The Wrath Beneath Her Crown

Blanchette and Grace launched themselves at each other like twin bolts of fury, their forms blurring as they collided in the center of the ruined courtyard. Grace brought her sword down in a swift vertical slash, but Blanchette sidestepped the arc and retaliated with a sharp low kick to Grace's right leg. The holy knight blocked it deftly with the flat of her blade, then countered with a front kick that Blanchette caught on her forearms.

The sound of steel and bone echoed as Grace swung horizontally, but Blanchette slipped under the blade and fired off a right hook to Grace's ribs. A hiss of pain escaped Grace as her elbow blocked the blow, only to be cut by the spikes on Blanchette's knuckle buster.

Without hesitation, Grace thrust her sword toward Blanchette's face, but the princess sprang back, narrowly avoiding a fatal strike. Blood ran down Grace's arm from the cut on her elbow as she reset her stance and stared her opponent down.

"You're really strong, Blanchette," Grace said through heavy breaths, sweat dripping down her temple. "Only one other person gave me a fight like this… a guy with his face wrapped in bandages."

"I told you to shut up and fight, bitch!" Blanchette snapped, then darted forward.

The fight resumed in a blur of motion. Knuckles clashed against steel, kicks met blocks, and the sound of grunts and exertion filled the air.

Jack watched in awe. "They're so strong. It looks like they're equal. I can't tell who's going to win."

Joshua, eyes sharp, shook his head. "They're not. It's one-sided. You'll see soon enough."

The moment arrived.

Blanchette struck Grace's leg with a low kick, landing it cleanly. As Grace braced for a repeat, she angled her blade downward, ready to slice the next kick. But Blanchette feinted low and twisted her body into a savage high axe kick, her heel crashing down directly onto Grace's face.

Grace stumbled back, blood spilling from her nose and lips.

"Not so pretty anymore, whore," Blanchette spat with a wicked grin.

"Geez," Joshua muttered, frowning. "I get that she's winning, but does she have to be so cruel?"

Jack didn't even look at him. "Joshua. Please. Shut up. Before she kills you next."

Grace, struggling to stay conscious, wiped the blood from her face. Her eyes briefly flicked to Joshua, still watching. He smiled gently, and despite the agony, Grace returned it.

That was all Blanchette needed to see.

She charged forward, eyes glowing with a deadly blue light.

Jack glanced at Joshua. "Bro, you really need to do something nice for her after this. You're in deep shit."

Blanchette threw two quick jabs. Grace blocked with her sword, her vision obscured and that was all Blanchette needed. A thunderous low kick smashed into Grace's left leg, and a sickening crack echoed. Grace cried out, stumbling in searing pain.

Before she could recover, Blanchette drove a brutal front kick into her stomach, sending her crumpling to the ground, coughing blood.

The crowd watched in stunned horror.

And then Blanchette grabbed her.

She twisted behind Grace, hooked her arms around her waist, and suplexed her into the stone. The ground cracked beneath them. Blood splattered from Grace's head and again and again, as Blanchette kept slamming her down with ruthless precision.

When she finally stopped, Grace lay limp, her body broken and bloodied.

The crowd gasped. Whispers turned to cries.

"Monster… she's a monster…"

Blanchette's eyes dimmed. She turned and walked toward Joshua and Jack, her expression flat.

"Let's go home," she said coldly.

But something made Jack and Joshua freeze. Their eyes widened in disbelief.

Blanchette turned and saw it too.

Grace, staggering upright, barely conscious, raised her sword. Her face was soaked in blood, one eye nearly swollen shut, but her grip did not waver.

The crowd erupted.

"GRACE! GRACE! GRACE!"

She stood like a warrior, half-dead, but proud.

"You don't deserve Joshua!" she screamed, her voice trembling with rage. "You're just a spoiled brat who thinks she owns everything! News flash, you don't own Joshua, bitch!"

Silence. Total silence.

Joshua blinked… then smiled slightly.

Jack groaned and shook his head. "You're actually the dumbest man alive…"

Blanchette turned to Joshua, saw the smile… and her fury exploded.

Her eyes ignited blue. She sprinted at Grace with murder in her heart and threw a devastating right straight.

Crack!

The punch landed with brutal force, the spikes on her knuckle buster tearing into Grace's face. Her sword fell from her hand. Her body collapsed but Blanchette caught her by the hair before she hit the ground.

"Let's see if Joshua still likes you after I destroy your face," she hissed, winding up another punch.

But it never landed.

Joshua's hand caught her wrist mid-swing.

"Blanchette, stop. The fight's over. You won," he said softly, his eyes pleading. "Are you trying to kill her?"

Blanchette stared into his eyes.

And slowly… she let go.

Grace dropped to the ground, unconscious.

Blanchette's glow faded. Jack walked over and sighed.

"Okay, guys. Let's go home."

The three turned and walked through the crowd, faces twisted in fear and disgust.

"Monster…"

"She's no better than the werewolves…"

"Heartless…"

Blanchette didn't say a word.

Not a single one.