Heads turned as he entered the hall, and the whispers rose to a furious buzz. It was that evening that the rumours started, that the Azure Knight was the cause of the Princess’ melancholy, or that he was fated to lift it; that the reason he hid his face was to prevent Prince Edward from killing him on the spot in defense of his daughter.
Perhaps fortunately, the gossip was diverted by Prince Edward’s presentation of the veiled figure as his daughter. The Princess rose and bowed to the assemblage, but didn’t put back her veil, and hardly appeared to eat at all.
As he ate, he only lifted his visor enough to show his chiseled jaw, eating with a nervous stance as he sat in among strangers, eager to be anywhere else but her, with his beloved in his arms. But if he had to fight the entire Kingdom to save her, then he would do so willingly, praying that he would see her one last time if the worst should happen.
But then the shadowed, veiled figured was being introduced and he stiffened, unaware that his cutlery clattered to the table as his attention was otherwise captured. That had to be Summer, even though the posture was wrong and the figure’s face was hidden, he knew it to be her.
More contests ensued the next day: swordfighting. Archery. More jousting. Axe-fighting. Even wrestling, though some knights considered that beneath their dignity. Knight after knight fell to the Azure Knight’s prowess and determination at the joust, and he seemed to be utterly invincible with a sword in his hand.
And though Princess and Knight maintained the concealment of their faces, some began to note how they seemed always to be watching one another.