--- Elise

Left, right. Right. Right, left.

Elise kept practicing the attacks the trainer was teaching her, thrusting the spear into many different points of a wooden dummy. The man had said he just wanted to be sure of her grasping all the basics before proceeding to the real sparring, and for the moment things were going smoothly.

"Move your feet, Your Highness."

"Sure, like this?"

They had discussed about the weapons, before starting. The girl still preferred to use something with a longer range than a sword, because it was lighter and easier, but Anton had insisted that she at least tried a wider variety of instruments.

In the end, I chose to learn it anyway as a backup. Who knows if it's going to be needed, if I ever happen to fight? Spears and staves are definitely safer and easier to find, but I need to extend my knowledge if I want to give out the impression that I'm at least as good as Roric.

Something akin to the tournament couldn't happen anymore, she was already aware of that. Having him around in those kinds of occasion was a nice asset, but the princess couldn't rely on her honour guard for everything. It was a matter of principle.

Elise wanted to become like him, or even better. To fend off for herself, to prove everyone in the Kingdom that she wasn't a mere token. In order to do that, she was ready to train until collapsing, despite her instructor being rather forgiving with her.

"Is this good?" she asked, hitting the dummy again a couple of times. "I want to be sure, master."

"There's no need for such formalities, princess. After all, you are a member of the royalty."

The girl stopped and turned to the man.

"Will you listen to a request from this princess then, sir? Be harsh. I mean it. Tell me if there's something wrong and what I can do to improve," she said. "The whole point of this is getting me into fighting shape."

"But... But your father recommended me to-"

"Don't go easy on me, master. Not because of who I am, nor because of what I am. I know I'm probably the first girl asking this to you, but I hope you'll understand."

Anton thought about it for a moment, before replying.

"Fine, Your Highness. I'll bear this responsibility, then. Do you... Do you want to speed up things a bit, maybe? I was going to wait until you were comfortable enough, but it seems that just a few days of work were enough to wield that spear better than any of my other students. You are a prodigy, princess."

There was maybe some uncertainty in his voice, but not a trace of doubt. If anything, the man sounded more excited than before.

"That's what I meant," Elise laughed. "Now, how about we get a little more serious?"

I won't disappoint the people of Cassidia, and my father. I'm doing all this for them, after all. I hope Roric won't...

Right. The boy had left the room a while ago. Anyway, it wasn't like his presence was necessary now that she had gotten a professional master.

Yeah, I'm sure that he'll be proud of me once he sees how good I've become.

***

--- Roric

Since Elise's training was still going on, Roric chose to leave early and return to his room. Yet, just about halfway out of the inner quarters, he noticed a person standing on the other end of the corridor. He was Darius, counselor and brother of the King, probably the most important man in the palace excluding Sebastian and his daughter.

Oh... It looks like he's waiting for someone. I'd better not disturb him.

However, as he approached, the boy realized that there weren't many people around at that hour. So, it became pretty clear that the one Darius was going for was actually him.

"Good morning, My Lord."

Roric politely greeted the counselor, hoping at least to put him in a good mood. On the contrary, his words didn't seem to have any positive effect. The man turned towards him and pointed at a small side room in which he entered, with the young warrior in tow.

Does he need my help for something? No, it's unlikely. He must have plenty of servants ready to fulfill any request.

Darius' face was very serious, just like the day Roric had met him.

"Roric," said the man, once they both were in. "I've been meaning to talk to you about a certain topic."

"Certainly, sir. I'm listening."

This time, the educated way the boy was forcing himself into drew a smile out of Elise's uncle. He couldn't call it a friendly smile, anyway, just a satisfied one.

"These past days have been quite turbulent," went on Darius. "Especially with what happened back at the tournament. Are you alright, boy? Did anyone from the court show hostility in your regards?"

"No, not yet. I know that Wilfred guy didn't take his defeat well, so I decided to stay away from him until things settle down."

"Good choice, you are a smart one."

Where is this going, exactly? He's never been concerned about my being, before.

"Did you visit the princess, just now?" asked the counselor.

"I did. She invited me to watch her training."

"Ah, her training. I had already heard about this from His Highness, but for some reason I still didn't completely believe he would allow for such a thing. What's your opinion on the matter?"

Roric's instincts suggested him to get on the defensive. Something was off about Darius' attitude, to say the least. First he barely spoke with him and now he wanted to hear his point of view?

Hmm... It smells fishy.

"She's having a good progress," answered the boy. "I mean, who didn't expect it? The princess has great talent for learning all kinds of things."

"That wasn't my question. I'd like to know if you approve what she's doing."

Yeah, this definitely sounds strange.

"I... I'm not against it, if that's what you think. Elise is an important person, and has the right to choose what's better for herself. She is the princess, isn't she?"

