Chapter 17

It was late afternoon when we got to the other side of the bridge. Last time I was here I was too nervous to even look around. It was a well maintained castle. There even was a big garden with trees, flowers and lanes to stroll. I could sense a woman's hand here. It was way pleasing to the eye. Lorcan took me straight to the castle but I wasn't eager to meet the Lady. I was told to stay in the dining room and the servants brought me something warm to eat and drink. I enjoyed the food as I was really hungry. The dining room looked splendid. There were a few pictures on the walls, the chairs were upholstered and comfortable. The furniture looked luxurious even the curtains were in a light mint color which made the whole room look brighter. 

"So, dad brought you here." A sudden voice made me immediately alert. I turned around only to notice one of the Lord's kids. 

He dropped any honorifics, no wonder after all I was a slave for him. But it was pissing me off that such a kid was addressing me like that. 

"As you can see, young Lord." I replied after a short pause.

"Why are you here?"

'I would like to go to the chapel." I took a sip of tea and the kid sat down next to me, making me feel even more uncomfortable.

"You can eat, I will wait for you." 

And he was sitting next to me and watching me eat, which made me lose my appetite after a while, so I stopped.

"You should eat more, you are so thin and you are not much taller than me." Truth to be told, that boy was almost as tall as I was. I gave him a displeased look and stood up.

"Well, I'm still taller than you and I might grow a bit more." I pouted. "Besides, my Lord, I'm a capable fighter too." I decided to say that to take him down a peg. His eyes sparkled immediately.

"You are? Then come with me." He grabbed my hand and pulled me behind him.

Just like his father, that was the only thought that crossed my mind before I was dragged to some back yard. This was a training ground as I noticed as soon as we stopped. 

"Here." He threw me a sword. It was a wooden one used for practicing. That was good, I wasn't a great warrior, my skills were average. Sir Tumber, the former captain of the king's guard, was responsible for my brother and my practice. He was strict, demanding and never pleased with me. My arm got tired easily, my stamina wasn't as good as my brother's. However the wooden sword was lighter and who knows maybe I could win with that kid.

"Are you ready?" His wide grin was irritating.

"I am." 

He attacked me first. My strength was my agility so I moved quickly avoiding his strikes when I could and fighting back when I had no other option. His way of fighting was way more aggressive. He was younger than me and yet I had problems fighting him back. Soon I was out of breath. 

"You look like a dancer not like a warrior." 

I looked to the side and saw the other twin. That almost made me loose. I stepped aside and decided to stop.

"That's enough, young master." I smiled as I wanted to quit it. The other twin looked disappointed. "Your skills are good." I decided to praise him." 

"Yeah I know, I was holding back as I didn't want to hurt you." He grinned back. I rolled my eyes and sighted. What a proud brat. I handed him the sword back. 

"You do move very smoothly. I liked that. It's way different from what we are taught." The other kid complimented me. 

"Stop it Jay. You know I hate when you butt in." My sword opponent hissed at his brother.

"Keep dreaming Tod, you know what father is doing with him, he will never let that slave go." Jay smirked, satisfied that he managed to piss his brother.

I blushed,they were talking about me as if I wasn't there. 

"I need to go, the Lord might be looking for me." I decided to get out of here. 

Tod was immediately next to me.

"I will show you the way." He offered while placing his arm around my waist. I flinched as his gesture surprised me.

"It's fine, I won't do anything to you. Did you know that in over two months I will turn fifteen and then we will live with my father?" He kept rumbling all the way back to the dining room.

"That means I will be able to see you every day."

"That's great." I smiled, feeling uneasy in his company.

When we entered the dining room the Lord was already there.

"Where were you?" His voice was cold and filled with anger.

"We were in the training grounds, practicing swordsmanship." I explained feeling pressured by Lorcad's sudden cold aura.

"I told you to stay in the dining room, didn't I?" He came closer and all I could do was to lower my head. I had no excuse.

"It's all my fault dad, I dragged him there." Tod pushed himself in front of me.

"Tod, this is my slave. I won't give him to you, so keep your hands away." He pushed his son aside and grabbed my hand. I was dragged again. What's wrong with this family? Lorcan was stronger and taller, I barely managed to keep up with him.

"I'm sorry Lorcan." I decided to apologize hoping it will ease the mood. He looked at me.

"Were you training the swordsmanship, really?" He smirked. "With a body like this I doubt you are any good." He was mocking me and doubting my honesty.

"I'm a prince, I was trained in different areas, in combat as well. I might not be as strong as you are, my Lord, but I'm also capable of defending myself." I raised my chin and looked him proudly in the eyes.

"Sure, if you say so. However, despite your amazing skills you are here, my dear … prince." He pulled my hand again and without uttering any more words we came into the chapel.

To my surprise inside was a priest. Was he summoned only because of me?

I got my blessing and for an hour I was praying in the chapel. But I could barely focus on my prayers, all the time I kept thinking about what Lorcan told me.