"Duke Lukeworth, would you like to say something about this matter?"
Alexander was attending his court when he noticed the sulking face of Duke Lukeworth. He was a man of a good heart. His only drawback was that he believes his daughter too much and favors her over others.
Duke Lukeworth had kept his head low throughout the court. He was a man loved by all, but it all took a drastic turn due to his daughter's actions. Yet he keeps loving her. His only kid.
Alexander was leaned on his throne and kept his pointed look at Duke Lukeworth. His slumped shoulder and bent head were not suiting with Alexander. He needs one for the betterment of his kingdom and not the ones who could not keep their personal issues apart.
"Duke Lukeworth. I wonder the reason behind your absence of mind."
"Nothing my king. I mere..."
"Are you Jesting Duke Lukeworth? I refuse to believe that your absence of mind is not to fret over... I can very much assure you that we will help you if we may."
"My king. I believe you k-know the truth behind rumors. I can..."
"Ahh... Then it is something not to fret over. Duke Lukeworth, the wrongdoing was done by your daughter, not by you. Hence, solely responsible for the consequences. I believe you should not fret over something out of you."
"Yes My king."
"Duke Lukeworth. Please try to keep your thoughts according to the place. I do not desire to find another."
"Yes, my king."
All the courtiers were looking at him with wide eyes. They couldn't believe what they just saw. Usually, anyone can be punished depending on the action of one of the family members but Alexander refused from doing so.
Their heartless king let him not only live but also let him continue being a courtier rather than sending him away as a punishment. It made people wonder if he was actually getting married to Lady Celestine or not.
In the world from where Isabella has come, the pups gain their title on their own. All good and bad, their place in the pack was defined on the basis of their strength. Their parents have been once their teachers, but they are on their own completely after moving out.
Alexander has lived in his world for so long now. A world where parents and children are related to each other. Not only by their bond but by their names too.
He knows how people look towards different situations. He also knows that he can not change people's thoughts surrounding him, but that doesn't affect him. He wants to make his kingdom a better place and even if it was a big step, it was worth the trial.
"Sir. I believe you should reconsider the situation of Duke Lukeworth."
"My old friend. Have you forgot the words of our general. Our teacher."
"Pardon?"
"Keep your enemies close and friends closer. Duke Lukeworth is the true friend of our kingdom. I do not believe he should face the consequence of wrongdoings of his daughter."
"Sire, people are talking."
"Are they now? Then I believe that should be enough of the punishment for him."
"Yes, sire."
"Ethan. It has been some of a stressful time. I wonder if you have some good news to tell me."
"The preparation of your wedding is being completed."
"Very well. Have they asked for something?"
"Yes, Sire. They were asking for the presence of the bride."
"Are they now?"
"Yes, Sire. They say the bride must wish for the wedding to be her way."
"Very well then. How is the training Isabella going? Not giving you hard time I believe?"
"Definitely not sire. She has been the best student we may ask for. She has defeated each of us yesterday."
"Did she now?"
"Yes, Sire."
"Very well. Then I believe it is time for her to come out of the shadow. Arrange the course and let everyone know a new warrior is there. Make sure you are the one who brings her out in the light."
"Are you sure Sire? I believe it may create hustle."
"Has she learned riding?"
"No sire."
"Then how do you believe will it happen while staying inside. She is a warrior, she has to come out in the light. It is a mere competition anyway. Besides, some things best come on the right time and it is the right time."
"Yes, sire."
With shoulder back and chin up he came and stood on the window. He had a different shine in his eyes. He intensively kept his eyes focused on the commotion on the ground and then glanced at the sight of his kingdom.
His kingdom stood tall in the bright daylight. Be it the day or the night it always shines. Sometimes its glory, sometimes its history. Be under any condition, it has always stood tall and never lost its glory.
He again looked down and saw nine men standing separate and stretching. Today is going to be the day he will bring her in front of everyone. Today is the last test she has to pass which will make him understand if she really is capable of the position or not.
The question was can he let her go if she fails? He can not stay away after he first saw her but after spending all this time with her, can he leave only because she did not become the warrior he wanted? The answer was simple. No. He can only hope for her to become the warrior he desires and pass this last test of his just like others.
Ethan was on the field and is making sure to keep everything properly arranged. He does not know why his friend has decided to bring her out of the shadow now. It may create some hustle having a female warrior but nothing they can not solve.
They have overall ten teachers and nine of them have selected their best students and the tenth one was itself, Ethan. He refuses to pick a student seeing as Isabella has been trained under him.
He passed a glance over everyone and smirked. The selected ones were stretching and warm-up to come in the view of the king. This is going to be one interesting competition they ever saw.
Isabella was dressed in the tunic and swinging her sword. Today she has to compete against other warriors. She has already practiced in the morning but she still feels as if she is not ready enough.
"Isabella. Be at ease. It is the time for the competition."
Isabella nodded her head and followed him. Her steps were stiff and slow. Now she understood what her brothers were feeling when they go on the first hunt with the whole pack. Her breathing was shallow and her posture straight. Her shoulders back, back straight, one deep breath and she walked out on the field.
Isabella passe a quick glance around her. Ethan stayed beside her while she stands straight. With chest puffed out and chin up, she kept complete knowledge surrounding her.
"Stand straight and tall. A fight is for glory and respect. It is either die or win. There is no other option."
Her father's words rung through her mind. He was right. The look her competitors are giving her only meant disrespect. She could sense their confusion and some wickedness. Today, she either dies or she wins. And she would hate to leave her mate so early.
"Ethan. You said you are not choosing one of your trained students because you have trained the student of the king. But I see a maiden."
"She is my student."
"I would say good luck, but seems like you already lost. Prey tell me how was it."
The man went away laughing hard. When Ethan told everyone to collect their best students because they are competing against someone, they expected it to be the best. But now, seeing a petite-looking girl some are assuming it to be an easy win while the others trainers of Isabella are considering pulling their students back.
Alexander kept observing everyone. With a cold facade, he kept his eyes a little lingered on Isabella. She was keeping her face serious. And seeing it, even Alexander could feel a shiver down his body.
The competitors of Isabella started their gossiping and some were laughing. A smirk appeared on the face of Alexander and Ethan. They both know that the competitors have made their first mistake. They were right, this is going to be the most interesting competition they have ever seen.
By the time the first stage of the competition end, all the arrows of Isabella were straight on the target. Seeing this everyone on the ground had their mouth agape and eyes wide open. She still kept her emotionless facade off. She was focused on the competition. Ethan has a small smile on his face and was standing with his chest puffed and chin up.
ALexander was observing her with a pointed look. With every arrow on the target, as her soon-to-be husband, adoration grew and as her trainer, his anticipation grew.
Unknown to him, there is also a pair of eyes that has hate present in them. With every growth in adoration, the growth in the fire too occurs.
Will this fire burn or heal both was yet to see.