With him/her? NEVER!

The Black Bear and the wolf puppy

Barak

Argus's question just made me tenser making almost impossible to concentrate. I blocked another inhuman attack and slid a few steps behind. I needed to force my muscles in my legs to prevent me from falling on my ass.

- I gave her the engagement gift. - Argus grinned.

- Good boy! It was time to come to your senses. - I rolled my eyes and Argus shook his head.

- Seriously... What's your problem with Nara? - he asked and I got a bit out of guard. Argus wasn't really the sentimental, chatty type. I took a glance at Elda who was resting against the fence that surrounded the training ground.

- I'm also curious about that! - she said and I blocked another attack from Argus. I simply had no chance to attack him. He wasn't the feared Northern Duke for no reason... His size and strength was similar to a fully grown black bear. Not to mention his resilience. Yet, my reckless, stubborn, lady knight sister wrapped this monster around her fingers in a way that I was sure, he'd even kill me if that was Elda's wish. So I knew, now that she mentioned she wants to know the reason, Argus won't leave me alone until they got a proper answer. I sighed.

- She is two-faced. I hate that she is a gadget freak like her family. A real tomboy, who creates weird stuff for fun and spends her time in a laboratory or on the fields. But, God bless her, if she is around Arthur or Amelia, or any other nobles, she immediately turns into a fragile flower that needs protection. That woman, swears like a pirate and she can drink a knight under the table, but if he gets into high heels she becomes a femme fatale... So fake... - I said it out of frustration and didn't even notice that Argus just stood in front of me and listened. Once I finished he shrugged.

- If that's what makes someone two-faced, I'm as well, your sister too but even you yourself Barak. Look at us know, we are fighters. Covered in sweat with aching muscles and the smell of blood and death isn't unfamiliar to us, yet a few weeks ago, we all danced like actors at the ball.

- But that's different! That's duty and etiquette plus good manners. What Nara does is disgusting... - Elda walked to us and asked while Argus's hand immediately searched for her, wrapping his arm around her waist.

- Brother, how can you be so simple-minded? Do you think we are two-faced because we dress up but we are also able to kill out of loyalty?

- No, but we are knights! Nara is just an alchemist!

- Do you know what she does in reality? - Elda asked and I got frustrated.

- You asked me what's my problem with her yet you seem to be defending her non-stop! Whose side are you on?! - I screamed and found myself knocked on the ground. A huge foot was pressing me down to the ground stepping on my chest. He applied enough strength to keep me down but without causing difficulty to breathing. Although I knew that if Argus put more strength or his weight into it, I'll get crushed under my brother-in-law's feet.

- Calm puppy. - that's all he said and I sighed.

- Good boy. - me murmured and lifted his leg. He reached for me with his free hand and pulled me on my bottom.

- Barak, I'm afraid you have no real concept of what the Blackwell family does. I'm not trying to make them look better in your eyes or force anything onto you, but as your sister, I want to make things clear for you. Do you remember the new armory the royal knights got? - she asked and I nodded. It was a really cool new design. The armor itself was light as a feather but every blade slid off of it. Only people like Argus could hit a hole on it and there weren't many like him.

- Well, the material that armor is made of is the invention of the Blackwell family, more precisely, Nakos's.

- I knew that. Nakos is a great inventor. That doesn't make Nara's actions justified.

- Amelia survived because the kidnappers were stupid enough to take Nara with them as well instead of killing her immediately. - Argus added. Due to some reason my chest hurt as my mind showed me an image of Nara laying on the ground with her eyes open, covered by her own blood in the middle of the streets.

- How could you say that? She is the Princess, we were after her and saved her. - I said because I didn't want to admit that Amelia survived due to Nara's bravery, loyalty and quick responses.

- I'm simply stating facts. The Princess would be dead or still captured if she left the castle with an ordinary escort.

- We found their last known place due to Nara's necklace. - Elda added.

- That's also Nakos's invention.

- That's true, but the bracelet, and pens Nara used to capture and attack their kidnappers were all her inventions. - I remembered of the glade in the forest, the horses of the kidnappers were brutally impaled by some very thin but sharp objects.

- Since she saved her Highness, there's a huge demand for her inventions. One of the medicines we used to get her better is her mother's recipe. - I knew Lady Blackwell was an incredible pharmaceutical prodigy. Lord Blackwell married her and went against their whole family for her. Lady Blackwell used to be a commoner, but due to her beauty and knowledge that captured Lord Blackwell she ended up being a real life fairytale.

- Fine. They do useful things. My issue is not that but how Nara acts in public.

- She shows a mask. - Argus said and I exclaimed.

- Exactly! Thank you! - Elda chuckled and Argus sighed.

- Like we all dude... Do you think that my true self is the one in impractical clothes sipping champagne like a f*****g moron?

- No Sir! - I said for some reason scared for my life.

- But our and her cases are different. She could be an alchemist without faking.

- Could she? Barak, she is already the talk of the high society. Despite everything she did and does, they still call her freak. I don't care what causes your disgust towards Nara but I'm highly disappointed in you as a knight and as your sister. - Elda said.

- Lady Blackwell despite her flaws, managed to get her Highness in safety for the price of her own safety. She is not a knight but fought like a true hero. Put your veil away and grow up a bit Barak, the world is not black and white. - Elda said and headed inside with Argus in her heels. She turned around and smiled.

- Next time you have to dress up and leave your sword behind due to a ball remember why you call Nara two-faced and look into the mirror. Dinner is soon, don't be late! - she said with her softened expression and Argus just nodded. I was left alone with even more doubts than with what I've arrived home, but I had to admit, what Nara did was spectacular. I headed inside and on my way to my bed chambers I wondered, if she is such an amazing alchemist, what would she prepare as an engagement gift?