Nausea

The atmosphere in the training grounds had turned even more tenser now. The knights circled Alexander and Gareth leaving an empty space for them to fight. A knight and a prince fighting,thet could only guess the outcome. But uncertainties were there since that day when Alexander was defeated by Gareth. Even his own knights didn't fully trust he could win this out.

Alexander held his sword tightly as he circled Brandon. For him to be accepted as a disciple of Gareth, he had to defeat this guy. He had also insulted him adding to his will to fight him. He was definitely going to pay for this.

For some odd reason, Isadora feared for Alexander's safety. She rubbed her hands nervously as the duel unfolded. All she wished for was for him to come out victorious and unscathed.

Letting out a yell, Brandon charged madly at Alexander, his sword swinging crazily in the air. Such a move was vital especially at the beginning of the battle. Alexander narrowed his gaze and lifted his sword in a defensive position. Clang! The two metals kissed throwing sparks off.

Alexander was forced a few steps back and he had to admit that the move was fatal. Otherwise, he could not have moved an inch. He narrowed his gaze at Sir Brandon and a sinister look appeared on his face. He could not be embarrassed by a mere knight.

As if that was not enough, Sir Brandon ran madly at him with his sword mid air ready for a strike. But Alexander was alert this time. He dodged the attack effortlessly and gave an escort kick to the now passing Sir Brandon. The knights got amused by this and started murmuring. Some even placed their bets on who could win.

Sir Brandon crawled on the ground as his hand reached for his sword that he had now lost grip off. He had fallen face on ground and his nose had got broken, not to mention his sore cheeks and forehead. "I will kill you, you coward!" He yelled and charged madly at Alexander who was now walking arrogantly in the empty space. He saw Sir Brandon coming by the corner of his eye and a smirk appeared on his face. His face the turned serious as he eyed the oncoming man. 'Guess play time is over,' he thought.

Wielding his sword, he slid on the smooth ground while perfectly dodging Brandon's attack and his sword never left without cutting some flesh. The two stood opposite, their backs facing each other, each one with a different expression on their faces. Sir Brandon stood still as searing pain ran through his face. Blood could be seen forming on his mouth and he slowly fell on his knees. His hand reached for his stomach and there, a scarlet liquid painted his shirt and armor.

Alexander's sword was painted red and so was the ground. He just stood there, as he watched the drops slowly fall off his sword onto the ground. That was what he meant by playtime is over. No one, not even his father or Lord Richard could humiliate him in public. Brandon had to pay the consequences of such a thing. He didn't even mind if he died. He had hurt his ego after all, in his own kingdom at that!

Sir Gareth watched the whole scene unfazed. For some odd reason, he felt that the fight was way too unprofessional. It was as if Alexander was enjoying himself in the first place and then became serious the last minute. His gaze fell on the groaning Sir Brandon but not a hint of sympathy could be seen on his face. His gaze landed back at Alexander and a smile curved on his lips. So the prince was going to become his disciple now. How amusing! After all, he had promised him. But he had said that he might consider and not would consider.

Princess Roselyn watched the whole situation unfold in horror. She had feared that something bad would happen to either of them, especially Alexander. But both were dear to her and she could not help but fear for Brandon's outcome. "Someone do something. He is losing a lot of blood," she said, her voice laced with worry and concern.

Two knights, who were probably the medics, came in holding a stretcher and placed Brandon on it. The guy had lost a lot of blood. His piercing gaze never left Alexander's even at the brink of death. It was as if he wanted to say that this was not the end.

Alexander sighed heavily and his gaze shifted to her, his personal maid. While the fight was starting, he had seen how worried she was and this had brought a smile on his face. To see that she cared for him really flattered him. He had even thought of lowering his guard and probably get a cut or two so that she could treat him but knew it was way too risky. Especially given that it was Sir Brandon.

He approached her and the worry in her face had dissipated only to be replaced by a calm yet distant expression. She saw him approach and immediately looked down as if his gaze could manipulate her to do something stupid. There was just something in those dark orbs of his that felt like, a magnetic. That confession nearly made her jump as she berated herself for having such thoughts.

"Take this!" Isadora slowly lifted her face only to be met with a hand holding a scarlet painted sword. The smell of blood nauseated her as a painful memory flashed across her mind. Since that time when she saw her family die, she had developed a nausea for blood, even its smell propelled it.

Alexander saw her reaction and his brows furrowed as he followed her line of sight. Apart from the blood that was on his sword, he couldn't see anything else that could have made her expression change. Or did she not like seeing blood? Realization hit hard on him and he withdrew the sword, not noticing the silent sigh that escaped her mouth. She had even turned feverish for the briefest of moments, something that went unnoticed by Alexander.

"Carry this to my chambers," he said while removing the heavy armor from his chest. The knights watched this in awe. Was he even a man? While they were all here at his service, he chose her instead; a lady at that?

Isadora took the heavy armor and she stumbled back but regained her balance before she could hit the solid wall behind her. Alexander chuckled amused by this while she shot a cold glare at him. But instead, he walked away, his hands on his back to meet his new master.