The Fight

Helena fell silent at her husband's request. She didn't smile nor did she get angry.

"So, you want to touch me so badly?"

Ethan nodded, anxious that Helena might refuse.

"Too bad. I don't think you'll ever win against me," Helena replied. "What do I get if I win?"

Ethan appeared to be deep in thought. "I'll do anything you want."

Helena laughed, looking at her husband with pity. He was truly naïve. With the confidence of a winner, she said, "Get ready and attack me!"

Ethan began to take a stance, but Helena suddenly said, "Wait! Put on some protection because I'm afraid I might hurt you."

"I don't think it's necessary," Ethan protested. How could he wear protection while Helena wore none at all?

However, Helena insisted, "Haven't you seen what I did to those straw men?" She sneered, underestimating him.

Ethan swallowed hard. Although Helena wore a waster, she could still break his bones with just one hit. It was evident from the destruction caused by her deadly strikes, leaving traces on the straw men in front of him.

It seemed that the Helena described in the book was not just a product of the author's imagination. She remembered how the real Ethan was defeated by Helena, using two swords when he tried to kill her in the forest.

The cheating of a writer is when they make a slender woman like Helena able to defeat a strong and muscular man like him. 'The writer must be a woman,' he thought bitterly.

"Okay," Ethan finally said. He then put on his helmet and armor to protect his body.

Helena impatiently waited for Ethan to put on protection. She was almost dozing off. But she was startled when a helmet suddenly appeared on her head.

"Hey! How dare you! What are you doing?" Helena scolded Ethan for putting on the helmet without her permission. "I don't need this."

"Believe me," Ethan said flatly. "I may not be very good, but I don't want your beautiful face to be injured because of a little carelessness."

Helena was momentarily stunned. Her heart was beating fast, even though it was just a small gesture. She usually didn't care when a man flirted with her. But now, Ethan's concern seemed genuine, and it made her feel a bit shaky.

"You think highly about yourself!" Helena said harshly, trying to dismiss her feelings. However, she didn't resist when Ethan tied the straps of the helmet. It was enough to make him happy.

Helena and Ethan stood across from each other in the courtyard, their swords clashing in a symphony of steel. Helena's blonde hair was tied up in a tight ponytail. Inside the helmets, sweat glistened on her forehead, while Ethan's dark hair was plastered to his face, his muscles straining with the effort of keeping up.

Helena deftly parried Ethan's attack, then swung her wooden sword low, aiming for his legs. Ethan jumped back, narrowly avoiding the strike, then lunged forward with a counterattack. Helena twisted out of the way, then brought her sword down hard, forcing Ethan to deflect the blow.

Their swords continued to clash, each strike ringing out through the courtyard. Helena was impressed with Ethan's ability, but she knew that he needed to be pushed harder.

She quickened her pace, her movements becoming more fluid and precise. Ethan tried to keep up, but his breathing grew labored, his muscles starting to tire.

Helena saw an opening and struck, her sword aimed at Ethan's chest. Ethan tried to block the blow, but he was too slow. Helena's sword connected with his chest plate, sending him stumbling backward.

"Are you okay?" Helena asked, concern etched on her face. But Ethan couldn't see it for sure since she wore the helmet.

Ethan nodded, taking a deep breath to steady himself. "Yeah, I'm fine," he said, determination in his eyes.

They resumed their practice, their swords clashing even more fiercely than before. Helena could feel the sweat trickling down her back, but she refused to give up.

They sparred for what felt like hours, each strike bringing them closer to exhaustion. Finally, Helena saw her opening. She struck with lightning speed, her sword aimed at Ethan's side.

Ethan's heart pounded with excitement and adrenaline as he lunged forward with his sword, attempting to strike Helena. But the skilled warrior deftly sidestepped his attack and retaliated with a swift swing of her own. Ethan tried to block the blow, but he was too slow. Helena's sword connected with his side, sending him tumbling to the ground with a thud.

Gasping for breath, Ethan clutched his side in pain as he struggled to regain his footing. Helena stood over him, her sword at the ready, but she didn't strike again. Instead, she offered a hand to help him up.

"Are you okay?" she asked.

Ethan sat up, his chest heaving with exertion. "I'm fine," he said, a small smile on his face. "That was intense."

Helena smiled, a sense of pride filling her chest. "You did great," she said. "You're better than I thought. However, I got two points already. You can see that you have no chance of winning."

Ethan nodded. At his current skill, Helena would win. However, a look of determination in his eyes. "I won't stop until the result comes out," he said.

Helena grinned. "I wouldn't expect anything less. Come on, Ethan," Helena said, her voice encouraging. "You can do better than that … in your dream."

Ethan charged at Helena, his sword raised high above his head. Helena waited calmly, watching his movements carefully. As he swung his sword down towards her, she stepped to the side, avoiding the blow easily.

Taking advantage of his momentary loss of balance, Helena swiftly spun around, bringing her sword in a wide arc toward Ethan's back. But Ethan was quick to recover, and he spun around just in time to block the attack with his own sword.

The clash of the swords echoed through the training yard as Ethan and Helena engaged in a fierce duel. Ethan swung his sword at Helena, but she expertly dodged each blow, her movements fluid and graceful.

Suddenly, Helena lunged forward, aiming for Ethan's chest. Ethan parried her attack, but Helena was too quick. She sidestepped his sword and slashed at his arm.

Ethan grimaced in pain, but he didn't give up. He swung his sword at Helena again and again, trying to find an opening in her defenses. But she was too skilled, and she blocked each blow effortlessly.

As the duel continued, sweat beaded on Ethan's forehead and his breaths came in short gasps. But Helena remained cool and collected, her sword moving with precision and purpose.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Helena saw an opportunity. Ethan's sword arm dropped for just a moment, and she took advantage of the opening, slashing at his leg.

Ethan stumbled, and before he could regain his footing, Helena's sword connected with his shoulder, sending him crashing to the ground.

Ethan gritted his teeth and lunged forward, but Helena sidestepped him with ease, then tapped him lightly on the shoulder with the flat of her sword.

"Good effort," she said, a small smile on her lips. "But you need to work on your footwork."

Ethan nodded. "I know."

"Is it frustrating to let a woman win?" Helena asked, wanting to know what was in Ethan's thoughts.

"You are impressive. You deserve it," Ethan answered.

Helena placed a hand on his shoulder. "It takes time, Ethan. But with practice, you'll get there. I can see your potential. However, unfortunately, your swordsmanship skills may only be displayed once a year in tournaments."

Ethan smiled bitterly, taking off his helmet. Sweat poured down his handsome face. "As promised, what do you want me to do?"