Chapter 51 - Show some respect
1593 Words
“You look satisfied. What happened?” Alec questioned. As expected, he can read her too well.
Corrine turned to look at the prince before answering Alec. “I sparred with the prince. I learned a few things.”
“Oh… you learned a few things?” His tone was incredulous.
“Yes.” She can already hear the gears turning in his head.
Alec’s expression contorted. In his dictionary, when Corrine learned a few things that meant she lost.
Abruptly, he turned towards the prince. If Corrine was able to spar with him, then he can, too.
“You. Let’s spar.” He challenged. Or was it a request? Corrine face palmed. Alec has always been crude when it comes to fighting.
“I apologize in his behalf, my lord.” She quickly intervened before smacking the back of his head.
“Watch your words. He’s a prince. Show some respect.”
Elise wanted to continue watching this event unfold, but Edward urged her to go out of the hall. She grinned at the stunned expression on her father’s face. Maybe Erik is finding himself a new way, after all.
“Oh, a prince?”
“Yes. Now, bow.” Corrine forcefully bent his body. Erik’s not sure how to react to the situation.
“Ah, prince. My lord. Would you like to spar with me? I’d say I’m almost equal to Corrine.” Alec continued. He can’t let this go. He had to spar with anyone who sparred with his cousin.
Corrine clacked her tongue. “I lost to him and you say you’re equal to me?”
“But I’ve defeated you a number of times.” He straightened as he faced her.
She rolled her eyes at him. “As many times I defeated you.”
Erik’s not sure if what he’s feeling is amusement or irritation as those two bantered in front of him. He decided on amusement.
“Apologies, my lord. He’s obsessed about two things. The first is combat, while the other is food.” Hannah explained from her seat, next to Aaron who’s eating a bread. He was hungry and cold. He sipped on a warm tea.
“I see. Come then, let’s see if you can defeat me.” He’s not one to shy away from a challenge. He likes them, but not so much when he loses. In the last year, that rarely happened.
Alec whooped with delight. “You’re a very good person. Where should we spar, my lord?”
Yes, Alec’s a simpleton like that. He led him to a training room. Corrine, Nate and Vince followed. It was on a floor below the meeting hall.
Alec would wear a terribly serious expression whenever he’s in a match or fighting in general. He could be ruthless when he needed to. He treats opponents as opponents. There is no distinction to him, whether they are knights, warriors or royalty. An opponent is someone that needs to be defeated. That is all he knew.
Erik turned serious as well, slowly realizing the strength of this new guy. Curious. They seem to be evenly matched. The match took some time and each suffered a few scratches here and there. Their audience looked on with great interest.
Nate knew Alec is one of the best from the northeast, but given his idiotic personality it was indeed hard to believe. Vince already witnessed him challenging every knight-in-training at the north so he wasn’t as surprised. He’d only fought Alec twice and he nearly lost. Nearly. He wasn’t that easy to beat. It would seem Prince Erik was much like him.
In the end, the prince won. Alec laid on the ground, panting… breathing heavily. His posture was reminiscent of Corrine’s.
Erik turned to glance at her. She was smiling. When she noticed his gaze, she clapped a few times. It didn’t seem to be mocking him.
“Say, after you’ve taken a bit of rest, may I challenge you again, prince?” She wanted to try again. After all, the cave limited the maneuvers they were able to do earlier. Watching his match with Alec, it was immensely more satisfying. She wants that.
He frowned; she still wants to spar with him?
“Well now, while you guys rest, I’d like to practice my swordsmanship with my betrothed.” Nate announced.
Alec was comical, crawling on the floor to reach a corner. Corrine was embarrassed. Can she ever deny being related to him?
Between Nate and Vince, it was truly a spar. More like real training. Vince would note her form and reactions, and would give out advices on how to properly deflect specific attacks.
Nate’s expression showed her disappointment. It has been a while since she practiced. She’d spent most of her time learning magic. It has been a while since she resolved to do better and she will.
