Chapter 4 Duel Day

Time moved fast and before Niya could remember it was the next morning. The day of the duel. Even though Niya practiced as much as she could she still did not feel it was enough.

It never felt like enough.

It was early morning Niya took her favorite horse which was a brown-colored beauty named Thundercloud. She made her way to the academy grounds. When students turn eighteen years old, they are allowed to live out of the academy and come there occasionally for practice. While going for practice was not mandatory, taking part in weekly sparring was.

Weekly sparring always took place between equal opponents. When one of them won, they were made to spar with someone who was previously considered a bit better than them. This procedure was followed by the actual army too. And this is how people's ranking increases and they get promoted.

Since the order of knights is the army in training before enlisting it is taken very seriously.

Niya got ready and made her way to the academy grounds. Although she did not need to arrive so early because the competition always took place from weaker to stronger and Niya's rank came among the strongest. But she still went to cheer on Ralph.

Together with Niya Ralph has been practicing hard for a whole week too. So, she had high hopes of him promoting to quite high levels.

When she reached the academy grounds it was filled with the whole order. There was a buzz of excitement in the air among the people too.

Niya kept her horse in the stable and made her way to Ralph sitting on the benches by the competition grounds. There was a total of three grounds where competitions will be taking place since there are going to be so many competitions and it will save time if they are being done simultaneously.

"Ralph!"

"Niya, what are you doing here so early? Your match will not start before ten in the morning."

"I came to see how much you learned this week."

Ralph blushed and said,

"You should not say things like that to a man Niya, it sounds like----" Before Ralph could finish his sentence, Niya interrupted him.

"What does it sound like?"

Ralph blushed more and said in a squeaky voice

"It sounds like you are cheering for your suiter."

Hearing this Niya started to laugh, she laughed so hard that her stomach hurt and tears filled her eyes,

"What made you even think that way, get stupid ideas out of your head kid." Saying this, Niya hit Ralph lightly on the head.

What both Ralph and Niya did not know was that that day, not only Niya even Leh had arrived earlier than usual at the academy grounds. And he had heard every word of their conversation and right now was fuming at Ralph for even instating that there could be something between. Add to the fact that Niya came early in the morning to watch Ralph Spar. Leh was angry enough to seek revenge.

He walked to where Niya and Ralph were standing and called,

"Ralph."

"Second prince." Ralph bowed. Niya straight of ignored him.

"I would like to talk to you."

"Yes, second prince."

"Alone" Before Ralph could agree Niya interrupted,

"What could you possibly have to tell him that you cannot speak of in front of me?"

She was worried that the prince might bully her friend. Leh's jaw ticked.

"Niya, I have limited amount of patience regarding some things, and you have crossed it multiple times. So, for your own sake and for others, it would be better if you stop doing it." When Leh said 'others' he made it a point to look at Ralph.

And it was his patience regarding Niya giving attention to every possible person out there except for him. He is not a petty person nor a jealous one. But he does have a temper and Niya has chosen this Ralph over him again and again. He does not have a problem with their friendship, in fact, the prince is happy that someone can look out for Niya in the academy when he is not around, not that Niya needs anyone's help. But even as a friend Ralph should know his boundaries.

The prince's words did not scare Niya at all. On the other hand, it was Ralph who turned quite pale.

"Niya I am no child; I can make my decision for myself." Although Niya was his beloved friend to Ralph, she was still a woman and it hurt his pride to be defended by one.

Niya noticed the hurt in her friend's voice and his fear at Leh's warning too. But she focused on the hurt first because she knew for all the threats Leh gave were empty.

"Ralph, I did not mean that---"

Before Niya could finish Ralph raised his hand and faced the palm towards her to stop her from speaking.

"Yes, second prince, since you would like to speak to me alone. Let us go to a less crowded place."

Ralph's words upset Niya but she did not say anything because she knew that it was Leh who had manipulated the whole situation.

"No need for that, we just need to be away from the hearable range. Come with me." Leh loomed his arm along Ralph's shoulder to rile Niya and walked twenty steps away from her where she could still see them but not hear them if their voices were low enough.

Leh turned them around so that Niya could see their front instead of back. Then he pulled Ralph closer and his hold grew tighter. When Ralph was clearly uncomfortable, he whispered in his ears, while looking at Niya.

"The day Niya starts to actually see you as a suiter rather than a friend would be the last day you are alive." Ralph turned visibly pale. And the prince instantly let go of him and turned around and left.

Worried, Niya ran to her friend.

"What did he say to you?" She asked him.

