Chapter 12

Jayus could pinpoint where he had seen this lady now. A while back during the preparations for the arena, at that stall with the wooden figurines, this lady had bought the Witch's Crane when she failed to purchase the unfinished figurine of the woodsman. To think he'd be meeting her again like this.

"It's been so long! How have you been?" Hera grinned ear to ear, it almost seemed peculiar to Jayus. He had not ever seen Hera smile like that. Not even at him. He watched as Hera walks up to the girl and engage in friendly conversation. They seemed close. Like old friends meeting once again. To be fair, Jayus hadn't known Hera had friends outside the estate. But with Hera's charming personality, he should have expected it a long time ago. What was Hera like outside from being Jayus butler? He would like to know.

But what Jayus didn't like was Hera wrapping his arms around the girl as they hugged. Neither did he like the way they were too immersed in each other's presence.

"By the way, Felicity. This is Duke Jayus Frasirr, my master. My lord, this is... An old friend of mine!" Hera didn't know what to call Felicity. He couldn't just say she was his former knight. So refering to her as an old friend was not technically a lie. Their conversation had carried on until Jayus heard his name beign mentioned, and realised Hera had began introducing him to his lady friend. Felicity was ecstatic, perhaps for meeting the duke, or for meeting her friend once more. Either way, she bowed her head in courtesy towards the duke with a huge grin on her face.

"I greet the Duke Frasirr with utmost regard." Felicity placed a hand on her chest with the other hand tucked behind her back. A courtesy form much similar to that of a knight. It would be no surprise for her to greet others that way, if she were still a knight. Felicity was, after all, Hera Eckleis's most loyal knight before the Great Fall. Hera's heart dropped to the pits of his stomach when he realized Felicity hadn't grown out of her knightly habits yet and lightly nudged her foot. But it was too late, Jayus tilted his head in confusion at the girl's greeting.

"Huh?" Jayus couldn't contain his confusion at the knightly position this girl greeted him with, and only then did Felicity notice her mistake as she froze in place. Stiff as a rock, she raised her head to look Jayus in the eye.

"Uhm... I'm... I'm actually with the Eastern Region! I serve the Eastern region's witch and we're all accustomed to greet like this. It's quite similar to how a knight would be but if you come from the Eastern regions it's really not that similar! I get the confusion alot and I understand why it seems weird but it's really not, it's really not!" In her state of distraught, she rambled on and on for an excuse to provide to Jayus, and Hera could only turn around and pray to god that somehow Jayus wouldn't find her behaviour suspicious at all. First, it had been Caspian, and now even Felicity looked shady. Hera would be even more surprised if Jayus casually accepted this persuasion.

Jayus nodded in understanding, "Oh, is that so."

He did. Hera stared at the duke with wide eyes, doubtful of what his ears had heard. Jayus merely continued mild conversation with Felicity, as if the poor girl hadn't been sweating bullets. And for a second, Hera wondered what thought process Jayus had in his mind. Perhaps, the duke casually accepted that Hera merely surrounded himself with weirdos.

"I'm going to be participating in the tournament to represent my lady, The easter region's Witch. I look forward to seeing you in battle, your High-.... Ahem, Hera." Hera snapped out of his thoughts when he realized Felicity had gone back to talk to him. The expression she gave was one of bittersweet smiles, unused to having called the person she once served by a different name. But she shook her head and gave a determined smile.

"Good luck, but just because we're friends doesn't mean I'll hold back. I also have a master I have to impress," Hera teased, unknown to him of the figure who froze beside him the moment those words left his lips. Felicity gawked at this, and stared at the space between the two as a mild understanding formed in her head. Was it her imagination or is the Duke's face rapidly growing red by the second?

"I best be on my way, I've taken enough of your time. My lady must be looking for me now," Felicity said, "If I don't get back quickly, my lady might scold me again." From what Jayus could decipher, it looks like this wasn't the first time this girl had been scolded.

As Felicity began to disappear into the crown, she couldn't push aside the gnawing feeling in her chest as she thought of the duke. So it was the duke. That man had been the one she met back at the stalls then. He had holding the figurine of Heracles Eckleis at that time when Felicity, desperately, begged the gods he wouldn't purchase it so she could buy it for her own. In the end, the figurine ended up being not for sale.

Perhaps, does the duke know about Hera?

Fortunately, the duke didn't know about Hera. As soon as Felicity was out of sight, Jayus turned to Hera.

"You two seem really close," A hidden bitterness underlay the smile he gave to Hera. Nervous, Hera laughed as he scratched the back of his neck, "I practically raised her at some point. So that might be it."