"Sure, sure," quickly replied Darius. "Looks like you two share a deep friendship. My niece showed to trust you more than anyone else in this Kingdom not so long ago, after all."

The young warrior gulped. "And?"

"I'd like your help, actually."

"What for?"

Usually, I'm good at telling what a person is thinking, but he... He's also good at hiding it. This is turning into a battle of insight. One I'm afraid I can't win.

The man faced the other way, staring at some pictures on the wall.

"It's no secret that my brother loves that girl too much. Who could blame him for that? He had lost all hope of ever seeing her again, and yet she appeared out of nowhere. In the moment when she was needed the most. And what a strong-willed person she turned out to be!"

Cautiously, Roric remained silent and let him go on.

"On the other hand, as you know, I deeply care for Cassidia and its future. Sebastian is probably too blinded by that attitude to see it, but she's got the same look in her eyes as him."

"Aren't they family?" wondered the boy. "Well... Aren't you all family?"

Darius shook his head. "It's not that simple. Between me and my brother it's always been like this... He was the elder, and I was the younger. He had more muscles, and I had more brains. All the time he wore his crown, I was at his side. Yet, sometimes, he still takes his decisions without a care for the consequences they might have. Consequences I, of course, have to think of."

"You are his counselor, My Lord... I'm sure you know these things better than me," said Roric.

"True. Do you mind if I'm honest with you, then?"

This is getting too weird. I'd rather be somewhere else...

Instead than voicing out his thoughts, the young warrior nodded affirmatively.

"I've asked myself a lot lately about why that girl asked her father to provide her with some martial education, and it all came down to two possible answers. The way I see it, she either wants to act like a protector of this kingdom and its people like Sebastian once was, or it's just a form of emulation. No matter the reason, this might turn into a danger."

"I can't see how. The princess being able to protect herself would be useful-"

"Bear it with me for a moment," Darius stopped him. "Let's say she really aims at defending Cassidia, and all of this isn't just an attempt at impressing her father. It could be, for what we know. I still can't tell how much she's willing to put into this, do you understand?"

A flash of what had happened in Fradot crossed Roric's mind. However, that couldn't be what the counselor was referring to. He didn't know Elise as much as he did, that was why...

I already figured that he needs me. But for what?

"I've been around the princess for some time now," he said. "And I'm sure she has an actual concern for the people of this kingdom. I too am growing attached to it, so I see no problem in wanting to protect it."

"Even if it means that she forfeits her life?"

The sentence pierced the boy's heart way more than he wanted.

No, I have to calm down. I don't know what's his deal, but he's just playing with me now. He wants to know if I'm going to stay loyal, maybe... But why did he bring out this last topic, I wonder?

"I swore to be at her side. If the needs arises, I'll be the one who saves her."

"And I swore to serve the Kingdom with every fiber of my being. That's why I came here to talk today. Help me to change her mind and convince her to behave like a good girl. That way, she will never put herself at risk. If she ever became reckless like Sebastian was... The consequences could be terrible."

Roric became a little angry. He knew Darius only sought the best for Cassidia and the future of Elise, but being treated just as a tool in order to achieve his goals was simply offensive.

"Elise is my friend," he pointed out. "Not letting her receive the education she desires would make me feel guilty. Her life has already been difficult enough, and she learned many important lessons in her village. Moreover, she trusts me and I plan to support her decisions as long as I don't think they can hurt her. This is my opinion."

Deep in his heart, there was a strong desire to protect that girl. The boy was stunned by her talent, but was also aware that she needed help to see reason from time to time, and he would have gladly fulfilled that role. So, there wasn't any need to be that paranoid. Especially when she was just having some harmless fighting lessons.

Hearing his answer, Darius went back to his displeased expression.

"Fine. If that's what you think, I won't bother you anymore."

Since the conversation was over, Roric headed for the door.

"Anyway..." said the man. "Allow me to ask you one last thing."

"I'm listening, Sir."

"You've been with her since the very start. It will be a long and difficult journey, young Roric, this I can already tell. Are you sure you've got what it takes?"

"I am. I promised it to her, so I'll find a way to work things out," firmly replied the boy.

"Yes, I figured this much," concluded the counselor. "Your dedication is admirable, however... One day you'll be forced to choose what you really want to protect, your own desires or those of the princess. Be sure to know what to do when it happens. Have a nice day."

The young warrior left the room as fast as he could, trying to gain back his composure. No, there was no way that man could be right. Roric knew Elise. It was true, she had been a princess just for a few months, but it didn't mean she didn't deserve some trust.

She has many things left to learn, but I believe in her. Major mistakes on her part like what happened in Fradot are in the past now. People are here to help her. I am here to help her.