"You didn't have to be here so early though. It's still after all 5 in the morning. Since when did you start training?" Alexander asked as he grabbed the cloth that was on his shoulder, wiping Felicia's face covered in sweat.
"Geez, Felicia. You're covered in sweat." He muttered, glaring at her as he wiped her face down to her neck. "I'm training. What do you expect, Alexander? Hot chocolate pouring out of me?" She retorted, glaring back at him while Alexander just sighed.
"Besides, I started when it was still dark and the moon was still up. I have no idea what time I started but it was still dark." She answered, didn't mind Alexander's nagging while wiping her with her sweats.
"You shouldn't have rushed it. We have knights to protect you after all." Alexander replied, concerned with how she was trying to build her up in a rough way when she could have someone as her knight.
"I told you, this is my pleasure. Now excuse me and I have to train." She groaned, pushing herself away from Alexander while dragging the wooden sword. Alexander just sighed as he could not do anything to stop her with her choices.
But if it's what makes her happy then why not?
Meanwhile, the knights just looked at them, in awe and very confused right now. Sure there were talks that Alexander started to favour Felicia, her sister from the first Duchess, their mother who was apparently killed and was rumoured to be killed by his sister, is acting weird and close towards her.
Of course, the news was all over the place but they didn't expect him to forgive her this early and even began to show affection towards her. Or are they simply trusting the rumours so much that they are blinded by them?
Clearly, the lady shows dedication to her training. Who would be crazy enough like her to arrive and start practising in the middle of the knight? She shows that damn much of dedication that they—the knights can't even do.
"So... Should we just train?" One of the knights mentioned as they all just stood there and watched the two, seemingly talking about something while Alexander corrected her posture.
"I mean, why not? But is it okay for the lady to see us train half-naked?" Owen asked, looking at the Lady's facial expression. It was cold and void of emotions. He couldn't read her.
"Don't mind her, she came here of her own accord. So she should have known." The man said, with brown hair and black eyes commented, starting to remove their upper clothes.
Soon, everyone started to follow, removing their clothes and started jogging around the entire course of the training ground. Followed by Owen who cussed and removed his upper cloth, jogging with them all around the training ground.
"These little shits!" Alexander noticed them, half naked while running around. They should've asked for his permission first before they did something like this in front of them! Felicia is here for darn sake!
"No, you don't have to. I'm fine." Rachelle commented, slightly happy with it while keeping her face straight as she could. Holy cow, she didn't expect that men would practice while prancing around half-naked.
"Are you sure? Are you not worried sick or... Disgusted?" Alexander asked, his brows knitting together as he observed Rachelle who turned her back around him and started to sway her swords again.
Mostly girls this age would freak out seeing a man's body or they would cry because of it. Some even would open their legs while others just passed out. It's bad for ladies to see men running around half-naked.
But for Rachelle, she would've been bleeding through her nose at the sight of those rugged men, packed with muscles in every right place, certainly feeding her eyes this early. The good thing is that she didn't have a nosebleed.
But it's not like they're naked so it's still good. Her eyes tried to fight off the feeling of looking at those men. Those men running around, their muscles moving each time, and their abdomen... Oh damn, their abdomen.
'Darn it! Focus! Focus!' She yelled inside her mind as she sighed and continued to practice, minding her own business while Alexander joined them of course but without removing his clothes.
Their abs were bulging as sweat started to appear on their body. Holy shit it's getting hard not to lose focus especially since she had dreams of men with the exact physique as them, dominating her if possible that is.
Oh how lucky she is to see men running around like this. Thank the Goddess for this life even though she looks and thinks perverted right now. Nevertheless, her eyes are blessed by it.
As she could feel her arms wearing out, she then dropped the sword, making the edge dig into the ground and let go of it, hoping to have some rest. She began to feel thirsty, for both reasons that is. If you know what she meant.
She then walked away from the centre of the field to fetch water herself when all of a sudden, the knights suddenly approached her, still in their half glory while smiling at her. Now what are they going to do?
"Are you thirsty, my Lady?" Someone asked, a man with black hair and a tanned body. Well most of them are tan because of the heat while others are white. Must be because of their genes.
"Ah, I was hoping to grab myself a drink because I'm feeling thirsty." Rachelle smiled at them, flashing her smile as she tried not to look down and ogle her eyes on their man's body. It's greatly affecting the way she thinks right now.
"I see. Let me grab it for you, Lady Felicia." One of the knights offered while others started to run to fetch her water in which she just laughed while feeling curious as to why they are being like this.
Her eyes then spotted Alexander who approached her, his eyebrows met each other as if he expressed that he didn't like what just happened right now. Rachelle is sure that he's going to blame her once again for something—
"Those men... They're not good for you, Felicia. They're not good." He said, shaking his head as he glared at them, running away from them. "It's not every day that they're so active and friendly with someone. You see, the knights are very typical when it comes to other people. So I am surprised that you get to befriend them when it's your first time meeting them." Alexander added, telling her about his curiosity.
Her eyes went wide open, did not expect the words coming out of his mouth. She was sure that he was going to insult her but now, he didn't. He just told her that the knights aren't usually this friendly with everyone else.
But to her? she felt special.
"Really? I didn't expect that. How can you say that when they just met me? Maybe they just want to strike an appearance at me since you'll become the Duke soon, they have to build their self-image." Rachelle answered, shrugging her shoulders as she had no idea what to reply.
She really didn't do anything. Not even poisoning or putting love potions. They just suddenly feel very friendly towards her which is odd.
"Either way, do you want me to teach you swordsmanship instead? I'm free." Alexander asked, looking away while his cheeks suddenly went beet red, flustered while asking Rachelle if she wanted to let him teach her anything about swords.
She smiled, why not take advantage of this situation through Alexander? After all, he knows his way with swords so it'll be easy to deal with this rather than waiting for the grandmaster who'll help her with the ways of the sword.
"Why not? Do I have to pay though?" She asked, her eyes blinking innocently which made Alexander close his eyes. She looks so cute right now but at the same time, she looks so mature with her ponytail dangling and her outfit looking a bit similar to them but in a female version.
"Why would you pay? It's not like I'm someone for you to pay the price. I'm asking you out of pity and anger!" Alexander exclaimed, glaring at her while the red on his cheek hadn't disappeared. More like it turned even more redder than before...
"Alright, calm down. You don't have to be so shouty about it." Rachelle replied, rolling her eyes over Alexander who suddenly realized his actions and asked for forgiveness towards Rachelle which she accepted.
There would be no good if she decided not to accept it.
"My lady! I brought your drink!" Someone from the crowd suddenly squeezed herself in, and it was Olivia who brought a box as well as a water bottle for her to drink her parched throat.
"What are you doing here?" Rachelle asked her while frowning. What is she doing here?!