Chapter 11

Ha ha ha ha ha....

I was out of breath just by running in 5 minutes. I can't push on any longer feeling my legs buckle underneath me. Is there a easier way to increase stamina?

***

Just this morning

"Your Royal Highness I'm sure you have never used a sword before so I will teach you the beginning stance." the Duke said, coming to fulfil her promise of teaching me.

As I took the wooden sword and followed her instruction I wasn't even able to last a minute.

"Your Royal Highness if you want to study martial arts and swordsmanship we need to increase your stamina." she said

***

And this is what led me to run around the palace. As I brought my self back to my feet, a young boy probably a few years older than me came around the corner.

"Ah Hello" he said. "I was just passing by when I saw you running. Are you alright?"

Who is this boy how can he just enter here freely? Is he a son of one of the maids or servants?

"Ah boy who are you?" I asked. He replied, "Um If I tell you my name you won't want to be near me."

Is he a known criminal or something? He is so young though. "Um well then you can call me Xuan. I'm not sure what position you are in but you can trust that I won't harm you."

I could see his hesitation but he replied, "Then you can call me Shen."

"Then Shen lets be friends." I said.

At first our friendship was awkward he came some time but soon we grown so close and he started helping me gain stamina, and teaching me basic swordsmanship. Until it didn't come unnoticed by the Duke.

***

"Your Royal Highness your stamina has improved and you also improved in your swordsmanship, for that what reward do you want?"

I thought for a while before saying, "I want a closet of full black attire both in feminine and masculine clothings"

It seems she was taken a back but she agreed to it. Soon my closet was sent with some extra jewelry and weapons that match my clothing's.

***

My mother received news that me and A Qi needs to attend the off age ceremony. In the palace we have two off age ceremony when we reach the age of 4 and 17. Since my and A Qi birthday is right around the corner, we were supposed to have our off age ceremony. Mother looked worried though.

"Mother what is wrong it is just an off age ceremony." I asked. There was silence then she replied, "It isn't that simple, after the ceremony you will need to meet the Empress, Imperial Noble Consorts, Noble Consorts and Beautys in there respective palaces, then visit the All the Princes from different rankings, only your brothers then gather in the ballroom of the Second Princess to meet all the princesses, your sisters.