The next day, the duke approached me and ask me what really happened in the gala causing the marchioness to be in such state that never happened before. I suddenly get what the duke wanted me to say. He actually trusts the crazy bitch over me who he just met three days ago. Well, I couldn't blame him but I told him that he should be careful to that crazy bitch marchioness. They are actually taking care a snake that one day will bring them to their downfall.
I was actually planning to leave immediately but unfortunately the carriage wheel broke and we cannot just leave the royal carriage behind. Not only that, the crown of the princess is missing which actually made the whole Azure's mansion into chaos. I suddenly have a bad feeling on this. I went to my room and I found the crown among to my belongings. Stupid bitch! This is a child game.
One problem after another, the marchioness suggested that they should look in each and every room in the house. The duchess agreed, obviously I already put the crown of the princess back but not in her room or to that bitch's room but to the maids' room. Why? Bell said that she didn't see the marchioness entered my room. The only people enters my room are the maids which means that the maids are part of her scheming ideas. Also, how can a crown be stolen? Obviously, the maids did.
The guards inspected my room and they didn't find anything. The crazy marchioness actually became agitated. The crown was found in the maids' room that made the duke and duchess became furious. The maids pleaded that they didn't steal the crown they pleaded that they might be set up by someone. The stupid marchioness back-up the plead of the maids. The duke became furious and ask them who might be setting them up.
Like I thought, they are indeed stupid. They couldn't point me out because if they did then they just gave themselves away. Such kids trick won't work on me, I wasn't called as a captain before if I fall to such trick. All the maids were punished and they were all kick out from the mansion. Foolishness really leads to destruction. Now, marchioness, who are going to do your dirty tricks now?
The duchess hired a new set of maids and warned them about what happened. The marchioness became more agitated. Oh, I love seeing that face.
I decided to visit Luke at the barracks where I also found the princess, Nate and Arthur. The princess is watching Nate and Arthur practicing their swordsmanship. Unlike Arthur, Nate's swordsmanship is flawless. I guess he's been practicing for a long time.
"Lady Silvestine, what are you doing here?" The princess asked.
"I just wanted to watch, princess."
"Oh, me too I want to watch both Arthur and Nate's practice."
"Princess, do you really like Nate?" I asked.
"OH my…" The princess blushed. "Where is this coming from Lady Silvestine?"
"I'm just wondering, if love and like is different?"
"This must be deep. The truth is I am afraid that I cannot answer your question. I am too young to apprehend between the both but for me they are just the same. I like sir Nate but I am too embarrassed to speak to him. I am also awkward in front of him that is why being with Sir Arthur around is actually much easier to have a conversation with Sir Nate." The princess answered.
I guess I should ask Arthur to not go on between the princess and Nate. I am afraid that the princess might turn into like that crazy bitch marchioness in the future. I don't want that to happen.
I didn't realize that Luke is actually around. He is busy supervising the two kids in their swordsmanship. I went closer.
"Lady Silvestine what are you doing here?" Luke asked.
"I've got the same question from the princess earlier. But I guess I have to answer again, I am here to watch them practicing… Sir Luke."
"Oh right, I heard that you are actually the new teacher of Sir Arthur. I guess that you are not defenseless after all." Luke said.
"Then that means that you are going to change your statement about me being defenseless?" I tease him.
"My mistake, forgive me milady." Luke jokes.
I don't know but the atmosphere between us suddenly changes. Just two days ago, we are so awkward to each other but now we are speaking informally.
Luke and I decided to have a duel so I changed my clothes. The duke and the duchess went outside to witness our friendly duel. With them, the bitch is also is there to watch and her husband who is clueless to his wife's fantasies. Luke and I started our friendly duel, obviously I put my all out. Luke manages to block all of my attacks and I can feel the heaviness on his attacks. I bet he is also doing his best. We are exchanging battle techniques and our friendly duel turned into a duel that gathered almost all of the guards around.
