Permission

Sitting at the fine wood table, I shifted my weight in the uncomfortable wooden chair. There was little cushioning for the amount of time being seated. Between the chair and Mother's constant gazing at my posture, it made this dinner slightly uneasy.

In a beautiful dark blue dress, that was lightweight and easy to move in. Floral designs covered the bottom of the dress, with gold tracing the lines, bell sleeves with fancy white lace hung loosely, as my wrist held the knife. My hair was pulled back, to allow me to eat the food without problems.

It was a special day, Father helped secure a deal with a foreign country, and we were celebrating with a fine dinner. The meal started with appetizers that I could barely resist, but Mother's glare prevented me.

A piece of steak with the sides of potatoes and carrots was placed in front of me. Picking up my knife with my left hand, I sliced the well-done steak. Clinks of silverware and chewing sounds filled the room, with occasional mutters on how fantastic the meal was. Placing a bite in my mouth, I relaxed a bit, happy to be finally fed.

"Mother, Father, I have a request." I paused to slice another piece of meat, gaining their focus.

Mother looked at me with worried eyes, she picked up her wine glass, giving her something to hold. I watched as she held the glass in a relaxed position, however, only for now.

The Duchess looked at her daughter with a worried look, there are many things that she couldn't accept about her daughter. A lady should be a lady, however, something changed the way her daughter thought.

"Yes?" Father looked at me with questioning eyes, giving me a smile of encouragement, I took in another breath. With both of their eyes on me, it was hard to swallow. I could only picture Mother's look and reaction, with the next sentence coming out of my mouth.

"Since the tournaments are coming up within four months, I wanted to ask for your permission to allow me to handle a real blade," I spoke the sentence, carefully pronouncing the words, so my mother wouldn't question my sanity.

"Lieutenant Jones is willing to teach me, I just need your permission. Since I can't enter the tournaments with a wooden sword." I rushed as Mother's wine glass dropped onto the floor.

The sound of glass breaking, caused the room to instantly become silent. Mother looked at me with wide eyes. Fire, was lit in her dark blue eyes.

"There is a limit on what I can take, young lady. I said you could train publicly, but not enter the tournaments." Her ice-cold tone, made my spine shiver in slight fear, however, this didn't stop my growing courage.

"You know my dreams Mother, I'm even taking the dreadful etiquette classes, to satisfy you." I hissed, as I stood up. Pushing my chair back, the wood screeched as it contacted the wood flooring.

"You know my rules, I let you train, for you to participate in those classes." I slammed my palms against the table, looking into her cold eyes, I took a deep breath. I could feel the wetness in my eyes, she always saw me as a disappointment.

The Duke looked at the commotion between his wife and daughter, unsure which side he should support. Clinking a spoon to the wine glass, the sound was not heard, by either of them, it was too late.

"Mother, I'll never be the daughter you want me to be! I have a different path that I must follow, you knew from the very beginning when the sword danced with my body, that this was a talent! I've suffered the past two weeks through a torturous class that conflicts with my thoughts!!" I raised my voice with every sentence, she needed to understand now, even if I was grounded for raising it.

"Daughter-" I ignored her, not even letting her speak a word.

"Mother, I came to ask both of you, Father also has a say in this. This could strengthen our image to the public, and the crown." I gritted my teeth saying this, however, power was the only thing that Mother cared about. Angry tears followed down my face, I could feel their wetness, long before they dripped onto my hands.

"I grant permission. Eleanor, you heard her, she's not like other young ladies. She has the will of a man, a strong and independent one." Father stood up, placing a hand on my shoulders.

Looking up to him gratefully, I let out a sigh of relief. Mother's cold features dimmed, however not enough to allow me to focus on her.

"Ryan, she's too young, what if you're hurt?" She spoke to my father in a loving, but concerned tone. Looking in my direction, she pointed her question to me.

"I'll be safe Mother, trust me." Letting out a deep sight, Mother dragged a hand over her face, with conflicting emotions crossing by.

"Then you must do well, if you're harmed in any way, don't expect another year in the tournaments." Tears trailed down my face, now tears of joy. Going over to my Mother's side, I bowed and gave her a loving hug, which she returned lovingly.

