A Princess Named Harry: Book 2

Chapter 12

Harry didn't know that Lianne knew swordsmanship, nor did she know why she was so angry with her.

She stood in front of Lianne dawned in the red Cardiaire knight attire, while Lianne stood waiting for her in her green uniform. Red was the color of the Cardiaire Kingdom's knights, and green was Taram's.

All the Cardiaire knights who had finally finished unpacking and organizing their stuff now stood anticipating the fight between the two princesses.

Harry faced Lianne with her sword lowered by her side. She didn't show any hostility, unlike her opponent. Lianne stood in front of Harry with her sword pointed out towards her. She glared at Harry looking ready to lunge towards her at any moment.

Harry looked over beside her at Kahil and Varian. They were standing inches from the duel circle. They didn't look worried for Harry; they both wore calm expressions on their faces. They were well aware that Harry was a tough opponent to beat. She hardly ever lost any fights. Although, she had yet to spar with Varian. He never wanted to spar with her, and she never pressed him to. She gave Kahil the cue to start the duel.

He raised his hand and said loudly so that everyone near could hear, "There will be three rounds! However, if the same person wins both round one and two, then the duel will automatically end with that person as the victor." He looked at Harry and then slowly at Lianne. "Are the participants ready?"

Both sides nodded and gave the go-ahead. "Then begin!" Without another word, Kahil brought his hand down and stepped out of the way.

Harry was confident she would win. She had hardly faced any strong opponents since Nathaniel, but when she did, she always came out the victor. She was certain it would be the same with Lianne. It hadn't even been a second since Kahil had lowered his hand, and round one was already over.

Harry stood shocked. She looked at Lianne whose face was inches from hers. She had the coldest look on her face. Harry turned around to see her sword; Lianne had knocked it out of her hands and far out of the dueling circle. She had been so fast that it appeared she had super speed. Harry slowly and embarrassingly went to pick up her sword. She had underestimated her opponent.

She picked up her sword and walked back into the circle. When she arrived, Lianne had already returned to her spot and was waiting for Harry in position. Neither side said anything. Once Harry got back to her position, Kahil started round two.

Harry tried her best to keep her mind clear of any distracting thoughts. Lianne came at her just as fast and hard as the last time, but this time, Harry was able to block her.

Lianne was one of those people who was way stronger than they looked. Harry struggled to fight and hold her own against her.

Lianne kept bringing her sword so close to Harry's face that all she could do was keep blocking and protecting herself. She wanted to back away-to create distance between them, but every time she tried, Lianne quickly filled in any distance she attempted to make.

Harry eventually concluded that a clear mind would not be of any use to her in this battle, she would have to think of a plan to beat Lianne this round, or else she would lose the duel.

She thought and thought as she blocked Lianne and moved closer and closer out of the circle. When she thought of a good plan, she quickly put it into action. She harshly blocked Lianne's attack, finally putting them to a halt. Harry didn't waste any time; she pulled her sword to her side, preparing for her attack. She swung it towards the side of Lianne's head. She hadn't had any hope it would hit until the last possible second. It was at that last second that the tables were turned.

A sword was thrown high into the air, and it landed straight into the ground. Over half of the steel was stuck deep in the soil. Harry fell to her knees and looked up at Lianne. The crown princess hadn't even broken a sweat. She stood above Harry with judging emerald eyes. She didn't point her sword at Harry's face, instead, she returned it to the scabbard.

Harry was in utter shock. She had lost both rounds in such a short amount of time. Lianne had made all of her other opponents seem like beginners. She wasn't just frightened that she had lost; she was scared. Scared of Lianne's brutal strength.

"I knew it," sighed Lianne. "You are weak." She extended her hand out to Harry. "Here, don't keep sitting on the ground like that."

Harry took Lianne's hand; she was completely out of it.

"While I still don't understand why the twins listen to you, I will take back my words from before." Harry didn't spare her a single glance. "I'm sorry for earlier, I don't intend to make excuses for my actions, but I admit my anger was misplaced at the time." Harry had already figured as much. "Again, I am truly sorry, and if you still want to be friends with me . . . " Lianne became embarrassed. "Well . . . it's my first time having a friend, so I may not be the best at being one, but still . . . I-I'll try." She held Harry's hand tightly. "What do you think, Harry?"

Her words sounded awkward as if she was striking a deal with Harry rather than trying to make friends.

Harry still couldn't look at Lianne. She was upset that she had lost, it was to the point where she wanted to burst into tears for appearing so weak and pathetic in front of everyone.

"I know you aren't weak," spoke Lianne. "Well . . . you aren't that weak."

Just then, Harry's head sprung up. She looked at Lianne with intense eyes.

"What?" Lianne asked, chuckling a bit. "Did you not think that I knew about your duel with the boy who could use magic? Everyone knows! The boy did have magic and it was quite a big deal." Lianne smiled at Harry. "The person who was able to defeat the magic welding boy was a bigger deal, though."

Although she did not feel like smiling, Harry forced a big smile on her face. "I hope we can continue to get along in the future," she said speaking as cheerfully as she could. "Since we'll be friends from now on."

Lianne smiled and replied, "Of course, since you're the only person who's suitable to be my friend."