Tangled By Fate

"It's almost time. We should head out." Zinnia urged.

After going out, Veronica became even more nervous. The road was swarming with people of all ages.

The children were gazing at the big-sized warriors with their big eyes with wonder.

Even Veronica stared at them and wondered, 'Will I be able to beat any one of them?'

There was a reason behind her thoughts. Those warriors who were going to participate all wore armors suitable for them. Their sizes were huge. Most of them had a similar size to Darius.

In front of them, she looked like a tiny bug. She never felt like this before in front of Darius. That's because he was never her opponent, but these giants could be her opponents during the competition.

Arthur securely held her hand as if to assure her there was nothing to worry about. Even so, it wasn't too convincing. She didn't feel better in the slightest.

When they entered the huge round building where the competition was held, the shouts of the people increased.

"Why are people screaming so much?" Veronica asked.

"That's because their favorite warriors already entered the ring," Darius replied. "You have nothing to worry about. From today, you will become one of them."

"Thanks," Veronica finally smiled. Nonetheless, her smile seemed forced. It almost looked like a cry.

Zinnia lowered her head and said, "Don't let these stupid hogs' sizes get you. They are just tall. When they fight, they use their strength and muscles more than their brains.

"I know warriors live and die with their muscles but you have better chances in that because you will use both. Strategy is everything."

"Yes, thank you." Veronica nodded.

She looked ahead and found Felix, Ovior and Ironin. They were walking toward them. Somehow, they managed to notice Veronica, Arthur, Darius and Zinnia in the crowd,

"Hello! How's our little champ doing?" Felix gave her a bright smile.

Veronica put an effort to stretch her lips. "I'm doing great."

"She saw some warriors had already died," Darius confessed instead of? her.

Felix chuckled. "There is nothing to worry about. You aren't going to fight all of them. Most of them were going to join hand-in-hand combat. You will fight with your sword. That's a totally different category."

'Someone is awfully cheerful. I never saw him expressing his emotions properly before,' Veronica thought.

She recalled the last time he expressed his emotions like that. He was crying hard after meeting the spirit of the love of his life, Lady Joana. After that, he was rather calm and quiet.

'Maybe me participating in the competition made him excited. Fighting people for money isn't that bad, after all,' she thought.

"If you had briefed her properly, she wouldn't be in this sorry state," Arthur profusely complained. He had a glum expression.

Felix didn't seem to mind his mood. He said, "She already knows what she needs to know. Some things saved for later. If I told her everything beforehand, she would mix up all the information and screw up. Let her experience first-hand first. It's better this way."

"As long as she doesn't piss her pants. I have to go. I'll meet my friends. See you later!" Darius went ahead and got mixed in the crowd.

"Ver! Are you okay?" Catherine was squashed in the crowd and was finally able to come closer.

Behind her was Roxana. She came too.

"You are also here!" Veronica was surprised.

"How can I miss my little disciple's first competition?" Roxana shrugged with a smile. She scanned the little warrior top to bottom. "The armor suits you. Did Arthur make it for you?"

Veronica nodded in reply.? "Yes, he brought it for me. I love it."

"He has a fine taste. I love the design. I hope this is strong armor though it doesn't look like it," Catherine commented.

"Arthur said it's? good. I trust his judgment.? Why were you late?" Veronica asked her.

"I was sewing the handkerchief for you. I didn't notice the time. Mostly, women give the handkerchief to the men they root for. I will only cheer for you. So, I made one for you. Here…" saying that Catherine wrapped the white handkerchief around Veronica's left wrist.

"Ohh! Thank you!" Veronica was touched.

Her worries dissipated a lot when she met Catherine. Two besties headed inside while others followed them from the back.

"Mithril, Arthur?" Roxana looked at Arthur.

"My wife can only get the best object in the world," Arthur proudly stated.

"That's why mithril? In an urban muscle competition?" Roxana shook her head in disappointment. "You know how to spend to collect the most valuable item and then use it where it's the least expected."