Hera reminded himself of all the times he had roughly trained Felicity to be better than all the knights his mother had sent for him. Those times, he couldn't trust the ones his mother gave, and in turn, he laid every opportunity for Felicity to come up top every other knight to the point his mother couldn't refuse.

On the other hand, in Jayus's perspective, he imagined a young Hera taking care of a tiny Felicity sharing a piece of bread under the thundering storm. He felt quite empathetic for the two. "...I understand," Jayus stared at Hera with eyes brimming red with compassion. Taken aback, Hera stared at him strangely. "Exactly what do you understand, my lord?"

Please tell because I don't understand what you understand!!!

In the middle of the training grounds lay multiple weapons and training gears for each participants to use safely. A number of target puppets stood aligned on all four sides of the premise for aiming practices, and wooden swords were stacked by the corner for daily uses. Although, each region bought their own special swords, those adventurers and commoners with no expensive weapons opted to make use of them instead. Felicity herself had been gifted by the Eastern Region's witch with a handmade sword. As she walked into the training grounds with her sheathed sword held tightly around her arms, her translucent eyes gazed around the field looking for a suitable place to train by herself. Ever since she fled to the eastern region, she found her fighting skills hadn't been much use lately in such a peaceful region with the Witch's barrier protecting them. Felicity felt a gentle tap on her shoulder, and she found herself face to face with a masked person. Despite half of her face being hidden, Felicity could easily tell it was the Witch. Her face beamed in delight. The Eastern Region's Witch was akin to a king of a land. In a sense, she ruled over the Easter Region completely. She adorned a dark, beautiful dress underneath her cloak, and her dark hair had been tied into a beautiful bun, the tips of her hair, a radiating purple had matched her jewels compelety.

"Lady Euthanasia, what brings you to the training grounds?" Felicity asked. To be seeing Euthanasia here, she must have been roaming around instead of staying cooped up in her tent. Perhaps, she took a break from practicing spells. Either way, Felicity couldn't have been more thrilled to have Euthanasia by her side.

"I was out for a walk when I spotted you entering the training grounds.... Seriously, you ought to tie up that hair of yours. It gets in the way when you train," Euthanasia scolded. Euthanasia rarely smiled, leaving everyone the impression of a wicked witch. Felicity turned around, her back facing Euthanasia, leaving the latter in utter confusion. When Euthanasia realized her intentions, she merely sighed before coming to fix Felicity's hair.

"If you're so interested in such unruly activities, don't you think it's more convenient to cut your hair short?" Euthanasia began tying Felicity's hair, almond skin gathering every strand of blonde locks nto a high ponytail as Felicity hums at the contact.

"That's true, but I like my long hair. Also, someone in the past told me that it was funnier to beat egoistic men when I look feminine and cute. Won't you agree, my lady?" Translucent eyes glanced at the witch behind her, and Euthanasia couldn't help but scoff, "I guess I would."

Pulling down the hair she tied up, Euthanasia produced another set of ties from her saddlebag, "Why don't I make your hairstyle cuter? Just to give you a boost of confidence." Euthanasia parted Felicity's hair in half before tying it into two adorable buns. "Don't disappoint me, Felicity."

"It would impossible for me to disappoint you, my lady." Felicity teased. As Euthanasia walked back out of the training grounds, Felicity spotted another familiar face just as he entered the arena, her giddy steps made way towards the figure until she paused. Hera had just entered the arena, following closely behind him was the Duke Frasirr. Felicity stood there, unsure of what to do. There, entraped in that little bubble of a space was the runaway crown prince and the duke, to waltz over there felt like trespassing. She wondered if it had purposefully been a one sided conversation between, with Hera filling in the gaps of their silence, or was it just common for the duke to stare so intensely at Hera the entire time.

Perhaps, Hera didn't even notice the Duke's silence in the midst his rambling.

When the duke finally left to sit by the bleachers of the stadium, Felicity hopped over to the lone Hera making swings. It felt just like it had before. The sword felt light gripped tightly in his palms, every swing he made left a song from the blade. And the light reflected off like strings from a harp. Hera swung his blade continuously at an even pace. Later on, he might ask someone for a spar. But he hadn't even reached a twentieth swing when another sword crossed against his own. Caught by surprise, Hera smiled at the owner of the second blade, a hint of mirth twinkling in blue eyes.

"Do you mind having a little duel? For old times sake," Felicity withdrew her sword. It spun in a silver light and she flicked it to the ground with the other hand tucked behind her back. The stance of a retired knight still radiated that undying discipline and pride in her person. The way she held the sword was of the way Hera had taught her many years ago, back at the Eckleis Empire's training grounds. Hera could easily tell those lessons have been engraved into her with the way she held herself. But as for him, he might have gotten a little rusty over time.

