"Eat dust." Thrianna said as her sword clashed against her sister's blade.

"no trash talking on the battlegrounds."said Tina blocking her attacks with quite an effort.

"You're just scared that you would lose to me again."she said striking harder as she suddenly tripped over her own foot, grabbing the opportunity Tina knocked out her sword before she hit the ground.

"Ahh!!."she shrieked landing on on her back while Tina stood towering above her with the edge of her sword caressing her sister's chin. "I tripped.",Thrianna said in her defense glaring up at her.

"You wouldn't say that if you were beheaded."Tina said giving her a hand.

"it's not like we are going on a battle or something." she muttered under her breath taking the hand extended to her as she stood. "Again."Tina said as they took their position ready to strike.

Not too far sat Trice in a rocking chair knitting or at least she tried to, looking up at her sister's from time to time, she really wasn't a sparing fan she would rather have tea in a gazebo, she enjoyed her own company but she admired her sisters' skill, Christina on one hand was composed and careful as she seemed to make use of every given opportunity, while on the other hand was Cathrianna who was fast, smart, outspoken with a touch of recklessness,she did most of the striking and she was really good.

Trice looked down at her work as a light smile touched her lips as if recalling a private joke.Tina and Thrianna stopped for a while to catch their breath then Thrianna nudged Tina as she nodded towards Trice's direction.

"What's up with her?."Tina asked.

"I don't know, but she has been in a lot moods lately, mostly happy."Thrianna said as they both handed their swords to the guards who stood nearby and started towards Trice,who was so lost she didn't sense them coming until Tina placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Are you alright?, you seem lost."she said. Trice looked up at them as her smile was instantly replaced with sadness.

"I'm fine."she said,her voice barely a whisper.

"You know you can tell us anything right?,we would definitely be there for you." Thrianna said as she smoothened her hair. "I know."she said looking down at her hands, she had hoped to knit a scarf,a dark shade of brown,it would match his eyes, she thought as her smile returned to her face.

They were jolted back to reality by a voice from the back ground.

"Lunch is served your highnesses."the butler said with a bow."his majesty, your father requests your presence in the dining room as soon as possible."he said, he was a man of about sixty years of age with red hair and deep black eyes ,he wasn't quite tall but his structure made up for that and even at the age of sixty he was still excellent at his job.

"He's back?."Trice asked wide-eyed.

Father had been gone for two weeks now, usually they would get a report from him before his arrival, she couldn't help but wonder what might have happened.

"Yes, milady."he said bowing slightly to her question.

"Okay."she said calming her recked nerves before she spoke again.

"We would be there as soon as they get dressed."she said looking at both her sisters then he gave his final bow and walked away.

She stood from her seat.

"Come now, let's get dressed for lunch."she said as she began walking whilst they followed.

"How could you make such conclusions, didn't you stop to think of their happiness?." laurel asked as her colour instantly drained from her face.

He did stop to think countless times his brain almost hurt, but what else could be done,he knew it would come to this, just two weeks ago laurel was so sure he would come back with good news,he always did-not until now at least, she had been so hopeful.

The kingdom of Lorgash were planning a war against them, it was something no one had expected, for centuries the kingdom of Gatrish has been in peace,they were small -almost the smallest -compared to other kingdoms but they were prosperous and their king Lord Frederick Winter,was loved by all,he wasn't the type that ruled with an iron fist and he made sure to see to all the requests from his subjects just as far as it was within his reach except one , giving out his daughters in a marriage that would ruin their happiness.

He had three lovely daughters, but unfortunately no son and on that note the crown princess would have to find an eligible suitor earlier than the usual and as every other kingdom which aspires for more wealth than necessary Lord Garius of Lorgash sent his first son to seek her hand of which she declined politely as she did to every other suitor for the past five years, but Garius didn't take it quiet lightly he accused Beatrice of slander against the crown prince and his kingdom.

Fredrick on the other hand didn't deem it fit to apologize for a lie spoken against his own daughter,he knew them better than anyone else and he wouldn't force her to render an apology to someone she did not offend,he would always have their best interest at heart,he had protected them for years, they were both his strength and weakness and when he confirmed that Lord Garius planned to wedge war against them,he lost it.why would someone ever want blood shed for such trivial matters?,he would most likely lose the battle his army couldn't even hold a candle against them as they were four times bigger.He had always know that Garius had eyes on his kingdom but know he knew the extents he would go to get it and since he couldn't get it by marrying his first son to his daughter, he would get it by force which was war, Fredrick had allies but none were willing to participate in a war that they would most likely lose as his kingdom was too small to engage in any form of war and Fredrick had managed that for years but now he didn't know what to do, Lorgash was an incredibly big and strong kingdom, the third biggest in the lands and nobody would like to go against them so he had no option than to do what he did. He wasn't proud of his actions but times like this called for a king not a father,as it is said desperate times calls for desperate measures.

He recalled their small conversation before he had left two weeks ago.

She had asked the maids to leave his preparation to her, after she was done combing his hair he stood and took hold of her hand.

"I trust you." she said as a light smile touched her lips, but it didn't seem like he trusted himself.he didn't even know how it came to this, now he wished he had just apologized on behalf of his daughter.

"A wise king never seeks war."he said with shadowed eyes looking down at their hands.

"But must always be ready for it." she said placing her right hand on his chest ."I would be waiting."

But now with the look on her face he could only see disappointment.

"I had no choice."he said looking up just in time to watch his daughters walk into the hall, they looked glorious and at that instant he saw the fear flash in wife's eyes as he looked back at her,he couldn't blame her, every parent would be scared and he wasn't an exception.