Athena caught the meaning between his words immediately. She cleared her throat and nodded, avoiding eye contact with him for a few moments. She didn't want him to see the blush that was most certainly on her cheeks.
"Very well, captain. I will appoint-"
"Your Highness, I implore you to consider all of your options before making a final decision."
"Who dares to speak without being spoken to?" Senior attendant Hubert asked.
An older palace guard stepped forward and knelt down before Princess Athena.
"Who might you be?"
"Please pardon my brashness, Princess Athena. My name is Daric,"
"Daric?" The name struck a chord in her memories.
Athena gasped as she recalled where she had heard that name before. Daric was the name of her mother's personal guard captain. He was the one in charge of her safety.
"I remember now, you were the captain of my late mother's personal guard."
"Yes, that is right."
Athena paused in thought. Captain Daric was a well trained soldier. He had served in the military before joining the palace guards. A seasoned soldier would definitely be able to protect her better but she was conflicted.
"Captain Daric, are you putting yourself forward as a potential candidate for the position of captain of my personal guard?"
"Yes. With all due respect, I think I'm the obvious choice between the two of us, your Highness."
She did not like the way he spoke to her, but she understood his point. Looking at both men, Athena pondered over her options.
"Perhaps there is a better way to make this decision. I would be honored to have both of you as part of my household. However, we can only have one leader. How about a duel? The winner will be the leader, the loser will be second in command."
Daric was surprised by the princess' suggestion. He had never been asked to duel for his position before. But he wasn't about to back down from a challenge either.
"As you wish, princess." he accepted.
"I will not disappoint, your Highness," Nikolai declared with a smile.
The courtyard was immediately cleared out for the duel. Special seating arrangements were made so that Athena could watch the duel in comfort. A piping hot cup of tea was brought to her, along with a plate of light snacks.
Jackel was amongst the palace guards chosen to join Athena's household. He watched anxiously from the sidelines as Nikolai and Daric prepared for their duel. Captain Daric was a well seasoned warrior, known for his strength and devastating attacks.
Nikolai knew his opponent well. They had sparred with each other on occasion and he had watched Daric spar with others as well. Knowing the enemy meant half the battle was already won, but when they both knew each other, weren't the odds evened out once more?
"Are you ready, boy?" Daric asked as he took his stance with his drawn sword.
"Ready," Nikolai replied with a smile.
He glanced over at Princess Athena with the same smile. He wanted to impress her and this was the perfect opportunity to do so. But that was his first mistake.
As soon as Hubert rang the bell to signal the start of the fight, Daric attacked first. He could tell Nikolai was distracted so he took the opportunity to strike. Athena's eyes widened in surprise when she realized what was going on.
She wanted to warn Nikolai but soon realized that she did not have to. He anticipated the attack.
In fact, he baited Daric into attacking first.
Nikolai dodged the attack with ease by side stepping. Daric was surprised by the young man's speed but he remained vigilant. They crossed swords a few times but neither were able to get the upper hand.
Soon, it became a battle of stamina. Everyone was on the edge of their seats, watching it play out. Athena was rooting for Nikolai. She didn't know why she would favor the young man whom she just met yesterday but it just felt right.
Nikolai was getting increasingly frustrated. He had underestimated the seasoned warrior, assuming their duel would be over in seconds.
"Are you tired already, boy?" Daric teased as he straightened his back after failing to land a hit on Nikolai.
He grinned, "I've only just begun."
Nikolai had noted down all of Daric's weak spots. He saw the flaws in his movements and swordsmanship. Now he just needed to wait for an opening.
As soon as Daric showed a sign of weakness, Nikolai lunged forward with sword in hand. Daric narrowly dodged it but lost his grip on his sword. As the blade fell to the ground, he used the opportunity to kick Nikolai's right leg.
The young man fell to the ground with a thud, earning gasps from the crowd. Athena gripped onto the handles of her chair tightly. She felt as if her heart was in her throat.
But the young man did not disappoint. His sword was still in his hand. He got back up on his feet quickly and punched Daric across the face. The seasoned warrior was reaching for his sword but the punch threw him off balance, causing him to land on his back.
Nikolai towered over him with the tip of his sword at his neck.
"Captain Nikolai is victorious!" the senior attendant declared.
Everyone clapped and cheered in celebration. Nikolai reached out a hand to Daric. The seasoned warrior was bitter at his own loss, but he wasn't too prideful as to not accept the young captain's help.
As soon as he got back up on his feet, he bowed to Nikolai respectfully.
"It will be an honor to serve and work alongside you," Daric said.
"Likewise. I have lots to learn from you, Daric," Nikolai reciprocated.
Princess Athena was pleased with the outcome, the duel had her stomach in knots. It was exciting to watch but nerve wrecking too. With the duel over, the selection process came to an end.
"Your Highness, Wendy from the laundry department has arrived as requested," senior attendant Hubert informed her.
"Perfect timing, I will meet her in the flower gazebo in the back garden."
"As you wish, your Highness."
Princess Athena, accompanied by Nikolai and Daric as her new personal guards, left the courtyard for the back garden.
Hemlock Mansion had an extensive back garden, built to Princess Athena's requirements. The flowers were still being planted but the flower gazebo was already beautifully decorated.
On a beautiful day such as this one, the view was pretty and the air was cool. Just as she got to the gazebo, Wendy arrived to meet her.
As soon as the former palace maid saw the princess, she knelt down before her.
"It is an honor to meet with you again, Princess Athena," Wendy greeted her formally.