Enjoy~

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General Pixis is certainly taking his time. Maybe he's trying unnerve the Prince?

"I've been sat here for the entire day..."

I've been standing. The Prince sunk deeper into his throne with a loud sigh, removing his crown and placing it onto his lap. General Pixis wrote in his letter saying he'd arrive around mid morning... its now eight o' clock at night.

I wonder if something bad happened? I leant forward, placing my hands onto my knees as a low sigh escaped my lips. Standing all day is rather tiresome...

"You have my permission to briefly sit down. I'll give you five minutes."

I slowly lowered myself beside the Prince's throne, crossing my legs. It feels a little strange, but I'm glad to be resting my legs... I suspect five minutes will pass quickly.

"Where are your damn manners, foreigner?"

I tensed up; please don't make me stand up as punishment... I bowed my head as the Prince cast his steel eyes to the side, looking down upon me. I clenched my fists mumbling:

"Thank you... for letting me sit down."

The Prince crossed his legs and leant his chin onto his palm.

"Better."

So cruel... the Prince suddenly tensed upon hearing multiple sets of footsteps approach the heavy marble doors. It's them... I can tell from the poisonous aura... I quickly rose to my feet, placing my fingertips over the hilt of my sword. The marble doors slowly opened as the General walked in - followed by Reiner.

"I apologise for being so late... Your Majesty..."

General Pixis wore a traditional Chi robe, the noticeable blue rope tied around his waist. Reiner stood behind the General, his eyes studying the Prince - assessing him for skill. Reiner looks so forceful... wearing such a traditional servant uniform... I haven't seen one for such a long time.

"Don't worry yourself General. It's a pleasure to meet you."

The Prince stood up from his throne, walking down the first few steps of his red carpet. I cautiously followed behind him, meeting the darkened eyes of Reiner.

"I mean no harm at all... I'm here for a friendly visit...that shaved boy donated money to the rebuilding of Chi. I wanted to thank you properly."

Reiner tensed up as I bowed to the both of them; a formal way to greet someone from Chi. General Pixis chuckled as he slowly returned my greeting, placing his hand onto his back to ease the pain of bowing... seems he's aged quite a bit...

"How polite of you..."

Reiner bowed also, lowering his head for a few seconds. So intense. Reiner's bow looks so intimidating.

"I'm unaware of your countries' traditions. Do not mistake it for impoliteness."

General Pixis laughed, lightly patting Reiner's shoulder with a glowing smile.

"Do not fret, Your Majesty, Reiner here is all too familiar with Chi formality - he can recite all of them."

Reiner grunted and cast his eyes to me, studying my appearance and my curved sword.

"Long time no see, (Y/N)."

Reiner isn't familiar with this Kingdoms' tongue, he only knows how to speak in Chi. Meaning he can't understand a word the Prince is saying, nor the General.

"The same to you, Reiner."

The Prince walked beside the General - even though he couldn't walk very fast, the Prince still matched his pace. How polite. Reiner stiffly walked beside me. I noticed how his footsteps hardly made a sound, despite his large build and striking presence. General Pixis lowered himself into a chair opposite the Prince.

"Thank you for donating to the shaved boy. Chi is still rebuilding... that money has done more than you could imagine."

The Prince crossed his legs with a small sigh, resting his hands onto the table. It appears General Pixis is unaware of Connie's assassination attempt.

"I'm glad I've been able to aid you."

Hah? The Prince isn't going to say anything about the attempt? Could he be worried for Connie's wellbeing if the General finds out?

"I also have a pressing issue... one that may not please you."

The Prince leant back into his chair, crossing his arms. So intense. Such an hostile atmosphere.

"I figured."

General Pixis smiled at me, neatening his blue and white robe. It's just like I suspected...

"That female guard. I do believe she and Reiner have met before... (Y/N).

The Prince slowly nodded as General Pixis smiled warmly. Reiner stood beside him, his fists clenched.

"Reiner made a personal request of me not long ago,"

Reiner looked towards the General upon hearing his name. I noticed the Prince did not say a word, but listened intently.

"I'll get straight to the point: I will say (Y/N) passed my regime if she agrees to a fight with Reiner... however, (Y/N) must beat him in order for me to pass her, if she loses I'll make her undergo the regime... for a second time."

The Prince loosened his cravat, his steel eyes darkening to an almost black colour.

"That girl is my personal guard, it appears she wishes to pass your 'regime' despite my warnings."

I eagerly bowed my head. This is perfect. Completely thrash Reiner and get a free ticket into Chi or loose and undergo the regime. Either way I'm granted access to Chi.

