"The hunt of the winged." Princess Marina thought as the carriage rolled away from castle grounds.
"Another reason for Zarya to hate me. " Princess Marina thought as she looked out the carriage window at the passing scenery.
Flashback
"Princess Marina!" Estile called as she ran into Princess Marina's room with Lorraine in tow.
"Princess Marina!" Estile said as she ran over to the pit that hosted Princess Marina and her bestiae.
"The hunt of the winged is coming!" Estile exclaimed in glee and Princess Marina looked at her in confusion.
"I don't understand" Princess Marina said and Lorraine quickly began speaking.
"It's an annual event held in Alvonia in the sixth month of each year. Everyone within the age of 9-11 can participate and whoever gets the most winged gets to be decorated by the Sun of the empire himself." Lorraine said in excitement.
"Outwardly, this event is seen as a way for the nobles and commoners to bond but everyone knows that the real price is the bet held within the audience each year." Estile said with a wicked grin and Lorraine said "Mom." with a sigh.
"What?!" Estile said with a wronged expression.
"Everyone knows!" Estile said to Lorraine with her hands on her hips.
"I get your excitement Estile but I don't get why you are telling me this" Princess Marina said as she stroked Luna's fur one more time.
"Princess Zarya has participated in the hunt of the winged for three years, isn't she participating this year as well?" Princess Marina asked as she moved to stroke Sol's fur also.
"No." Estile said with a smile and a shake of her head.
"As the newly presented member of the Imperial family, the one participating in the hunt for the winged is you, Princess Marina." Lorraine said with a Cheshire grin.
Flashback end.
Arriving at the arena in Dracia with the fellow participants in the hunt of the winged, Princess Marina took in a deep breath.
"Introducing one of the new faces of the hunt of the winged." The announcer said and the audience stretched their necks to peer at the carriage.
"A product of generations of royalty, the youngest of the royal line, the third star of the empire, Princess Marina." the announcer said and the crowd erupted in cheers.
Stepping out in the traditional green and blue attire for the hunt of the winged with her hair in a ponytail and her weapon by her side, Princess Marina walked to her family with her back straight and her head held high amongst the loud cheers that shook the arena.
The cheers lasted for more than five minutes, before someone said "Are those two different ores on her weapon?"
"Haven't you heard?" someone else said loudly in amusement.
"The third star of the empire is blessed by the spirit of fire." another said with laughter and whisperings erupted in the crowd.
"Why isn't Princess Zarya participating this year?" someone in the audience whispered.
"She just made her debut so the royal family can't sideline her." said another person in the audience.
Acting like she didn't hear the whispers, Princess Marina greeted the Sun and Moon of the empire by kissing their rings.
"Ignore them." said the Sun of the empire.
"They don't know how awesome my child is." The Moon of the Empire said and Princess Marina grinned.
"Ignore them indeed" Princess Zarya said in a low mocking tone to Princess Marina who came to stand beside her.
"The next contender is also a new face." The announcer said and the audience quietened down.
"From the house of the Marchioness with a long history of nobility," the announcer said and someone screamed.
"The youngest member of the Marchioness Household, Rassera Dawnspire." the announcer said and the audience cheered as Rassera Dawnspire stepped out of her carriage in the traditional green and blue attire for the hunt of the winged.
"I don't see a weapon." someone from the audience said.
"Look at her hands, that glove seems to have an ore." another person from the audience said.
"She is following in the footsteps of her mom." someone said from the crowd and the crowd erupted in fond chuckles as Rassera covered her face with her hands.
As the crowd fawned over Rassera, the announcer said "The next contender is from the house of the Duke." and the audience stirred immediately.
"With nobility that outranks the Marchioness," the announcer said and the audience craned their necks in excitement.
"Esmira Montain." the announcer said and the audience erupted in cheers that shook the arena.
"The child of the Duke?" the audience murmured excitedly.
"Who do I place my bet on?" someone wailed from the audience.