Chapter 12 - The Cold Woman Was Gone

"I have decided to learn fencing from my father, starting today. I hope I'm in great hands." i said as i smiled at the head of the convoy, the second in head of the Knight, who was looking at me with worried eyes.

"Oh dear! Are you sure, my lady?" here, he even verbalised his fears, well i could not blame him though!

"Yes, sir Oliver, i am sure i will learn a lot from you" i still tried to sound very enthusiastic and ignorant of the fact that he did not think i would be able to, finally he nodded, looking at my determined behaviour.

"That would only be my pleasure, my lady"

"If I won't disturb their training, I want to say hello to other knights. Is it okay?"

"Of course, lady. I guess they, too, are looking forward to seeing you."

The voices of knights were loud by nature. It seemed like my ears were ringing when I heard the sound of knights marching at the distance.

When I walked towards all the knights and greeted them, they all were cheerful and joyous to see me. But hardly a few of them believed that i could be a knight, i would not have tried to be one if our future would not be this dark, my eyes hardened thinking about that but i hid it as i looked at the brightening of sky. A new day is the new chance to win over all the obstacles.

Anyway, after exchanging greetings with them, I got out of the crowd when Nickolas asked "Will you have breakfast with me after the training?"

"To be honest, I don't have much appetite because I am exhausted. "

"Alright, then go to your room and rest, I will call you when the break is over and then we will try to wield the sword" he patted my shoulders as he walked towards the table where all the knights ate together.

He must have thought that I would not feel comfortable having breakfast with all the men there, that was why he offered me to go back to my chamber for rest.

I walked back towards the garden of my chamber. It was a small garden, there was not enough space to run, just 4 laps if i would run in a circle, though there was no track formed. There were only flowers and soft soil.

"Argh" 'i have to find another track for running and doing my practice before the test'

I shook my head and looked at the garden again with determined eyes. So what i did not have resources for now, i would find a way to fulfil my every task so that i could reach to you crown prince and then i would have power to take my revenge.

This time I ran four rounds of the garden, a total of 16 laps, without much tiredness. It was not like I was that tired before. Sure it was more difficult than my past life, as I had a weaker body now, but I still showed them that I could not even run 10 laps without getting tired.

I had a nagging feeling in my heart that joining the course would not be easy if I showed my true strength to everyone.

I did a few more stretching exercises before taking a rest. My body was burning as if it was left in the hell fire. I could feel all the muscles of my body paining. The warmth of the sun felt unbearable on my red skin. My whole body was wet from the sweat and my clothes were sticking to my skin.

"Just a bit more, Abi. i know that you can do it" i encouraged myself as i took the wooden stick in my hand and copied the steps followed by the knights in the training today.

But I needed my old memories too. I wanted to become better as early as possible.

"Hah, hah" the wooden sword cut the air as I wielded it a few more times until my knees gave away.

I took deep breaths, as I sat on the chairs in the gazebo. My eyes fell on the flowers which I had ruined under my feet due to all the running and sword wielding practice.

"My lady"

I turned only to see Beth looking at the garden with widened eyes.

"My lady, are you in a bad mood again?" she hesitantly asked and I smirked.

Oh! So I used to destroy the garden when I used to be angry. This was a wonderful cover until I found another place for my practice.

"My lady, don't be upset. If you are not satisfied with the method of training, you can always leave it and start studying for the etiquette course again" she consoled and I only shook my head.

"Why are you here?"

"Ah, my lady, lord Nickolas is calling you, he said that the lunch break was over half an hour ago and you should return to the practice ground before his highness returns"

"Oh, yes. I will be there in a minute"

"Shall i help you my lady"

She asked and i glared at her, did they think i was that weak that i would not even be able to hold myself.

I dragged my tired body to the ground. Nickolas was wielding the sword. He turned happily when he heard the footsteps but there was disappointment on his face when he saw my lethargic state.

"Abi, you are this much tired even after 2 hours of rest. You took half an hour extra too." he said with a concerned, yet upset voice.

"I apologise, Nickolas. I will try to improve"

He sighed and nodded, but then his eyes turned hesitant

"Abi, if you are doing this to not study then it would not work, the course work of knight is the most difficult one. Why don't you go back to study and leave this to me."

"Nickolas, I may be weak but my determination is strong. I will be the strongest knight of the empire." I replied in a cold and sharp voice and he shivered for a moment. His eyes widened and he searched my face but in a blink the cold woman he had seen was gone.