3 An Agreement Awaits

Allyria sat on the wooden bench staring at Nikolai and Vysela fight against each other, the padded swords swinging and clashing. They huffed once in a while, catching their breaths, and swung their swords again.

Markolin sat beside her. He had already finished training with Vysela earlier, and you could tell that the princess gave him a good beating.

It was always like that every time they trained; they think she's too delicate to be wounded in training, considering she is still 14, so fighting her was more of a defense practice than an offense.

Vysela hated that, though. Even if she was practically cared for by her brothers, she didn't want them to make things easy for her. It made her feel like a babe who still needs to be tended to.

"You should stop being so overprotective to Vysela, she hates it," Allyria said.

"You can't expect us to be harsh on her, you know, she's just a kid."

"She's not a kid, Markolin," she clarified.

Allyria knew how Vysela felt since they also placed her in that same position. She might have liked the feeling of being safeguarded by her brothers but she also wanted to be free, have bruises, stumble and fail like how every other child does.

"You're just jealous we're not treating you that way anymore," Markolin teased and crumpled her hair, "Don't worry sister, you will always be our baby girl."

"Hmp," Allyria rolled her eyes in retort and turned to Nikolai and Vysela's direction.

Vysela was panting for breath as she lay on the ground. Her face was still unblemished even though her white shirt and brown pants were already stained with dirt. Nikolai was spotless, as always.

Nikolai offered her a hand and pulled her up, "That was a good one."

Vysela took it and faked a smile upon standing up, stomping towards where they sat. "I hate this. I fought Nikolai, but all I get is a kick on the foot," Vysela complained when she sat on the bench.

Allyria chuckled, giving her a slight pat on the shoulder, "You'll get used to it."

She then sat up and dusted off her boots.

'Finally.'

Nikolai called her name and gestured for her to go to the grounds. When she was finally in front of him, she positioned herself, clutching the handle of the sword at her side, "Ready to lose, brother?"

Slowly, she slid the sword off the metal sheath and raised her hands just above her chest, clutching the sword tightly. He smirked. He always thought being older was an advantage when it comes to training, but she thought otherwise.

'Not today.'

She marched towards him, angling her sword at his chest plate. Just as she was about to slash her sword in front of him, he swiftly countered the attack. She took a step back and steadied herself.

Allyria was aware that beating Nikolai is tough since he has always been the finest swordsman out of the four of them, but she never thought it was impossible.

It was a series of swords clashing and shielding and running and rolling. Their breaths heavy with every air they take—tired but no signs of surrender.

Once again, she lunged towards him and acted as if she would hit him when she suddenly swerved on his back and kicked him flat to the ground. He huffed and rested his back like he was already on the brink of surrender. But she knew her brother too well; he's not the type to back down in a fight.

Allyria offered her hand as she chuckled at his carelessness, "Who's the better fighter n—",

Nikolai kicked her feet, causing her to stumble.

He used that time to get back up and was about to charge until she defended the attack by her her blade. Nikolai's sword flew from his hand, diving into the ground.

She used that to her advantage and toppled him over with her feet until they were already both on the ground.

Allyria stayed alert. She knew Nikolai could do something any moment that would lose her to him once again. Her sword was still in her hand. Just one slash and she would finally win against him for the first time.

She lifted her sword in an attempt to point it at his chest, but like a lightning bolt, a small pocket knife was already on the sides of her neck.

'Great. Just great'

Realizing she lost, she placed her sword on the ground. The defeat hurt. Nikolai was almost close to losing but he was clever, thinking ten steps ahead when she was still planning her next attack.

They stayed like that for seconds, panting. Then they erupted in laughter.

Nikolai stood up first and gave her a hand, "First rule in battle, don't let your guard down."

She took it and stood, dusting off her shirt.

"Thank you," Allyria said, "Don't worry, more training and I'll finally get to outmatch you," she said with certainty.

Nikolai winked, "Try harder."

Markolin and Vysela headed towards them. Markolin was clapping while Vysela was still frowning for what happened earlier.

"That's it for today," the commander of the Royal Guards, Elil Marquesse, came into view.

He was the one responsible for their training in battle and the castle's defense. Although he's already at his mid-50s, his strong suit with combat doesn't seem to recede. He is still the King and Queen's vanguard, despite the old age.

The commander turned to Allyria, "The Royal Highness is looking for you, Your Grace. You may go straight to the Great Hall, the king and queen are awaiting for your presence," he said.

She furrowed her eyebrows in confusion.

'Why would they like to see me all of a sudden?'

Instead of asking for further questions, she glanced at her siblings hoping they would know something, but they all just gave her a shrug.

Since no one seemed to have a hint about it, Allyria just told her thanks to Commander Marquesse for his service and they all went back to the castle.