Duel

Sir Brandon watched the prince's every action with disdain. How he hated this guy! For a man like him to reject a beautiful woman like princess Roselyn angered him to the core. If only he could get a chance to kick that a** of his. After all, he deserved a lesson to learn.

"What about I challenge the prince to a duel?" He asked turning around to face the princess.

However, Roselyn's sharp gaze was nowhere close to that of a happy person. Did this guy actually bear such a grudge with her future-to-be husband. Of course she could not allow him to even lay a finger on him. But a part of her also wanted to punish him. All those countless times that he had turned her down were really a painful ordeal.

"Do you think you can defeat him?" She asked, raising a brow. "He is termed as the best swordsman in the whole of Valoria."

Sir Brandon chuckled lightly at this compliment. It seems the princess had not yet heard the shocking news. A prince defeated by a mere knight with a single strike was nothing to him. He was as good as dead to him.

"I can assure you that title was taken by another person a few days ago. I am also no less skilled, you know." He said arrogantly, his gaze never leaving the prince's.

Roselyn's face turned a few shades darker. What exactly did that statement imply. For one to attain another person's status in Valoria especially in skills, you would have to personally challenge the one who bears that title. Did that mean that Alexander was defeated in a duel? How could she have missed the drama?

"Does that mean that someone actually defeated the prince in a duel?" She asked, despite knowing the answer to the questions. She brought one and one together and guessed the results.

"That knight over there defeated him with a single strike." Roselyn's gaze followed Brandon's line of sight and her gaze landed on a fine young man who stood carefree besides the prince. He exuded an air of arrogance and she could feel a slight tremor in Alexander's voice whenever he spoke to him. The reason of it went without saying.

"Rumors has it that Crown Prince Alexander relentlessly wants to become that man's disciple. But as arrogant as he is, he declined. How presumptuous!" Sir Brandon eyed the man the nth time. Still, he couldn't find anything important on him. He actually thought he could even defeat him. Besides, their country produced the best swordsmen.

Princess Roselyn stared at Sir Gareth in disbelief. That guy had actually turned down such a generous offer from a crown prince! Did he even know the benefits he would have reaped in the future? He was such a fool! And for Alexander to beg a knight to be his master, he was no less. Will he ever soften his heart and accept me as his wife? She sighed at that thought and she knew it was nearly impossible. But that maid!

Her gaze sharpened and her murderous intent settled on the woman standing beside the prince. Besides her looks, she couldn't find anything important on her. But how the hell did she end up following Alexander? A possible answer crossed her mind but she couldn't get herself to even believe it would be possible. She can't be his personal maid!

"What is that woman doing besides...." She swallowed her words when she saw no one beside her. Where exactly in the world had Sir Brandon gone to? Her gaze swept around the place and she saw him coming out of the armory holding a shield and a sword. Was he going to war? But with who? She saw him take one look at her before he ended at the direction where Alexander and the knights were. Her gaze narrowed and her languid eyes widened in realization. He was going to challenge Alexander on a duel!

Alexander was still speaking with Sir Gareth when a knight's presence interrupted their conversation. He looked at him and with one glance, he knew who it was. "What do you want?" He asked coldly not minding the looks from others.

"I heard that his highness is the most skilled swordsman in Valoria. I would like to challenge you into a duel." He replied calmly waiting for Alexander's reaction. However, he was in for a big disappointment.

Alexander continued talking to Sir Gareth as if Brandon never spoke to him in the first place. To him, he never existed. "There are ten silver coins and the promised number of gold coins in that box. You can count to confirm." He said, his hands on his back.

"Is this what the crown prince of Valoria has got?" Brandon asked loud while facing the knights. "Or is he a coward? He can't accept a duel from an Arcadian knight." He sneered and stared at the prince's back.

"No wonder you were defeated with a single strike from a mere knight such as him," he said pointing Sir Gareth with his sword. The prince's expression turned darker and Sir Brandon smiled calmly. It seems those words hurt his pride, he thought.

Sir Gareth's expression was no good either. Did this guy refer to him as a mere knight? Did he even know who he was? He knew that he could kill him with just a thought. But he didn't dare do such a thing lest his identity was revealed. He turned and looked at the prince, smiling calmly.

"Accept the challenge. If you defeat him, I might consider taking you in as my disciple." He said and smiled at Alexander. Patting his shoulder lightly, he left and stood at his favorite spot ready to watch the drama unfold.

Alexander just stood there unmoving as he digested the words from Gareth. He would finally take him in after defeating a knight? This guy was mysterious? Anyways, he would get what he had so much wanted. His gaze sharpened as he turned around and stared coldly at Sir Brandon. He knew from the start that this guy hated him. He was going to make this square, right here and now.

"Isadora!" He called. She came running and halted beside him. "Bring my sword." She nodded lightly and left. She came across Princess Roselyn who stood at the entrance and she looked at her only to be met with a cold look. If looks could kill! She brushed past her without even excusing herself and headed for the armory. So what if she was a princess? She was Alexander's personal maid after all. Not just another maid. And for once, she felt proud of her new title!