With another ego bruised, the cocky male finally stepped forward.

“Ah, is it finally your turn? For someone with a lot to say, I didn’t expect you to be shy from being the first to fall.”

“I just wanted to see if it was really worth the trouble.” He shrugged, giving a bit of a grin.

“What is your name?”

“Alejandro Luca, my lady.” He bowed politely and I returned with courtesy.

“Well then Alejandro, I suppose you kept me waiting long enough to see if you’re worth the trouble?” I said, poising my rapier towards him.

“Please don’t chop my head off, my lady. I promise I have a lot to offer.” He said as he dodged my rapier to the left before he turned his body to curve behind me and swing his sword.

“Is that so?” I respond, redirecting my blade to guard behind my shoulder before I turn, shifting my weight to knock his blade away from me and jab forward. 

“Many have told me I am quite spirited.” He said, jutting back from the knock back to maintain his footing before once again, dodging my jab, and slashing his sword down, but when I pirouetted away from his slash, he followed up with a horizontal slash, forcing me on the defense to dodge and guard against an onslaught of his attacks.

“Many? Not just women?” But he couldn’t touch me no matter how hard he tried.

“Even men can be fair and sweet, my lady.” He gave a wink, but that was a mistake on his part for getting distracted. I took the opportunity to imbue my rapier with mana, flourishing my rapier around the handle of his sword and knocking it clean from his grasp. 

Lifting his chin with the tip of my blade I said, “Fair and sweetness means little in a fight.”

“Ah. Perhaps I will show you differently another time then?” That cheeky smile returned with his hands still in the air in surrender.

“Do you flirt with death, Sir Luca?”

“If it is as lovely as you, my lady, by all accounts, I have already reached the heavens.”

It is unbecoming to roll my eyes so instead I walk away from the unscrupulous man. That made my heart flutter a bit and I had to hide my blush behind my sleeve. I had no time for romance.

“Next. Ah- Hang on. My heel is still broken.” Yvette, as if summoned, was already walking towards me with a pair of boots.

“I knew this would happen so I brough-”

“-You fought me with a broken heel?!” Sir Luca looked aghast.

“ . . . Yes.” I bit my tongue on my words. It wasn’t as though I put an egregious amount of effort into spars. I’d be tired by the third person. However, that’s not to say Sir Luca wasn’t talented. It wasn’t as though he was trying to kill me either. But I don’t understand his surprise. A broken heel messed with my footwork, but it wasn’t the end of the world when it came to fencing, same with wearing a dress.

“I want to go again. I realized I went too easy on you.”

“Hey! No fair! I want to try again too! That was embarrassing.”

“Hold on! I haven't gotten to go yet!”

“If he gets another try, I want one too!”

“Yeah! Me too!”

I raised my hand to quiet them as I sat down to change my shoes.  “I am more than happy to spar with you all again, but first I will continue with the test, and if you want to redeem your ego, we certainly can spar again.”

There were cheers all around. Despite his silence, I like to believe there was a bit of a smile on General Antonio’s face.

Out of the 1500 men, only 12 were truly worth their salt. 12 men couldn’t possibly turn the tides in war, but they can complete the mission I set forth for them. As for the other men, I advised General Antonio on more rigorous training.

“You shouldn’t get ahead of yourself, my lady.” He said.

“Shouldn’t I? I fought all 80 men you’re responsible to train and not one could best me.”

He held his tongue.

“Good. You held yourself because the excuse of your men holding back will only harm their dignity. I’m not telling you how to do your job, general. I’m telling you to do better. These are trying times for our house, general. The fact that you’re still here means something.”

He looked like he was about to say something, but I held my hand up to stop him.

“You have no idea how much Alois and I appreciate your loyalty. I have no doubts in your talent, but clearly something needs to change. We can’t hope to maintain this status quo if we’re going to get out of this downward spiral.”

The general gave a deep scowl before lowering his head. He was always a man of honor. And a man of honor knew when to yield.

‘Yes, my lady.”

I gave a nod to him before leaving the barracks. By this time, the sun had set and I was sweaty and sore. Though I didn’t look back at him, I could feel the general’s eyes on me. I do hope I’ve gained some standing with him.

“Shall I run you a bath, my lady?”

Pulled from my thoughts, I smiled at Yvette, giving a nod.“You always knew what I needed, Yvette, thank you.”

She smiled before going on ahead as I leisurely strolled through the garden.

Money.