As both former Eckleis officials took a stance in front of once another, Jayus watched the two from the bleachers with anticipation.

"They seem rather close, don't you think?" A milky voice said, pulling Jayus's attention to the speaker slowly approaching him. Jayus could easily tell who it was as the Eastern Region's witch made her way towards him. He lowered his head in polite greeting. So this must be the lady Felicity had mentioned to be serving earlier. Jayus straightened himself, ready to exchange introductions when Euthanasia raised a gloved hand to stop him.

"We already know each other's names, what use would be those introductions? Let's just chat for a bit," Euthanasia said, her attention already focused on the two people below, sparring viciously with swords sparking at every clash of the blade, "Our representatives seem to know each other quite well." Euthanasia cared less for formalities, and that was clear with the way she approached the duke carelessly. If her actions seemed rude, then who was she to care. If they didn't care for her actions, then no one loses. Either way, who would dare clash with a witch.

"They're old friends, is what Hera told me." Jayus said, now focused back at the sparring before him. Euthanasia merely hummed in response, too engrossed watching the blonde swiftly move away from every offense coming her way. Jayus too forgot about making light conversation as he watched Hera make ceaseless attacks, each swing progressively growing faster and stronger. Felicity didn't slow down either yet continued to raise her defense against Hera's attacks.

"Old man, have you gone rusty over time playing doll house? You're not as agile as you used to be," Felicity teased as she let out a small laugh. Truth be told, she could almost feel herself slowing down. She hadn't been able to exercise like this in days. That taunt seemed to do it for Hera and he let out scoff.

"Sharp tongue you got there, couldn't sharpen your blade so you opted for your wit, huh?" Hera replied.

"It can't be helped, I got such attitude from you."

Just then, Hera lurched forward, pushing himself with one foot. Pressing his sword to his hip, he swung with all his might towards an astonished Felicity who barely managed to block his attack. It came swiftly, faster than the speed of light, shocking those around who had paused to watch this little spar unfold. Jayus and Euthanasia were the most shocked at move. Heck, Jayus didn't even know Hera would be capabke of doing that. Sweating a bucket load, he made a mental reminder not to argue with Hera about the herbal tea ever again. The blood in his face already drained as he watched such deadly spar unfold in front of him. Even Euthanasia, who had remained nonchalant until now slowly leaned over the railing to make sure Felicity was safe. They expected the sparring would be over soon after that attack, and Felicity would call it off. That's why it came such a surprise to see such a riled up Felicity smile at her opponents strike which almost could have killed her.

"That's more like it." Felicity flicked her sword off Hera's own before tumbling back for more distances. Years of fighting side by side together already had Hera accustomed to her style and he drew their distance closer, never letting her have amy sort of leverage against him. "You think I'll let you gain any upper hand in this? I practically raised you. I know all your moves,"

"Which is why you'll never expect this!" Felicity produced a blade from the heel of her shoe mid tumbling. Had Hera drew closer with just an inch, he would have scarred half his face off. That fright had been the one thing giving Felicity the distance she needed. And Hera couldn't help but laugh at the stunt she pulled. This kid had seriously grown up.

With the tip of his blade aimed at Felicity, Hera took a stance. "Alright, no holding back this time."

"That was you holding back? I thought you could barely stand!" Felicity taunted.

The two of them plunged forward to attack, eaxh sword singing in daylight, ready to swing when an invisible force held both their weapons in place. Confused, they both tried to pull away. Unfortunately, the swords wouldn't budge.

"Alright, that's enough sparring for today. Can't you see you're making the poor duke worry?" Euthanasia spoke from above, her hand emitting a purple fog dazzling around fingers. These two knuckleheads didn't seem to stop anytime soon, so she took matters into her own hands to stop them from endangering themselves any further.

The duke, snapping out of his trance when he heard those words, exploded into a flush.

"That's simply not true!" He argued, gripping on to the railings as he glared at the Witch's teasing.

Hera and Felicity finally let go of their weapons which fell at their feet. As the adrenaline wore off, the fatigue began to settle in as they both collapsed exhausted on the ground. It hadn't even been the start of the tournament yet and they already wore themselves down. What a foolish thing to do.

Unbeknownst to the group of four, a mysterious figure had been watching them from afar. Hidden behind a dark cloak, he retreated back into the shadows once they all had dispersed, leaving behind no trace he was ever there.