“It is late, you need to rest, I am sure Noelle and Danielle are waiting for you already” He stopped at the door of Frey’s room. Her silvery blue hair was loose, he tucked it behind her ear, he loved her freckles, her pale skin could not hide her blushing, but her beautiful pale blue eyes held his.

“They probably are, I… enjoyed the day, you should have said something about the gifts, we could have done the same” for all she was blushing, she bit her lower lip.

“I’m sorry Frey, I… I wanted to surprise you, I left you with the wedding preparations a few days after getting engaged” she eyed him for a moment and then sighed.

“It was a nice surprise, it is a nice way to meet someone, it surely opened the way, I was nervous, I still am, but I liked how dinner went” they were talking close to each other, he could never get tired of listening to her, she noticed he was staring “did your sisters said anything?”

“They were enjoying themselves, Vania never talks so much, and I think Luna and Ide truly appreciate having someone their age, Lucy… she is having a blast, I am sorry, she can be too intense” his sister had always been the most impulsive, but she was all over Frey and Lea.

“I like her, and I am certain Lea does as well, I would have like to have more days with just them, the royal duke and most of the guest will come in a few days”

“Let’s try to make the most out of them then, what is the thing you want them to do or see?”

“We should finish the wedding arrangements tomorrow, I want to take them to the seamstress and get their dresses ready, a little trip in the city, we could have dinner on the northern fields, I wanted to show them to you as well”

“Tomorrow is settled then, what else would you like to do? What can I help you with?” he loved how she hesitated but only for a moment, once pointed at something, she would not stop.

“I am not sure… but the day after, we should head to the falls, its just two hours away, you think is too much a hassle?” he would carry whatever was needed just for seeing her smile that way.

“I don’t think so, I’ll talk with your father about arranging the escort” her smile was radiant.

“Wait, we invited the Fabrons for dinner tomorrow” she said worried, he had forgotten about them as well.

“We could invite them to the northern fields as well, they might be more comfortable since it would not be at the castle, I’ll talk with armsman Matt, and see to their transportation”

“What about your sisters?” there it was, she bit her lip once more, he was starting to think she was doing it on purpose, he had an urge to kiss her.

“They’ll have no trouble with them joining us, and they will enjoy seeing the clothes miss Agnes is working on”

“We have a plan; I’ll tell my mother first thing in the morning”

“I regret saying you should get some sleep, can’t we stay here some more” he was closing on her, the rosy color on her cheeks invited him, he was starting to dream about the wedding day, vividly, he looked at her eyes, and before he knew it, she kissed him.

“We need to get some rest… good night Aedrik” she was about to turn but he hugged her, and kissed her close to the ear.

“I am sorry, I… I’ll never do anything you don’t want me to” he had not let go of her, but he was just surrounding her, ashamed, she turned, and her face was red all over, her eyes ignited.

“See you tomorrow” she leaned for a sweet short kiss on the lips, he felt his burning at the gentle touch of hers.

“Good night, Frey” he managed as she went to her room. He stood there for a while, he had to calm down. He felt the tip of his ear, he had the feeling something was amiss, he walked all the way back to his room slowly, he was about to enter and stopped. He went for the room at the end, his sisters were there.

“It sure took you long enough” Lucy’s toothy grin was waiting for him, as he entered the room. Vania and Luna were sitting on top of another bed, his sisters were all staying on the same room, and to his surprise, Pan was also inside, he was sitting on a corner, he smiled and closed the door behind him.

“I am sorry, I do not mean to complicate things, but I would love to take them to the northern fields” Frey and her mother were on the blue hall, as the wedding date came closer, her mother was waking earlier, Aedrik’s sister were the first guest, but more were on their way, Frey knew her plans meant more work, still she would try, she really wanted to make the most of the few days before the rest of the guest arrived.

“I think is great idea, there fields are close by, I like that you want to show it to them, we could advance with the preparations of the castle. You surprised me, seeing you up, so early in the morning” lady Lunebleau was fresh and elegant already, Frey had barely managed to wake with the help of two different maids who had checked on her, on her request. She was a little offended, she was not an early bird, but she woke relatively early, her cousin Danielle could keep sleeping until it was almost noon.

“I knew I had to ask you about this early, so you could make the proper arrangements, I don’t know about his sisters, I did not set an hour with him to have breakfast and take a walk around the city” she stopped as the door to the hall opened quickly, and Lea entered panting, she was not as formally dress, much like her.

“Good day, lady Lunebleau, Frey, I heard from one of the armsman that princess Vania is going to fight with Aedrik near the barracks, the word is spreading all over the castle”

“I do not know what to expect with them, you should go see what’s this about, let them know breakfast will be ready soon” her mother said next to her and that got her moving.

