King Orion's face grew dark, "You summoned her and made her wait outside with no reason given while you attended to other guests. I think it's pretty clear from your actions what you were trying to do."
The Queen was speechless. She wasn't expecting to be called out for her actions. But she wasn't about to back down either. She was still the Queen.
"I am the Queen. I can make her wait however long she needs to! Have you not heard and seen what she had done to my sweet Casindra? She tripped her on the first day she returned to court!"
Orion glared at Catalina. He knew full well about what happened. Every member of the royal family had their own informants scattered all across the castle. Everyone was watching everyone's every move.
That scene was on display for all to see. But few saw the truth of the matter.
"You and I both know the truth. Don't you dare twist reality," he warned coldly.
Catalina simmered down. She knew the weight of her royal husband's words. She pursed her lips and looked away from him, arms still crossed.
"I've already spoken to Athena about this. She knows she shouldn't have done what she did, but that does not excuse your actions either. Have I made myself clear?"
"Yes, my King," the Queen replied in a softer voice.
"Now leave," he declared coldly before turning to face the window.
Queen Catalina curled her fists tightly. She gritted her teeth as she bowed slightly before leaving the room without saying anything else. She left the drawing room fuming mad.
She didn't know what games the eldest princess was playing. Could she really be all that innocent? A young child playing tricks?
"Anna."
"Yes, my Queen?"
"Arrange for a pair of eyes in Hemlock Mansion."
"Consider it done, my Queen."
~
Athena panted heavily as she wiped the sweat off her brow. The sun was blazing above her as she narrowed her eyes on her opponent. She had been training with Sir Daric every day for the past week.
Her muscles were sore from training but she was getting better with each passing day.
"Again!" Sir Daric yelled at her as he took his stance, sword in hand.
Athena tightened her grip on the hilt of her sword. She lunged forward and attacked Sir Daric head on. He sidestepped, dodging her move. Quick on her feet, she shifted her weight and quickly landed another blow.
Clang!
She didn't land a hit on him, but she hit his sword. Athena cursed in annoyance as she took a few steps back, putting distance between them.
"You're getting better, that's good," Sir Daric praised as he straightened.
"Better is not good enough in a life and death situation," she lamented.
"Don't worry princess, you will still have me to protect you from harm. And Sir Nikolai," he reminded her as he signaled her to come at him once more.
"Speaking of that… Sir Nikolai, would you care to spar with me?" She asked as she turned.
Nikolai flinched. He was hiding behind a pillar, watching the princess train for the last few minutes. He had come to the sparring grounds everyday since the princess began her training but had ultimately avoided getting close to her.
After that night, where they shared a close encounter, Nikolai had been intentionally avoiding her.
He was a knight. Her bodyguard.
She was a princess. Daughter of a King.
Who was he to get close to her?
"My apologies princess, I…"
"I order you to spar with me."
Sir Daric, that would be good practice for me, would it not?" Athena snapped as she turned to Daric for approval.
"Indeed, your Highness."
An order from his princess was something he could not disobey. Without any other choices, he came out from his hiding spot and entered the sparring grounds. Nikolai cracked his neck as he removed his jacket, not wanting to dirty it.
He was wearing a sleeveless tunic underneath. It helped give him more mobility. But he refused to unsheathe his sword. Instead, he threw it to the side.
"What are you doing?" Athena asked in annoyance.
"I will not raise my sword against you, princess. I will fight you barehanded," he explained as he took his stance.
Athena frowned, "Are you mocking me? Do you not think I can take you?"
Realizing she felt offended, Nikolai defended his actions, "Not at all, princess. Our spar will add to your fighting experience. Not every battle you fight will be with a weapon in hand."
"Sir Nikolai is right, your Highness." Daric added his voice in support.
"Fine," she replied in annoyance as she threw aside the weapon in her hands.
"What are you doing, princess?" Nikolai asked, perplexed.
"You're going to fight me barehanded, I think I should do the same."
Nikolai was speechless. Daric lightly chuckled, but he did not oppose the princess' decision.
"Shall we begin?" Athena asked as she got into her stance.
"Ready."
"Begin!"
Neither of them moved at first. They looked at eachother intently, waiting for the other to attack first. Athena knew she was at a disadvantage. Nikolai was well trained in combat.
But she knew there was one thing that she could exploit about him. He was wary of harming her. In order to provoke him, she decided to attack first. She closed the distance between them and delivered the first blow.
Nikolai dodged it with ease by crouching down. Taking advantage of the opportunity, Athena low kicked at him. This caught him off guard, allowing her to successfully land her blow.
But Nikolai was quick on his feet, he was back up in seconds. From the look on his face, her move caught him off guard.
"Not bad, princess," he praised with a smile.
Light blush rose in her cheeks. Her heart was fluttering with the sound of his praise but Athena quickly shook it off, hoping he had not noticed at all.
"Less talk, more action!" She yelled as she attacked again.
Nikolai remained defensive, refusing to throw any attacks at her. What she assumed was his reluctance to attack her, soon made her realize he could have another reason for doing so.
He was trying to tire her out.
Panting and gasping for air, the fatigue induced from the sparring with Daric combined with her current session was growing on her. Her movements were becoming sluggish.
From the widening smile on Nikolai's face, Athena knew she had made a terrible mistake. He began his attack, throwing quick punches at her in succession. Athena had barely enough time to react.
She dodged a few. She raised her arms to block others. When she found an opening, she went for it. However, the combined fatigue made her lose strength. She could not win.
She cursed beneath her breath.
She pushed herself to put distance between them, just to catch her breath. As she did, she tripped on her own feet, causing her to fall backwards. Everything seemed to be happening in slow motions as she fell.
She saw the shock on Sir Daric's face. Then a shadow loomed over her. She saw Nikolai's face in clear view. His expression was one of panic and worry.
He caught her in the nick of time, just before she was about to hit the ground hard.