"I agree to these terms."

The Prince sighed, shaking his head in slight annoyance.

"I'm only allowing this because of your outburst, don't make me regret it."

I smiled gently, half bowing at his side.

"I will not fail you."

The General looked shocked, his mouth agape in surprise. Did he expect me to deny Reiner's challenge and undergo the regime? Upon realising the Prince was waiting in silence, he quickly cleared his throat, turning to Reiner and informing him of the agreement.

"The girl agrees, Reiner. Do not disappoint me."

Reiner placed his hand onto his scabbard, tightly gripping the leather - his entire body shaking with excitement.

"I knew you'd agree, (Y/N), I'll show you how much I've improved since eight years ago."

I glared, crossing my arms. Reiner's been training non-stop. I've been training my swordsmanship against weak opponents, not to mention my shoulders not in perfect condition. I feel uneasy... could I lose here?

"Why waste time, right (Y/N)? We can battle right here, while your master watches."

I cast my eyes towards the Prince, who nodded his head a single time. I will not fail. I'll prove to the Prince I'm worthy of being his guard.

                                |~~~~|

"Don't fuck up, just because I'm watching."

I bowed deeply.

"You will not faze me."

The Prince sat on his throne, his crown pressed against his chest - seems the Prince will watch from his throne...

"Good. Return back to my side once the challenge is over."

I lowered my knee to the floor, my fist covering my heart.

"Yes sir..."

I rose up from the red carpet, swiftly turning on my heel, jogging down the first three steps, onto the white tiles of the throne room. This room really is perfect for a fight... lots of empty space... General Pixis stood at the other end of the room, patting Reiner on the back reassuringly.

Deep breaths, (Y/N).

Reiner bowed deeply; seems he respects General Pixis with all his being... he began slowly walking towards me.

I'm ready.

Reiner stopped a little distance in front of me, his hand tightly gripped the hilt of his sword. I lowered my stance, my hand reaching for my scabbard.

"Yī... (1) èr... (2) sān. (3)"

As soon as General Pixis spoke three, Reiner's sword clashed against mine, the force of his strike caused my sword to shake.

"That man burnt our village to ashes... why is he worthy of your deepest bow?"

Our swords met again, this time mine forcing him to take a step back.

"Rage blinds you, Reiner..."

Reiner's sword lashed forward, colliding with mine as we stood in another painful sword block, this time pushing all our weight into our attacks, we stood still - both swords shaking against metal.

"My rage lets me see clearer, (Y/N)! Why does somebody like him own all of your respect?"

I groaned as Reiner's anger strengthened his fierce strikes. I took three steps back, trying to catch my breath. Reiner gave me no such luxury.

"His judgments are pure..."

Reiner's eyes blazed with fury as he rose his sword high into the air, aiming the tip in between my eyes.

"Pure enough to murder innocent civilians and sit around doing nothing?"

I tensed up, slowly casting my eyes to the Prince - he sat upon his golden throne - leaning forwards and angrily yelling at me:

"Don't look at me, you idiot!"

I hardly managed to block Reiner's attack, as his sword cut my cheek, opening my previous wound inflicted by the nobleman many weeks ago. I clenched my jaw, focusing on Reiner instead of the sting of my check. I nearly died... I must stay focused.

"Have you lost your touch, (Y/N)? I strictly remember eight years ago your eyes remained solely on your sword, seems that man has changed you."

I tightened my grip on my curved sword, angrily slashing towards Reiner who remained still out of pure shock. Did he expect me to be emotionally weak? I sliced through his shoulder as a low groan of agony escaped his lips. His wound is thin... If I can get him to collapse from blood loss, I won't have to kill him. Before I could strike again, a long blade of metal entered my arm.

What?

"I'll avenge those who died... with or without your help."

Reiner's sword pierced straight through my arm. I felt my vision blur from the intense pain but quickly remained strong. One wrong move and he'll end my life.

"I am not responsible for their deaths, you wish to kill me as you find yourself respecting my abilities, it disgusts you right?"

Reiner twisted his blade a low cry of distress sounded at the back of my throat. Move (Y/N). Slice him again. Make him collapse from blood loss. I slowly cast my eyes downwards as Reiner's sword twisted anticlockwise for a second time inside my arm. I studied Jean's cloth - tied tightly around my sword, small droplets of blood stained it's pure white colour. I discovered new motivation to move.

"I'm still the strongest, Reiner!"

