19 Reluctant Negotiations

"Bernice, focus!" The sword fell to the ground as did I when Sir Xylon struck my hand.

"Bernice, where are you focusing? If this continues, you will never be able to become a knight," he admonished while circling around me.

The pressure intensified, yet I still couldn't raise my hand, even though the sword lay just a little distance away.

"What? Can't you pick it up?" he taunted, standing near my fallen sword.

"Bernice! Is this how you intend to become a knight? If so, you might as well give up. Frankly, I'm starting to regret asking the Marquis for permission to train you. It seems you lack the determination," he criticized, his frustration apparent.

His words fueled my determination. With a surge of adrenaline, I managed to grab my sword and charged toward him, catching him off guard. However, in my haste, I received another sharp hit on my shoulder, causing me to collapse to the ground, my body half-conscious.

"You're slow."

"If you take this long to recover, you might not even see the moment your opponent beheads you," he warned, turning towards me.

The urgency was palpable in his eyes. Despite the pain, I forced myself to stand, clutching the sword. I had opted for a slightly heavier sword than usual, and I was well aware of my weaknesses. Sir Xylon exploited them every day, amplifying my frustration.

"Bernice, try again! This time, pay attention to those vulnerabilities," he directed.

Though my wrist throbbed with pain, I moved forward, attempting to rectify my errors. I advanced cautiously, aiming to close the gap. Just as I was about to strike, I heard that voice.

"Lady Bernice?"

I failed.

Sir Xylon struck me down again, hitting the same spot.

I bled, but that was the least of my concerns.

"Lady Bernice, are you alright?" He shouted loudly and rushed over to me.

I lay on the sand, his concern annoying me more than my bleeding.

"Sir Xylon, what are you doing to a lady? Is this how you are trained?" He pointed at him.

"Duke Alexavier, I think you're forgetting something."

"The person you see is not a lady, but a knight I've been assigned to train."

"No, not assigned, but this knight has been specially chosen by me. So, there's no reason for you to reprimand me for training my subordinate," as I expected from Sir Xylon.

"She's not a knight, but a lady, and she's my..."

"Duke, please stop!" I shouted, cutting him off to prevent him from saying something that would cause trouble.

"Lady..."

"Please, let's not make a scene. I'm here by my own choice. I'm pursuing this path myself, and if you're trying to criticize Sir Xylon, who is my instructor, you're disrespecting my wishes as well. I, Bernice Balliol, have chosen this path, and you have no right to interfere." I finally managed to speak my mind.

"Lady, you're bleeding!" He tried to hold my hand.

"I know."

"It's my hand, and I'm aware that I'm bleeding. There's no need to make a fuss about it. Knights face this kind of situation often; it's nothing new." I said, heading towards the knights' area.

I observed everyone having their breakfast after the intense morning exercise led by the stern Sir Xylon Aynar.

Without looking back, I joined them as usual. Initially, they would rise when I entered, but now I had established camaraderie with them. They treated me like one of their own and even ensured I had my share. The meal was simple, just dried bread, which was tough to chew. However, I had learned a trick from one of the knights - dipping the rock-hard bread in milk would soften it, making it easier to swallow.

This had become a part of my routine since then.

"Lady, do you know why the Duke is here?" one of them inquired.

"I'm not sure." I avoided eye contact.

"But why do I have the feeling that he's here for you?"

"Yes, I also noticed how he was looking at you so tenderly, with a concerned expression. As if..."

"As if what?" I placed my glass down, creating a loud sound.

"Ah, never mind." They fell silent again.

I too desired the answer. Why was he here? Why was he so concerned about my well-being? Why did he get angry when Sir Xylon was training me?

Why were you behaving this way? You've never acted like this before. Why today, after so many years?

"Lady, the Marquis is waiting for you in his study," Nanny informed me.

"Father? Why?" I inquired.

"I'm not sure. But he asked me to bring you," she said urgently.

Without delay, I sought permission from Sir Xylon and proceeded to the study. Inside, I found my father sitting on the couch, and on the opposite side, Duke Alexavier was seated.

I could sense the reason for my summons, yet I was reluctant to accept it.

"Father, why did you call me here?" I asked, closing the door behind me.

"Please, don't!"

I implored silently as I anticipated what was coming.

"Sit down, Bernice. There are many things I need to discuss with you," he said.

Please don't!!!

I knew what was coming. I had sensed it the moment I walked into the room, where only my father and he sat. There wasn't anything else that could possibly warrant my presence, except for Excalibur, who was hailed as the heir to all. Certainly not me.

Yet, here I was. I could feel the reason, pushing me into a dilemma I desperately wanted to avoid. But I remained, without asking any questions, with just one plea, "Please don't!!"

Or else, Father, you'll lose your daughter forever. The daughter you're attempting to trade off to the Duke's court as his wife. But I'm no more than a contract, a signed piece of paper, used to seal a deal that benefits both sides. An odd transaction, to say the least.

But I'm unsure of what the outcome will be from me being here.