The Ordinary Girl

Back to the present.

While Christopher was speaking to Martin in their family's sitting area, Cassy brought Amanda to her room. From there, they watched the newly arrived unit who left for the Mount Devias.

"That is Kiesha," said Cassy. "She will be the warrior you will fight in a month's time."

Amanda looked down at the courtyard. From where she was, she could barely make out Kiesha's face but she could tell her body was strong. With the way the silver-haired girl walked with chest up and arms swayed heavily together with her shoulders, Amanda concluded Kisha's arms were formed with efficient muscles.

"Woah, her built shows how strong she is," remarked Amanda. She sighed and said, "Good luck to me."

"Are you sure about this, Amanda? Because she is strong and... She would be very determined," said Cassy. "Chris doesn't know this, but Kiesha... secretly admires my brother."

Amanda sighed and rolled her eyes. 'Great! The thing about loving a handsome and powerful man.'

"I can do it, Cassy. I have to try," Amanda said. "I badly need my own practice space and Chris is often away."

Amanda turned to Cassy with a plea, "Is there anywhere in the castle where I can practice alone? Or maybe outside the castle? I'd rather have no eyes on me when I practice."

Cassy shook her head. She said, "For one, you need eyes. If anything happens to you while my brother is away in a battle, he would certainly punish me."

Cassy looked at the distant lands from where they stood and pointed with her finger. "I suppose I could bring you those mountains there. It will be hard fly for me, carrying you, but that mountain is uninhabited."

Turning to Amanda, she said, "I could take you there every afternoon with Khalil and Razul."

Khalil and Razul were the two guards loyal to Christopher. They were assigned to Amanda. They always followed her around the castle.

"Yes, they are fine... Thank you, Cassy," said Amanda.

Cassy looked down and found Christopher walking to the courtyard. She said, "We should go to Chris. He is with Martin."

The two ladies made their way to the courtyard, where Christopher welcomed back the group that returned from their journey.

Christopher asked Martin to request for a strong potion from the healers of mount Devias. It was meant for Amanda, so she could cross the gate unharmed, but as it turned out, Amanda did not require the potion. Still, they returned, bringing with them his request.

There was a group of six soldiers who were being gathered upon by many guards. They were greeting and shaking hands with those who had just arrived. Kiesha was one of them.

Seeing Christopher her way, Kiesha said, "Chris!" She took a bottle from her waist and added, "Here is the potion you asked of us to retrieve."

Kiesha, in her silver hair and full armor, walked steadily to Christopher, Her face, although bright as Pelagy's sandy skies, had a smear on her forehead, having not bathed in days since their expedition.

Christopher smiled and secured the potion, thanking Kiesha for her work.

"I heard... you are no longer marrying Diana?! That's good news!" Kisha said out loud. She had the widest grin on her muscular face, raising her hands sideways.

"Yes! Indeed, it is a relief!" Said, Christopher. "I can finally marry the woman that I love."

A frown appeared on Kisha's face. Her brows drew together as she asked, "The - woman... you love?"

Just at that very moment, Cassy and Amanda walked towards them. They were meters away when Amanda called his name, "Chris!"

Everyone turned to the voice that called their young master so casually. They found a woman with caramel hair and a radiant face, waving at him.

Those who just arrived, had not met Amanda, they eyed Amanda curiously, but when Christopher reached for her hand, they understood who she was.

"Kiesha, guys! This is Amanda, she is the woman I will be marrying," he said with a big smile.

"Ah, Amanda, it's nice to see you again," greeted Martin, who had been standing behind Christopher the entire time.

He walked up to her and whispered to her ear, "At first, I did not believe Chris, but seeing you now, it amazes me how you walked through the gate unharmed."

When Martin stepped back, Amanda replied softly, "I know, but I was always a strong person."

Cassy also greeted Martin, giving him an embrace. "Welcome back, Martin."

While Amanda and Cassy were catching up with Martin, behind them were a pair of angry eyes and it came form Kiesha. She clenched her hands into fists. She had never revealed her liking for the young master because it was said that Christopher would marry Diana.

Apparently, someone else owned his heart.

Christopher brought Amanda to the group. He held her hand again and introduced her to everyone, including Keisha.

"Chris, may we know which family she came from? Which nation?" Kiesha asked. The other soldiers dared not to ask him, only Kiesha had a strong connection to the young master, confidently being able to ask such questions.

Christopher put an arm around Amanda. He smiled at her before saying, "Amanda... is just an ordinary girl, but despite that I want her to be my wife."

'An ordinary girl. An ordinary girl. A - ordinary - girl?' The words echoed through Kiesha's head and she could not accept it. 'How was this commoner better than me?'

Amanda could immediately see the jealousy in Kiesha's eyes. She tried to ignore it and said, "It's nice to meet you, Kiesha."

It was only later in the evening that Kiesha learned of the fight that was due between her and Amanda. In front of the ruler of Aeros, she was told of the upcoming event.

"I have challenged my son's woman to strengthen herself and fight you. This was the condition I asked for me to decide on whether I should accept her or not as Christopher's wife. She is to prove her worthiness," revealed Theo, seeing Kiesha bow down before her from the castle's great hall.

"Master Theo, does that mean if she loses to me? She won't be allowed to marry Christopher?" Kiesha asked.

Theo raised his chin, looking at Kiesha, and said, "Depending on the strength she would show, I shall decide from there."

Walking outside the halls, Kiesha could only conclude that the fight had to be won by her. Otherwise, Amanda will be granted the right to marry into their ruler's family. She could not let that happen.

"You'll never win against me, Amanda. You are just an ordinary girl."