“This would be utterly different if they use their magic.” Corrine whispered next to Erik.
“I don’t think I’ve seen them have a match by only using enchantments.”
Erik didn’t know what to comment so he only grunted.
Corrine glanced over him. Or to his wings, he realized, making him raise an eyebrow.
“Everyone in the castle are fairies, right?” She’s curious and it showed in her face.
“Yes.” He can only answer honestly.
“Then, when you spar with one another, do you fly? Do you evade a strike by flying?”
Her question is common to humans. Somehow it didn’t impress him.
“Yes, we do.” They’re fae after all, not humans. What are they to do with their wings if not for flight?
“Then… for our next spar, would you show me? I mean, I would appreciate it knowing my opponent gave his all in a match. Why didn’t you fly earlier while fighting Alec?”
They both glanced at Alec, who’s now sitting on a corner, his eyes trained on the royals.
“He’s human. I thought it won’t be fair if I use my wings.”
“Thanks for the consideration, but I’d rather not have it later.”
He gazed at her again, “Are you sure?”
She grinned. “Yes.”
They could still hear the pitter-patter of the rain. When the prince and princess ended their training, they are both sweating from the exertion. It’s kind of chilly because of the weather but these physical activities sure make them feel warm.
Corrine’s gaze turned sharper as they commence their fight. By now, Alec was standing again while the royals sat on the cold stone floor. They watched attentively. When it comes to combat, Corrine is second best to Vince.
Erik, sensing her seriousness, was forced to evade some of her attacks with his wings.
“Would it be cheating if I use a knife?” She suddenly asked after pulling back, itching to take out a knife from her boot.
Erik lightly shook his head, “I don’t have a shield, do I? Or a knife I could use to parry with two weapons at once.”
“Fair enough.” Her voice sounded disappointed. What she hates about friendly combats is that she can’t exactly harm them like she would a real enemy. It’s somewhat limiting her skills.
Well, they might have used up the full space of the training room, going back and forth. Their audience were forced to move into a corner to evade them.
“They’re too serious, aren’t they?” Nate asked, glancing at Alec. He happened to be grinning.
“He’s fun. I wonder if he’ll agree to fight me again?” He mused, already thinking that Corrine is very likely to lose.
Erik’s arrogance actually sprouted from his own ability. He knows what he’s capable of and he knows he has the ability to defeat most challengers. He’s not entirely unreasonable in his arrogant behavior.
As for the way he treated Vince and Nate before, you can say he’s envious. He grew up hearing about that prophecy, talking of a human who will defeat the dark fae. It is no secret to the fae that humans could be more powerful than they are. Still, he won’t accept those things without a fight. Like… an actual fight to see if they’re better than he does.
He almost slipped as he backs away, Corrine putting all her strength in every strike. It was somewhat taking too long and her patience was wearing thin. She made her last move. A cheat.
Erik froze as he felt the blade on his throat. She was too quick, moving behind him in three steps. She let out a huge breath as she takes the knife away and taking a step back. It was harder than she thought. Those wings get in the way.
“You win.” She declared. She’s getting tired, loosing her strength slowly. If it was a battle of stamina, she would’ve lost anyway. It doesn’t look like he’s ready to give up.
“You cornered me.” Erik turned to face her.
“I practically cheated. I can’t last much longer.” She continued to pant. His was not as bad as hers.
“Hey, hey… can I have another go?” Alec moved forward to make his request.
Erik frowned at him. This guy… I can’t keep going like this!
Corrine saved him and gave her cousin a beating.
“You’ll probably win because he’s tired already. Give him a break and I mean a long one.” She scolded.
Erik watched with a complicated expression. Although he’s prepared to decline, he wasn’t expecting her to do so in his behalf. Also, she seemed to treat that guy very closely. Their relationship can’t be simple, given how she can scold him and beat him without being treated the same way in return. The guy seemed to respect her. Of course, Erik’s willing to bet she deserves it. She seems to be looking out for him. But there’s something annoying about it. He can’t put his finger on what it was.
- Writer
