Faster...
I need to be faster...
Taking quick and shallow breaths, I lunged forward and tried to hit her waist, but she immediately countered it with her own. I took a step back and took a deep breath before analyzing the situation.
I was able to hurt her, and her left shoulder was bleeding, causing her to use her non-dominant right arm. I should have an advantage with this, but she also managed to graze my left leg. I can't move too much, and I can't use my magic because that would be cheating. The only thing I heard was my breathing and hers before she moved in an unpredictable speed, catching me by surprise.
I immediately raised my sword to counter hers and took a step back due to the impact. I sensed her kick and I immediately took another jump back, causing her to lose a little of her momentum. In that split of time, I lunged at her and gave her a punch on the face. She didn't expect that and staggered backwards, giving me an opening.
Using my right leg, I immediately kicked her sword and pointed mine on her neck. We stared at each other's eyes for a minute and eventually smiled at each other. Collapsing on the grass, we both took deep breaths as we finally felt pain and exhaustion conquering out bodies.
We were at the training grounds, but it seriously doesn't look like one. It resembles a garden, with the grass around and a few flowers on the side. Though there were a few pillars that stood like a wall and there was only one entrance to the grounds. It doesn't have a roof, so we can freely see the beautiful blue sky and sun rays that shone upon us.
"Ah, that was amazing, Yllaria. You've done well." Teacher Kathleen praised me, her face drenched with sweat but clearly smiling. Unlike before, she's already comfortable in showing her face to me so she wasn't wearing a mask. "It's because of your lessons, teacher Kathleen. Thank you." I knew this wasn't enough for everything that she taught me these past five years, but for now, this was all that I could do for her.
"You're really something, Yllaria. It wasn't impossible, but you've done a good feat in learning martial arts and weapon wielding in a span of five years. To take note that you're still young." I felt a little shy with her praises, but I also felt a little proud of myself. "Well, I want to protect the people I love, and this is just the bare minimum of the requirements to achieve it." I told her and I can feel her stare at me. We were sitting on the grass, and I was silently staring at the sky.
"But I don't think it's good that you overexert yourself. I heard that you almost fainted last week due to fatigue and lack of sleep. It's not bad to make an effort, but it's more important to take care of yourself. How can you protect others when you can't protect your own?" I sighed as I listened to teacher Kathleen's words. She sounded like Daddy at some point, but through these years she was like a real mother to me.
"Ah, how I wanted for you to be my Mom, teacher Kathleen." It was too late for me to realize what I blurted out without thinking. I glanced a little on Miss Kathleen, expecting that she would look annoyed or angry, but it was the exact opposite. I saw a little smile on her face and a hint of red on her cheeks. My eyes widened when I realized something.
"Oh my goodness. Do you... like Daddy?" I asked her in a whisper, but I can't hide glee in my face. Teacher Kathleen's cat-like eyes widened and her face became as red as the color of her eyes. Oh shoot, I was right? "Wait... Really?" All these years, Teacher Kathleen and Daddy were always arguing, especially when it comes to me. I also wasn't able to meet other Umbra members, but that isn't the issue now!
I went closer to Teacher Kathleen and she looked at me, still flushed red. I can't contain my glee upon seeing a lovestruck person in front of me. I've always imagined thise kind of scene, but I never thought I would see it with my very eyes. Her ruby eyes avoided my gaze and she stared at the sky, still beet red.
"How?" I asked her and she opened her mouth to answer, but it was interrupted by a voice from the training grounds' entrance.
"Yllaria!" I immediately beamed upon seeing my Father's face and stood up to give him a bow. "Greetings, Father." I greeted him formally and I almost laughed upon seeing his crumpled face. He really doesn't like to see me greet him formally.
I walked towards him and I immediately noticed Sebastian by his side. He gave me a small smile which I returned. As soon as I was in front of Daddy, I gave him a kiss on the check which made him smile. "How are you?" He asked me and I smiled before turning back to Teacher Kathleen. Oh right! I was about to interrogate her feelings for Daddy. A smirk formed on my lips as I thought of a plan.