"Be safe." She whispered in my ear, pulling me closer, her warm tears dripped onto my dress, causing it to be slightly damp on my shoulder.

'Who would have thought that this fight, would have brought them closer.' The Duke thought to himself as he watched the pair, both with completely different standards, eventually had to sort things out.

"We'll go shopping tomorrow." My Father voiced out into the room, I smiled, turning to face him, I bowed giving him a huge grateful smile.

The next day...

"Duke Willow, Lady Willow, what a pleasure to see you both. What brings you to my store this fine afternoon?" The Blacksmith Oasis was owned by Charles White, the famous blacksmith in the country of Belfare.

"Charles, I've come for business." Walking up to the counter, Father leaned against the edge, Charles glanced in my direction and I nodded an acknowledgment. He smiled lightly in response then turned his focus on the Duke.

"What would you like, another sword? better simple -but- sturdy armor, or perhaps a customized weapon?" I looked around the simple store, many swords lined many racks, the armor of different types of metal lined the shelves, and then in the corners, there were spears and other weapons.

"Charles meets Rebecca, she requires service." Turning around at my name, I smiled, and the blacksmith's face widen in shock.

"What could a lady need, that she needs to visit a blacksmith. It's frowned upon." Picking up a sword from a rack, I tested the hilt, then balanced it on my finger. It was a beautifully made sword, however on the heavy side.

"Be careful." He reached out but stopped as the Duke blocked him off. "What is going on, how can she do that?" He asked. Placing the blade gently on the rack, I turned around stepping toward the man.

"I need armor, nothing magnificent, however sturdy. I need it within the month, preferably. I'll be participating in the tournaments this year." He chuckled lightly, looking at the Duke. I expected this reaction, who would have thought that a ten-year-old girl, would participate in the annual tournaments.

"You can't be serious, you're letting her participate in this year's tournaments. Duke Willow, you'll be frowned upon." Charles spoke in a frantic tone, as the Duke looked at him with dark eyes.

"Charles, my daughter is stronger than she looks, she even defeated Lieutenant Jones. Jones has asked that she is provided with armor, he sees potential, and is to train her on the next level. And to be frown upon, I don't care, this is what Rebecca wants, not the household." The Duke's usually playful tone, turned into ice as he spoke to the man, it wasn't every day that you heard this tone.

"Are you positive about your choice?" The blacksmith asked the Duke and my Father looked into my eyes.

"I'm sure, this is what I want to do," I spoke aloud, the blacksmith smiled worriedly, then started speaking about the different designs that he could make. Picking a sturdy, but lightweight metal armor, we went our separate ways.

Stepping out into the plaza, I breathed in a deep breath of air, soothing my nerves. I was used to people doubting my abilities, and I was tired of it. This year I will make my name known, all over the country.

"Daughter let's go home, Elias is supposed to stop by." I looked up to him and smiled, although every night for the past two weeks, we've seen each other late at night at the hill, I was happy to see him in my home.

Rushing down the streets, it grew more crowded with every minute. It was around noon, and a Saturday, everybody's shopping day. Bumping into a man, I slightly fell back, but he luckily caught me. Standing up straight, I released his arm, slightly flustered at the slight trip.

"Thank you, I'm sorry for bumping into you," I muttered, as I looked into the man's eyes, he let go as soon as I balanced myself, I smiled lightly then stepped away from him. Father waited for me, as I dashed to him, and I could feel the man's gaze watching every step.

On the way home, I couldn't help, but wonder who that man was, 'I swear I've seen that face somewhere.' However, the thought left my mind as we pulled up in front of the house. Rushing out of the car, I ran into the foyer.

There he was, sitting reading a book and drinking a cup of tea. The Prince of Belfare, wore his usual colors, a loose long sleeve blue shirt of silk, and black pants, and a pair of black leather boots. His hair was pulled back, letting his handsome features show more, however, this didn't affect me.

"Welcome, Your Highness. It's been a while since you've stopped by the estate." I curtsied, smiling at my best friend. I was determined to have a match with him, it's been a while since we've last spared.

"It's a pleasure, Lady Willow." He nodded and greeted Father before we walked the familiar hallway to the arena.