I don't turn around to see who walked in. I only pull my hood up closer to my face and dress so it isn't seen that I am a lady. However, from the scent that fills the room when the person walks in, I already know that it's a he and that they are very rich. Cologne that smells good is very hard to come by in your kingdom and is only reserved for the upper class. Judging from the smell, he is definitely from the upper class.

I shake my head and focus on the target. I take a deep breath and release the dagger from my hand. The movement is smooth like silk and the dagger hits the bullseye. I knew I would purchase this dagger when I spotted it, shooting it at the target just solidified my choice.

"Nice shot", the stranger commended behind me. I was about to whip my head around to say thank you but I realized I couldn't risk him seeing any part of it. my body.

"Thanks," I say in a deep voice trying my best to sound like an intimating man, not turning around to face him. Instead, I walk up to the harnesses and pick up a small black leather harness that would fit on my inner thigh. 'Perfect' I think to myself.

I walk up to the counter and was about to pay for both of my items when the stranger behind me says, "I'll pay for both of your items for your name?".

Shit he knows, he says through my terrible voice. "What is it to you?", I ask in a curious tone, trying to sound cool of the situation.

"It's not even day you see a pretty girl throw a dagger perfectly, is it?" he questions me. I cam hear a smile in his tone.

"Rena, "I said without missing a beat to try and sound more relaxed with my name, "that's my name".

"Ah," he says "and your real name, Rena?

"Aloia," I say frustrated. I shouldn't have told him my real name but, it was an amazing offer for the free items. For all I know there could be a hundred Aloia in the whole kingdom.

I quickly grabbed the harness and dagger and quickly turned to leave, but then he grabbed my arm.

I locked eyes with the man. He had these piercing blue eyes but that was all I could see. I pulled my arm away and ran out.

"Hopefully I will never see him again," I thought to myself as I walked back to our cottage. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Aloia, what took you so long? It's almost time for dinner and I want to go to sleep early tonight! The ball is tomorrow night!" Ali squeaked in my ear.

"Stop, you are going to make me deaf!" I said as I brushed her away from my ear. Ali was significantly smaller than me. Ever since we were little, however now I am 5'5 and Ali is 5'0.

"Father, can I speak with you for a moment?" I proudly asked. I knew it was finally time to ask him if I could join the female militia. Although female militia was unheard our country did have one because of the war. The country needed as many soldiers as possible, so gender did not matter. However, women did not join the militia, as far as I know, there is only one woman in the militia and her father is the top general for the whole army.

"You are not getting out the ball tomorrow Aloia, we have been over this." He told me not looking up from the newspaper in his hand puffing his cigar. Every time I see him smoking that stupid cigar it makes me want to take the butt of it and rub it in his face.

Putting my vengeance behind me I said "This isn't about the ball although I wish I did not have to go, this is about something else." I paused, took a deep breath, and let it out "Father I wish to join the female militia!" I screamed.

Ali slowly turns her head towards me and Father lifted his head from the newspaper. This was the first time since my mother's death that my father had even shown me a sliver of his attention.

"Perhaps I misheard you, Aloia, I thought I heard you say you wanted to join the female militia. Sorry could you repeat what you said once again".

"You heard me right the first time father, I want to join the female militia," I spoke proudly.

However, the look on my father's face made me rethink my whole plan on telling him.