I tamed the female lead

Chapter 12

The way Astéria walked to the platform was enough to scare anyone. The way she was walking was so charismatic that I didn't want to be in her way and almost stepped aside but I forced myself to stay put. I was strong. I beat everyone else and even if Astéria was the strongest one here, that didn't mean I didn't have a chance. As if she felt my determination, Astéria looked at me and smiled. She extended me her hand. I accepted it, placing my sword in the other hand. While doing so I noticed that Astéria was left handed. This detail wasn't in the book and for some reason I thought of Orange who was right handed. I didn't know why I was thinking of her now but I forced myself to focus back on the present.

"May the strongest win."

I liked this and smiled in agreement. Astéria wasn't the type to waste time and immediately got into position. My heartbeat calmed down suddenly and my field of vision shrunk to Astéria's body. I didn't hear sounds anymore and couldn't feel anything except for the sword. I was ready and as soon as I heard the ring, I rushed in front. I had to attack first to gain some kind of upper hand during this match. It would have worked with anyone else but Astéria's reflexes were inhuman. She blocked my blade without hesitation and didn't even flinch her gaze planted in mine.

Every time Astéria attacked me I couldn't help block my breathing. How could someone be this strong? Now that I was feeling her strength I realized that she was going way easier on me the first time. How could a human be this strong? It was impossible. In the book they did describe her strength as mountain shaking but I never thought it would be this intense. Was she even giving it her all? I was quite strong myself but she was completely overpowering me and I knew I had no chance of winning by attacking her upfront. I had to put everything on endurance and speed.

Astéria wasn't only strong. Her reflexes were so good it felt as if she had 8 eyes and she never seemed to run out of breath. I wasn't even sure she had lungs and really wanted to check air was flowing in and out. She was dominating me in every aspect of the sport but I didn't give up. Despite being completely towered upon, she still couldn't touch me which was ecstatic. During her last matches she would win in a matter of seconds but even if I had no idea how long we had fought, it had to be more than a minute. I was doing great! I had to keep up!

Unfortunately, I suddenly felt something cold against my throat. It wasn't so sudden because it took me a few seconds to understand why I couldn't move anymore. I didn't even know where the blade came from or how Astéria moved to achieve this but there I was, defeated. It took me long seconds to understand what this meant at first not understanding why I couldn't move. Some time later I noticed that Astéria was holding me by the hip, maintaining me against her. She was so close that I could feel her breath on my lips. She did have lungs after all and I did manage to make her run out of breath. This made me smile. I didn't win but this wasn't that bad either:

"Well done. Next time it won't be that easy."

Astéria stared at me with wide eyes for a few seconds before smiling too. I could feel her hand crisp around my waist and her pulling me in closer. I was crushed against her chest, my breathing still all over the place. There was something strange about the way she was staring at me and I couldn't move as if being sucked in by her eyes. I had no idea how long we had been in each other's arms but soon people understood it was over and they started cheering. I finally heard them and woke up pushing Astéria away softly. She didn't seem happy about this but let me go nonetheless.

Astéria stayed on the platform to gain her ornament as everyone was clapping from beneath her. I climbed down too and felt her gaze all over me as I was walking away. Now that I was downstairs I realized how displeased people were. They didn't seem happy that the winner was Astéria. Apart from looking scary this time around, she was still a wizard and people didn't like that. On my side, I clapped loudly as a good loser and smiled generally happy for her. Astéria didn't look away for a second but soon the crowd got too thick and I decided to leave. As I went back to the changing rooms and got ready, I heard someone knocking. I told them to come in and Alastair appeared with a bouquet of flowers before handed it to me with a smile:

"You were amazing today."

I accepted them and took the bouquet.

"You did very well against Astéria but it seemed she is in a completely different league than us."

I laughed:

"She is incredible, in fact. I gave it my all but still didn't manage to touch her once.

-No one would have done any better, don't worry. I am sure even our teachers would have had a hard time.

-They better! If someone beats her easily, my ego would be too wounded.

-I have no idea how you are still standing.

-Trust me, me neither. I think I lost a few bones.

-That's what I found on my way here!

-Please bring them back to me if you can."

We exchanged some formalities while laughing. The mood was very nice but Alastair soon left to let me change. This was very considerate of him. Everything went fine and I had to admit that he didn't irritate me at all during those few minutes. I put the flowers down and when I came back for them I was really surprised to see them withered. I frowned in front of this sight. Was it normal for flowers to wither this quickly? I shrugged and threw them out. I didn't want them the first time. It didn't change anything.

I heard another knock and I thought it was Alastair who forgot something but when the door opened, I saw Astéria behind it. I raised my eyebrows before smiling:

"Are you looking for something?"

She shook her head.

"Anyway, I would like to congratulate you once again. You are indeed the strongest person in the whole school."

While I said this I suddenly realized something: I had been so caught up in my training and my wanting to win that I completely forgot about the book. Astéria didn't act all shy and fragile at all but I thought maybe that was just the first book being evasif. However, one thing was for sure, she didn't participate in the sparring tournament at all and most of all she didn't win it. What changed? Poehina didn't participate either but I doubted it would have been because of me. Was it to impress Alastair? I didn't understand anything but knew Astéria was very smart and was sure this was part of her plan. It wasn't my problem and I shouldn't ask about something that didn't concern me so I just smiled.

"You were truly incredible.

-You were way better."

I smiled:

"But you still beat me."

Astéria pinched her lips:

"Are you mad?

-Me? Of course not! We gave it our all and I wasn't good enough. That's life. I'll be honest, my ego did suffer a bit but I am honestly happy for you."

She slowly nodded.

"Were you scared that I was mad?

-Yes."

My heart melted. She was way too cute. This was completely different from the way she fought or the way she stared at people during the ball.

"That's really nice, thank you. But don't worry I really don't care. I wouldn't get mad over such things."

Astéria nodded happily and I could see how relieved she was. Her acting was amazing. I completely believed she had been scared. But why was she so nice to me? Did she need me in her plans? Did she think that I loved Alastair? I had to tell her now that she didn't need to pay any attention to me. Maybe I went too far with my speech before the tournament saying that I would beat her next time.

"I am sure you impressed everyone today and Alastair even told me how amazing you were. I think he really likes you."

I smiled to prove her that I didn't mind but for some reason Astéria frowned:

"Why are you telling me this?"

I opted for being honest. I couldn't have Astéria be wary of me:

"Don't you like him? I think you have your chances.

-No."

I tilted my head.

"Sorry?

-I don't like him."

I frowned. Wasn't her whole plan built on Alastair being in love with her? What changed?

"You don't have to lie to me. Alastair is only my fiancé on paper. I don't plan on marrying him at all.

-Me neither."

Did her plans really change? As if Astéria felt my puzzlement, she said:

"I didn't want to impress him.

-Oh, okay then."

She pinched her lips and left.