Athena's heart was pounding in her chest. She was looking right at him in the eyes and he was looking back at her. Both of their hearts were pounding. Both of them were panting for air.
"Princess, are you-" Before he could finish his sentence, Athena removed herself from his arms and delivered a quick kick to his side.
"I did it!" She exclaimed with glee with both hands in the air while Nikolai fell to the ground on his side.
Nikolai could barely believe it. Daric was in complete shock too. But then, he applauded her.
"Well done, princess," he praised before turning to Nikolai, "Nik, looks like you have more training to do."
Nikolai sat up. He was still in disbelief at what had happened. He watched as Athena continued to celebrate her win. He would never forget the genuine smile on her face at that moment.
Or the sound of her laughter.
Though he was hurting from her powerful kick, it hurt a little less when he saw the princess. She turned to him and walked over to offer him a hand.
"Thank you for the spar, sir," she said with a bright smile.
He didn't take her hand.
He couldn't.
There was but one more reason he didn't take it too. Nikolai knew if he did, he would have likely pulled the princess in close and kissed her on the lips to tease her. She'd baited him into catching her, or perhaps it was all a happy accident.
But that didn't mean he did not fall deeper in love with her.
Nikolai got up on his feet on his own.
Athena withdrew her hand quickly. Though she was a little hurt by his actions, she made sure it did not show on her face. She also realized that others were all watching their interaction.
Of course, he couldn't.
"Thank you, princess. I've learned a lot too," he replied politely.
"Princess, princess!" Wendy came running to the sparring grounds.
She stopped for a moment, face in full panic when she saw the princess. Princess Athena wasn't dressed in her usual dress or outfits. She was wearing a sleeveless blouse she fashioned herself, and a pair of tight-fitting pants.
"Princess!" She continued to call out to her as she came up to her and bowed in respect.
"Wendy, what's with the rush? Is everything alright?" Athena asked.
"It's… it's Lord Darrion. He's come to see you."
Athena furrowed her brows, "See me? Where is he?"
"I've asked him to wait in the drawing room."
"Good, I'll meet him there now. Sir Daric, we'll continue my training later. Sir Nikolai, you're coming with me," Athena instructed.
"Your Highness!" Wendy called out once more as she took a step forward and blocked Athena's path.
"Your… your clothes," she hinted.
But Athena saw nothing wrong with it.
"What's wrong with it?" She asked, "Besides, there's no time to waste. I don't want to keep him waiting."
With that, not waiting for a response, Athena went ahead towards the drawing room. Since it was her own mansion, she did not see the need to knock when entering. Wendy opened the door for her and she entered, only to find that Lord Darrion wasn't the only one who'd arrived.
Princess Casindra was there too.
When both the second princess and Lord Darrion saw Princess Athena, both of them were stunned.
"Sister Athena! What are you wearing?!" Princess Casindra shrieked in horror.
Lord Darrion's cheeks were beet red. He only spared Athena a glance before turning away from her.
"It's not like I'm not wearing any clothes," Athena said as she rolled her eyes.
"If you're so uncomfortable, Casindra, you can leave," she added before taking a seat on the sofa opposite them.
"You… you're parading yourself around like this? In front of your bodyguard no less?" Lord Darrion snapped. He could only glare at her for a quick second before looking away.
"Sir Nikolai is perfectly fine with the way I dress. Besides, we were- I was training with my guards. You can't possibly expect me to be training in a dress, do you?"
"Training? Why would a princess need to train?"
"To protect herself of course. If not, do I have to expect you to come to my rescue? From what I hear, you're not very apt in fighting, Lord Darrion," Athena added.
She knew she probably should not have said the last part, but she couldn't care less. When she saw how angry Lord Darrion was getting, Athena pretended like she didn't notice.
"Perhaps I should leave," Casindra said as she got up to her feet, it was clear she was uncomfortable with the situation.
Darrion was about to try and keep her but she didn't give him the chance to say more than a few words. After Casindra left, Darrion remained.
Athena thought he would have left too, surprised that he chose to stay.
"To what do I owe this visit, Lord Darrion," Athena asked as she took a sip from a tall glass of juice that Wendy had brought her.
"Could you please at least put some clothes on first, princess?" Darrion asked through gritted teeth.
He was still avoiding any form of eye contact with her. Seeing as he was so uncomfortable already, Athena decided to tease him more. She walked over to him and sat right next to him, shoulders touching.
He was just about to move away from her when she wrapped her arm around him and pulled him close.
"Oh Darrion, we're already betrothed to each other. Don't be so distant," she said casually.
Darrion didn't move. Though his expression said otherwise, he remained still. Instead, he gave Princess Athena a silent glare. Surprised by his actions, Athena did not know how to respond at first.
She had expected him to have a bigger reaction. Perhaps scold her further or even push her away. But he didn't do any of it. She was a little disappointed.
"Alright, alright," she said in defeat.
Athena had Wendy bring her an outer coat to put on.
"Better, Lord Darrion?" She asked with a side glance.
"Thank you, your Highness," he replied.
"Now, tell me why you've come to visit," she asked impatiently.