“I’ll let them know” she picked Lea and they both started running, she was sure her mother was looking at her disapprovingly, she had yet the master the proper lady like way to run.

“Aedrik’s fighting his sister?” she asked as they ran to the barracks.

“That’s what I heard, I don’t know what is happening” Lea said with difficulty, she had run to let her know already.

“Who told you about it”

“I heard two armsman talking about it while I was on my wat to the kitchen” Frey was finally waking up, what had happened?

As they ran, Frey saw several armsman heading for the barracks as well, like Lea said, the word was spreading around the castle, everyone knew Aedrik trained with Siv at dawn, Frey had heard number of armsman assisting the morning training had increased lately.

They crossed the courtyard and passed by the barracks to the open space next to the wall, were the armsman trained and sparred. The small yard was packed with off duty armsman and knights. One of them noticed them and make way for her and Lea to the front.

The yard was still, there was only Aedrik and Vania, Siv was sitting on top of a barrel, the other armsman who had been trained had stopped to watch the two heirs of the empire. Aedrik had his usual great sword, Vania had a longsword but hers was thinner than what most knights used, she was the one who spotted her as she was lead to the front, she raised her hand, and gave her a polite smile, Aedrik turned and much to her pleasure, his eyes lit up as he saw her, never mind her hair was disheveled, and she was panting, Lea for all she had run more, was in a better state than her, Siv was right, she needed to train, running was not to be underestimated. Aedrik said something to Vania, and they both came to where she was.

“Good morning, Lea, Frey” Aedrik said with his characteristic welcoming smile, Vania made a bow.

“Morning” She answered as she gained her breath back “What are you doing?”

“I came to train like every morning, Vania insisted on having a sparring match”

“You don’t have to worry, Frey, we won’t hurt each other, or at least nothing than could trouble your wedding” she felt her legs weak as Vania explained, they were going to spar, she was relieved they were not fighting, but Vania was too serious about this “It’s been sometime since Aedrik and I had sparred, I haven’t been able to stretch properly since we left the empire”

“Oh, that’s understandable I guess… a friendly spar, I was worried something had happened between you…” she felt her cheeks getting red, she had run all the way worried about what was happening.

“Maybe we should leave this for other day, Frey has plans for the day” Aedrik said to his sister, who sighed but nodded.

“Mother said breakfast will be served in about an hour, I guess there is still time if you want too….” as soon as she said that she kind of regretted it, Vania smiled at her and turned to her brother with a curious face.

“Thank you, Frey, see there’s time, now come, agreed on the rules, weapon preference, then we go for longswords, daggers, and hand to hand?” Vania asked and she was regretting her words immediately.

“Your call, we just stop on contact, I also think you should refrain from offensive spells” Aedrik added, Frey was considering asking them to stop it, but Vania was all fired up, they were already heading for the center of the yard.

“Good morning, I’m surprised you are up this early” Siv said as she came next to them

“Lea told me about this, shouldn’t we stop them?”

“Let them, there’s too few people who can spar with princess Vania properly, I think she has been wanting to this for some time, the last time they did, she had not expected Aedrik had improved so much” At the center of the yard, they both were stretching, moving slowly, they would soon start their fight.

“Is this normal, among the imperial family?” Lea asked confused about the event.

“I don’t think so, Aedrik trained with both prince Nika and princess Vania, whenever he went back to the castle, I understand he and prince Nika do made a habit of fighting regularly” Frey looked at Siv, who was grinning as she looked at the two figures prepared for fighting.

“How good is the princess?” Lea asked, they had seen Aedrik fight Sir Belmont.

“I don’t know who would win in a regular fight, Aedrik has the advantage, but she is a superb fighter, he learned a lot from her, she also taught me to fight with daggers, properly” there was no joy on the last remark, Frey was surprised that even Siv considered Vania capable of defeating Aedrik.

“He is stronger, and has a better reach, she is in a disadvantage” Lea had a better understanding of martial prowess than her.

“The fight will start soon” Siv urged them to stay quiet, the yard had done as well. Aedrik was ready, his sword resting on his shoulder as he usually did, Vania on the other hand, she had a s to her side, taking in with both hands, she crouched and sprang in a second.

Aedrik barely blocked her sword, but she was already moving, she bounced and try a lateral cut, Aedrik blocked with the body of his sword, but the princess turned and tried again, Frey had never seen anyone move that fast, Aedrik was blocking, his defense was solid, but she could not see a way for him to retaliate.

“Is this for real?” Lea was entranced by the speed and ferociousness of the princess.

“She is not done, but Aedrik has the upper hand” Frey could see Aedrik had an answer for everything but she could not see the advantage, and like Siv had said, the princess was accelerating, she clashed with Aedrik, moved along his sword and tried to lean inside making the best of her smaller weapon, but he tossed her back, the moment she touched the floor, she was on him again, her pace was increasing and then she understood Siv.