Well, I am not planning to lose and I hope that he is also as well. I told him that if he intends to withdraw, I will cancel our engagement immediately. Luke laugh. I bet the crazy bitch hear it and she wish so hard that Luke will withdraw. However, what she wants didn't happen as everyone can see how Luke straggle to fight me and he is even smiling while dueling.
I didn't realize that I am also enjoying it. People can see our smiling faces while exchanging blows.
"Lady Silvestine, I think you should give up since I am not really planning to withdraw." Luke smiled.
The guards are starting to cheer for the both of us. I can see from the distance that everybody is smiling while watching us except of course for that crazy bitch marchioness. Yeah, watch us and die in jealousy. I bet that she will approach me with more dangerous tricks after this.
Suddenly, the attacks are getting stronger and stronger and I didn't see his sword actually slip into mine and I found myself on his embrace while he was pointing his sword to my neck. It is clear that I have lost. Everybody cheered on us.
"You beat me Sir Luke." I bowed as a sign of respect.
"You are one formidable opponent Lady Silvestine, somehow your techniques are quite familiar." He said.
Come to think of it, his techniques as well are familiar but we haven't meet each other before. How odd to have a de javu.
"Well I guess that you have the same technique as your brother, we actually have a duel together when we were young. There is one time that he went to the capital and we also had a friendly duel. I bet you acquired the swordsmanship of your brother that's why I found your techniques familiar. Well it is kind of awkward but you can call me Luke." Luke said.
"Then you can call me Silvestine, Luke." I said.
I didn't realize that I am smiling and felt happy. I feel that I am being renewed. Maybe because this was my first duel after so many months.
The next day, I decided to come with Luke to the barracks and I can see how hard working he is. We went to the stables to do some rounds and we decided to ride a horse. I choose the black horse. But before we ride on it, Luke was called my France therefore I waited for him outside the stables.
Nate and Arthur came by and said that they are going to watch us riding horses. The duke and duchess also came along to watch. While waiting for Luke, we decided that Nate and Arthur are the first one going to ride the horse. Arthur took the black horse that I choose. As soon as he rides on the horse, it became wild turning around and trying to toss Arthur out.
Suddenly, the horse runs towards the spikes and slides its body to it. It actually wounded Arthur on his face. I shouted at Arthur to let go but he is too scared to do it. I took the horse that Nate supposed to ride and chased Arthur. Arthur is scared and bleeding. How did this happen? The horse was just fine a while ago.
I heard the duchess yelling for Luke to help us stops the Horse. Once again, the horse is going to the spike and this time it is trying to kill itself along with the rider. I immediately froze the foot of the horse and it cause for Arthur to fly over to the spikes. I jump out of the horse and created a barrier so that Arthur won't bump into the spikes. I grabbed Arthur's hand and covered him while landing to the ice barrier. Because of the weight of Arthur, my shoulders hit the block of ice and it causes it to be dislocated. I just injured my shoulders a month ago and now I am injuring it again. We landed on the ground with Arthur having bad wound on his face and I, having a dislocated shoulder.
Luke arrived immediately and grabbed my shoulders which gave more pressure that's why I reacted immediately. Arthur was crying because of the pain on his face. I took his face with one hand and use my mana to heal it. Even if I have an injured shoulder I can still use my mana to heal. After healing him, there is no more scar on his face and it seems it is new. Then I tried to stand up but my shoulder is really painful.
Why do I always have to get injured? Luke saw that I am suffering in pain. I told him that he has to bring my bone back to normal while I am going to used my mana to lessen the pain. Luke refuses but I pleaded. He grabbed my shoulder and pulled it back. I heard that cracking sound and I felt my bone being in place. I used my mana to ease the pain. I should be thankful that I am born to have a lot of mana. I tried to stand up but Luke carried me like a princess on his arms and told me that he will bring me to my room. He told me that I shouldn't strain my shoulder anymore. Is he not thinking? I am injured in the arm not in my leg. But I have to admit that this is FREAKING EMMBARRASSING.