Chapter 11 - Running Laps

After what father said, no one spoke a word, they were all still in shock that father took my side and agreed to my wishes. But I was too happy to care.

I have already achieved two things today, my fathers support, though it was weak, it was still better than nothing. And a chance to be a knight. I had to be stronger before him and more powerful too.

When the dinner ended, my father was the one to leave the table first, followed by my step mother and Isabella, who gave me a look and walked off.

"Are you sure about your decision, Abi?" asked Nickolas still pensively but i nodded resolutely, i did not have a choice, to protect my family i had to be strong.

"Good. Then let's start your fencing practice tomorrow, but remember this, I'm a very strict teacher. "

"Of course, Nick. Thank you very much. "

"Okay. Is there anything else you want to say to me?"

"No."

"It's late. Go and get to bed. You have to start training tomorrow, so you need a good rest. Let me take you to your bedroom. "

He held my hand as if i was made up of glass,

"Abi, don't mind mother and Bella, it is just, your decision was very unexpected, and i still did not know if you are right or not.?"

"I will prove it to you Nick, I will be a good knight." he sighed and nodded, but I could see he did not believe me.

After laying me down on a soft bed, he said goodnight and pulled a blanket over me before leaving.

Is it because I was tired after a long day? I quickly fell asleep.

Is it because I was thrilled to learn new things? I woke up early in the morning before the sun had risen.

I urged Beth to find me clothes as comfortable as possible, but they were all skirts. So, I thought I had to order several pairs of pants. In the end, I changed into a riding suit, which looked better than the other clothes.

"Are you already up?"

"Good morning, Nick"

"Good morning, Abi. Did you sleep well?"

"Yes, I did."

"You must be very excited as you look so happy today. Then, shall we go? "

I headed for the training field with my brother. The day was starting to break, but there were already many knights training at dawn. When I stepped onto the field half excited and half nervous, they came running to me and greeted me.

"What are you doing here?"

"Are you going to ride a horse so early?"

"It's been a while since I have seen you, my lady!"

"Stop there, guys!"

When a man's low voice rang through the airfield, the knights surrounding me stiffened. As I expected, my father was a strict commandant.

"That's enough. Do 30 laps around the training field track first before practicing. `` he ordered all of them, and they started running without wasting a second, then did not even wait for my greetings. That shows how much terror they had for my father.

"Abi, you also go and start your 10 laps within a minute." ordered my father, as Nickolas went with the other practicing knights.

'Huh? I'm doing only ten laps. Why 30 laps for them? Is it because they were men?' I wondered, but ran with them anyway.

I was bothered when the senior knights and my father watched me, but it was the beginning of a refreshing day for me anyway.

"Huck, huck…"

"Ha… Ha…"

I was gasping for breath. After barely doing ten laps, I flopped down on the ground, unable to control my wobbly legs. I felt I might look funny, but I couldn't control my body. I knew I was weak, but had never realized how weak I was physically.

What should I do? I've just started. How can I learn fencing without any basic physical strength? Could I really learn fencing properly?

"You guys are better than I thought. Hmm, today is the first day, so let me stop here.

"Thank you, sir…"

"For the time being, let me put you on a physical training regimen like this, Abigail. After that, let me teach you fencing seriously. "

"Yes, dad."

My father, who lightly patted my shoulder, turned away. I could open my mouth only after I got my breath back.

"Are you okay, Abigail?" asked Nickolas

"Whew! I'm fine now. What tough training on the first day!"

"Sorry. It looks like you're having a hard time here. "

"Don't say that, Nick. I'm okay. I told you yesterday. I have to pay the price to obtain respect and strength," I smiled brightly at Nickolas and stood up.

"I think I have to stay with you for some time. Why don't you introduce me to our family's knights?"

"Oh, you want to meet them?" his voice was filled with shock, because i never tried to meet them in the past, as i had always felt that they were too rough and its against my image to go and meet them when they were all sweating and covered with mud.

"alright, then lets go" he said getting happy and excited

I thought that as he and I had decided to learn fencing in the future, it would be inevitable for us to mingle with the knights, so it would be good to introduce me to them. After I put my disheveled hair in order and adjusted my clothes, he approached a middle-aged knight overseeing the training to introduce me.

"How are you, Sir Oliver?" i said before he could introduce

"It's an honor that you remember my name, my lady! "

I was not sure if the knight's name was right, so I felt relieved that he responded. As I got his name right by chance, I felt sorry for him. I wish I had memorized the names of my family's knights