Aedrik parried his sister sword, and moved closer, he tried to tackle her, but she moved away, but before she could retaliate, his sword came down again, he was slower than her, but not by much, they trade a few more blows, and it was clear for Frey. He could break through her defense with his force and speed, why had he not…

“She could bait him, a feint, but Aedrik is patient” Siv explained as if she had read her thoughts. The two exchanged several more hits, and then Aedrik parried, deflected, and made an impossible fast turn, and his sword grazed his sister side, he moved past her.

“How can he be so fast? he passed her defense” Lea eyes were wide open, Frey turned and saw the same complicated expression on many of the armsman, she spotted Sir Lois with concern on his face.

“Aedrik has more trouble with faster opponents, he is used to fighting bigger and stronger enemies, but his technique with the great sword is impeccable, and he is strong and fast” as Siv explained, Aedrik made a bow to his sister, she replied upset, they both went to change their weapons, this time they both had the traditional longsword.

Aedrik had a high guard, Vania again, used the same horizontal start, they measure each other before launching themselves on the other, this time Aedrik went for the offensive as well, as they were about to clash, Aedrik’s sword came faster Vania blurred for a moment and appeared behind him, she brought her sword down, but Aedrik rolled instantly dodging her attack.

“Now you are going to see how the princess fights” Vania hands and feet glowed, her sword did likewise, she jumped on Aedrik and the resulting clash was deafening, they traded a couple of direct hits, but even though Vania was reinforcing herself with magic Aedrik had enough strength to match her.

Vania jumped and used the air as if it was a step, she bounced over Aedrik and tried to get him on the shoulder, he made a low rotation barely escaping her attack and turned with a single handed grip, he met air as Vania blurred past him, she tried a trust but he punched the sword away, she jumped back and as she landed a magical circle extended below her, Aedrik was going to advance on her but after a moment she was sent flying forwards, he barely parried but he endured the attack, Vania blurred once more and appeared to his side, he turned, and she blurred again, her sword fell, he blocked, she disappeared.

Vania’s sword was raining down on Aedrik who somehow was still blocking and parrying her attacks, the exchange lasted for almost a minute, Vania managed to hit him on the shoulder, but he got at her waist. Vania rolled on the floor from the force of the impact, and after stumbling about she picked herself up.

“Damm, Vania did not measured herself there” she was about to run to see Vania when Lucy stopped her “Don’t worry, Vania had magic shield on her, I think Aedrik manage to control his strength, she could not” she saw Vania was already heading to see Aedrik who was massaging his shoulder “Don’t worry Luna can fix him” Lucy toothy smile appeared, she and her sister had come during the fight, Luna, went to where Aedrik was.

“Let me help you, do you really need to do this?” Luna was next to Aedrik, she was part worried part upset, Aedrik smiled at his little sister.

“I’m sorry Aedrik I got carried away”

“Don’t worry I should have dodge that”

“Don’t nag them Luna, Vania’s been waiting for this, let them have their fun” Lucy said from where they were waiting. Luna sighed, placed both her hands on top of Aedrik, she recited a spell, a flash of light spread, and Aedrik was more comfortable.

“Thank you”

“I won’t heal anyone of you” Luna said upset and went back to where they were. Aedrik had said Luna was magically gifted, that she had trained with priestess, her magic was similar to that of clerics, she had also considered interrupting their spar, but Vania was fire up and so was Aedrik, they both were already leaving the longsword on a rack and picking a couple of daggers.

“This is were thigs get interesting, Vania has every advantage except strength” Siv was enjoying the match as well.

“Ready?” Vania asked

“Whenever you want”

Vania nodded, but for the first time it was Aedrik who jumped on her, before he reached her, Vania blurred and reappeared to his side, she had a reverse grip on the dagger, she was about to slash him, but he turned and kicked, she walked in the air and attack from the top, he parried and tried to catch her, but she vanished once more.

She made an horizontal slash that should not have reach Aedrik, but the dagger blade was covered in an edge of shadows, Aedrik parried the magical edge, and tried to pursue Vania, she whirled in placed her dagger fell like a storm, Aedrik dodged, parried and moved away, he was incredibly fast, but Vania blurred, she reappeared from every side, bounced on the air and passed him with speed, but she had to be wary of him catching her.

They traded a few more attacks, and then Vania made a magic wall than stopped Aedrik for a moment, that was enough for her to place her dagger on his back. She vanished the instant and moved away from him. Frey saw he had his dagger prepared to get her, but she moved before he could.

“That was low, even from Vania” Lucy complaint.

“It is fair, princess Vania magic is part of her strength, Aedrik should have seen it coming, she timed the wall impeccably” Siv eyes were fierce, she saw Aedrik sighing as he turned to look at Vania, his sister on the other hand was already placing the dagger back.

