Chapter 30 - I'll pay more attention
1753 Words
Upon touring the castle and the grounds, Alec requested sparring with the knights. Or at least, the ones preparing to be knighted. The actual knights wouldn’t stoop too low as to spar with a somewhat conceited person. He seems to be very confident, Vince noted. He let him. So, during a break in their training, Alec pointed at a few people he wanted to spar with.
“What’s your reason for choosing them?” Vince was curious.
“No particular reason. I will spar with everyone, if your highness would allow. For today, these three are chosen. They are of the same height as me.” In the end, he still gave a particular reason. Height, huh? Vince is starting to feel he’s comical, on top of being annoying.
“Go ahead.”
One of the three stepped forward, not afraid of a challenge. All of them do, but since the opponent is someone they are not familiar with… alright, no. He’s the same as them, so it’s even. Alec doesn’t have any idea what they’re actually capable of.
If he’s honest, it isn’t because he’s conceited. He likes challenge. In an actual combat, you have no advantage over a new opponent. You have to be able to quickly learn how they fight and think of a way to defeat them.
When the first guy defeated Alec, everyone watching has raised eyebrows. What the heck happened?
Alec wasn’t bothered. In fact, he’s satisfied. He wasn’t easily defeated. He lasted half an hour. Their break was over already.
“Shall we continue?” He asked as he looked around. Vince was at a loss. He turned to the knight in charge of their training.
“Marion, go.” This new kid is interesting, Sir Gideon thought. Clearly, he’s not here to boast. His initial demand to spar with everyone doesn’t seem like an attempt to gain their respect or something. He watched him closely.
“Are you a knight?” He wanted to confirm.
“A warrior, not a knight.” He’s not of noble blood. He has magic and that qualified him to be a warrior. Secret warrior, actually.
Vince knew the internal workings at northeast but Alec’s answer did confuse the people from the north. They don’t have that distinction. Knights are warriors, no?
“Is there a difference?”
“Oh, yes. I am not of noble birth, and yet I am allowed to fight for my kingdom. Knighthood is exclusive for nobles.”
Vince grunted where he stood. He managed to explain well.
“I see…” There were murmurs around at this new piece of information.
“We are not as well-trained. We do not have the resources to do so. Most of the time, we learn on our own.” Alec actually bowed at Vince’s direction, making him raise an eyebrow.
“I appreciate my lord’s support to this servant. I hope to learn well from everyone.”
Uh, this? Vince couldn’t attach him to the person Hannah described and the person bickering with Corrine during the meal with the king.
So, he wasn’t really skilled… Of course, before anyone could look down on him, he did take down the second person. Gideon was his name, wasn’t it? Alec isn’t good with memorization. He flunks written exams. Wait, wasn’t Gideon the knight? He couldn’t remember who’s who. He shrugged it off.
“Next.” He proudly announced. He grinned at his triumph. The others, seeing his expression, were having mixed feelings. One second, he’s hateful. The next, he’s understandable. And then, back.
The last one moved forward and they sparred intensely. It couldn’t be said that one of them is tired, while the other is not. Though it was Alec’s third match, the other people had been training since morning.
Alec was showing better skills and noticing that his focus on the spar was admirable, he’s deemed to be likeable again.
Though it ended in his defeat, he held his head high. He bowed to everyone in general.
“It was an honor to learn from trained people. Thank you.” Alec stated seriously.
After watching them, Vince could say he could win against him with ease.
When he saw him later that day in the garden, he was back to being annoying. Does he have a twin? Or an imposter, perhaps?
“He could get serious when he wants. You’ll get used to it.” Corrine assured him.
“He could be annoying, but… I’m sure you’ve seen what’s…” She couldn’t even finish describing him, but knowing how much time they spent together that morning on the grounds, with other fighters… he definitely saw what Alec can be and do.
Earlier, Corrine went with Nate. Since she’s more into archery, she was shown a place where she can train.
“I practiced a bit before, but my skill with it is only passable. Much the same as my skill in using a sword.”
“My lady does not need it anyway.” She commented, checking the targets before moving on to pick the prepared arrows. They would do.
“It could come in handy.”
“True.” She assented. Every skill could be useful depending on a situation.
“Would your highness want to improve?”
“Of course. Who doesn’t?” Nate have already tried several times to dissuade her in her form of address, but Corrine wouldn’t budge. She relented and decided to simply ignore it. Everyone has their own stubbornness. She was like that sometimes.
