A day to remember

In the years that followed, I was taught all the ins and outs of modern nobility. I dressed in the finest clothes, learn the bested edict, and even learned proper battle tactics. All these things turned me into an honorable man of the manor. The day in question started as any other would. I got up from my dwelling in the top of the east wing of the house before the sun had risen to prepare for my duties. I am the leading servant in the household; I check the cook surveying the day's food and order the servant's schedule for the day's activities. But today, there was a blank in the itinerary. Seeing it, I head over to the master's courtyard. We meet with the family to get started on our daily tasks, but I sit there and wait with the blank on the schedule.

It's not often that I get a morning like this anymore, where I don't have to do anything, sit and enjoy the morning. This morning reminds me a lot when I first came to the family, seeing it's a cold morning, with the sun just barely breaking light. It warms my spirit to think about these moments. Right as I'm reminiscing, I see Eliana walk out to meet me.

"Good morning; as I'm sure you know already, there is a gap in today's plans, correct." She speaks to me with the strength of a proud woman.

I look down at her, ready to respond with my usual answer, when I notice she has one of the family swords at her side. For one of the other guardsmen, this would be no problem, but it's pretty odd.

"I saw the change to the plan, but more importantly, why do you have one of the family swords. We don't have any swordmen training today." My answer is riddled with confusion about the whole thing.

She tightens the nock on her bet and assures me.

"It's a special treat for me today. For now, let's take a walk to the patio." I can hear the smugness in her voice.

She then takes a leading step as we head to the patio. The only thing is that the patio is on the outskirts of the manor. I can't understand why; there's no lesson or even drill we run out there. Regardless I follow close behind, assuring all manner of threats is accounted for. As we reach the path out by the stables, we stop. She doesn't speak or move; slowly draw the blade. I then notice her mistic energy flow down her arm and on her sword. I'm intrigued by this, but I had never seen her do this.

"You have watched over me for the past sixteen years, by my side every day, correct." I can hear the shakiness in her voice as if she's nervous.

It's a simple question, but before an answer can leave my lips, she swings at me. I dodge her horizontal slash by stepping aside from it. She steps at me, lunging her blade at my abdomen. I don't know what she's up to, but I can't fight back. Honestly, it's crazy that they would ever try; I'm vastly stronger than her. Yet, she doesn't seem fazed. With a quick sidestep, I move around her, stopping behind her.

"You know I can't fight back, but you know if I did, it wouldn't be fair," I inform her of this oddly as she should know this.

After telling her this, she turns on her feet, piercing the side of my abdomen. I could have moved, but when I saw her turn around, I could see the determination in her eyes. While I was holding back, she was trying as hard as she could to hit me. I seldom get to see her like this, especially with the sun shimmering through her golden hair on this beautiful morning. It is in these moments that her beauty is apparent to me. But after hitting me, I can hear her panting.

"If it's so unfair, then why can I still hit you?"

I panic when she asks me this because if she knew what I saw in her, I would be cast out for hearsay. So I swiftly pull the blade out of me and hold it before her.

"Because I didn't want you to hurt yourself, madam. Please may we continue to the patio?" my answer is uneasy with my heavy heart.

She takes the blade wiping it off and sheathing it.

"Ok, we can go, but you shouldn't let your guard down for me." She gives me this order with the same pride as she would any other.

We head back off on our train, reaching a gait at the edge of the manner. Going through, I see a place set for tea. Strangely enough, there was a second place.

"Are we having a guest, madam?" I ask, wondering if this is another person to protect.

"No, please take a seat. I wish to speak to you." She asks

I take my seat, and she pours me a cup. This action is odd as the only time she had touched a kettle was when she was in training. I take the cup and inquire.

"So, why have we come way out here if you just wish to speak," I ask with caution as I questioned my master.

"As you know, today, my father has chosen to pass the power of the family down to me. This means the other three houses are to present suiters for my hand. I'm sure you have been briefed." She ends with a gesture to me.

"I'm aware of the traditions of the ruling house when the firstborn is a girl. Why would you retell me this?" Once again, I proceed with caution.

She nods as she adds two sugars to her tea.

"Yes, this is the case, but what you may not know is I can choose one person in all the four provinces to fight for me. And I chose you," she tells me with unusual confidence.

See, the higher you are born, In this society, the better your power, and I'm a commoner. Yes, I'm powerful, but I've never truly been tested. However, I have to answer.

"Ok, I'll do it, but I don't know how good I'll be," I answer shakingly because if I win, I get to marry the women who I have come to love.