“DAMMIT, did I miss it again?” Percy hair was a mess, his tunic had the inside on the outside, he must have heard about the fight and came running “I still can’t believe I miss Aedrik fistfight with the orc, tell me they are still going to do something”

“Last match, hand to hand, I’ll bet on Vania, you in?” Lucy grinned

“She that good? What do you say Siv?” Frey was surprised, it seemed Percy did mature a little.

“Princess Vania is superb, but I don’t see Aedrik losing on a fistfight, not even prince Nika likes to fight him” Siv said immediately.

“Then I’m on, what are we betting?”

“Wait, is that for real Siv? I withdraw my bet, I’m over childish things” Lucy added, and she could not help but smile at the sass the princess gave Percy.

“Fine”

Vania and Aedrik had already gone back to the center of the yard, they had no weapons, and were very close, Aedrik had a simple guard, both arms up one in front of the other, his sister on the other hand had a low stance, she was chanting a spell.

“Why doesn’t he stop her” Percy asked

“Princess Vania spellcasting is fast, I think he prefers to know what she will do, and he rarely has a chance to fight an opponent like her” Siv explained.

Magical runes appeared on the back of Vania’s hands, Aedrik was smiling, as he waited for his sister, as the magic flowed, Vania blurred, she punched form his side, Aedrik was ready, he deflected her punch and retaliated, Vania rolled and made an uppercut, Aedrik dodged and attacked again, she blurred past him.

“The fuck… he is faster that on his fight with Belmont”

Vania kicked and Aedrik parried with the back on his hand, on every clash, there was a thundering sound, the result of Aedrik’s strength beating on the spell Vania had casted. They traded punches for a while, but it was clear Aedrik had an advantage, he barely moved, but made used of everything, Vania kept moving, this time to escape from him.

“Why doesn’t he pressure her” Lucy asked mesmerized by the fight.

“Vania is a master grappler, she thought Aedrik how to fight stronger opponents, she could take advantage of it” Siv was entranced by the fight as she answered, and like she said, Aedrik retaliated but he was careful to not leave himself exposed, but the same could be said from Vania, he was deflecting her attacks and his sister would immediately get away.

She blurred and tried to sweep him, he pivoted from the kick, she turned and launched a rotating kick, he parried it. They were to close, they exchanged a couple of hits and parries, but he had an edge, his attacks started bypassing her, she made a couple of shields, but Aedrik’s strength was enough to broke them, after a couple of them broke, Vania blurred backwards.

They eyed each other for a moment, Vania smiled, every rune on her moved to form a circle on top of her fist, she started another chant, and concentrical rings started forming on it, Luna was going to move, but Lucy stopped her. Aedrik waited for the spell to finish, the circle engraved on the front of Vania’s fist, she blurred appeared in front of Aedrik and attacked. The result of their clash broke the magic inside, there was a force way that spread from them, Siv moved in front of her and Luna, Percy moved as well, Lucy was grinning.

There was a blinding light as the spell broke, Vania was sent backwards rolling but she blurred once more, she was on Aedrik’s back, he turned, deflected her attack, and caught her before she could get away.

The result had been so fast, many of the armsman had missed as they covered their faces from the first clash. At the center of the yard, Aedrik and Vania had parted, Aedrik was caressing his hand, it was bleeding, but he was grinning.

“That’s it, I hope you had some fun, Luna was right, you don’t know how to control yourselves, breakfast is ready” Frey said louder than she intended, but she was upset “Your sister my family guest Aedrik, what were you thinking” she went to see Vania, who was clearly at a loss, she had not visible injury.

“I am fine, Frey, you don’t have to worry, I over did it that’s why Aedrik got hurt”

“He did not need to match your attack, did he?” she turned and saw Vania’s eyes wide open, she turned and saw Aedrik who was holding his hand embarrassed “You… take care of your hand, and meet us for breakfast, I’ll take your sisters there, and be sure to tell armsman Matt about our plans” she grabbed the confused Vania, and went to where the rest was, she was not sure why she was so mad with Aedrik.

“Please come with me, breakfast should be ready, I don’t know if you want to change or anything, before Vania?” she felt the three princesses looking at her with mixed expressions, Vania was too confused, Luna with what she hoped was respect, Lucy was grinning.

“I think is fine, should we wait for Aedrik…” Vania said unconvinced about her words.

“He knows the way, please come” she urged the princesses, and they started moving with her, Percy, dare not said anything, he was left behind.

“I was going to congratulate you, but you managed to made Frey mad, well done Aedrik” she heard Percy’s words as they walked back the castle, even the armsman let them through with quicks ‘m’lady’ as they passed by them.

“Dammit, I think I broke a finger or two” was the last thing she heard when she started walking faster.