"Rise," exclaimed the 8th Prince at his two servants.
"Thank you 8th Prince," chimed the two servants in unison.
"I see you've done a nice job helping Aph settle in, Phoenix. Go collect your reward at the servant department tomorrow." said the 8th Prince to Phoenix, but continued to sneakily admire Aph. As he noticed her different outfit - a light jade green gown, that looked exceptionally nice with her sun-kissed skin and freckles on either cheek.
"Thank you so much my Prince." smiled Phoenix as she lowered to her knees to give the 8th Prince her formal appreciations.
"No need for such formal gestures, you've been serving me for a good amount of time, it's something you deserve." suggested the Prince as he lifted Phoenix by the arm to rise from kneeling, similarly, to how he had done with Aph when they first met. She's kept it in her heart, as memory of their first sort of intimate interaction. Since she thought he's only nice to her; but guess he is kind to all his servants, which is somewhat a relieve that he's a good master. Aph's long gaze at their interaction made her feel a bit sour inside. It was an indescribable feeling lingering in her chest.
"I see longing in your eyes Aph," chuckled the 8th Prince.
Aph stared at the 8th Prince in confusion, and wondered frantically if the thoughts in her mind were showing on her face.
Phoenix giggled, "The moment she saw the training field she froze like a statue."
Aph still a bit startled, smiled and laughed slightly, but mainly she was relieved that it wasn't her fantasy with the 8th Prince that shone on her face.
"Shay," called the 8th Prince, "Take Aph to experience the freedom of the battle arena."
"Yes, my Prince." Shay replied, as she stepped forward from behind the 8th Prince. "Come with me Aph." Shay continued, as she gestured towards the battle arena.
"Thank you," exclaimed Aph as they both went down the stairs from the engawa.
The 8th Prince began walking down the stairs and Phoenix followed directly behind him. When they reached the bottom Phoenix tangled her arms around his muscular biceps.
"Come my Prince," Phoenix purred at the 8th Prince, as she led him onto the chair under the pavilion on the other side of the battle arena. They settled on the long birch chair, it was similar to the setting on Aph's first day - she recalled that day and moment when their eyes met; but this time there was somebody sitting right next to him, his eyes no longer on her. This made her feel even more nervous, her heart beating faster and in a different kind of way than usual. She gives a few side glances at Phoenix who's sitting next to the 8th Prince and rubbing herself against him. Aph's somewhat glad that he's emotionless about Phoenix trying to impress him, but deep inside he's definitely thinking about something. Although she hasn't had any experience with men, but she knows that every men will always have some kind of sexual desires for beautiful woman - such as Phoenix. That was a simple warning that Lira had given her, and Lira her close friend she met at the Heart Servant Academy seemed somewhat experienced with men. Plus, someone's words Aph could definitely trust was Lira.
Not thinking too much about how intimate they were, she directed back to herself. Shay began to offer Aph the choice of picking a weapon that she pleased. Aph didn't hesitate and picked the first thing she saw when she first exited the patio's backdoor - the spear. The crimson strands at the spearhead swung smoothly, as she effortlessly pulled it out of its weapon stand.
"Show me what you're made of diligent and strong Aph!" shouted the 8th Prince from across the grass training field.
"Thank you for this opportunity 8th Prince, I shall not let you down." insisted Aph with a wide grin, as she walked up the stairs from the side of the battle arena. Stepping onto the platform, the first thing she passed was the red line that lined the outskirts of the area. She took a few more steps, her distance drew nearer to the centre of the arena - where Shay awaited her opponent.
"Whoever's feet or body reaches outside of the red lines shall lose the match," shouted Phoenix to declare the rules of the match. Immediately after her quick reminder she continued to look at the Prince and admire him, she seems uninterested of the outcome of the match, and only interested in how long it would take before her whole body's drew the closest possible to the 8th Prince's body.
But the 8th Prince seemed tranquil about Phoenix and sat calmly on the long chair with her, while he solely focused on spectating the match between his loyal body guard, and his new Heart Servant.
"Just to tell you combat may not be my specialty," suggested Aph to confuse Shay. "But don't go easy on me!" declared Aph with a sly grin, that she bet the Prince would've never expected from a sweet looking girl like her.
"Since you've said that, let's see if you're worthy of protecting my Prince," challenged Shay while she drew her sword from her side to take control and rhythm of the match.
Shay attacked on all sides of Aph, but Aph's defense was at its peak, making sure that there were no blind spots and gaps for Shay to attack her. The spear was a part of her, she maneuvered it in all kinds of angles to deflect the sword. Aph was confident enough when fighting against strong warriors, but Shay's strength seemed more powerful than anything she's encountered when training at the Academy. Plus, material wise the main wooden make up of the spear was at a clear disadvantage with a sword, but this spear seemed to be quite good in quality. So it should be able to endure a few more blows.
