Rutherford nodded in understanding after he heard the words their son had spoken.

"Very well. As long as neither one of you is injured, I would not interfere in what you do today." He announced his piece and stood aside with his wife.

According to what he had heard from his son, he was sure that Howard would watch the amount of strength he used in this trial.

This had taken away a large portion of his worries as the chances of the little girl being injured were now lowered.

However, the chances of injury during a fight was always present.

This was the reason why he had spoken his previous statement.

'It is my duty as the father to ensure their safety while I am present.' He declared and remained silent after this short interaction.

Howard did not object to what his father had said but at the same time, he knew that such a situation would never arise.

'I know just what needs to be done.' He rolled his eyes and turned around.

Finding that the little girl who was supposed to be his opponent in the trial was standing while having a blank look on her face, he frowned.

'What is she thinking about?' He wondered and had a weird feeling in his heart.

A feeling which made him uneasy as though she was about to disappear at any time.

The sword in his hand was clenched tightly until his knuckles turned pale and bloodless when such a strange thought appeared in his mind.

Howard shook his head in a fierce motion and narrowed his eyes, pushing this uneasy feeling away from his mind.

"Are you ready?" He called out in a loud voice and felt better when that dazed expression lifted from her face as she turned in his direction.

'Where would she go? She will be here for a long time to come!' He scowled at his heart for imagining absurd things.

Yvonne walked towards him and met her parents who were right there.

The St. Claire couple still had worried expressions as this was regarding the safety of their precious and fragile daughter whom they pampered and treated with utmost care.

"I will be alright." The little girl reassured her parents when she saw the look of distress on their faces.

Though the couple smiled at her, they could not push away the anxiety in their heart for what might happen today.

Yvonne had said her piece so she turned towards her brother with a wide smile.

"I am prepared, big brother." She announced in a loud voice with vigor and enthusiasm apparent in her attitude.

The little boy who was at the receiving end of the smile had a neutral expression as he nodded at her.

The next moment, the sword in his hand was thrown straight at her face.

This abrupt action made the mother gasp and the father widen his eyes, knowing full well that he would not be able to reach her in time to save her from the incoming sword.

Surprisingly, the little girl at whom the wooden sword was thrown was not as worried as the parents.

'What? Do all men do this when they first spar with someone?' She scowled and raised her hand.

The sword flying in her direction was caught when it reached her and the way she had grabbed it made her actions seem effortless.

The hilt of the sword which was the handle where one would hold it was in the grip of her tiny chubby hand.

She looked up at her brother with the sword held the right way that it should be as a smug smile appeared on her face.

"Did I catch it the correct way, big brother?" She inquired even when she knew that she was flawless in her form.

Captain Desmo was the only one among the men seated under the canopy who did not have their jaw dropped after witnessing her movements.

He had done the same when he had first begun the swordsmanship training for her.

On that day, she had held the blade when he had thrown the wooden sword at her but today she had done it right.

Her hand was gripping the hilt the right way and her form was without a doubt, perfect.

'Look at that proud face!' He rolled his eyes when he caught sight of how confident and pleased she was with herself.

The three boys at the canopy with the Marquess had been just as worried as the St. Claire couple but their eyes widened when they saw her reflexive actions which had held the sword perfectly.

Taylor clapped his hands in appreciative even before the trial could begin as in his sight, Yvonne was the coolest girl he had ever seen to this day.

The parents' breath which was stuck in their throat eased when they saw that she was not injured and had even managed to catch it properly.

Among all of them, the most impressed one was none other than Howard.

He had been expecting her to shriek and jump out of the sword's path but she had exceeded his expectations right from the very first step.

This brought him a wave of relief as her actions proved that she had at least learned how to catch and hold a sword that was thrown at her in such an abrupt manner.

"Hmm..." He nodded in approval, not minding the sarcastic smile she had shot him.

However, she would need to work harder in the next steps of his assessment as now his expectations had been increased.

Yvonne had no clue that she had just dug a hole for herself by showing off her excellent reflexes.

'Yes, be impressed!' She gloated and stared at him, enjoying the look of appreciation that had appeared on his face.

Having completed his initial step of appraisal, Howard decided that it was time to move to the main course of the test.

"We will be sparring together for the final trial." He announced the information regarding the last step of his assessment.

Everybody's attention was focused on the little boy whose eyes were in turn fixed on the girl who stood before him with a sword in her hand.

"Just like the first trial, you have ten minutes in this one as well." He began explaining the details of the final trial he had planned for her.

Yvonne did not interrupt him as she nodded in silence, indicating him to continue with his explanations.

"There is no compulsion that you have to continue until the end. If at any moment you think that this trial is too difficult or you cannot carry on, all you have to do is say that you admit defeat." He continued with his stern tone, looking her straight in the eyes.

'Not a chance!' She shook her head immediately, rejecting his kind offer.

Howard did not take her actions seriously as he would still let her give up if she could not continue.

"There are two ways you can clear this trial." He spoke up about the most important condition of the trial.

As Yvonne paid attention to what he had to say, her amethyst eyes sparkled and her mind began concocting strategies on ways to succeed in this trial which would result in her passing his assessment.