"I'm fine Daddy. Do you think I'm getting stronger?" I asked him and he gave me a nod. "Of course, you are, my dear daughter. I'm proud of you." I felt my cheeks getting red from the compliment, but I won't stop my plan! "Well, it's because Teacher Kathleen is really good teacher! Don't you think she's amazing, Daddy?" From the corner of my eye, I noticed Teacher Kathleen looking at me with wide eyes. Hee hee~
I looked at Daddy, silently expecting for an answer and he gave me a smile before responding. "Of course, Kathleen is a really good teacher. She's more than amazing." He said it like it was a typical response, but I can't help but mentally squeal. Oh heavens! When I took another glance to Miss Kathleen, she looked stoic, but the faint blush in her cheeks didn't escape my sight.
"I know right! She's the best!" Daddy patted my head and looked at Sebastian. Hmm? They looked like they were talking through their stares. "What's the matter, Daddy?" I asked him and he gave me a small smile and scratched the back of his neck, a habit of his when he gets shy.
"Uh.... There's a festival in three days. I wanted to ask if you... could go." His voice got a lower when he uttered the last words, and I can't hide my smile with my father's cuteness. "Sure! Why did you think I wouldn't go, Daddy?" I asked him and he looked away. "I thought you would refuse... since you are so dedicated in your lessons." He muttered and I burst out laughing. Oh my goodness!
"Daddy... Oh my gosh... Of course, I'll go..." I couldn't say the words straight because I was laughing in between. When I looked at Daddy, he was smiling at me, clearly in joy with my reactions. "I'd love to go, Daddy. It's a good bonding time for us. It's more important than my lessons." I smiled at him and his ears went red. He must have been embarrassed.
"Would it only last for a day?" I asked Daddy and he nodded. "Yes, it's an event for the 18th birthday of the first prince Azrael Vistronde." My mouth gaped with what he said. Right, I almost forgot about the Vistronde family.
Wait, 18?
"This festival... It's called Star Festival, am I right?" Dad nodded. "Yes, it is a tradition in the imperial family to celebrate the 18th birthday of their children through a festival which is called the Star Festival."
Hm? The Star Festival? Why does it sound so familiar?
'Beyond the bustling streets, blinding lights, and the chatter of the people, there laid a woman in red. A dress stained with blood, giving the impression of a rose-colored dress. Beside her was a child, whose face was as blank as a canvas, staring at her lifeless body. No voice came out from his mouth, no tear fell from his eye, and no emotion was felt by this young boy. This was a horrendous scene, where only the moon was the witness.'
Who?
I held my head as I felt a sting went past through my head. "Yllaria, are you okay?" I heard my father called me as he held my shoulders. "Mm-hmm. Just a little tired, Daddy." I gave him a smile to assure that I was okay, but my mind was still wandering around those words.
"If that's the case, then we better not go to the festival." My eyes stared straight to Daddy's green eyes. A sigh escaped my mouth as I saw his worry. "Don't worry, Daddy. I don't think it would be an entirely bad thing. I guess I need to take a break from my lessons, and that festival would be the best choice. Besides…" I cut off my words and stared at him and teacher Kathleen.
Right! I still have to commence Operation: YveLeen!
"Oh my gosh, it sounds so lame." I muttered about my own thoughts and I saw them looking at me weirdly. "Never mind what I said. Can we go with Teacher Kathleen, Daddy?" Teacher Kathleen's head turned to me with a parted mouth, and I had to hide my smile with her reaction. Daddy stared blankly at me for a while, then he nodded.
"If that's what you want, then so be it, my dear daughter." I clapped my hands out of glee and proceeded to hug Daddy. I was only in the level of his elbow so he lowered himself a little and hugged me. "Thank you Daddy!" I kissed him on the cheek and he wasn't able to hide a small smile from forming on his face.
"I'm so excited!" I told them and the three of them smiled at me.
It's exciting, but why do I feel like I'm forgetting something?
What's this ominous feeling?