...The Start...

Gilbert couldn't believe his ears:

- What did you say?

- I want to learn how to use the sword.

- But, you are a girl, how could you do such a thing?

- I always heard that father wants a son, that he could fight along with the king's army, and bring honor to the family. I can do that.

Gilbert was touched by his daughter's words:

- It's okay, you don't have to push yourself just to be considering my wish. I'm already proud of you... How could that frail body endure such a rough activity?

- I'm not considerable, I want to be stronger. Besides, my body endured all that beating up. I think I can endure anything.....Please, Father, allow me to do that.

Gilbert felt confused, he didn't know how he should react to such a weird request. He couldn't allow his daughter to learn that manly activity, but on the other hand, he couldn't refuse either. That was the first time she asked something from him.

Anastasia pretended to be sad:

- I knew that Father wouldn't permit me.

Then she stood up:

- I'm leaving...I'm sorry to disturb you with my stupid request.

- No, wait! I...I will give you my permission.

- Really, I can start training with the knights?

- Yeah, you can...I will ask sir Alfred to take good care of you.

Anastasia smiled brightly:

- Thank you, father... Thank you very much. I will make you proud of me.

At that moment, Gilbert's eyes became full of tears. He did a horrible thing to his daughter and made that beautiful smile disappear for years.

" I blamed such a pure child for something she wasn't responsible for. I watched her getting beaten again and again without saying a word, yet she is smiling at me. I hope I could make her happy. "

Agatha became furious when she heard about Gilbert's decision. She was already thinking about marrying her off to that old man to make sure that she will live miserably for the rest of her life, but now, all her plans were ruined again:

- HOW COULD YOU TAKE SUCH AN IMPORTANT DECISION WITHOUT CONSULTING ME? SHE IS MY DAUGHTER AS WELL

- That's what she wanted, I couldn't refuse her request.

- HOW RIDICULOUS...WE ARE SUPPOSED TO FIND A HUSBAND FOR HER, NOT TO MAKE HER A KNIGHT. NO ONE WILL ACCEPT TO MARRY HER AT THIS RATE.

Gilbert sighed:

- You are right, I will convince her otherwise.

At that moment Anastasia came to the room:

- What if I find a husband?

- What are you saying?

- You said that you are worried that I won't find a husband, right...Mother.

- Right! No one will marry you if you master the sword. Every man wants a beautiful, and tender woman as a bride.

- So, if I find a husband, there won't be any problems.

Agatha was annoyed by the little girl's confidence.

" This little brat...how dare she, let's see if you can find a husband for real."

She pretended to be calm and put a fake smile on her face.

- Alright, you can start your training, but on one condition.

- What is it?

- You must find a fine husband in four years, If you fail, then you must stop training and marry the man that we will choose for you.

Anastasia knew that her stepmother won't leave her alone and her father can't object to his beautiful wife.

" She will, somehow, convince him to marry me off to that old man. That's why I must do my best to get married to that warrior. I will marry him and I will save his life...That will be my plan to save my life as well. "

- Alright, I accept.

Anastasia started her daily training to learn Fencing. It was a very hard thing to learn, especially since her body was very weak.

Alfredo, the head knight thought that the little girl will surely quit after some days of training. But she didn't. She showed him a very strong will that even some men didn't have.

" I must become stronger, no matter what. that's the only way to reach that person. "

After a few months, Anastasia succeeded in gaining the admiration of all the knights. She warmed their heart with her bright smile and she often treated them with delicious food.

Gilbert was still worried about his daughter:

- Alfredo, how Anastasia is doing?

- She is doing better than I thought, my lord. Her strong will made me very surprised.

- Do you think that she can master the sword?

- I believe...My lord, have to believe in her as well.

- I will try my best.

Anastasia kept training without a stop, she pushed herself to the limits and endured all the hardships that encountered her, especially Agatha's scheme. That evil woman did her best to make Anastasia stop training. She even spread rumors about her among the noble society so she can't find anyone to marry.

- I heard that the count's daughter is learning Fencing.

- Such a beautiful lady! How could her father allow her to do that? A lady must appear beautiful and learn how to take care of the household.

- Yeah, what a waste. No one will accept to marry her.

- I feel sorry for the Count...

Gilbert felt annoyed when he heard such rumors, he wanted so badly to stop his daughter, but when he saw her bright smile while training he couldn't do so.

" She is happy...I can't steal that happiness again. "

During three years, Anastasia managed to strengthen her emaciated body which gave her more confidence in herself. She became stronger and more beautiful. When she went to tea parties, everyone became amazed by her stunning beauty and her strong personality. A lot of men wanted to marry her, but Agatha didn't stop spreading weird rumors about her.

The day she turned seventeen, her stepmother gave her a gift. It was a wedding ring.

- Happy birthday, dear! You grow up so much and became a lady, I hope you didn't forget about our agreement.

- What is this?

- A proposal, someone wants to marry you.

- I still have a year.

- Yeah, you better remember that.

Anastasia went to meet her father:

" This is it, I must make my move, now. "

- Father, can I have a word with you?

- Of course, what is the matter?

- Well, I think you know that my skills improved so much.

- Yeah, Alfredo couldn't stop praising you.

- But I feel that I'm still lacking so much...So, I think it is time for me to enlist in the army.