13| Don't Thank Me
1081 Words
With his mind racing, Alex started to swing his sword until he had Ramond cornered. The young aspiring soldiers who were training were stunned by the exercise between the king and his right hand. Those who had just arrived must have thought the two were actually dueling instead of training. Alex's gaze as well as his energy showed anger and made Ramond himself worried that the king was out of control.
"Why are you only defending yourself, fight me!" Alex shouted right at his face.
Ramond started to maintain his position by resting on his feet. Then, he shifted his left leg further back and with a swift movement he spun around with a leap and ended with a kick to the king's stomach.
Alex was taken back a few steps by him. He smiled in amazement, "Great."
"Now take this!" Ramond started swinging his sword and, at the same time, someone appeared from the entrance gate of the training ground.
All gazes were immediately diverted from the battle and fixated on the appearance of Arabelle, who was gracefully walking while carrying a tray containing several glasses. She was not alone, there was Renha who helped her carry a pitcher of fresh lemon water.
Alex, who had his back to the entrance gate, could sense Arabelle's arrival and distracted him from Ramond's attack for a few moments.
"Your Majesty, your sword!" Those watching from the sidelines shouted.
Alex regained his senses and deftly dodged. "That was close." He mumbled.
Ramond was also surprised, thinking he was going to hurt the king. Fortunately he didn't.
"Just now..."
"You're doing great, Ramond. That's enough for today. Train them with your sword skills. Even though we have power as a werewolf, there is a battle that we can't use our power." Alex said as he took off his gloves and gave them to the prepared waiter.
Ramond nodded obediently, "I hope we never have a war with humans, so we can use our power."
"They won't dare."
And then, Alex turned around and found Arabelle smiling at him. "Hello."
"Hi, Your Majesty." Arabelle replied.
That call again. Alex frowned and walked over to her, "Hi what?"
Arabelle realized, then bowed to him with Renha as her personal maid. "Sorry for interrupting your practice... Alex."
"Good girl." Alex praised her, "So, you're not afraid to walk around anymore?"
Arabelle looked around, the knight candidates were focusing on physical training. Renha told her that there was an academy to hone abilities beyond the physical, such as mind reading or other special powers. But, not all werewolves have that ability.
"They... They can finish me off in an instant, but if I am always scared, I won't survive either." Arabelle said.
Alex looked relieved, "Good thinking," he said, "Let me get these glasses, let's sit over there." He pointed to a bench that extended around the entire side of the training ground.
"Let me carry these, you're a king. What will they think if they see their king carrying a tray for a stranger like me? So, don't." Arabelle refused in a low voice.
Alex didn't care, he still took over the tray with the glasses on it. "Are you afraid of getting into a rumor with me?"
"Of course I am. People will be angry, girls who like you will hunt me down." Arabelle said with a dead serious expression.
"Well, does that mean you agree with my popularity among women?" Alex shot right on target because Arabelle instantly fell silent.
There was no response. Arabelle walked to the bench without saying a word. She sat there and tried not to make eye contact with Alex who would surely bother her again with that stupid question.
"It's a lie if he doesn't realize that with a face and body like that he can attract many women." She mumbled while playing with the beads on her dark green dress.
"Here are the glasses, My Lady Arabelle." Alex placed the tray of glasses between them.
Arabelle looked at him tiredly, knowing that Alex was teasing her by acting like a waiter delivering drinks.
Alex just chuckled a little. It was precisely that little chuckle that made Arabelle smile too. She was happy to see Alex, who looked tense most of the time, finally laughing too, even if it was just a small chuckle.
"So, why did you come to see me here?" asked Alex, to the point.
Arabelle looked down nervously. She didn't know what to answer.
"Before that, sorry," She turned to Renha, "Ren, please fill this glass and give it to Sir Ramond. He looks thirsty."
Renha nodded, "Okay."
Alex gave Arabelle a probing look, "Ah, so you're not here for me? You even served the first drink to Ramond instead of me,"
"Alex... Stop, you know it's not like that." Arabelle protested.
She looked much more calm and relaxed. Alex could feel it, but he was also curious about what made the girl determined to be brave.
"Your head, does it still feel dizzy?" Alex asked to make sure.
Arabelle shook her head, "I just needed some fresh air to recover my strength, that's why I decided to come here."
"Thank goodness for that."
"Your Maj- I mean, Alex... I- I promised myself to do my best to adapt to this environment. I can't go on being afraid." Arabelle said, "And, you treated me well. I was given many things that I never got before, clothes, a bed and so on. I'm very grateful for that. I promise I will do everything and try my best to help you."
Alex was stunned to hear that. She was grateful? She was thanking him for a small thing without knowing what kind of bad things she might receive in the future.
"I bought you from an auction and brought you here, to a faraway place. You shouldn't thank me." Alex said with an expression that was hard to describe.
"I wouldn't have been treated so well in the hands of another buyer. You saved me. You also ensured my safety."
"Save you?" Alex shook his head, then stood up, "Don't say that and don't thank me." He said.
Arabelle was confused by his reaction. "Are you angry? Al?"
Alex reaching out his right hand, "Let's go back inside the palace,"
Arabelle accepted, and they walked away hand in hand. She just stood still and followed wherever Alex took her.
"Are you okay?" Asked Arabelle.
Alex didn't answer.
- Writer
