A Duel

"Do you have a problem with that?" asked Getrude.

"Not at all your highness," Logan said through gritted teeth. He knew that even if he did not want to, he had no choice but to oblige the princess. "It will be a pleasure to train you."

"Shall we start then?" Getrude asked, walking over to the centre of the field. She had pulled her sword out of its sheath and twirled it around with speed. Logan had to admit that it was impressive. 

"I am not yet done with my training," Logan said. 

"You shall do that later," she yawned. "How about we start with a duel?"

"As you wish your highness."

"I know I am a woman, but do not go easy on me," Getrude said. "In battle, the enemy does not care if you are male or female. They will treat you brutally."

"Of course, your highness, Logan said, fighting an eye roll.

After Getrude confided in her governess how and why she had made a fool of herself, Madame Fyn advised her not to force herself on him. She had told Getrude to remain neutral and passive. She should behave like a princess and not a commoner chasing after a man.

She had also told Getrude to act like royalty advice novels and try to cool off some steam. 

That was the only part of the advice that Getrude was willing to carry out. 

One of the ways in which she relieved stress was by sword fighting or reading novels, but her mind was unable to concentrate on the book she had picked. She had the urge to shatter something, so she decided to go to the training grounds, hoping that Ghengis would be there. 

Upon seeing that Logan was just starting his training session, she decided to act like royalty as Madame Fyn had suggested. She was going to make Logan her trainer and act cold towards him like he did to her. Hopefully, that was going to make him rethink his attitude towards her.

"Are you sure you will not like to warm up first?" Logan asked. 

"I said a duel," Getrude replied. "I know what I want."

"It is advisable to—"

"I did not ask for advise. I came here to duel."

"Fine with me," Logan said. The sudden switch in Getrude's behavior did not faze him. He was somewhat used to seeing her act that way to servants so he was not surprised she would treat him the same way. "I shall get a sword you'd highness."

Getrude rolled her eyes at the use of your highness. 

Authoritative and entitled. He mumbled to himself, walking away to a shed where swords for practice were kept. 

"Took you long enough," Getrude commented when he came back to her, she stood with her arms folded across her chest, one leg in front of the other. "Lord Ghengis, you shall be a referee."

"Be polite," Ghengis said in a firm tone.

"Are you commanding me?" Geteude asked turning to face Ghengis. She raised her eyebrows at him quizzically.

"Be polite," Ghengis repeated in a less strict tone.

"Are you Lord over me?" She asked, walking towards him in a menacing manner and drawing her sword to his neck. "I said be a referee. Call the duel."

Lord Ghengis face has turned red and he seemed surprised at the princesses behavior towards him. She was always complaining but never rude to him so this came as a shock. "As you wish… princess Getrude."

"It is your highness," she said coolly, dropping her sword from his neck. 

"Shall we?" She asked Logan. 

"Of course," he said, still fighting an eye roll. Her behavior irritated him but he was in no place to speak to her about it. 

"Take the appropriate stances," Ghengis said, a frown etched deeper into his face. The man never smiled but he seemed to be surlier than usual.

"If you are going to sulk because I put you in your place then leave," commented Getrude, quire annoyed. 

"Pardon?" Ghengis asked.

"I have just asked you to leave. What are you waiting for?"

Lord Ghengis had a look of irritation and confusion etched in his brows. With an exasperated sigh, he mumbled a few words and left. 

"You will attack me unawares," Getrude said. 

"Why?"

"I need to work on my reflexes," she replied. "I will—"

Her words were cut off my Logan striking with his sword but she easily met it with hers, the clash of metals bringing a spark. 

She kicked his thigh and drew her sword forward, almost nudging him in the belly but he used his shield to block her and struck from above with his sword. 

She managed to block the attack on her head just in time by lifting her shield. She pushed his sword off her shield with ease. "You are going easy on me," she commented, thrusting forward. 

Logan moves to the side so her sword meg with air and she stumbled forward but quickly picked herself up and attacked from the back, kicking him so he almost felt to his knees. 

He had to admit that he was impressed with her fighting skills. He steadied himself and struck to the side— almost hitting her in the belly. "I apologize my lady."

Geteude only snorted. "I said do not go easy. You should have struck me."

Logan said nothing to reply to that. 

They moved in circles, each waiting for the others next move. The air was charged with tension as they gazed into each other eyes. Logan's eyes held unveiled hatred while Getrude tried to portray the same look but she knew deep down the feelings she harboured for him and the look in his eyes shattered her heart into a million pieces. 

She lowered her sword finally, trying to keep her eyes hard and steady to avoid tears but anger suddenly coursed through her veins and she struck forward, aiming for his neck. Just as her sword got a few inches close to his neck, she held her hand still so she would not stab him but what happened in the next second was unexpected by the both of them. 

As if a force controlled the sword, it repelled; turning spinning carefully and avoiding Logan's neck and then with speed, the sharp blade struck her neck.