Another Spar

"Tell me, Elias, do you think you have improved, since the lessons?" Stepping into the empty arena, I watched the boy look around. He looked relieved, his shoulders were relaxed, and a smile spread lightly on his face.

"If I have improved, then you must have also, hmm?" He sarcastically asked, I turned away from his smirk and picked up a wooden sword. Holding the handle, I caressed the leather on the handle with my fingertips. 'It won't be long before I hold another blade.' I thought to myself.

"Let's see then." Tossing him a wooden blade, I pulled back my hair into a loose ponytail.

Since we started the after-school training, Elias has been placed with other boys, for the sake of his image. However, he defeats them within a couple of minutes, with a hint of disapproval on his features.

"You've been busy this past week, what all has happened?" Standing opposite each other, I thought about how to answer his question.

Dashing forward, the wooden blades clashed, creating an echo in the room. Staring into his ocean eyes, I smiled lightly.

"Who would have thought, that I could grow to hate etiquette classes even more." Speaking aloud, we broke the hold and circled each other. The sounds of our footsteps, pitter-pattered on the floor, sometimes they were silent.

"It can't be that bad. I heard you're moving on the next level, even getting a real blade soon." He chuckled, before stepping forward, I stepped forward with him.

"Oh no Your Highness, it's bad. I'm also excited about moving forward." Moving together, we stepped to the sides, dodging the wooden tips.

"Pant, pant." Elias was low in stamina, he tires too quickly, however, he was a good opponent. Rushing at a vital point, I pushed lightly into his heart, in response he lowered his sword in defeat.

"You have improved, however, you still have other skills to work on." Tapping the wooden tip on his shoulder, he smiled back. I grasped his sword, taking it lightly from him by the handle, and caught a different look in his eyes, that worried look again.

Rushing in, Elias wrapped his arms around me, pulling me close. Listening to his steady heartbeat, I was shocked, but let it slide, whatever was worrying him, he could only confide with me. Standing still, I patted his arm after a couple of minutes, releasing myself from the hold.

"You're worried again," I started, picking up the disregarded blades, placing them back on the rack. He stood there for a couple of minutes in silence, his usual bright ocean eyes, dimmed even more. "What are you worried about this time?" I asked facing the boy, letting down my hair, I ruffled out the little curls.

"I came to ask if, you're okay?" Elias lifted his eyes to mine and stepped forward a step. Looking away from the stormy night, I looked at the wall of trophies that my father had won in his younger years.

"I couldn't be any better, why are you asking?" Stepping toward the door that led to the gardens, I breathed in the faintest hint of summer. I was okay, however, life has been throwing obstacles in my way, like that Sophie Francis.

"You're not, I can tell that school is bothering you." Pausing mid-step, I turned to face him, and a frown was evident on his face.

"It's not school, however, the tournaments." I corrected him, what Sophie has done in the past week was nothing. Her little pranks, and trying to have her friends spill food on me, didn't bother me, since she never won those petty battles.

"Why are you allowing her to do this?" He stepped forward, placing his hands gently on my shoulders, looking deeply into my eyes. Raising an eyebrow in question, I let out a sigh.

"I'm not, I'm just waiting for a perfect time. She hasn't done any harm, that I need to be concerned about, she's just being petty." He pulled back and looked at me with squinted eyes. The look of questioning, a look that I didn't even like.

"Hah, Elias, I'm not going to waste my energy, to not be heard. If it gets worse, then fate will do its thing." Looking into his eyes again, I couldn't help, but lose myself in them. The calm color glittered beautifully in the ray of sunlight.

"You're too patient, this could affect your performance later." I shook my head in disagreement, she does not affect me.

"And you worry too much, worry about yourself, Your Highness." Stepping fully out into the garden, the rays of sunlight pierced through the trees, I smiled as the warmth reached my face. Listening to the Prince's footsteps, which were close behind, we walked to the big willow by the water fountain, in silence.

"Lady Willow, I must depart now. I'm sorry to say that we won't be able to meet at the hill, I have other arrangements." Nodding my head, I started leading the way to the front entrance, with our steps matching.