Ralph was in trance and he visibly gulped,

"Ralph!" Niya called again,

"Huh?"

"What did he say to you?"

"Mind your own business sometimes Niya." Saying this Ralph ran across the field to get ready, as soon it would be his turn to spar.

Niya was upset over Ralph's response. It was visible on her face. She went down and sat on the bench at the side looking at the matches ongoing. Leh walked to where she was sitting and sat down beside her. They both quietly observed.

When it was Ralph's turn, he sparred spectacularly and managed to move upwards by three ranks. The last opponent he sparred with was a tough one and he still managed to keep his front for an impressive amount of time. Niya felt proud.

Usually, all the knights stayed behind to watch other matches. Rumor had it that there was a secret betting panel that the instructors at the academy did not know about. They also stayed back to see how good everyone has gotten and to learn new techniques by watching others.

But today Ralph was in no mood to stay. He might have progressed quite a bit but he just did not feel like it. He knew he was not being a good friend to Niya by staying there for her match. Especially when she worked so hard for it. Well, that was nothing special, she worked hard for it every time. But this time she was sure of winning.

Anyways, he would apologize to her later. Besides, if she really won the news would soon reach him.

Niya was surprised to see that Ralph had left before she could go talk to him and congratulate him. But she could not go behind him as soon it would be her and Leh's turn to spar.

While Niya was busy looking at the ongoing matches. Leh backed away a little while his back rested against the bench and he kept his arms above its edge.

He observed Niya. Even early in the morning, her hair was tied in messy braids that she probably made herself instead of getting it done by her handmaiden. A tendril of hair let loose curled against her face she unconsciously tucked it behind her ears giving Leh a better view of her face.

Her face was lightly tanned due to working under the sun every day. Her skin is creamy with cheeks flushed with health. Her arms looked strong but not too strong considering how much power they had.

Leh had the strongest urge to pull her back so that she would fall into his arms. Niya might think that Leh is very powerful but she did not know that one touch from her and Leh would be on his knees. He would go on his knees just so she would let him touch her. So, she would touch him.

Before Leh could drown more in his desire for Niya, the instructor called their name,

The last match was still ongoing when the instructor informed them that soon it would be their turn. Niya came out of her reverie and started to mentally prepare herself while she looked around. She noted the presence of noble ladies around the grounds who had come to watch Leh fight. Among them was also Lady Ashtah who was Leh's beloved.

Rumor had it that they might soon get betrothed. Most people were envious of their union in the capital. After all Lady Ashtah was the most beautiful woman in the empire and Leh the most handsome man.

Niya had noticed how beautiful Leh looked when they were still children. He had night-sky black hair that was so rare in their empire and onyx eyes that ladies said would suck them in and trap their souls forever. Leh had a face structure so beautiful that even sculptures failed to capture the whole beauty of it. He had gotten his beauty from his mother the most beautiful woman of their enemy empire, Lady Asulah.

Lady Ashtah walked to where they were sitting.

"Greetings, second prince," Niya noted how Lady Ashtah did not greet her when it was social etiquette to always greet people of higher standing than them.

"Greetings, my lady. You should not be here while the sun's rays are so harsh. I am afraid your skin beautiful and fair, might get dull." The lady blushed at Leh's compliment.

Niya never understood how Leh turned from an absolute asshole to a kind gentleman in front of Lady Ashtah. The poor woman has no idea what she is going to get married to.

"You worry too much about me, the second prince. I am wearing protective cream and see carrying an umbrella too." She mentioned it as if it was possible to ignore that frilly ugly thing.

"I suppose it is fine then. Then what are you doing here, my lady?" Asked Leh still maintaining the façade of a gentleman in love. Sural might know about his preference for Niya but the rest of the world did not. And better stay that way for a while. Besides it would be fun to make a fool of Ashtah one day like he made a fool of Sural.

When Sural, like everybody, thought that it was Lady Ashtah whom Leh wanted to pursue, he went ahead and seduced her to his bed thinking that when Leh got to know his ego would be hurt. But on the point that party on the day of Lady Asulah's death, Sural realized it was him who was the fool.

"I came here to cheer upon the second prince, and if you are tired or thirsty. You can rest in my carriage. We have excellent tea with cakes ready."

"I am grateful my Lady."

"You are very—" before Lady Ashtah could finish her sentence, the instructor called him and Niya for their match.

"It was pleasant talking to you my lady, but I have to leave now." Leh was done talking and he got up to leave.

Maybe Niya imagined it but she saw Leh's smile turn a bit sinister at the end. But when she looked at him again all the expressions on his face were gone. Only concentration was visible.