Chapter 95
1096 Words
Third Person POV
Miriam took an unfamiliar stance. She used a rapier while he used his usual longsword. Her usually demure expression was replaced with a serious one. While Kron hesitated to attack first, Miriam took a lunge at him. The first thing he noticed was that she was fast. The next thing he saw was a vision that he lost his head.
He immediately raised his sword to protect his head and guarded against a devastating strike. Cold sweat poured down his back. For him, it was too different compared to facing Geraldine. While she felt like a mountain, Miriam felt like a ghost, lurking around, waiting for the right moment to steal your soul.
Miriam was relentless with her strikes which were just shy from his vital organs. The rapier’s thin blade has a longer reach and sharper edge which meant he was dancing on the edge of death during the spar. He barely had no time to think or attack guarding from her fatal strikes.
Their fight gathered an audience of two kinds of people. The people who were well aware she could fight. These people shook their head in pity. The people who didn’t know she could fight with their jaws hanging from their mouths.
“Her form is always magnificent anytime I see it,” Amaya commented in a dreamy tone. She was dressed as River but in that brief moment, lost herself in appreciation of Miriam.
“It’s clearly... something,” General Tiller commented, watching closely. He always knew she could fight but didn’t know the extent of her strength. It was surprising and terrifying.
It was hard to even call it a spar when it had turn into a one man beat down. It ended with Miriam pointing her blade at his forehead while he was sprawled on the ground.
“... Thank you for the lesson, Duchess Miriam.”
She smiled and walked away. KRON lifted himself from the dirt and walked to where Reid was waiting. Reid offered a towel to clean his sweat and collected his weapon.
“That was a very... intense fight. Did you sustain any injuries?”
“No... she was very good with her techniques. I gained a lot.”
“That’s wonderful since I’ll make sure you never do that again.”
“Why are you talking about?”
“You’re not going to take challenges on my watch anymore.”
“But why?”
“Your life is important. Now let’s go apologize to the lady of the house. Word is, she’s getting a visitor here today.”
They walked into the mansion together and went to clean Kron up first before they went to the reception hall.
Miriam, a few days ago received a letter from Ariana informing her of her inability to be present at the wedding. Miriam was understanding and just like that, Ariana was forgiven. The second letter was more troubling. It was from Kalvin and it stated that a family member would be present instead of them. The family member happened to be his sister, who was famous for being… eccentric and hard to please.
A carriage rolled up to the entrance of the estate. The footman brought her down and she was escorted to the entrance where Mirabel waited.
“Welcome to the Horps Estate, Princess Kanna.”
“Thank you.”
Her response was curt and prim, just like her appearance. Mirabel was sure she was as young as she was yet she had such an overpowering presence. She had intentional strides as she walked into the mansion. Miriam was waiting for them in the living room. She stood and gave a deep bow when she saw the princess.
“So you’re the duchess? My brother has said a lot of good things about you.”
Miriam smiled at that. Kanna stared, waiting for a response. When Miriam realized that, she panicked, looking at Mirabel.
“Your highness, the duchess cannot speak.”
“A duchess that cannot speak? Interesting. My brother never spoke of this. It’s common for details to skip his mind though.”
{Tell her I’m honored that he spoke about me and that I’m glad she’s in my home. Please, make sure she’s not offended.}
“She says she’s honored to have you here. Would you like to have tea?”
Kanna’s eyes twinkled, seeing Miriam’s hands. She moved closer and held them in hers. Miriam was frightened but she didn’t move.
“She was communicating with her hands, wasn’t she?”
“She is doing something called sign language. It’s the way she communicates.”
“... I’ve never seen anything more fascinating. I want to know more about this.”
“You do not want to meet the couple, your highness?”
“I do not care about them. Let’s talk about it over tea.”
“... Yes, your highness.”
Miriam, Kanna and Mirabel spent the afternoon discussing the intricacies of sign language. Kanna looked fascinated with their every action that Miriam wasn’t able to stop until dinner time. Eventually, Geraldine and Amaya joined them. Seeing the conversation was about her lady, Geraldine was more than willing to inject herself into the conversation. However, everyone had to take dinner together and that’s when the two royals were introduced.
“Prince Kron, this is Princess Kanna. Princess Kanna, this is our crown prince.”
“A good evening to you, Princess Kanna.”
“... My brother doesn’t like you. A good evening to you too.”
Kron was left speechless when Kanna walked over to sit beside Miriam on the dining table. Miriam smiled awkwardly as she was put under a lot of pressure. Eventually, they began and ended dinner. Miriam was glad that Kanna insisted on retiring for the day.
When she got to her room, there was someone waiting there for her.
“Why are you here?”
“I should ask you the same thing, Lia. Why are you here?”
“I received instructions from the king to be here. Susanne was supposed to come instead of you. So, why are you here?”
“Susanne has to watch Kalvin so I’m here. Why? You don’t want me here.”
“No, not really. You’re a troublemaker. Well, you’re here already so there’s nothing I can say about it. But, be informed I would be watching you.”
“Aren’t you always?” Kanna grumbled.
“Come to the town market alone tomorrow. You’ll meet everyone there.”
“Alright.”
- Writer
