The sun is hanging in the sky, a yellow orb unobscured watching over the land. The clouds are spotty speckled here and there in the sky. A slight breeze is flowing through stirring the short grass in flowing waves. Two warriors stand apart facing each other swords at the ready, on the sidelines stand two females. The younger of the two stands with her hand raised in the air, then drops its down.

The two warriors strike out at each other swords held in their own respective stances as they swing. The blows come rapid one after the other, but sometimes there are slower heavy attacks mixed in. Blows are parried, blocked, and dodged. Blocks are forced into contests of strength where the contestants are pushed to the ground and roll out of the way. Both have been exchanging blows for the last few minutes, even tired and breathing heavily they continue striking at each other. While both have avoided any major injuries with only a odd bruise or two they are both rapidly tiring. Eventually the one with blond hair drops his sword to the ground and leans heavily on it while raising his hand in surrender. The other one nods and turns and puts his sword away signals to the older girl to come over. She helps up the fallen man and they stagger over to a tree. The trio sit down to rest and obviously are not moving anytime soon as the maid hands out a waterskin to be shared.

After the rather obvious we quit maneuver Azalia came over and tried to continue her control.

“You have fought well now be healed, take my blessings of magic to sooth your wounds and hope you don’t have splinters in your wounds”

‘She held up her hands and started muttering what was probably an aria, our bruises and scratches healed but at least I was still tired. Looks like regular healing unlike regeneration does not restore the body’s stamina as well. Points for not freaking out that we did not bruise each other black and blue, this is not that different from our normal matches just a bit more motivation’

“My lady, did you have that ‘wonderful’ speech planned out?”

Brad scooted over and asked “Do we have to worry about splinters?” “No that was a joke Brad”

“Yes I did, now come along I have a small tea party set up, your retainers can join as well as there is no need for ceremony right now” She is looking like she is trying to pass things over without issue if I handle this correctly then she will really be unable to move further.

“My lady, may I enquire as a retainer about your actions?”

“You may, I am your liege lord and by extension the liege of your retainers as well. I must know the extent to which my retainers may act in order to better employ you in the future. And also the fact that you all actually take me serious unlike my doting servants. Continue acting as such in the future and you will all prosper, I promise this as the heir-apparent to the Ducal House”

“You are most wise Mi’lady” “As you will my liege”

“May this retainer enquire to whether this bout has has given you a full understanding of this one’s abilities”

“They have indeed maid, I am most assured of your capabilities now before you sit for tea aid me in straightening my garments. My knight you will aid her as my knight you must know what your liege wishes for in appearance, the valet can assist my servants in arranging the tea then sit”

If this is supposed to faze me that is failing miserably, after we all bowed in acceptance we followed her around to behind the house in the garden.

Well we walked to the garden and the flowers were in bloom and the flowers on these pseudo sakura trees were also on full display. A gentle breeze swept the smell of the flowers around giving a calming impression. A wooden table and white cloth were set out on which was a tea set made of metal. On simple clay plates were cut pieces of bread with fruit or nuts. Not one of those princess tea sets with the embroidery or cakes but a simpler one fit for a casual event. Seated was the princess with Cade fixing her hair while I was standing next to her watching, for now Azalia had her hair down so it was a simple matter of making sure there were no tangles. I say simple but since there were likely to be no combs on hand this would likely not be easy as it could be.

“My lady, is this your prefered style?”

“Yes, mother and the maid says that having my hair this way is the best for me. Take note of this fact for the future for when we travel without any maids as you will be the one to arrange my hair then”.

“Of course my lady, any other notes for the future?” ‘Yes sarcasm’

“Why yes, I will not be taking many servants in fact only two or three. I will rely on you to set the basis for my power and connections there at the academy for when you go first but I expect you to visit me on breaks”

“Yes my lady, you are very farsighted in planning the future” ‘Once again, this cannot possibly be a 10 year old and saying no is pointless but I do not have to actually do what she says’

“I am indeed, the diviners at the duchy capital say that I was born with wisdom and intelligence beyond my years, a blessing from the gods. Most likely why I can use magic so well and understand things beyond my years”

“A wonderful gift my liege” ‘Well that certainly puts a new spin on things, I was seriously considering that she was reincarnated as well if it were not the fact that she acted quite well in that fashion. Not to mention that any person born back home unless they had serious mental health issues would not do this, even rich kids can’t go quite this far. Hmm what kind of cliche will you be, or not?’

“Well now then let's enjoy these light snacks, I am sure you all are famished from working all day” ‘She is good I have to admit at having a poker face but still not enough to fool me’

After that we spent some time talking about various topics in general, looks like she is happy about being able to sit down and talk like this. I suppose I can go along a little with it, not that I have much choice. Lets see how best to put her off balance and establish my position as not a pushover. Hmm this tea is good must be the same tea from mothers’ parties, she likes making new brews and the other half of the times that I do not have a weapon coming at me she likes to try to feed me. This was rather awkward at first but she also likes to tell adventuring stories from before she settled down and they are interesting. The two work together with their storytelling, the descriptions of the enchanted water fountains in the Aelfen city of Fli’Telaven are fascinating along with the stories of seeing dwemfen karaks, wait got distracted again. Well less scheming for now I have the time to change things to the way I want, no need to rush and get too pissed by current events. Plenty of time to change things, especially with the lifespans we have here for those that work.