The Tale of the Lotus Heart

Chapter 13

"One of the four arts, zither, chess, calligraphy, or dance. If I'm as barbaric as you think, I wouldn't have the grace or class to challenge you in one of these. How about this: I'll let you pick the category and we'll compete here and now. The students will be our judge. If you win, I'll let you have Longevity Courtyard. If I win, you apologize to me publicly and never let my name pass out of your mouth negatively again," I challenged her. She smirked before turning to look at the platform in the middle of the floor.

"You clearly don't know who you challenged. I've won best dancer of the three realms five years in a row," she bragged before gliding on to the platform. "Listen up! The Princess has challenged me to dance. The winner will be decided by all of you," she announced. She got into her starting pose as the musicians changed the song. She danced cockily. I admit, she was a good dancer, but she relied heavily on muscle memory. There was no feeling or grace behind her actions. It almost seemed like a puppet being controlled. After she finished, there was a good amount of applause. She huffed at me as I made my way to the platform. She stood amongst the crowd as I started on my knees. I moved my arms fluidly as I danced. As I spun gentle circles, I even used a little trick Tase taught me and made flower petals rain down over me. I caught a petal gently in my palm and blew it away before finishing my dance. The result was thunderous applause. Alexander volunteered to come to the stage with Hana.

"All in favor of Hana?" He asked. There was a polite applause from the students, but I could feel the suspense of them waiting for my name to be called.

"All in favor of Princess Aivi?" Alexander asked. The applause was deafening. I curtsied to the crowd politely before I turned to face Hana. The crowd quieted as they waited.

"I believe you owe me an apology," I said calmly. Hana was enraged, and I could tell. She summoned her sword before surprise attacking me. I wasn't prepared, and could have easily been hurt, but before I could react, a light shown from around me, encasing me in a protective barrier of a dragon's tail. Hana was thrown back onto her bottom as her sword fell out of her hand and disappeared. I looked around me in confusion. I still didn't understand what happened, but Alexander was looking at me in awe.

"The Crown Prince's protective spell," Alexander breathed. The students quickly dropped to their knees and put their heads to the ground in a deep bow of respect.

"Impossible," Hana breathed as she stared wide eyed at the protection layer before it receded. Alexander snapped out of it as Hana stood. He glared before slapping her across the cheek.

"You were supposed to apologize, but instead you decided to attack the Second Prince's goddaughter?! You could be killed for that thought alone. Kneel!" Alexander ranted before pushed her shoulder down, sending her to her knees. She hesitated before lowering her head to the ground.

"I apologize, Princess. I guess I'm a sore loser. I pulled my sword without thinking," she said frantically. It was actually kind of funny how scared she was. I smiled gently as I took a step forward.

"Was that so hard? All I asked for was an apology. I had a lot more on the line than you did. If I'd lost today, I would have conceded quietly. Why go through all the extra trouble?" I asked. A gust of wind blew through the banquet hall suddenly. I felt a hand on my arm from behind.

"Who was the one that dared to have malicious intent towards the Princess," a voice said angrily from behind me. I froze in shock. How was he here?

"Crown Prince!" The Heavenly General said in shock as he dropped to his knees in greeting as he entered the hall. I didn't know what to do. He wasn't supposed to be here right now. How did he know to come?

"Rise," Yong said, calming down slightly.

"May I ask what brought you to our humble academy?" The General asked hesitantly.