Not a moment of peace for my thoughts. All that sparing and now I just wanted to ignore the troubles still looming over our estate. It’s one thing after another, like a constant battle or war. As a knight, this should be easy for me and yet I find myself filled with anxiety. The truth is, I’m no knight and a year of training means little in my time of need.

I sighed gently, looking at the moon as it slowly lifted over the horizon. The gentle light made the roses in the garden glow beautifully. A cooler touch than the warmth of the sunrise. A different kind of beauty under the cover of night. The rose, the heraldic symbol of the Du’Constantine coat of arms. Of all things, my father made sure to preserve our home. Even while weak financially, he made sure the garden was maintained.

My eyes softened, a gentle breeze brushing my cheeks and winding through my dark curls. It was nice in these trying times. “ . . . I understand, father.”

A gentle sign of peace; even when the world around us is crumbling.

I’m just getting started. I can’t give up yet.

I turned, heading back inside the palace.

A full bath was exactly needed after a long day of sparring, but truly, I didn’t have time for it. The floral scent on my body would only give myself away. “Yvette, gather all my jewels and 2/3rds of our coin.”

“ . . . Huh?! What about your bath?” Yvette looked surprised, passing the bath oils and salts to the maids, following me down the hall.

“Forget it. Where’s Walter?”

“In the drawing room. He put Alois to bed early because of the mana exhaustion.”

“Good. Once you gather the fortune, bring me my darkest attire.”

“O-Okay!” She said, rushing down a separate hall as I went to the drawing room, finding Walter dusting.

“Walter, bring me a horse. I’m going out.”

If I could see Walter’s eyes, I imagined he would be blinking before he looked at the night sky out the window.

“Yes, I know it’s a lady’s curfew. That’s why I’ve been here all night, you see?”

Walter was still for a moment before he nodded and with his acknowledgement, I went back to my room. Yvette had already arrived by the time I returned. She helped me dress in a modest black open dress that pinned up to my neck. The red petticoat showed neatly through the opening and presented my body in a humble but pious way. This was perfect. I pinned my hair up so that it appeared short beneath a decorated black hat with a few pearls and a red feather. It was fancy, but big enough to hide most of my features. My shoes are boots this time. It was necessary if I was going to ride a horse.

“I’ll be back by dawn.”

“Oh no. I’m going with you. There’s no way I can let you go - wherever you’re going - alone at night. This lady-in-waiting is not waiting!” Yvette rushed out of my room to change.

“ . . . I’ll be outside!” I called, shaking my head. There was no point in arguing with her. I grabbed the bag of our fortune, easily tucking it into my pocket. It just looked like a part of my dress’s busset.

Outside, Walter had the horse ready by the reins. When I walked over, he pointed to the carriage house. “No Walter. Where I’m going, I’m not going as Lady Du’Constantine. I’m going as . . . Ms. Sweeten.”

“Enjoying a late night then, Ms. Sweeten?” Glancing behind me, I’m caught off guard to see Alejandro in tow with Yvette. I didn’t have to say anything because Yvette already understood my expression.

“Since we’re out so late, it’s only proper for a lady to have a man with her. Since he did so well at the test, I figured he could offer some help.” Yvette grinned, a bit of extra mirth in her smile this time. She left her glasses behind and put on a brown wig.

“Unfortunately, I didn’t get the dress code.” Alejandro smiled sheepishly.

“It probably won’t be so necessary for you, but you will need to cover your tattoo; it’s a very identifiable mark.”

“Don’t worry! I came prepared!” Yvette said, taking out an ascott from her bag, passing it to Alejandro.

“Er…Right, but I don’t know how to wear this.” He said, looking to try to tie it over his head.

I took it from him wordlessly, easily tying it around his neck, and stuffing the end in his shirt. There was a bit of closeness between us, but I did well to ignore it despite Alejandro’s snarky smile. “Thank you, my lady.”

“Mm.” I climb up onto the horse just as Walter brings out another one.

“My lady, shall I ride with you? Surely, you shouldn’t control the horse yourself. It’ll be easier if you hold onto me.” Alejandro asked. I like to think I’m more than capable of riding a horse, if I’m capable of climbing onto one, but whatever.

“No. I can ride just fine. Yvette will ride with you since she can’t do so.”

The two looked between each other before Yvette just shrugged with a giggle.

“Alright. Follow me. We’ll be home by sunrise Walter.”

He nodded, waving us off as we headed off on horse together.