The sun is rising so brightly in Firce and the blue feather birds are singing. A new day has arrived, which means it's time to achieve my goal.
'Mum, Dad, Grandma, today I will start taking baby steps to achieve my goal. I know you can see me and your blessings are always with me, guide my steps and protect me. God of Light, watch over me and give me the strength to accomplish my goal.'
A knock on the door interpreted my prayer. I wonder who will knock at my door around 6 in the morning.
"Come in," I ordered.
"May I know what is going on here?" I recognized it to be Victoria's voice.
"I don't understand what you mean, Victoria," I muttered but didn't meet her gaze. The reason for her anger is that I didn't inform her about my decision.
"You are aware of what I'm saying, Annabelle, so please stop this act," she said in a furious voice.
"Listen, I'm so sorry about not informing you about my decision but I didn't see you around," I said in my defence.
"Okay, but what made you take this decision? And please tell me if your grandfather is aware of that?" she inquired.
"Well, let me answer the straightforward questions first. My grandfather is aware of my decision," I said.
"What? How could the king agree?" Victoria questioned. "Annabelle you could get hurt."
"I know that, but I'm doing this for my people. This is the choice I have taken and there is no backing down." I assured her.
"A princess..."
"Doesn't fight the battles of her kingdom, but this princess will not be like the others, nor will she back down from this mission," I said with folded arms. "I'm fighting for all the women who have lost their freedom because of those monsters and those children who had to spend their childhood without loving parents."
"Annabelle." Victoria sighed.
"Victoria, I'm fighting for my kingdom and there is no way this princess will back out of this," I growled.
"What if you get hurt? What if something bad happens to you?" Victoria shivered. Her face looked pale because of the different negative thoughts that were accumulated in her mind.
"If I get hurt, then it's normal, Victoria. You don't need to worry about something like that," I muttered. Besides, I can't get hurt."
"What makes you think like that?" Victoria inquired.
I chuckled slightly. "When I have the blessings of The God of Light, my grandparents, parents and my entire kingdom, who in the world can hurt me?"
"You are kind of right," she said.
"But there is a problem," I whined.
"What is the problem, Annabelle?" Victoria asked.
"There is someone who hasn't yet given me her blessings, she is like a mother to me and if I don't receive her blessings, then there is no I will achieve my goal."
"So may I know what is the name of this woman?" Victoria smiled. I'm sure she knows who I'm talking about, but she will never admit it unless I say something.
"She is a beautiful woman who goes by the name Victoria." I winked at her. "Please give me your blessings."
Victoria laughed before pulling me into a tight hug. "My blessings are always with you, my dear, and I want my daughter to conquer if this is what your destiny has in store for you, then who I'm to turn you away from your path. Fight for your kingdom and avenge your people."
"Thank you, mother." I smiled.
"Now go to the training room, it's beside the stable." Victoria directed. "Richard should be expecting you."
'Oh God, please help me.'
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I walked into the training room to see Richard. His back was turned, so he could not notice my presence. The only thought that is racing through my mind is how we will cope with each other's presence after what happened between us.
"Annabelle," he called out. The tone of voice dragged me away from my thought world.
"Richard," I muttered, but I didn't meet his gaze.
"We need to talk, Annabelle," he said.
"About what?" I asked. "What's left to speak of?"
"I'm sorry," Richard said.
I raised a brow at him. "Excuse me?"
"I'm sorry for the kiss and making you feel uncomfortable," he muttered. "You are my friend and the last thing I should have done is kiss a friend."
My heart hurt a bit. There was a part of me that didn't want Richard to feel bad about what happened. The kiss was amazing, but we are just friends, nothing more.
"I'm also sorry," I whispered.
"For what?" he asked.
"I made you feel guilty for nothing. The kiss was our mistake, not just yours." I said.
"I see," Richard smirked. "I will only forgive you on one condition."
"Seriously?" I rolled my eyes. "What is it?"
"You must forgive me first," he said.
"Is that all?" I asked with a huge grin on my face.
"Yeah, so tell me, princess, do you agree?" he asked with a smirk.
"Yes, I forgive you." I laughed. "So you forgive me?"
"Although I was never mad at you," he stated. "I will still forgive you."
"So?" I bit my lips before extending my hand to him. "Friends."
"Friends." he accepted my handshake before coming close to me. "Friends again princess."
'Why do I feel chills when he calls me that?'
"I heard you what to learn how to fight," he said.
"And I'm sure you want to know why?" I muttered.
"No, I don't." he shrugged his shoulders. "I support your decision because it is the right thing to do and I believe in your choices."
"Are you being honest?" I asked.
"A hundred."
"Thank you." I grinned.
"So let's start your training," he announced. "First, let's do some basic combat skills"
"Okay," I muttered. "But why are we starting with that?"
"So that in case you are attached by someone you can fight your way out of the problem," he replied. "It helps in case there are no weapons to help you."
"Okay," I whispered.
Richard and I walked to an area where a mat was spread on the floor. "We will start with some tips. The first one is to always focus on your attacker's vulnerable places: eyes, nose, throat, and groin. Aim all the moves below at one or several of these areas to have maximum impact."
"Noted, anymore?" I asked.
"Tip 2: Avoid aiming for the chest or knees as that is ineffective. Aiming for the knees requires a specific kick that can be too risky for the average person," he warned in a stern voice.
"Noted again," I said.
"Come on, lets start's with some basic steps." Richard smiled. "We will start with the heel palm strike."
"Excuse me?" I bit my lips slightly.
"Calm down, princess," he whispered into my ear. "I will show how it's done."
I nodded slightly. "Will it be hard?"
"A little, but you can do it," he said. "Come on."