While the redhead was reflecting on her whole life as she snoozed, it was different for the person who had caused her plight.
Bang!
Swish!
Clang! The sound of clashing weapons echoed that night in the reserved area of the palace. The other person swung his blade in defence of the bloodied attack his opponent piled his way.
Of course, he was a knight. Every King was. But tonight, even Matthew could feel that this was not Leon's usual heat.
It was calmer and more collected, slow but sure and steady. The sight of his clash though was nothing like it. The other swordsman had a hard time keeping up with the constant attack. If not for the complete armour he was putting on and the fact that he was just as skilled as the knight in front of him, he would have been mortally wounded.
The clashing of steel filled the air as the fighters engaged in a struggle to overpower each other with their weapons. Leon lunged forward, catching Matthew off guard before he managed to parry the attack, using his shield.
However, the prince did not give him time to catch a breath as he thrust his sword forward, knocking off Matthew's shield. The man quickly dodged the second thrust, sliding to the other side.
As they rounded the podium, Leon slyly feinted a high attack and as Matthew tried to counterpart, he switched it to a low strike, resulting in Matthew stumbling. Taking the opportunity, he vaguely sliced his chest area and Matthew fell to the ground with a loud thud.
"Aargh!" he shrieked, feeling the metal lightly pierce his lower chest region. He was lucky his armour was on him else this cut would have been brutal. What had gotten over the prince?!!
He witnessed the flashy flourish Leon performed, swirling his sword in the air before shielding it and coming forward and stretching his hand out to Matthew.
"Who provoked you?" he asked, accepting Leon's hand before standing up with his aid.
"No one. That is what happens when you don't let your groin have some rest." he teased Matthew about his constant intake of mistresses.
"It's just four nights a week," Matthew shrugged. It wasn't like he did it every day.
"Enough to make a knight unwatchful," he retorted and received a glare from Matthew.
"You know I am not a knight," Matthew removed the armour he wore and went to seat on the pavement of the pavilion.
"Not yet," he corrected.
"You will be when I become King," Leon assured.
"Till then, I guess," Matthew jested and threw his neck backwards to rest his head on the pillar before closing his eyes.
"Nothing like that," he heard Leon reply and the next moment, his eyes flew open before he turned his body in another direction, falling off the pavement and sitting up to see an arrow piercing the pillar he had laid on earlier.
"Have you gone out of your mind?!" Matthew asked him, sending hard glares his way.
"I haven't. This is the life of a knight. Always prepared and watchful even in the calmest moment. You have that quality, I was only putting you to the test so it wouldn't look like I am simply favouring you over others when I declare you my Knight in the future." he explained as he dropped the bow he had picked earlier used in shooting the arrow.
Matthew snorted before standing up to pull out the arrow that was stuck in the pillar. He stared at it and run his hand through it thoughtfully before saying,
"I can still have my nights out while training and being a Knight, can't I?" Matthew asked with a straight face that made Leon chuckle. This friend of his always wanted a way around things
"If it doesn't interfere with your duties as one, why not?" he placed a question back to him.
"Wonder what your father would think if he had the opportunity to hear this from you."
"He had his time to do as he pleased. It is now my reign, he can deal with it in his grave," Leon rolled his eyes at Matthew's statement.
His father was very stringent when it came to selecting Knights. Only men of noble upbringing were given that privilege during his reign while the ones of lower status were discarded even when they were more skilled than the nobles. Matthew was one of them.
He had been a loyal servant to Leon, protecting him all through his life while being a true friend. Even King Lucas could not deny Matthew's loyalty and dedication. But that did not change his view of low-class people.
Leon, however, was different. Low class or not, he crowned people on merit. He was not ready to offer a position to the wealthiest elite that lacked its mastery but would do it for the lowest-ranked individual who deserved it.
"I was shocked you agreed to marry Jordyn. What do you plan to do with her after marriage?"
"Discard her." he deadpanned and Matthew burst out laughing.
"I know you don't have the heart to do that,"
"We would find out, wouldn't we?" He stared at Matthew in the eye. Matthew shook his head before replying,
"You know, things would be so much easier if you just had fallen in love while your father was alive. Maybe he would have reversed this whole betrothed thing.
But you're too reticent, not even capable of mingling a little...even for one night." he concluded, his lips twitching as he tried to hold back his smile.
Leon snorted but didn't utter a word in reply.
He knew he was of age to garner feelings for a woman or possibly even have mistresses but for some reason, no lady seemed to have caught his interest, not even the ones to spend a night with.
"Or maybe you haven't tried to even spare them a glimpse," Matthew told him, knowing exactly what Leon was thinking.
"I have," came the defensive words of Leon, suddenly remembering the maid he had taken to his villa that night...the memory still vivid in his senses.
He remembered how he had changed her dress, closing his eyes to not see anything but his mind had betrayed because the next moment, he had opened his eyes, gauging every curve of hers.
He felt his heart skip a beat as he remembered seeing her naked. He was sure she would burst into tears if she knew what happened that night. The impulsive act of his made him close his eyes in embarrassment. And he had even endangered her life because she had gotten her uniform herself.
"Mmm. You know I have a strong feeling you're hiding something from me. Something related to our discussion. But I know I don't need to worry. You'll spill it out sooner or later." Matthew assured Leon, seeing the hurried change in his expression like he was reminiscing something.
"Says the one who takes in two in one night," Leon glared at him mockingly.
"Just for fun," Matthew smirked at his comment. "I really cannot wait for your reign to start. It would be a delight." Matthew smiled at him and Leon could admit for the first that it was genuine.
He got up "You can retire for the night. We have a handful tomorrow...
...and please don't go sleeping around." he warned before also removing his armour and placing them in their right spots. Both of them cleared the materials they had used for the swordsmanship before taking their leave to their different chambers.
However, Leon did not go to sleep. Instead, he sauntered away from there to a different place...a familiar place...