Combat Training.

"Do you want to stop?" Ren asked suddenly staring down at her pitiful figure. She lay on the ground where she had been thrown down just a second ago feeling helpless. Her whole body hurt her sweaty and sticky skin making it all the worse. She peered at the culprit who was still bursting with energy making her sigh as she shook her head. Her hands ached as she pushed herself off the ground before standing up slowly.

"No!" she declared glaring at her opponent who had beaten her up a couple of times already. She had thought the training wouldn't be so hard after getting back her memories but this guy just had to shutter her fantasies. To make matters worse he was so matter-of-fact with it she had to show him what she was made off, after all, she was not here to get beaten up.

"Good" He agreed his lips stretching a little as she stared at the fired-up girl as she glared at her opponent. She had been training from the morning but only emitted the spirit he wanted to see now. He had been worried ever since she came back with no previous memories and even felt guilty. After all her injury was all because of something he had decided to do despite the risk. She was different from before and she needed to revert to herself to take all the things that would come at them.

"I'm ready" she stated before rushing at her opponent full speed. They had been fighting since morning and she had now learned all his moves and could counter them now. She twisted a little just as his hand approached her chest before hitting his side and defending from his next attack. This time she was doing better, she could tell from how many hits she was getting and defending. He had also started moving slower she took the chance and beat him down to the ground as he had done before.

"Enough!" Ren stopped after realizing she had no intention of stopping her assault. She stopped after some kicks before turning away from the now injured gardener. When Ren had told her about combat training she had not expected it to be against the gardeners. Neither had she expected them to be good enough to pummel her to the ground repeatedly before she could fight back. She approached the stone bench in the corner and took a seat trying to catch some air. The training was being held in the back of the castle in an enclosed space that had nothing but benches and shelves fully stocked with weapons of all kinds. Her eyes trailed to the shelves at the other end of the room admiring the wide assortment of weapons.

"Are we using them?" she had asked immediately after seeing them.

"No, you first have to learn to use your body" Ren had answered glaring at her outstretched arm making her pout as she stared at the shelves longingly.

She sighed before picking up a water bottle and taking a sip as she watched the now fully recovered gardener talk to Ren. Injuries obtained during combat would hurt but would somehow heal after taking breaks and would reoccur only when combat started again. She had no idea why but it was the reason why Ren had let the gardener beat her up since morning. He suddenly turned to her before calling her over, she approached slowly and nodded at the gardener who was walking out.

"Go back now, it is lunchtime back there."Ren offered as soon as she got to his side. He seemed distracted as she studied his facial expressions.

"Okay, should I come back in the evening?" she asked pretending not to notice the conflict in his eyes.

"No, that was enough for today but you should come earlier tomorrow" he retorted before walking away with no further words. She did not know what they had spoken about but she was feeling uneasy as she hesitantly left the realm. She appeared in her room and picked her robe before approaching the door connected to the bath. At first, she had wondered why she had her bath but stopped questioning it due to its convenience. She took off her clothes before walking into the pool sighing as soon as the hot water came into contact with her sore muscles. She was done after a few minutes and put on her robe before walking out of the bath she could hear someone knock on her door as soon as she was back in her room.

"Did you bring my lunch?" she asked as she approached the door before pulling it open to the sight of her guard and no food. She frowned before looking around and looking back at him with a raised eyebrow. He seemed shocked before turning away from her as if frightened by something.

"What's wrong?" she asked in a confused tone as she glared at him.

"Um... miss could you please put on some clothes" he pleaded still looking away making her look down at her gown. It was made using a thick grey fabric and was not see-through making her wonder why he was so shocked.

"Later, what did you want?" she dismissed before asking.

"Miss you should...." he repeated making her tsk before rolling her eyes.

"Stop overreacting and tell me why you were knocking on my door." she insisted.

"Talk, or do you want us to stand here for the entire day?" she asked angrily after he failed to answer.

"No, but..." he started with a timid voice that was never present previously.

"You are the one who was knocking furiously but now you are not talking plus where is my lunch or do you plan to starve me. Talk or else I will enter this room and lock myself in and not come out again." she threatened the still shocked guard who was still looking away from her.

"Young miss, the prince wants you to visit him for lunch" he finally reported making her frown. Only two days had passed since her supposed house arrest and he was already calling her out for visits. It seemed he never intended to keep his word but instead ensure she was under his beck and call.

"Where," she said "where am I visiting?" she repeated after realizing he was not answering.

"I am not supposed to tell you" he stated making her roll her eyes.

"Fine, Mr bodyguard" she relented before locking her room door. He was probably planning to show off how he had her in his control therefore she would have to dress up. She remembered the mostly blue clothes in her wardrobe and sighed before approaching it she had never looked through all the clothes properly and was hoping for a different color. A few other colors were present and she only decided on a flower embroidered pink skirt and top after some time. She quickly dressed up before coming to her hair wondering whether to wear it up or down before putting it up in a bun using her fanciest pin. She was presentable at least that was what she could tell from her reflection if not then it was not her fault.

"Let's go then!" she asserted as soon as she walked out of the room already walking toward the courtyard's exit. He delayed a little before following her out she walked quickly and they were soon out of the residence. She stopped in the street before turning to the confused guard.

"Lead the way" she recommended after realizing he had forgotten his refusal to inform her of their destination. He seemed confused before nodding after remembering his earlier words. She followed behind slowly as she tried to imprint everything she saw in her memory in case of anything. The streets were as busy as the last time she had taken a walk and they had to move slowly to avoid separation. Mo Xi's uniform was eye-catching making her feel uneasy as everyone stared at them. She could still remember the guy she had beat and wondered if he had been too scared to track her or had not been able to do it. After all she had embarrassed him in front of a lot of people twice.

"How far is it?" she interrogated looking around the unfamiliar paths they were taking. She could of course find her way back but she was now anxious remembering she could have someone looking for her.

"Just ahead" he answered turning to her and slowing down as if noticing her apprehension. He had been walking ahead but they now walked side by side before approaching a fancy restaurant that stood in a semi-busy street. It was cleaner and fancier from the other streets and seemed like somewhere only the rich hang out. The ladies were much more decked out in jewelry and the men were dressed in fancier fabrics, she felt slightly more relaxed walking in the less crowded streets. Two guards stood before the restaurant and only nodded as they walked in unlike the other guests who were being stopped. Her eyes roved around the restaurant and only stopped when they landed on her brother making her curse.