Howard frowned when he heard these words being spoken against his judgment and his sister's skills.

"What do you wish to say, Big Brother Damien?" He inquired while not forgetting to remain respectful of the older boy.

The carriages were waiting to drive them back to their respective homes but the guests were standing still as they wished to know why this silent boy had said such a thing.

"What made you declare that she had won?" Damien retorted with a question of his own.

A moment later, the elder brother had his answer which was still clear in his mind.

"She bid her time and the last hit was a lethal one." He answered truthfully to which Damien did not object

The other boy had no issue with this but with something else.

"If this was a real fight then she would have lost consciousness due to excessive blood loss a long time ago thanks to the multiple wounds on her body." He explained why he had interrupted that peaceful moment earlier.

This statement brought a flash of both understanding and appreciation for Damien's keen eye and logical thinking among the people who were present there.

Sadly, Yvonne was not one of the people who was appreciating him right now, instead, she was very close to cursing him out.

"This was not a real fight!" She exclaimed in her annoyance as this was also what Captain Desmo had once used as an argument against her.

She had given the same answer in reply at that time and things worked out in her favor.

However, things wouldn't be in her favor today.

Damien finally turned towards her and the mocking glint in his eyes was evident for everyone to see.

"Aren't you learning these to protect yourself if you ever get into a real life and death situation?" He interrogated and watched her freeze all over.

This was the reason she had given while demanding to learn self-defense, yet now she was claiming that this was not a real fight and she did not have to be careful about such things.

'What is your problem!? Can't you mind your own damn business!' She glowered at the boy with her eyes narrowed when she could not respond to his question.

Since she was now free from the pain she felt when she looked at him, she did not hesitate to glare at him for his unnecessary words.

This time, Damien did not look away but continued to stare back at her with a confident look in his eyes as he knew that he was right this time around.

'Cat got your tongue?' He smirked when he saw her silence which was very much unlike her.

For the first time since they had met, Marquess Samed and Captain Desmo had seen their pupil tongue-tied and they could not deny the fact that they were enjoying this scene a little too much.

Raylene on the other hand did not want her daughter to be angered nor did she want her to argue with someone who was literally double her size.

Hence she squeezed her husband's arms, gesturing to him to intervene and sort this matter before it escalated.

Just as Rutherford was about to voice out his opinion that they should stop this conversation, he was interrupted by his old friend.

"That is correct!" Captain Desmo agreed when he observed that no one was talking.

Yvonne turned towards him in a slapdash manner and stared at him with confusion brimming on her face.

'Didn't you just say that you will train me from Monday! Are you going back on your words because of this nosy boy!?' She accused her trainer of not being a man of his word.

Desmo ignored the hurt in her eyes as he looked at Damien.

The entire family of St. Claire was collectively staring at the back of the man and if looks could hurt then the Captain feared that he would have died a few times already.

However, he continued to ignore them as he stood before the young boy.

"I know that she let herself get attacked because she was trying to find Howard's weakness." He stated as a matter of fact as he was aware of this.

'You told me to do it that way!' The little girl snarled in her mind but continued to remain mum in the presence of her parents.

"She gained injuries because she did not know how to defend herself while looking for an opening." He carried on with his attacks on her level of skill.

Damien nodded while the little girl narrowed her eyes and gritted her milk teeth at the two who were conversing as though there was no one else around.

"However, that only means that she has the talent and only lacks practice and guidance which I am going to impart through my training." Desmo announced with a subtle smile.

This abrupt turn of events surprised everyone as they had thought that the Captain would stop training her after listening to Damien's words.

"Suck it!" The softest curse escaped her lips when she comprehended the meaning hidden in her trainer's words.

'Do you have anything else to add to that, Mr. Long nose!?' She glowered at the one who had almost wrecked her future plans with just a few sentences.

Taylor and Topher were also worried that the little girl's efforts would all go in vain if the eccentric Captain were to listen to Damien's words and quit being her trainer.

Thankfully, none of that had happened and the Captain announced that he would continue to train her until she was ready.

Damien's eyes darted to the girl who was shooting menacing and victorious glares at him and shook his head.

'I tried to stop a disaster from befalling you but it looks like you wish to run into it headfirst. So don't blame me if you face problems in the future for the choices you make today.' He washed his hands off this matter.

The only reason why Damien had tried to hinder the little girl's further training was that he knew what kind of people their society was comprised of.

Today, her father could use their family name and her young age to shield her and keep her safe at home, away from prying eyes.

But how long would she stay inside her Mansion?

She would have to leave this mansion someday so what would she do then?

The uniqueness that she was enjoying now could become the biggest bane for her.

Will they be able to protect her from every harm that comes her way?

Will they be able to ensure that there would be no wicked tongue talking bad about her in an attempt to tarnish her reputation?

Damien had seen how people would become when they are threatened and right now, he could see that this little girl would become someone who might threaten the sense of security of the noblemen in the society.

'And those men will not like it one bit.' He declared and let out a sigh on her behalf.

He was trying to help her but it looked like she did not need his help.

Therefore, he shirked all responsibility in this matter and decided that he would not try to help someone who was not willing to take it.

"We shall take our leave now. Thank you for having us." Topher expressed his gratitude after sensing that something was not right with his friend.

Damien and Taylor nodded as well and soon the boys left without any further interaction between them.

Howard watched his friend leave without trying to pester him or trying to stick to his sister which was odd to him.

Everyone present had felt that something was amiss but before they could comprehend what it might be, the carriage of the Tanner family left their estate.

'What was that all about?' Yvonne wondered as she could not decipher what was going on through that boy's mind.

'One minute he acts as though he's scornful about me but the next second he shows that…' She recalled the concern which lasted only for a second before indifference took over his face once again.

The atmosphere was strange so the Marquess and Captain too soon left. One in his carriage and the other on his etcher.

With this, only the St. Claire family members were left standing outside as they watched everyone leave one after another.