"You're not allowed to train unsupervised, Fangless!"
The knights ganged up on Riona, surrounding her from all sides. But they were all juniors, nearly Riona's age, so they should not have been much of a challenge.
"Why are you so worked up to make this forest your personal funeral? I haven't even dug up enough holes yet."
Riona soared upward, crimson wind-like arrows slicing through the air, but they missed their marks, embedding into the trees instead, sending cascades of snow to the ground below.
The tallest knight, Harlan, smirked at Riona's defiance. "One would be enough, Fangless, and that would be yours, anyway."
They closed in on her swiftly, their swords gleaming dangerously. Riona tracked their movements in the snow, but they were cunning, leaping from tree to tree, leaving no trace.
"Back off, bloodsuckers! It's my time, my rules."
As Riona launched three blood arrows at Harlan, she sensed a presence behind her. She whirled around just in time to narrowly evade Otis's blade. "No, it's not!"
Riona was hanging onto a tree limb with one hand and reached out for the next tree with unwavering focus. She couldn't afford to hesitate; a moment's pause could mean a fatal strike.
Her gaze fixed on Mars, perched precariously atop the highest tree. He was agile but lacked balance. If she could dislodge him, she could buy herself some time to deal with the others.
With calculated precision, Riona aimed her attacks at the branches supporting Mars, sending him crashing to the ground below. "Aaack!"
No sweat! She'll knock them down like stakes through a vampire's heart, then dash faster than bats out of a cave—that's her game plan.
Come sunrise, she'll just sweep her mess under the coffin and carry on like a true nocturnal noble, although she was no noble.
"Whoops! No worries, Mars will tough it out, but hey, a couple of fractures here and there are just battle scars in the glamorous life of a Nightwatch, am I right?" Riona quipped with a smirk.
Aries's response was predictably heated. "You won't get away with this!"
"Of course I will," she retorted, glaring defiantly.
With a dramatic leap to the nearest tree, she let loose a blood arrow aimed straight for Aries's thigh. However, it turned out to be a classic case of biting off more than she could chew.
Little did she consider the strength of the branch she'd chosen to trust her life with, or the sturdiness of Aries's own meaty thigh.
So, when the branch decided to play traitor and sent her crashing down into a fluffy pile of snow, she couldn't help but curse her luck. And her attack? It was like tickling a stone wall.
Aries seized the opportunity, using his power to restrain Riona, while Otis appeared, supporting Mars on his shoulder.
"Why the tears, little one? Aren't you supposed to be a Nightwatch?" Riona's sarcastic retort only seemed to aggravate Aries further, his grip tightening. Even in her position, being restrained on the ground, she could still run her mouth freely.
With a low groan, Aries growled, "You're coming with us. Let's see what Princess Lisbeth will say about this."
Harlan joined them last, and he was the cheekiest one of all. He slid his arm on Riona's back and lifted her to his shoulder while she couldn't move due to the restraint.
"The Princess might just feed you to the werewolves, you know. Or worse, marry you off to them," Harlan chuckled, relishing in his own wit.
Now that was a bitter pill to swallow.
***
Ah, back to this charming chamber once more. Riona could practically set up a second residence here, considering how often she found herself within its familiar walls.
It used to be a training hall for the young Nightwarden, trainees, and royal students at the academy. Since Lisbeth was now the only royal member attending the academy, this hall's original purpose became obsolete.
And there she stood, the vampire princess herself, at the far end of the room, looking as regal and imposing as ever.
Despite her proximity, Riona struggled to discern details; her limbs and arms were bound with a special metal designed to neutralize vampires, restricting her movement and hindering her view.
"Again, Fangless? Aren't you weary of stirring up trouble? One would think you'd learn your lesson after Father's intervention last time."
The princess's voice cut through the air, laced with disdain.
"Oh, but of course, Your Highness. I do so enjoy causing chaos and mayhem for your entertainment," Riona shot back.
As she spoke, Riona couldn't help but notice the way the floor seemed to wobble beneath her, adding an extra layer of absurdity to the situation. Clearly, they had slipped something into her restraints to make this whole ordeal even more disorienting.
Just another day in the life of a captive troublemaker, it seemed.
The princess strutted closer to Riona, shedding her cape, weapons belt, and protective gear with each dramatic step. By the time she stood in front of Riona, she was already working on her combat shoes.
"Get up now!"
Riona snorted, rattling her chains and trying to hide her dizziness. "Really, Princess? Fighting someone shackled with Playthil metal? Is that the only way you can feel superior? Maybe that's why you never win—you're just not in my league."
Through her hazy vision, Riona could still see Lisbeth's face twisted in irritation. That sharp, elegant face, always so full of grace and poise, now contorted into a scowl aimed directly at her.
"Release her!" Lisbeth commanded.
"But, Princess–"
"Do not make me repeat myself!" Lisbeth hissed, her voice dangerously low.
Riona couldn't help but revel in ruffling Lisbeth's feathers. It was amusing how Lisbeth considered her a rival. Rivals should be equals, right? But they were anything but.
"Honestly, Lisbeth, if I'm your biggest competition, you really need to raise your standards," Riona smirked, savoring the princess's ire. "But hey, whatever helps you sleep at night."
Lisbeth's eyes narrowed. "You mistake my contempt for concern, Fangless. I merely aim to clean up the mess you so effortlessly create."
"Keep telling yourself that, Your Highness. Just remember, some messes are too big even for your royal broom." Riona laughed, her defiance only stoking the fire of their mutual hatred.