The Forgotten Queen

Duke Jared

A clank echoed through the quiet dining room. Isla silently tried having her breakfast under Edward's watchful gaze. Sara approached Isla's side with a jar as she leaned forward to pour milk into Isla's cup. Edward lifted an eyebrow which both Isla and Sara saw.

"I think we're still in trouble," Sara whispered as she leaned back after pouring the milk.

Isla's lips parted to answer Sara, but Edward cut her off. "Of course, you are in trouble," he said, glancing around the room, causing the other servants nervously lower their heads down.

Edward did not want to scold both Sara and Isla in front of everyone, especially since last night's incident was just between them. He does not wish to spread the word within the Temple Palace walls and the council to find out about it.

"Let's not talk about it," he said.

Sara smiled slyly and lightly bumped Isla's shoulder. "We're off the hook," she whispered again.

Edward loudly cleared his throat, causing Isla and Sara to snap their gaze back at him. "Edward, what is my agenda for the day?" Isla asked, trying to change the subject.

He liked that Isla was trying to change the subject, but he was still angry at Sara for last night.

"History and literature lesson after breakfast, then after lunch it is magic; spells and curses studies. A talk on matters of the kingdom before dinner," Edward said.

"Would Is-Her Grace have time for a stroll in the afternoon?" Sara asked.

Oh, yes. Today, Night Blade or Aiden and Edward would be fighting. Of course, Isla wishes to witness their fight, and Sara wants to be there.

Isla hoped Aiden would win the fight, and she could have a trainer.

Edward narrowed his gaze, warning Sara to behave, turned his gaze at Isla, then sighed. "I don't think it would be the best, Your Grace..."

Isla shook her head 'no' with a smile.

"Of course..." he nods his head.

Once Isla finished having breakfast, everyone moved to the library. Edward begins the lesson, but Isla cannot shake her thoughts. She wants to master swords and has the shield up before King Vincent's attack. By the time she's ready to gain her Guardian powers, she hopes to use them to protect her kingdom.

A part of her wanted to take revenge on King Vincent and Aeson. She wanted the entire royal court and the Church of Light.

But one step at a time.

"Your Grace!"

Isla snapped out from her train of thoughts, glancing back up at Edward, who furrowed his eyebrows. Isla smiled warmly up at Edward. He sighed and pulled up the chair, then took a seat. "Your Grace, I am worried about you. Since yesterday, you have been acting strangely," he said.

"Is everything okay?" he asked in a concerned tone.

She nodded her head with a smile. She wanted to tell Edward everything she experienced in Veritas, having to witness everyone's death and then being kidnapped and forced to marry into the royal family. But she felt there was no need as telling him would cause Edward to worry more.

"I am worried about the kingdom and if the council would agree... In fact, we should look into how to continue the trade," she said.

"You don't need to worry about this. I have it handled. As I said, I am your protector and would not allow anyone to harm you," Edward said, taking Isla's hand.

Isla does not like Edward's suggestion and remains silent on the matter. "I still wish to learn the art of the sword."

"We'll see what that boy has to offer," he said, standing onto his feet. "I don't understand why you want him to train you when we have skilled guards."

"No, I believe learning from the outside would give me a new point of view."

Edward stared at the innocent-looking Isla. He pushed the chair back in and placed his hands on his back.

"I shall allow you to watch the fight, but promise me you will not jump in," he said.

"I promise," she said, nodding her head with a warm smile.

"Good. Now let's continue."

Isla prayed to the gods that Aiden would win the fight. She needed the Night Blade on her side, as her trainer and hopefully a trusted friend.

After completing her morning lessons and having lunch, Sara dragged Isla away from the other handmaidens. She took her to watch the fight between Aiden and Edward. As they slipped through the garden maze, their weird behavior caught the attention of Duke Jared.

Duke Jared was in the gazebo having some quiet reading time when he heard hush whispers. He glanced over, seeing Sara and Isla trying to hide behind scrubs.

He watched the girls disappear into the gardens, and he shrugged his shoulders and then followed.

Meanwhile, Edward and Aiden were at the training grounds of the Temple palace. Aiden strolled behind Edward, glancing around the Temple Palace. He was amazed by the open space and beauty of the place.

"The rumors are true..." he muttered to himself.

Edward loudly cleared his throat, gaining Aiden's attention. "These are our best weapons; swords, axes, and more," Edward said. He nodded towards the wall covered with the Temple palace's weapons.

However, the low-ranked weapons for training.

Aiden hummed, approaching the wall, and glanced at them. He glanced over at Edward. "So, her ladyship will witness me embarrass her nanny?" he asked.

"We wouldn't want your ego to be ruined after I whip that smug off your face..."

They stared at each other in silence before Aiden chuckled under his breath and turned his gaze back to the weaponry. Aiden clicked his tongue, turned his heels, and stared at Edward.

"I have my own sword..." Aiden said, shrugging his shoulders and smirking.

Edward simply nodded, and they walked towards the center of the field. In silence, they turned to face each other. "There's no holding back," Edward said.

Aiden smirked and nodded his head. They turned on heels, and their backs faced each other as they took ten steps away.

They stopped. Aiden slipped his hands out from his pocket. A shadow wrapped around his right hand, inched down his hand, extending into a night blade.

His sword in hand, then his eyes moved to the corner of his eye.

Suddenly, a wind force blew around Aiden and Edward as they glared into each other's eyes. Aiden's night blade met with Edward's blue flame blade.

They pushed amongst each other, and the force made them apart before flying towards each other to attack.

