Chapter- 20 Encounter (Part-1)

20th January, 1832

As the first rays of dawn painted the sky with hues of orange and gold, the peaceful palace grounds became alive with the sound of clashing wooden swords. Two handsome men stood facing each other, their eyes locked in a fierce gaze, ready to engage in a friendly duel.

The palace grounds were bathed in a soft, ethereal light as the morning mist began to dissipate. Tall, ancient trees stood as silent witnesses, their branches gently swaying in the cool breeze. The two combatants, clad in normal training attire, stood in a cleared area of the palace grounds, surrounded by lush greenery and ornate marble structures. The gentle hues of the sunrise create a captivating backdrop for the impending duel between these two striking individuals.

One of them was Otto and other one was Sebastian von Fischer. The two of them became best friends, when they were in the Military academy. At that time, Sebastian was one of the best swordsmen in the Otto's batch while Otto was struggling because of his late joining. Otto requested that Sebastian teach him swordsmanship, to which Sebastian, being an easy-going person, agreed. From that point onwards, they gradually became friends and Sebastian became Otto's sword-duel partner.

Sebastian was looking like a seasoned warrior with broad shoulders and a calm demeanour. He wielded his wooden sword with precision, displaying years of training and discipline. His opponent, Otto, was a man with a muscular build and a fiery spirit. He held his wooden sword tightly, anticipation etched on his face.

As the duel commenced, the rhythmic sound of their swords meeting filled the air. Each strike was met with a swift parry, as their movements fluid and graceful. The clatter of wooden swords echoed against the marble structures, creating an enchanting symphony that seemed to blend with the tranquil surroundings.

Sebastian and Otto, both was trying to calculate each other's movement. Their movements were calculated and efficient. Sweat glistened on their brows as they pushed themselves to their limits, the morning sun also slowly climbing higher the sky. The sounds of clashing were resonating louder with the increasing intensity of the fight. Suddenly, Sebastian concentration faltered a bit which allowed Otto to land a decisive strike towards his neck. With this, Otto stood victorious and triumphantly said

"Sebastian, now our win loss streak is 57-56 not 56-56."

Sebastian with a low panting praised him,

"Your Highness, Congratulation. You have beaten me at last."

Otto said .

"Well, Let's go. I need to take a bath fast."

Sebastian asked curiously,

"Why are you in a hurry? Do you have any important work to do, Your Highness?"

Otto stated

"I have decided to go for a tour outside."

Sebastian asked,

"You really don't have any work to do?"

Otto glanced at Sebastian with a mischievous grin and replied, "Well, my dear Sebastian, sometimes even a King needs a break from his royal duties. Besides, there's more to life than just work, don't you think?"

Sebastian raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued. "A tour outside? But, Your Highness, don't you have numerous responsibilities to attend to? The kingdom relies on your guidance and presence."

With a playful wink, Otto reassured his loyal friend, "Fear not, Sebastian, my capable ministers are fully capable of handling any affairs that may arise. Besides, what is the need of subordinates if I have to work hard every time?"

Sebastian, still perplexed, questioned further, "But why this sudden urge for a tour, Your Highness? Is there something specific you wish to see or do?"

Otto uttered with a sigh,

"I just want to take a walk to inhale some fresh air."

Sebastian also thought that Otto was working for long time. So, he agreed

"A nice walk isn't bad for you."

Otto urged him

"Let's go, Fast."

After that they both refreshed themselves by taking a bath and make themselves ready in ordinary clothes. Otto called his butler Michael and told him to inform his ministers that he was going for a tour outside.

Sebastian and Otto then left the Palamidi fortress and headed into the city. The streets were bustling with activity, as people went about their daily lives. Otto ordered Sebastian to mix with crowds like other guards. Otto took a deep breath of the fresh air, and smiled.

"This is what I needed," he said. "A little break from the hustle and bustle."

He walked for a while, enjoying the sights and sounds around the city.

As he walking, he saw people going about their daily lives, and he heard the sounds of vendors selling food and drinks. He passed by a tavern, and the smell of food wafted out, making his stomach growl. He decided to go inside and try some of the local cuisine.

The tavern was small and crowded, but Otto found a seat at a table in the corner. He ordered a plate of souvlaki and a beer. The souvlaki was delicious, it was made with grilled chicken meat in a skewer and served with pita bread, tomatoes, onions, and tzatziki. The local beer was also cold and refreshing. Otto ate and drank slowly, savouring every bite and sip.

After he finished eating, Otto sat back and relaxed. He listened to the nice music playing in the tavern, and he watched the people around him. The man was playing a traditional Greek song with bouzouki, and the people were singing along. He felt happy and content, and he was glad that he had decided to come here.

As he walked out of the tavern, Otto took a deep breath of the fresh air. He looked around at the city, and he smiled. He was glad to be here, in this beautiful country, with its rich history and culture.

Then, he thought he should explore more. So, he was just walking through a small alleyway towards the main road to explore the city. But when he was about turn left, a running woman crashed onto him.