"It's alright Your Highness. Safe travels, and do come by soon." Opening the door, I smiled lightly, it hurt that I wouldn't be able to see him tonight, however that left me with a night alone, full of stars.

Waving him goodbye from the door, I watched as he and his bodyguards entered his car. When the slick, black SUV drove down our driveway, I felt alone once again. Wrapping my arms around me, I could still feel him close, it was relieving to know that he understood me.

'I didn't know I needed that hug, however it was appreciated'. Walking up the steps, I followed the well-known path, to Father's study.

Opening the door quietly, I stepped into the darkroom, the only light came from the desk. This study was most likely the most expensive room, the furniture and bookshelves were made of the oldest and finest wood.

His desk was the only piece of furniture that had the house emblem of the Willow, everything else was constantly polished, to where it shined even in the dark. Father looked up from the stack of papers he was reading and smiled.

"And what brings you here?" His tone was light, and his brown eyes shown brightly to his daughter. His pride in this world. Stepping toward the desk, I reached out and climbed into his lap, looking over the pieces of paper, I realized there was more to the deal.

"I wanted to check up on you, you were nowhere to be seen when Elias had to depart." The Duke chuckled as he pulled his daughter closer, picking up a quill and dipping it in ink, the Duke signed his name on the paper, agreeing with the deal.

"How was the fight?" Father asked as he looked down into my eyes. I smiled and then studied the signed paper, it was a trade deal, that involved grain for oil.

"He's improving at the same rate as I, eventually he'll be at my level. I'm excited for the intermediate level, Father." I clasped my hands together, beaming with happiness. Father chuckled then motioned that he was getting up.

Sliding down, I stepped away from the desk, allowing Father to stretch his legs and arms. Looking out the window that overlooked the valley and the edge of a forest, I noticed an animal crossing by.

"Rebecca, you best get changed, before dinner." I turned from the window, looking down at myself, I completely forgot what I was wearing. For training, I typically wear: a loose tee, either long or short-sleeved, a pair of pants, occasionally sweat pants, and leather boots for stability and style.

"Alright, I'll be down in a couple of minutes, hopefully, Mother is in a good mood today." Rushing down the hall to my room, I easily changed into a simple, but stylish pink dress, adding a pair of flats.

Stepping out into the hallway, I looked out the window, at the end of the hall, and still saw the blob in the middle of the valley. 'Guess I'm not going star gazing tonight.' Taking my eyes from the sight, my steps echoed in the hall, with each step.

Walking into the dining room, gracefully, I took my respected seat. Mother at Father's left and I was on his right.

"Good evening, Mother," I spoke clearly, and she smiled slightly. I've been patient with a lot of things at school, for example, etiquette classes. Madam Dorthy always wanted to make things difficult for me, I partly believe she favors Sophie, which is alright, however it affects the lessons greatly.

"Evening Rebecca, it was nice to see Prince Elias, it's hard for him to visit nowadays." Picking up the glass of water, I nodded my head agreeing to her statement.

"It is hard to visit with him, I see him struggling more and more," I muttered aloud, I knew she heard my statement, but she left it alone. She has accepted that their relationship will be informal, they've grown closer over the years.

"Let's eat." Father walked in, looking refreshed. He took his seat and our meal became enjoyable and warm. It's been a while since I started lessons since a meal was pleasant, where it wasn't hard to swallow a mouthful.

That night, we stayed up and hung out in the living room. Mother read me a story about princesses and princes, and a long-lost kingdom. It was a simple story, yet it was captivating, the prince was protective over his lover, to the point that he kept her hidden from the world.

"Mother, what will happen to the Princess?" I asked, looking at the map of the kingdom in the book. She puckered her lips, and looked out the window, Father smiled and walked over, taking a seat by me.

"She became strong, and she made the land prosper and the Prince had no choice, but to allow her to be free." Pulling me close, I studied the map a little bit longer, before my eyelids felt droopy, closing them immediately, I snuggled into Father's arms and dozed off.