca was content to sit next to her father for now.
Persephone glanced at her step daughter. “I never took you for cruel.”
Bianca shrugged. “I’m not, I think was being fair. I just don’t like people hurting my brother.”
Persephone was about to say something before Demeter materialized. Before she could speak Bianca slid off the throne. “I have homework to do-“ Demeter thrusted a bowl of wheat into her hands, “oh- thanks grandmother! I’ll eat it while I do homework!” She quickly walked out the throne room before Demeter could insist on anything. She shoot persephone an apologetic look on her way out.
Bianca did not in fact have homework.
She had some yelling to do, Minos wasn’t off her hook just yet.
➴➵➶➴➵➶➴➵➶
I will stand by the head cannon that Bianca becomes a princess in the underworld until I die
She did not choose rebirth, she was just in her room because hades didn’t want Nico trying to bring her back
Medieval Adventures: A Tale of Kingdoms and Knights
Genre: Slice-of-life, Fantasy, Magic, Self-Insert
Trigger Warnings: Detailed fight scene with swords, blood, duels
Word Count: 1640 (210 for the A/N)
Chapter 5: Two Negatives Make a Positive
“What do you mean he’s busy?” the commander grunts.
Traver looks down at his feet. “He is n-not in Equinox today, Commander.”
Well, that’s a relief! But that probably means I’d have to duel someone else.
Let me bring you back to speed. The tall, dark man with the build of a warrior is Commander Laurens. I assume the soldiers here are part of a regiment. Laurens is also a knight, but his uniform has a few alterations of badges, and is made of more expensive material.
The other guy’s name is Traver. He looks awfully similarly similar to the commander, but they don’t sound related. His tunic’s also a similar combination of cobalt-blue and basil-green. It’s none of my business at the moment, however. It looks like everyone’s itching for a fight.
The commander’s deathly silent.
“Very well then.”
He draws out an arming sword from its sheath attached to his belt. He has a glint in his eyes, something that doesn’t feel like excitement. He points it at me.
“I shall take his place.”
They say be careful for what you wish for, and I should’ve been! Sir Samson was trained under a commander, if I remember correctly. Knowing my luck, it was definitely him.
I hear a few gasps and then almost immediately cheers ensue. No turning back. My first serious fight. I am so doomed.
I raise my brow, and walk towards him. At least he’s not exactly a behemoth.
“Well Commander, I do suppose I need a sword.”
I try to smirk, “Don’t you think?”
“Right. Traver!” he calls, snapping his head to his right.
“Yes, my lord?”
“Get the runt a sword.”
He pulled Traver closer and whispered something in his ear.
Traver hurried out of the room, leaving me with despair. God, what do I do now?
—————————————————————————
My handmaidens rush to the L'entraînement Hall that lies in front of us. Just as Madame Hortense was leaving, I stop her. “Why are all of you leaving so quickly?”
“Je suis désolé, Your Highness. I couldn’t stop myself.”
I smile at her. She is very polite. “It is alright, Madame. But why are all of you rushing to go see the soldiers?”
“Well princesse, I’ve heard that a duel is about to take place,” she answers. “It has been so long since I’ve seen one.”
A duel? It must be between the knights, I think.
“I have never seen one,” I admit. “Can I join you?”
Hortense gasped, “But, Your Majesté-”
“S'il te plaîîît?” I beg, pursing my lips.
Hortense sighs, giving in.
“Oh alright.”
We make our way inside the Hall. I wonder who will win? I wonder what technique they would use?
—————————————————————————
Shifting my weight from one foot to another, I try not to make it so obvious. The freezing air did not help, making it harder to breathe. I can hear some other people, maids, come in. Really? This isn’t enough for ya?
“Good luck!” a voice booms.
I turn around quickly, almost too quickly. There’s Sir William waving his hand to grab my attention.
Ser Sequin just as nervous as I am, which helps strangely. Dame Kyda was looking down, as if regretting getting me into this, which she should be! Sir Jakob gives me an encouraging smile as well.
I try giving one back before Traver returned, with a blunt arming sword. He hands it over to me, mumbling something that sounds a bit like;
“Good luck..”
I am so doomed. I sigh softly to my self for getting me tangled up with this before assuming high guard.
—————————————————————————
“Ready?” Laurens jeered.
I swallow. “Just warming up first.”
I hold my sword with both hands in the ready position. Jesus, it’s heavy! My hands are slipping a bit, which absolutely cannot happen. I steady my grip, then cut in all eight angles of attack. Top to bottom, bottom to top, left to right, right to left, and the diagonals.
“I’m ready,” I announce. “ At first blood.”
Laurens nods once, then we both assume the high guard.
I land a cut to his shoulder. Foolish move.
He doesn’t parry against it, instead he turns it into a moulinet and cuts at my face. I parry quickly, the tip of his sword frighteningly close to my eye. I side-step back and cut from the other side, and he parries.
He raises his arms above his head, and I parry with my forte, and attempt to kick him hard in the abdomen. However, he’s quick and pushes hard on the sword, forcing me back. I spin, and step forward. He throws an underhand cut, I push it away from the side and parry.
We move back and forth, the crowd cheering as I cut, thrust and parry. Or they were probably cheering for Comman- Parry! He’s so fast! He just landed an overhand cut, and he almost got me!