Mithril was a material that resembled silver but was way stronger and lighter than steel. Warriors from faraway land would wear armor made of mithril when they went to fight a war.

Mithril was the perfect shield that protected them from the sharpest, heaviest and hardest tools.

"My wife needs to be protected when I can't do anything," Arthur's devotion was resolute.

Inside the round building where the competition was being held, no magic could be used in the area.

If Veronica was injured and needed help during a fight, Arthur would only have to watch without doing anything.

"Anyway, what's up with the disguise? I thought you guys would get all the attention after entering the ring." Roxana looked at Arthur and Ovior.

Those two tied their long hair and then hid the ponytails under their hats. They were wearing masks to cover their eyes. No one would find out who they were.

"We can't get enough attention. It will be harmful to Veronica," Ovior stated.

"True, they have so many enemies around here. Who knows who will take advantage of it and come to bite Veronica later during the match?" Zinnia acknowledged their worries.

"It's a bit hard to accept when they love to keep a high profile, especially Arthur. I can't believe he changed so much after marriage. It almost amazes me," Roxana expressed her opinion.

"Makes you jealous?" Zinnia smirked. "Why don't you find a man?"

"I'd rather have a docile man who will cook for me and sew me clothes and handkerchief. Where to find a man like that?" Roxana shrugged.

"Indeed. Your choice is unique. But you don't have to work too hard for it. Just show off your charm. The man who is meant for you will fall hard for you. problem solved," Zinnia advised.

"It sounds so easy," Roxana commented.

Their conversation didn't reach the duo in front of them. Veronica and Catherine were busy chatting to themselves.

"Ver, just focus on what you are here for. Don't worry about the crowd. I know you are feeling nervous because of these ugly people but don't you worry. After you went through so much, you deserve a gold medal," Catherine told her.

She added, "We will be all rooting for you. And we believe that you can do it, Veronica. Your teachers know how capable you are. So, have some faith in yourself."

"I'll do my best." Veronica let out a deep breath. Being accompanied by Catherine helped her a lot.

They were talking when Arthur came between them and said, "Let's sign up your name first."

First, she had to write her name in the list of competitions she was going to participate in. Later, she had to be separated from her friends and stay with the participants.

Once her name would be called, she had to go inside the stadium and fight against her opponent in front of the huge crowd.

Veronica went with Arthur and Felix to register her name while others went to their seats.

Looking at the lines, she knew who was participating in the sword fighting.

Veronica gulped. Her short-gone fear came back with anxiety.

"I'll choose archery," she abruptly declared.

"!!!" Arthur and Felix were stunned.

Arthur was quick to recover. He inquired, "Archery? Can you use a bow and arrows?"

"I've never seen you doing archery. Are you sure you want that?" Felix asked next.

"Yes, archery is harmless. I just have to hit the target and win," Veronica stated.

'I really don't think I can defeat those strong people. They look so tough. I guess archery will have to do. I'll use the knowledge and wisdom Urulas shared with me when we were traveling,' she told herself inwardly.

'Oh wait, I did ask Urulas and the others to come. Did they come? They should have because they would be curious about me fighting others.'

Arthur knew nothing about her thoughts. He accepted her reasonable explanation and was rather pleased.

"Sure, you can sign up for archery,' he agreed.

Archery was rather harmless than sword fighting. During sword fighting, if things went wrong, the player would have to suffer. That's why he didn't mind her doing archery.

After Veronica signed her name, she? went a bit away from the crowd. She wanted to talk to Arthur before going to the archery team.

Felix waited a bit far away while Arthur hugged her. "You will do well. I know you will. Just don't hurt your fingers. It'll hurt."

Veronica sniffed her husband's soothing cologne and commented, "Umm. Although I never showed you my skill, I'm rather good at this. I hunted birds and animals. I have confidence."

"Then I'll be able to witness a wonderful performance then. Whatever the result is, don't be upset. We will still go on our honeymoon."

"Even if I lose?"