Chapter 12- Victory

Few days had already passed, her ankle got better thanks to Dr. Devon, he was really a great and caring doctor she ever met. She trained so much for the next competition, Daniel finally taught her how to use a sword and she did her best in a small amount of time on how to use it. She learned that she has a talent using a sword and enjoyed it. They will be having a jousting tournament but they'll use a wooden sword since it's a part of their practice.

Jousting tournament is a competition where the knights will ride their horses while holding a wooden sword, their goal is to make their opponent touch the ground for them to be eliminated.

"Are you ready?" Daniel asked her while giving her the metal helmet that covers her whole face. All of them wore a metal suit to protect their body from their opponent's hit.

"Yeah. I think I can do this." She said then wear her helmet confidently. She still joined this contest even though her ankle just got better recently. No one can stop her, even Daniel who was discouraging her to join at first because of her condition. But because of her stubbornness, he give up.

Few knights had already joined and next is her turn. Phoenix was sitting in front watching the game next to Lady Cameron.

"Strengthen your grip and focus on your opponent. Attack their vital points so that you can easily knock them out, don't let your guard down."

Amy just nodded and Daniel patted her shoulder as she hop on her horse. Daniel sees potential in her, her looks always shown fearless and braveness that's why he knew that she can do it.

Her opponent was positioned opposite to her, and when the announcer rang the bell, sign for them to start, Amy roughly pulled her horse's reign and it ran to its fullest speed.

When she was about to reach her opponent, she raised her sword and hit his abdomen but it wasn't enough for him to fall into the ground, she heard him groaned in pain and she felt sorry for it but this is a part of the competition. Did her heart really got soften because her opponent felt pain? damn Amy.

Her and opponent failed to hit her as it happened very quickly, they both turned their horses and started to hit each other again.

Her opponent hit her lower right belly but she endured the pain that was increasing everytime her horse land it's feet to the ground. She hold her sword tightly and aimed it at his endured abdomen from earlier and pushed his shoulder for him to fall. Amy took advantage to her opponents injury to win, when the knight fell to the ground, everyone stood up from their seat and cheered for her.

Mixed voice was cheering and shouting for her victory, they couldn't believe that she won over a man that was double the size of her.

***

When Amy hit her opponent on his abdomen in the first round, Phoenix's eyes curved in happiness as if he wants her to win. But in the second round when she got hit on her lower belly he frantically stood up from his seat like he was a murderer consumed in rage.

Lady Cameron who was sitting beside him was surprised by his behavior, when she looked at what he was looking, it is Amy. She clenched her fist in annoyance and her nails leave a mark on her armchair.

Phoenix then sat in his chair and smiled when people started cheering for Amy's victory but there's still anger inside him because of that knight.

All the winners today will compete again tomorrow for another jousting fight and the winners will take ten fabulous silk and five bars of golds.

....

Dinner had began and they congratulate each other while having a drink. Phoenix was sitting beside Apollo and Lady Cameron who chose to stay for dinner though she couldn't bear the noise of the knights. He kept glancing at Amy and Lady Cameron noticed it but she just rolled her eyes and drink her wine.

"Everyone, I congratulate you all for winning today's competition. And for those who don't, better luck next time." Phoenix said as he raised his glass.

Some agreed and some laughed as they raised their glasses and took a sip. Lady Cameron also stood up and clung to his shoulder as she sip her red as blood wine, everyone was staring at them and Phoenix's aura changed. He just sat down and everyone started to mind their own businesses like nothing happened, they are used to it.

***

After dinner, she took a walk to digest all the food she ate. She went to the lake behind the castle where she saw Phoenix before and sat on the bench. The moon was bright that the pace didn't need a lamp, the cold breeze was touching her fair skin.

A minute later, she heard a step of someone walking towards her. As she take a look of that person, it was Phoenix.

"Commander Adelard?"

"May I sit here?" He said then pointed at the bench where she was sitting.

"Ah...y-yes! Sure, go ahead. I'm going back to my room." When she was about to get up from her seat, Phoenix grabbed her wrist. She widened her eyes in shock and he immediately talk.

"Are you leaving already?"

"Huh? I thought...you want some time alone."

"No. Sit. Here." He said emphatically and she hurriedly do what he said. His commanding voice made her obey him immediately. Amy was scared when Phoenix said that but on the other hand she was also amazed at the masculinity of his voice.

"Do you have...something to tell me?"

"Congratulations" He replied, his short reply annoys her.

'That's it?'

"..."

"Also, I'll teach you how to use a sword."

"Huh? W-why?"

"What why? You're not even good at it. You let him hit you."

"No, I didn't!" she said then crossed her arms.

"Yes, you did."

"He hit me in a speed of light! But, I knocked him out."

"How is your injury?"

"It's fine, I can still compete tomorrow."

"Let me know if you can't. I'll teach that knight a lesson."

....

When the two was talking, Lady Cameron saw them as she went to the lake as well. She clench her first very hard that her nails dug into her palm. She was really angry and jealous this time so she called her servant.

"Find the knight who cheated on horseback racing and tell him to come to my chamber."

***