I Promise, I'll Leave! But, With No Regrets!!

Chapter 35

♦Chapter 35: The Passionate Clashing Of Swords♦

"Aiden Faremanne.....?", I called out to the boy in a question-like tone.

As he slowly met my gaze, the wind fiercely blew in a spur of the moment, making our hairs flutter in mid-air. His bangs were swayed by the breeze that passed through as well. Until, his face got clearly exposed before my eyes.

So I wasn't hallucinating.....

Looking at the small mole on his left cheek made me recollect the first time that I noticed it in my previous life.

It was in the midst of my daily life at the Imperial Palace, whereas my peaceful days still remained intact.

".....Aiden."

"Yes, Your Majesty?"

"Are there really no plans for today?"

"I believe, this is the eighth time that you asked me the same question, Your Majesty. Do you still wish to hear an answer?"

"Nevermind. I think I already know what you would say.", I sighed.

I was in my room that time, sitting on a sofa. I leisurely drank a cup of tea and waited for the time to pass by, with boredom.

Somehow, I couldn't think straight. It felt like I completely forgot what I usually did during my free time because ever since I came to the Imperial Palace, I was burdened by responsibilities or such. It's not like I have become pretty diligent when it comes to finishing up my job. It's just that I had gotten used to it that it became a habit of mine to keep working so that my schedule doesn't get busier.

Did I become a workaholic person? I thought.

At any rate, I couldn't help but feel uncomfortable of the fact that I didn't have anything to do at all.

The room was enveloped with silence. Silence, as I deeply pondered of what I should do. And after a while of thinking it through, I came up of a very amusing idea to satisfy my boredom.

"Sir Aiden!", I gushed with a pumped expression. Then before he could say a word, I continued.

"I challenge you to a duel!", I swiftly proposed.

When Aiden perceived my phrase, he looked a little anxious and confused.

'A woman that can wield a sword.'

From the start, there was no lady that would try to learn something like that in the noble society. Furthermore, swordsmanship wasn't suited for women in the Empire. Thus, it wasn't strange for Aiden to show me a reaction like that.

"Is that supposed to be a joke, Your Majesty...?", he asked.

I wanted to tell him that I wasn't just fooling around with what I have suggested. However, there was a more befitting response to his statement. And so, I confidently replied to him with a smirk.

"You'll know when the battle starts."

Just like that, we moved to the nearest training grounds from my palace. We changed our outfits into clothes that were identical to the equipment that knights wore during their trainings. And since the battle that I proposed wasn't a serious and official one, we used wooden swords to avoid major injuries. If I got scathed over this, then Aiden would be imprisoned after all.

We were pretty fortunate in a way because the knights weren't present at the training grounds, for a great coincidence. As such, I felt much relieved that there wouldn't be any spectators in our duel. Rather, they wouldn't even allow me to touch a single sword, would they?

As we stood a meter or two from each other on a flat ground, I quickly tied my hair, knowing that it would be a nuisance once the battle starts. Firstly, we warmed ourselves up. And the moment we finished doing that, we drew our swords and made a stance.

"Just in case, should I hold back, Your Majesty?"

"No, thank you. I'd rather like to see your full power, ex-commander of the Western Division."

"But, that's quite dangerous....."

"Well, it's more exciting if it's dangerous right?~"

When I uttered those words, I made the first move to charge and launch an attack. Following that, I quickly swung my sword to the spot where Aiden was wide open. But for a great surprise, he was able to keep up with my speed that he blocked my attack.

Nevertheless, I have imagined that this much would happen. And so, I grinned just when our eyes met, since he fell in the trap that I have set up as a plan in advance.

The sound of our wooden swords screeching made me assume that I already won the battle for just a short time. It was a very fulfilling sensation. But then...

*swish*

In one second, Aiden's sword was prepared to slice off my neck, and so was mine to his. My heart skipped a beat when that happened. It was an unexpected turns of event. For the first time, I experienced and understood what close death meant.

"It seems like I have underestimated Your Majesty's skills."

When he whispered that phrase to me that time, the wind blew and made our hairs flutter, just like the scene that I went through at present.

Our faces that time were a bit close, resulting me to memorize his figure clearly. And it was also then that I noticed the small mole on his left cheek. Until I labeled it as a proof that signified himself, on my own.

He was a faithful and promising knight..... I thought while I watched him staring at me.

Most likely, he was the first person that taught me the definition of true kindness. And I have always been very thankful to him for his thoughtfulness.

"U-umm... Lady Sherryl.", the black-haired boy called out to me, out of a sudden.

"What may it be, Sir Aiden?"

"How does Lady Sherryl know my name...?"

I froze out after I heard his statement. The crowd started to get noisier as well.

Oh no.... I've made a mistake!!

I panicked all along as I couldn't think of a reasonable excuse. It was quite nerve-wracking that I felt like running away from the scene. However, if I simply run away like that, it means that the guests' random assumptions would be considered correct. That's why, I couldn't possibly flee from this.