I’m out of breath, and the freezing air’s only making it worse. I’m sweating under all these layers now. I step forward with a cut. He pulls me closer to him and pulls the sword to my neck. Can’t.. breathe! He’s squeezing the life outta me! I attempt at thrusting my sword to his thigh, only for him to let me go, dropping me on the ground. I get to my feet, a little too fast.
I’m really dizzy right now.. can’t pay… attention.. No! I shake my head, and thrust again.
He dodges, then lands a cut on my arm. The crowd cheers. Loud…
Through all those layers? I wince, gritting my teeth.
“Hhhhgh… hah..”
The code duello states… that I should call ‘Good’ now..
I barely say it, before he thrusts at my abdomen. With all the force he could muster. I fall to my knees, my arms falling slack as I drop my sword.
—————————————————————————
Did he just?.. The crowd’s more silent now. I’m still out of breath.
“He said first blood!” someone screams. Dame Kyda?
Wait a minute. I don’t taste any blood. If I’m bleeding, even if it is a minor wound, I always taste blood.
I feel the wound. There.. isn’t any?! There’s a slight tear at the seams of my corset, but nothing hit me! I thought I couldn’t feel it because of the adrenaline rush. I’m ok!
I look up.
There’s a woman with golden hair, dressed in furs and satin. She looks pissed, I can see it in her grey-green eyes. Was she the one who yelled? No, that was definitely Dame Kyda; I can see her.
“Your Majesty!” Commander Laurens blurted, assuming a quick bow.
Majesty? Was this the princess character I made. Belle, Bella…. No, Bianca!
“Where’s the use in that, Commander?” she questioned. Her voice was light yet fierce, just the way I imagined it.
She stepped in my direction and helped me up. I cleverly clutched at the rip so she couldn’t realize I wasn’t actually hurt by herself.
“Are you alright?”
I answered with a slight nod, standing up. I’m bending over a little.
“My apologies, young boy. I suppose I got lost in the moment.”
Excuse me?! ‘Lost’ isn’t going to do you justice! I saw the intent in your narrow eyes when you stabbed me! He clearly meant it! Son of a-
“I.. refuse to believe it,” I retort, glaring at him.
The commander stares at me, poorly masking his fury that I said anything. I can see it furrow of his brow and his stance.
“However,” I continue. “If you give me a chance to be a squire; I will accept it.”
He barks, “Who do you think you’re-”
“Commander!” the princess interrupts, crossing her arms.
He stands silent. Not in fear, though.
“Even if he hasn’t fulfilled the condition of winning the duel, you went against one; the duel ends at first blood.”
The room’s gone silent. I… I am damn glad that allowed women access to education. She’s spitting facts! I try my best not to smile.
“She has a point, Commander.”
Kyda steps forward, staring daggers at him.
“You broke a rule in the name of honor. It may not be outlawed, but you broke a rule.”
The crowd seemed to agree, and soon they get a bit loud.
“Silence!” Laurens roared.
The room quieted down. He looked back at me.
“Two negatives make a positive, Commander,” I counter.
Princess Bianca looks around. “Handmaids! I need your help.”
Four women wearing simpler, layered clothing come to us.
“Can you please assist… erm..”
“Raven,” I completed. “Jonas Raven.”
“Can you please assist Raven to a medic?”
“Oui, L' altesse.” (Yes, Your Highness)
—————————————————————————
And with that, they walked me out of the Hall, while I was still faking a wound! Well, my arm probably needs some disinfecting, stitching and bandaging. I’m going to be skipping that second thing; I’m not get thread stuck in my arm with a needle!
Oh, it stings. It’s still cold. Dark clouds float overhead as flakes of snow fall continuously.
The ladies kept asking me questions, like where I’m from and my training… Oh, and one of the younger one’s asked if I was taken! No I’m not, but I’m not interested! She said it was ‘worth a try’. Good lord…
After they brought me there, I luckily managed to send them away and made a portal to UGW. Now, I stopped time over there in a way. If I went anywhere from here and stayed there a while then return by coming here again, mere seconds would have passed.
First, I’ll heal this cut. Second, I’ll have to get a change of clothes. The corset saved me, really.
I flop onto the gelatin bed. Petrichor again, and the smell of chicken puff pastries. I’ve had a lot of them these two weeks.
“I’m tiiiiiiiiiiirred!”
I sigh. That was over, I guess.
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A/N: I didn’t make up the code duello or ‘at first blood’ or the sword fighting moves or how a corset can save you from getting stabbed. They’re all real things. Granted, you can’t trust your corset to save you all the time, but it does a neat job.
Writing that sword fight was fun, but that Commander Laurens wasn’t! He’s that kind of antagonist who can appear in your real life honestly. You’ll understand after reading the later chapters. I wrote this in a few hours, and I think I’m a bloody fast writer! I didn’t know that!
I wonder why Traver looks like the commander…
Princess Bianca, on the other hand, is that type of friend I want irl. Again, you’ll see~
I’m going to my aunt’s AGAIN. Check out these photos I took of my cousin Allie’s toys (yeah I got rlly bored lol)
I’m freezing my fingers off!
I also helped my Mom to get some sweaters from the top cabinet (I’m an inch taller than her) Hard, yes, but it was worth it cuz I have a red sweater and a black fur-lined one! (polyester fur)
Lost my beret at my aunt’s but found it yesterday! Now I can complete the look!
