I used my instincts and my memory for thest time to find the area where the banquet for knights was prepared. I walked in and all the knights were already there. I took the empty seat and started having my meal silently.


    There were no higher nobility or the emperor was present. So it was rather peaceful. A few of the knights were talking to each other but I was not at all interested in conversation. My argument with the crown prince had turned my mood sour.


    "Why did youe sote in the race?" asked Josephine as she looked at me.


    Other knights who were talking cheerfully turned silent and everyone''s eyes sayed at me. I gave a professional smile on my face as i said, "i have lost my way, your royal highness"


    I heard them ask.. And mock but i didn''t care as i started having my meals again, but Josephine''s eyes stayed at me for linger. I knew she was worried but I did not get why?


    When the dinner ended I left the room first and walked straight to the area where other knights had told me that they were staying and closed my eyes.


    When the sun peeked through clouds. I took a yawn and stretched my sore body. The sky was still red and the bright ball of fire was still near the horizon. It was the best time to do practice. So after taking the bath I left my room early and walked towards the training ground.


    Sylvia was already there practicing. She looked at me but did ot start a conversation and continued her practice. I started practicing by myself but suddenly I missed Noah. That stubborn man, what would he be doing? It would have been so better that he would have given mepany here.


    What felt like an eternity finally the announcement ofpetition began and we all walked to the ground.


    The pair was simple. The match would start from thest two and the winner would fight with the one 4th in rank then the one who would win would fight with the 3rd rank and this way he had to reach the first rank.


    So I wanted to win. I have to fight with all and win all the games. It was going to be a long battle.


    I looked at the girl smirking at me and I shook my head. What did she even think of herself as.. She was so over confident that winning would only take minutes.


    "Thepetition begins with Abigail and Cassandra" thepetitor announced and we both walked to the centre of the ground. They all were senior and well trained while I was the only one who had only a month of training.


    Cassandra looked at me and smirked. She was standing at ease when I took the position. She moved slowly towards me to attack, when I flipped in the air andnded behind her. Before she could turn, I put my sword at her neck.


    "If you turned and tried to fight, I would sh your neck like a piece of vegetable. So better give up and ept defeat." i felt her turning stiff but she did not believe me and tried to move.


    I sighed and moved my sword closer to her neck, creating a small wound in the process. The blood started seeping out and she stopped. In a minute she let the sword go and epted defeat.


    She walked out of the ground through gritted teeth while I just shed the most beautiful smile to her.


    "The winner of this round is Abigail Essendson. She is in 4th position now." announced a knight and I sighed. I need to defeat 3 more to win.


    The next one was Latina gruel. She looked at me with more cautiousness than the first one. At least, she was aware that I could not be taken lightly.


    She took her stance and I followed, her eyes looking at my every move. I moved to attack her hand but she was already ready and stopped my attack with her sword.


    Not even once did she try to attack me. Just taking circles around. It was clear that she wanted to tire me out since I wanted to have a lot of battles so I could not waste my energy.


    I brought forward my sword to attack and when she took her sword to defend. I used my leg to attack her guts.


    His eyes widened as she looked at me and then stumbled.


    I turned and attacked her hand this time, disarming her.


    Her sword fell with the sound of clink.


    She bent to pick it up but my sword was already on her neck again.


    She looked at me as if she wanted to kill me right there. Well many already wanted to. So one more would not affect it, would it!?


    "You lost," I said with a smirk as her hold on her sword tightened.


    "The winner of this round is Abigail Essendson, she is in 3rd position now." announced the knight again as I saw Natalie walking towards me.


    She was a tough opponent; it would not be as easy as beating Sylvia and Latina.


    "You have done more than anyone expected Abigail, too bad that I will never lose in sword wielding." she said with a smirk.