A whimper escaped Isla's lips as she clenched Sara's arm. Sara laughed at Isla's concern and cheered for Aiden as they watched the fight between Aiden and Edward. "I hope Edward goes easy on him," Isla said, nervously biting her lower lip.

"Don't worry. Can't you see how Sir Aiden holding up to Edward?" Sara asked, rolling her eyes.

Edward flawlessly dodged Aiden's attack until a shadow swept behind Edward, causing him to stumble. Aiden smirked, knocking Edward with his elbow. Edward stumbled back, groaning in annoyance and glaring at Aiden.

Edward's flame sword faded as his fingertips whipped the blood drop from his nose. He glanced at his fingertips, then up at the smirking Aiden. Edward smirked back at Aiden.

"Let's do this..." Aiden whispered, shrugging his shoulders as he lifted his sword.

The air surrounding Edward became icy as he took a long deep breath, and his snow-white hair floated in the air. Edward snapped his eyes open, glaring at Aiden.

In a blink of an eye, Edward was in front of Aiden, and he placed his hand on Aiden's chest. Aiden flew across the field and quickly dag his blade on the ground to stop himself.

He groaned under his breath on his knees, but he did not have time to recover as he lifted his head. Edward was in front of him. Before Aiden could lift his sword, Edward grabbed hold of his wrist, and a magic circle appeared.

A loud groan left Aiden's lips as Edward's magic circle weakened Aiden's night blade. Edward kicked Aiden, causing his night blade to disappear and Aiden to roll on the ground.

Aiden glanced up at Edward before he snapped his fingers, causing the shadow underneath Edward to spring up with a thousand blades surrounding him. Edward snapped his fingers, and a magic circle appeared above him, shining a bright light.

The shadow blades scattered under the light, and Aiden jumped forward to Edward with his shadow sword in hand. Edward leaned back, dodging Aiden's blade and firing a fire burst under Aiden's torso.

Edward was clearly toying with Aiden, but Aiden was pointing a fight against Edward.

However, Isla was not enjoying that Edward was hurting Aiden. She huffed, ready to run onto that field and end the fight. "I cannot take this any longer," she said.

"But Isla--"

"Don't worry, Your Grace," Duke Jared's voice caught the girls' attention. They glanced over at him as he stepped forward, watching the fight. He turned his gaze over at Isla, smiled tightly, and bowed in respect. "The boy has the strength and talent. Otherwise, he wouldn't last this long with Edward."

They turned their gaze back to the fight, but Isla felt unease seeing a person she had just met go through a match like that. "Please, Duke Jared, help," Isla said.

He glanced at Isla and bowed.

Edward pushed the smoke away from his face and put up a shield, blocking Aiden's blade. They leaned towards each other, pushing down on their attack. They glared at each other before jumping away from each other.

As they ready themselves to attack, Duke Jared appeared between them. Edward narrowed his gaze at Duke Jared, then sighed and stood straight. Aiden, heavily panting, frowned his eyebrows in confusion and kept his attack form ready.

"I think that's enough," Duke Jared said.

"Hey, grandpa! We're not done!" Aiden said in an annoyed tone.

Duke Jared stared at Aiden and slowly moved his gaze down to Aiden's hand that held the sword. Aiden followed his gaze, noticing that his hand was shaking.

"Edward, you know your strength, and he is a kid," Duke Jared said, slightly nodding his head in Isla's direction.

"WHO YOU CALLING KID!" Aiden yelled.

Edward followed Duke Jared's nods and spots Isla with Sara watching on the sidelines. "But we had an agreement, and it seems to me that I am winning, especially by the number of blows I've landed."

Aiden glared at Edward, but Duke Jared moved into Aiden's vision. "Yes, you had an agreement, but I think that agreement had to pass through the council. If this involves Her Grace," Duke Jared said.

"There's no need for the council as I am Her Grace's protector, and I am ensuring that there's no harm falls on her."

"But I see no harm from this boy," Duke Jared said, glancing over at an annoyed Aiden.

Both Aiden and Edward wanted to argue, but Duke Jared charmed in. "Let's forget about your original agreement. Sir Aiden?"

Aiden nods.

"You have the skills but need to master them, especially when magic is involved in the fight. I can train you, and you will be under my care. In fact, if anything involves you, then it has to go through me," Duke Jared said.

"Wait, but I'm promised pay for training!" Aiden said.

Duke Jared glanced over at Edward.

"Her Grace wishes to learn how to defend herself with a sword, but I reassured her."

Isla could not take it that she could not hear their discussion and approached them. "Then I will handle it," Duke Jared said, which Isla overheard.

"Handle what?" she asked.

Everyone glanced at her. Both Edward and Duke Jared bowed at her, then Aiden shrugged and nodded.

"Training you and Sir Aiden. I will handle it, and whatever agreement." Duke Jared said.

"And who said I want to be trained by you?" Aiden asked, folding his arms across his chest.

"You'd have a better chance of employment with higher pay with my guidance. We'll discuss this later," Duke Jared said.

Aiden remained silent, feeling Isla's gaze on him as he thought about Duke Jared's offer. Edward shook his head 'no' and narrowed a warning stare to Duke Jared. Aiden noticed the tension between Duke Jared and Edward, and he smirked.

"Hey, mister! I think I like your idea. If you're part of the council and if any matters involving Her Grace and the council need to agree, I'll go with ya," Aiden said. "What do you think, Your Grace?"

Isla bit her lower lip, looking at Edward, who clearly did not like the idea, and Duke Jared smiled warmly at her. She had a glimpse of a smirking Aiden.

"Duke Jared seems to know..."