And so, Corrine did her best to assist the princess, going as far as to teach her the techniques she knows. It’s not that Nate hadn’t had prior training on it, but Corrine explaining things was much easier to understand than the one who previously taught her.
She grinned as her arrows get closer and closer to the target’s center. She’d always been satisfied at simply being able to hit the target anywhere. That’s better than completely missing it.
They all had different activities after breakfast. Well, they went into pairs. Hannah accompanied Aaron. He quickly checked on Pyro, to bring him to the recreation hall. Hannah was introduced to him and Selene.
So, it was a young girl. Hannah thought as she finally met her.
Hannah followed Aaron and he introduced her to anyone they meet on the way. Pyro likes her that he tugged on her skirt as they walk.
When Hannah offered her hand instead, the little boy was delighted. Aaron was hesitant.
“Isn’t his hand cold?”
“No, why?”
“His ability is over ice. It could get cold.” He decided warning her would be enough.
“I see. I will have to see how much he can do.”
“We train every morning.” When they got into the hall, Hannah nodded in approval. It was almost the same as King Aries’ private hall. It was well-equipped as well.
Pyro immediately went towards a corner and Hannah watched with furrowed eyebrows.
“It could get cold when he practices. You might want to wear a cloak over your dress.” Aaron went to another corner where a closet stood. It’s filled with blankets, cloaks, and spare clothes. Accidents do happen during practice. Or they simply get soaked in sweat that they had to change. He was choosing one when she stood next to him.
“This will do.” She took a plain brown cloak from the ones he was holding.
Looking at her, he was tempted to help her fasten the cloak. He did reach out a hand to smooth a crease around her back.
“Thanks.” Hannah smiled at him before moving towards Pyro.
She asked him simple questions and made him do some things. It was much like how she asked Aaron questions about his abilities. She’s testing the limits of his power.
He was reminded of her words at the carriage, when Alec belittled him. Take his eyes out, huh? There’s no way for him to try such a thing. His conscience wouldn’t even allow him to do it on an innocent bird. Maybe when the prince goes hunting, he could do so on an animal they plan to kill anyway. Or a butchered pig. Right, he should ask the kitchen. Maybe he can volunteer to clean a newly butchered one.
Hannah was still trying to stay true to her promise to him not to read his thoughts.
When they aren’t training, Vince is usually with Nate, the cousins are doing their own thing, and Hannah is mostly keeping Aaron company.
“Is it just me or…” Nate leaned forward at the railing of the walkway between two towers, looking below the grounds. They can barely make out Aaron and Hannah at the edge of the forest, seemingly doing something serious.
“I think it’s a natural conclusion. You’re usually with me. Those cousins prove to be inseparable when training. She can only go with him.” Vince noted.
“Still… from what I know, Hannah usually keeps to herself. She doesn’t interact with others much.”
“Are you going to matchmake them?” Vince showed an interested expression. Nate isn’t the type to do so.
“Of course not. But have you noticed the way she looks at him? And how often she does?”
Vince could admit that he hadn’t.
“I’ll pay more attention.”
From what he knows, Aaron is a gentleman. It’s not questionable or remotely unexpected for him to accommodate Hannah. He’s one guy you can rely on if you need help. If he can’t help you, he’ll help you find someone who can.
And so, Vince did pay attention. It was as if… Hannah wasn’t even hiding her interest. When they exchange questioning glances with Corrine, she only shrugs. Alec was oblivious to anything other than food and practice. Aaron himself… huh. That guy seems oblivious, too. Poor Hannah.
A day before they are scheduled to go to the fae, Nate cornered Hannah.
“So, I want a concrete answer. Do you like Aaron?” She asked with furrowed eyebrows. Vince was curious, too, but he didn’t say anything. What they saw is Hannah turning red in the face.
She had decided not to make it ambiguous. She made sure her actions are clear. Nothing’s gonna happen if she tries to hide it anyway. Aaron would probably take years to notice her, considering how he is now that she’s obviously acting smitten with him.
“Okay, I just wanted to be sure because I thought I’m seeing things. Since when?”
Hannah stared at Nate, then at the prince.
“You guys need privacy?”
Hannah chuckled at his question and shook her head. These are people she can consider friends.
“You heard about my curse, right?”
“Uh huh.” Now, they’re listening more attentively.
“I actually turn back whenever I meet someone that could make my heart race. It happened when I saw him at the library, back at the northeast.”
“Right, that’s when it happened. So… he made your heart race? What does that mean?” Nate asked and Vince knocked on her head.
- Writer
