"I accept your challenge" Beneditel said with a smirk as she dropped the teacup on the table.
The abrupt duel was accepted by the lady. A few minutes later, guests moved onto the field to find the two dressed for combat with wooden swords in their hands.
Erionella sat at the closest seat to the match with her fingers crossed for Veloryn.
What would Erionella demand from Beneditel if Veloryn won? Well, it was to consider her following them to the temple.
But it was more than that. It was all a thread of actions which sewed together a plan.
The herald stood by the side and read out the rules. "The way of victory is if you get your opponent at sword point or the opponent gives up.
Once an opponent is in critical condition, the duel must be paused as the person needs medical help, if not then you who did not agree to pause may be taken to court for redress.
There must be no disruption from the audience."
The short rules were listed out and the duel began. It was unique for a salons owner to be the first person to act out in a particular module.
Beneditel and Veloryn were the opening fight for the swordsmanship module.
Tat. Beneditel moved first. It was a swift and quick rush that would be hard to capture.
Veloryn laid down her wooden sword gently as if she had been expecting for such an attack to come. Veloryn, who turned the sword away with such minimal force, wielded the sword threateningly.
Hwek! The sound of the air breathing wave rang across the field. Beneditel turned around before the wooden sword reached her. She displayed a better sense of agility than Veloryn who used strength and skill.
A fierce battle which was almost too quick to catch, ensued on the field. But a few things were picked up by Erionella.
Beneditel was agile and relied on tactics and techniques, while Veloryn used her natural animal instinct.
If it was to be classified as a dance, Beneditel was doing the waltz while Veloryn did the samba.
"You're good for a pampered noble lady"
Veloryn was surprised by the skill of a noble lady in the highest ranks. Swordsmanship was something very uncommon among females.
"Back at you. Your form seems to be far better than that of a commoner from the slums, which is what you are" Beneditel said sarcastically with a bright smile before attacking again.
Beneditel's wooden sword, which immediately closed space with the ground, swung towards the opponent's body.
Even an experienced knight could not easily respond to such a devised tactic, and it was a smart and perfect stab.
However, Veloryn response to the attack was also formidable. After all, she relied on animal instincts.
She slouched down and twisted her upper body down. Then she struck Beneditel's wooden sword resulting it to change position in her hand.
For a moment in which Beneditel lost her balance, Veloryn found an opening and smoothly attacked with her sword aiming to point it at her neck.
Beneditel fiercely, used her left hand to push the out of positioned sword to strike against Veloryn's, barely defending the attack.
But it was her mistake for thinking Veloryn was aiming for her neck. Beneditel's sword slipped a bit out of her hand as she defended herself.
Veloryn left herself open on purpose and Beneditel swooped in for an attack when her sword was broken in half by the impact of Veloryn's sword wielded with her left hand.
"Well you were right, my form is better than that of a commoner from the slums, which is what I am, but it can never reach the prestige of noble ladies who were taught to always use their right hand which represented grace. Us commoners are left handed and right handed for your information" Veloryn said with a wide grin as she pointed her sword to the neck of Beneditel who looked down at her broken sword in shock.
The audience clapped with mixed feelings except for Erionella who clapped with joy as the first part of her plan was accomplished.
Guests moved onto the next course of entertainment while Beneditel and Veloryn remained in the field and Erionella stayed behind.
"Lady Renowarin. To what do I owe this stay?" Beneditel asked gently as she noticed Erionella coming into their direction.
"I get to make a request to you. But, I give the chance of that request to the Lady" Veloryn answered instead to Beneditel.
Beneditel furrowed her eyebrows before taking of her hand glove and handing it to a maid "I advice we move unto a more formal environment. Sarah, tell Lady Grevon to take care of the guests for now. I have a meeting at the moment"
"Yes, my lady" The maid left and other maids led the two to the drawing room.
A few minutes later, Beneditel came out in a teal dress with her white heels tapping loudly against the tiles.
"I'm intrigued by the appearance of the famous fiancée of Duke Garcia and her taking upon the request of the victor" Beneditel had regained her composure with a straightened back and confident posture, the image of the shocked girl who had her sword broken was long gone.
Veloryn's attitude changed as she too was interested about what was going to happen.
Erionella stood up from the chair and slammed her hands against the table they all sat at gaining the attention of the two as she concentrated on them and spoke.
"What I am about to say is said not as an insult, but as the truth of the matter. Lady Veloryn: A commoner who was adopted by a baron family and has always dreamed of becoming a knight, but due to her poor roots her dream is impossible.
Lady Beneditel Herlento; the eldest child of Marquis Herlento who has always dreamed of becoming the head of her family and will do anything to become the head. But it's obvious, as a female in this world, her dream is impossible.
Both of your dreams are impossible"
The cold hard truth was slapped in their faces as each word pierced their hearts at finally hearing it for themselves.
"It's good to dream big, but it's bad to dream blindly" Erionella felt bad for saying these things, but she continued anyways, after all she had been far worst to Felix for twenty years. "However, that does not mean your dream cannot be accomplished. You just need to plan in a smart way. I have a deal to make."
Her butterflies gathered around her as she smiled at them and spoke an unexpected set of words "But first, I'd like to tell you about an interesting part of this Empire; the land of Ulenov were demons roam"
___________
Thanks for reading!