Moon Slaves

Fencing [2]

Elizabeth was shocked by Lady Constance's actions. She was seriously working to hurt Elizabeth.

Starting with the ruthless shoulder tackle from her, and the whipping of her blade to her body. There was nothing about this that was close to fencing.

Trying to fend off Lady Constance, she could only afford to be totally passive against the aggressive Lady who wanted to attack quickly.

It was difficult and made Elizabeth's heart pound restlessly as she defended without being able to initiate her own attack.

She kept moving, both forward and backward, and tried to force Lady Constance to adjust while trying not to get too close.

Her face was scrunched up into dismay and stains of exhaustion as she took slight shots at Lady Constance's hand and short lunge attacks to the arm, which was with the aim to keep herself from settling too much into a comfort zone but also with the aim of putting herself at minimal risk from Lady Constance's ruthlessness.

The small beats on her opponent's blade was proving to be slightly effective at driving Lady Constance to Elizabeth's tune.

She used the fencing strip intelligently - not backing up too early, or too far, even though she almost couldn't help being distraught with her own tone.

Being up against the end line was distracting.

As much as she could find possible, she used her bell guard and the inner part of her blade to parry by moving her hand laterally, which allowed her to cover.

But these intelligent defenses from Elizabeth only proved to anger Lady Constance as the Lady added more force, in fact going as far as to charge at Elizabeth that Elizabeth was disarmed of her blade.

"Constance!" Came from Nicolás.

Elizabeth was slammed by the broader shoulder of Lady Constance, and felt the wind knocked out of her from the brutality of the hit.

"Enough Constance!" Nicolas yelled at the red eyed Lady.

Once again Elizabeth was slammed by Lady Constance, this time sending her to the floor.

"Filthy peasant! What are you trying to prove?" Lady Constance said in a spiteful tone, raising the blade up as if she was about to flog Elizabeth with it.

Elizabeth quickly raised her arm to cover her face but the metal never came down on her skin.

"That's enough from you Constance." This voice was different from Lord Nicolás' voice.

Less youthful, and more mature and heavy, and it was more efficient on getting through Lady Constance.

Elizabeth dropped the hand covering her face to find the white haired lady dropping her blade and moving away from her.

Lady Constance turned to the other side and hung her head. "My apologies."

Elizabeth was sure the apology was not directed at her. She looked over to where Lady Constance was facing to find Duke Rousseau and Oliviér standing at the side.

The Duke had a look of disappointment on his face whilst Oliviér's expression was almost intelligible if it were not for the dip of his eyebrows.

"I knew your sister was a mid-carding at fencing but what I just saw was a disgrace to fencing. She was attempting to harm my Assistant." Oliviér said, the poison in his tongue far too apparent.

Lady Constance's face fell and she looked flushed from Oliviér's words. She shook her head. "No, no, that's not—"

"I am disgusted by this blatant act of aggression towards my assistant. One might mistake that Elizabeth was facing a gorilla by the apparent ruthlessness your sister charged in with."

'Ah, there's the Oliviér with the poisonous tongue' Elizabeth thought. She was beginning to worry he only had such a knife-like tongue towards her.

But it turned out he was a snake waiting for the next victim to strike with his venom. The words must have hit Lady Constance where it hurts because she looked like life was drained out of her.

Considering Elizabeth's observation it must be because Lady Constance had feelings for Oliviér.

'Pity.' Elizabeth nearly shook her head from seeing the lady's shaking hands. Such a cold hearted person filled with only venom in his mouth would obviously be unable to show any affection to anyone.

"Peace, Oliviér, there's no need for foul words." Duke Constantine said to Oliviér who rolled his eyes.

"I have to agree with Mr. Fóix, Lady Constance acted feral for what was only a friendly fencing spar." Nicolas who had initially been quiet added.

Oliviér did not reply, walking towards his assistant who had been thrashed to the ground by Lady Constance, he held out his hand in front of her.

She without a thought took the hand, having been feeling a slight ache around her waist. She would be telling a lie if she said she didn't like the texture of Oliviér's palm, being neither rough nor soft.

It felt so warm and comfortable around her, her heart seemed to have skipped a beat. He held on to her smaller hand as he turned back to the Duke and Lord Nicolas.

"This a disrespect to me, and a person of repute standing as an assistant investigator like Miss Vilré." Oliviér said, and Elizabeth could have sworn he gave her hand a light squeeze.

"I agree completely." Nicolas added in, his eyes finding Elizabeth behind Oliviér and giving her a brilliant smile.

Oliviér's golden-red eyes narrowed at Nicolás by the slightest, but it was only for a second and was caught by no one.

Duke Constantine nodded. "I understand. Constance, you must apologize for hurting Miss Vilré."

Lady Constance's eyes nearly popped out of her eye sockets, and veins popped furiously on her neck. "Brother! This is preposterous! She is a commoner!"

Elizabeth was unable to guess which word from the sentence that triggered the Duke but his calm expression immediately switched into one of annoyance.

"I never expected the day would come when you would disappoint me by saying such words." Duke Constantine even looked disgusted a little.

Lady Constance blinked rapidly, swallowing, and a dawning expression covered her face.

She turned to Elizabeth and said. "I apologize," She wouldn't look Elizabeth in the eyes. "I will retire to my room now."

Then she walked away with hurried steps. Elizabeth wondered what it was between the lines of their conversation that made both parties behave so strangely.

Oliviér didn't look the slightest bit appeased by the apology, dawning a casual look.

"We must leave as well, the new lead in the case will not investigate itself."

He pulled Elizabeth's hand as he began walking away.

"Wait!" This came from the young Lord with blonde hair. He stopped right in front of Elizabeth with a silly smile. "Might I know if you would return to the Rousseau Villa?"

Elizabeth didn't get the chance to reply as Oliviér spoke faster than her. "Yes, we will."