Shay changed strategies after she tried to worn out Aph's energy. Shay's curve long sword collided with the tip of the spear. Aph now clenched even more tighter than she did before, the red strands at the spearhead danced in front of them, swinging from side to side. The pressure from the sword and spear continued to grow, and Aph continued to resist this woman's strength. Aph examined the spearhead, it's clearly made out of fine steel that seems unbreakable from Shay's curve sword. But Aph knew her ability, and from the fact that Shay is starting to take the upper hand as her body and weapon peers down at Aph, who is drawing closer and closer towards lying flat on the ground. She used a bit more energy while she focused on strengthening different muscles in her body to resist the growing pressure.
Aph quickly stepped out of the climatic weapon collision, and she staggered a little at the decrease in pressure, but Shay who remained where she was did not falter, it's almost as if her powerful legs have dug into the ground. The glow on Shay's face only shone brighter, even brighter than the weapon she used. Aph continued her examination of the situation, and noticed she's clearly at a disadvantaged, especially from the clothing that she's wearing.
"I can always go easy on you, or if you prefer I can put a hand behind my back." chuckled Shay, "I mean I really only need one arm to beat you."
"I'm stronger than you think!" yelled Aph as she charged towards Shay with great speed.
Her loose gown caused her to be slightly slower than she would've liked, but the speed rate was still reasonable. Her legs bent as much as possible in the dress, she feinted her next move, she tried to attack from the bottom right, but her main intention was to quickly go attack Shay's left side.
Shay saw through her strategy from the maneuver of her feet, Aph had no doubt that she was clearly finely trained to know when an enemy is plotting a feint attack.
Aph was prepared to use her spearhead to pierce Shay on the left, but Shay's sword deflected the blow. Aph staggered back and fell, her body almost touching the red line. But she took no time to stand up because Shay was now charging towards her with a sword drawn out to the side. Aph's knees were slightly scraped, her jade dress now dusty all over.
Aph couldn't move and felt weak, her weak staggers made her seem fragile. The only way to support herself was by using her spear, which she was already fully leaned against, but Shay took no mercy and charged towards Aph.
Continuing her wait, Aph didn't move, she only lifted her spear to face Shay; ready to deflect her charging power with the last strength she had.
Aph steadied her breathing, almost, almost - now. Aph pushed the round bottom of her spear against the platform and pushed her whole body up towards the sky. Her shoe landed perfectly on the tip of the spearhead, purposely landing on the heels of her shoe, which had extra padding to avoid getting her foot pierced.
Shay continued her intention of going straight ahead, but stopped immediately at the sudden change of course Aph did. Shay skid across the floor surface and turned abruptly to face Aph who was now somewhat mid-air from jumping off the tip of the spearhead. Shay's curve sword was prepared to threaten Aph, but Aph quick descent allowed her to push Shay against the chest.
This was - the end.
Shay's emerald eyes reflected a hollow glare, she had lost to a servant that she underestimated that was too weak to protect her Prince, now she sees how capable she is - how capable of an actress she is.
Aph watched from high up, Shay losing her balance from the battle arena as she fell back descending from the platform; but somehow she felt it wasn't over.
Shay turned to face the grass ground and stabbed her sword into the soil of the grass. She took no time and pushed her whole body up, landing on the handle of her sword, similarly to how Aph did.
"You stole my move," smirked Aph at Shay who continued to stand on her blade with one foot.
"Yes, but you've used it to win. I've used it only to lose like a fool." remarked Shay at her defeat, because she knows if this battle arena was at a different location, such as a mountain she'd probably be dead.
From under the pavilion came strong booming applauses, "Marvelous!" declared the Prince, "I see someone's got to go do a bit more training, if they want to defeat this new warrior."
Shay placed her right hand on her left shoulder, "I'm an unfit warrior to serve you my Prince," she took out a dagger from a sheath that's attached to her belt, "I shall end my life." the dagger drew closer to Shay's chest.
The Prince laughed a little, but was genuinely serious, "Such a reckless way to end your life! If you want to die, the most honourable way, would be on the battle field." His amber eyes shone a deadly glare - of a emotionless warrior.
"Yes 8th Prince," nodded Shay as she sheathed her dagger.
Aph picked up her spear and jumped off the arena platform. She extended her hand to Shay who was still balancing on one foot of the sword handle, "That was a good match."
"Yes it was a trick upon trick," remarked Shay as she accepted Aph's help. "Thank you for the match. And take care of the 8th Prince for me." winked Shay a little as Aph realised the sun in the distant, that was beginning to descend.