Clang!
Crash!
"You're getting better, princess," Daric praised as he helped Athena back on her feet.
"I... I still have a long way to go," she said between gasps of air as she got back up.
It had been almost three months since Nikolai's departure. Athena decided to focus on her training, amongst her other princess duties, to help keep her mind clear.
Her birthday tourney was the biggest event to grace the castle since her return. Athena was excited about it. She had a surprise up her sleeve.
"Water for hydration, princess," Wendy came up to her with a fresh glass of water.
"Thank you," Athena drank it all in one gulp before continuing.
"Aren't you tired? Training is important but so is rest," Lord Darrion reminded her.
The princess and the lord had grown to enjoy each other's company. But Lord Darrion did not enjoy swordplay as much as the princess. So he preferred to watch from the sidelines with a book in hand.