A scream erupted deep within my chest as I leant back, his sword making an awful sound as his weapon left the flesh of my arm. I raised my sword high into the air, slashing him a final time across the front of his chest, linking with his shoulder wound. Reiner fell to he knees, his sword clattering to the floor beside him. Is it over?

"Why... (Y/N)? If only you'd never fled to this... this... brain washing country!"

I held my hand against my angry wound, pressing my palm into my flesh as sticky blood stained my skin and slowly trickled down my fingers.

"It's you who's become brain washed, Reiner. Do you even reflect upon our times training in Chi?"

Reiner's eyes widened, his usual bright glow fading to a ghostly white. I approached his kneeling figure, my boot sliding his blade across the white tiles.

"Enough! Reiner has lost. Let him live with the shame instead of killing him, (Y/N)."

General Pixis began walking towards Reiner, his eyes swirled with genuine concern and worry for his guard. I lowered my sword as a low sigh escaped my lips. It's over. Turning my back on the two, I froze upon seeing the sight of the Prince.

"I'm waiting."

The Prince sat upon his golden throne as his crown glimmered under the light - his stare saw deep within my very being. I can see his potential as King, a true ruler amongst his people. I slowly walked towards him, my boots tapping against the tiles as I stood before three red steps.

"Skilled with a sword indeed."

I bowed my head, flinching upon hearing the sound of my flesh moving.

"Such nasty wound. I guess that's punishment enough for disobeying me. I strictly recall saying: don't fuck up just because I'm watching."

I raised my head and glared, the Prince's character never stops being so enchantingly sarcastic.

"If it's all the same to you, I'm bleeding out here."

The Prince clicked his tongue, his gaze falling behind me - watching General Pixis place his arm around Reiner's shoulder and lift him up to his feet.

"You two. It appears my guard has prevailed. I'll provide medical treatment for the boy - in exchange my guard will revive what was promised to her."

General Pixis looked up, his usual warm smile vanished from existence.

"Please, don't let him die... not like this!"

I stiffened, reflecting upon my slashes to Reiner's body - my strikes were merely bluffs in order for him to collapse. I took a step forward, raising my voice.

"He will not die, General. I assure you. Reiner is strong, my attacks did not rupture his insides."

General Pixis studied Reiner's unconscious condition, placing his hand onto his chest as blood stained his ironed skin.

"Heal him. Heal him quickly."

The Prince clicked his fingers as two guards, dressed in black approached the General, crouching down and lifting Reiner up with a loud grunt. Reiner is large, lifting him must be very difficult...

"I will see your guard lives. Let's talk business first."

|~~~~|

"...Ah!"

I clenched my fist as the Prince turned his steel eyes towards me with a deadpan stare.

"Must you be so loud? I'm trying to talk with the General."

I lowered my head as the medic continued with his stitches to my arm, blood staining my clothes and the medics tools. Try switching places with me, you sadistic Prince.

"You wish to add something?"

I glared and shook my head, the needle entering my wound again as I tightly sealed my lips shut.

"Better."

I clenched my fists until my knuckles turned white. I'll get you back for this. General Pixis chuckled gently, taking a sip of tea from his fine china cup.

"I'd been informed of many rumours about the two of you, but I must admit I never expected this..."

The Prince tensed up, loosening his cravat with a glare.

"Rumours? Do tell."

I also felt my curiosity spike as I wondered if the General would let any information slip about the time he trained me under his regime all those years ago.

"I'd been told a master of the curved sword serves a ruthless, yet fair ruling Prince."

I cast my eyes to the side. No one is aware of our contract other than the two of us, naturally rumours would spread...

"Rumours remain what they are: rumours."

General nodded, slowly leaning forward into a half bow, many lines and creases defined his face. General Pixis truly did train me well in swordsmanship... I doubt I could of mastered the curved sword without the regimes ruthless training...

"I meant no offence. I'm just stating what people have told me."

The medic began working on his final stitch as I tightly screwed my eyes shut. It stings so much! God, Reiner really did strike clumsily...

"I'll provide Reiner with three days rest, once time is up, you must leave my presence."

General Pixis gently nodded his head, his eyes warming at the mention of Reiner's name. Seems the two are incredibly trusting of each other... well, I suppose that's only natural considering the fire.

"Yes... I'm grateful Reiner will finally be able to rest now he's tried his absolute best."

I quickly turned my head, my eyes widening in repose to Generals Pixis's words. Come to think of it... Reiner mentioned some sort of goal.

"What was his personal request to you... before our challenge?"

General Pixis frowned, lowering his tea cup as many painful memories flashed within his elder eyes.

"To surpass you in skill of the sword... and take your life."

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