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I did not see my father until dinner when we would sit in the dining hall and have occasional conversation about how our day went by. I told him about my training with Darius and that I won during our duel. He doesn't seem to be surprised, not that I expected any less from him.
"Father, how was your visit to the Palace?" I asked. It was a simple question but my father seemed to have taken it as more than just a simple question.
"His Majesty had checked his will." He did? His will that contains the future of this Kingdom. Why would he check his will? The question was not worth pondering for long as I realized it right away.
While I was taught to handle a real sword, I was also taught to handle an imaginary one that Noble ladies often use in high society. Rumors spread quite fast. Of course, they were nothing less than hearsays without any proof whatsoever. But as much as there is truth in every jest, so do the rumors in high society. On top of that, my father was called to the Palace today and he said His Majesty checked his will. Could it be that His Majesty's health was really declining?
I took the serviette and wiped the side of my lips, an indication that I am done with my food .
"Father, when I was young, you promised me the Kingdom," I started, putting the serviette down. "I still could not grasp the meaning behind your words."
Whether it was in a literal sense or a figurative one to show how much he treasures his daughter, I still have no idea.
But my father's next words would have been a double edged sword if spoken outside and since it's just my father and I here, he seems to have no qualms saying them out loud. "Now that the King is at death's door, the next in line to the throne will be decided."
My surprise was masked right away. My father's choice of words may very well be confirmation of the hearsays in high society. However, it was only about His Majesty's illness, not the part where the next in line will be decided.
"Should it not be the First Prince?" I asked but my father had gone silent. "Father?"
"No one can be certain of the future. His Majesty had checked his will today. Who knows what kind of changes he made with it."
It was my turn to fall silent until the servants came to take our empty plates before putting desserts on the table.
"Can I train with one of the Knights?" I asked, changing the topic of our previous conversation as I took a bite of the cake and savored its sweet taste before I gulped down and looked at my father.
"Why?" he asked.
"I want to assess my sword skills. I can't do that if I train with Darius." Because right now, he's no match to me.
"Very well," father said, not bothering to touch his dessert. "Just for tomorrow, you may train with Darwin's firstborn."
"Damian?"
"Yes,"
"He is around my age, right?" I muttered to myself before I looked back at my father. "Then, it's settled. Tomorrow's training partner will be Damian." I apologize in advance, Darius. But I simply wanted to see how much I had improved.
Damian used to be my training partner. But he was only my training partner for three months because he had grown faster, literally and figuratively. That's why I almost forgot about him. Why would I remember the young man who boasted about his growth spurt and mocked me about my lack of it?
The very next day, the training grounds were suddenly surrounded by Knights who had heard about a duel between the young Lady of House Venatrix and their Commander's firstborn son. Even Sir Darwin and my father came to watch. I did not realize my simple request to train with Damian today to assess my sword skills would have this consequence.
"Wasn't Damian Lady Aeris' sword training partner a few years ago?"
"It's only been three months though."
I heard the Knights talk but they all fell silent when my father came. I looked at Damian who changed drastically from the thirteen year old boy who used to be my sword training partner. He's now considerably taller than me, standing at around 188 centimeters at the age of nineteen. Unlike Darius who still possesses a childlike feature, Darwin seemed to have shed all of his.
"Lady Aeris," he greeted, though I hardly called that a greeting even before he proceeded on to his next words. "Is this a re-match from our last duel when I won?"
"No," I said, unsheathing my sword. "My memory serves better. You did not win. It was a draw."
He did not argue with me, though I wish he would because he is instead giving me that 'sure, whatever you say, My Lady' kind of look. He unsheathed his sword again and the rules of the duel were stated. But before Sir Darwin could officially start our duel, someone came.
"His Grace is summoned to the Palace."
Before our duel could begin, we were interrupted by the urgency of those words. My father and Sir Darwin left, hidden behind their stoic expression is haste at the sudden summon to the Palace.
"Should we still continue?" Damian asked but I put my sword back in its scabbard.
"No," I answered, turning around. "I think it might rain."
The sky that was so clear yesterday is now covered in dark clouds hovering above. It was a reminder of how things can change drastically over a short period of time. Just like my father said during dinner last night, no one can be certain of the future. And to think I will be reminded of those very words when I was certain of my future.