Chapter 3: THE FIRST BATTLE

Their tour began in the royal gardens, where Seraphina explained the history of the fountains, the architecture, and the diplomatic significance of the rose garden, kael listened for approximately forty seconds.

Then he said, "Do you ever stop talking?"

Seraphina stopped walking, slowly, she turned toward him.

"Do you ever stop being rude?"

"When people stop being boring."

"How fortunate that you have never been in danger of becoming interesting."

Kael laughed, it was so unexpected that Seraphina briefly forgot what she had intended to say next, then he leaned closer.

"Careful, Princess. You might almost be entertaining."

She recovered immediately.

"And you might almost be tolerable."

They continued walking, at the end of the garden stood a stone archway overlooking the royal training grounds, Kael stopped to watch a group of soldiers practicing with swords, Seraphina noticed his expression.

"Do you always look so pleased when someone is holding a weapon?"

"Only when they know how to use it."

"How reassuring."

He turned toward her.

"Do you?"

"Do I what?"

"Know how to use a sword."

Seraphina lifted her chin.

"I have been trained in swordsmanship since I was twelve."

"By whom?"

"The royal weapons master."

Kael looked back at the soldiers.

"How unfortunate."

Her eyes narrowed.

"Excuse me?"

"Your weapons master has clearly failed you."

Seraphina's smile became dangerous.

"Would you care to demonstrate?"

Kael looked at her, then his gaze dropped briefly to her hands.

"You want to spar with me?"

"I want to demonstrate that arrogance and competence are not the same thing."

He grinned, for the first time that morning, he looked genuinely delighted.

"Finally. Something interesting."

The training yard fell silent when the princess stepped onto the sand,.words spread through the palace in minutes, the princess of Aurelion was going to fight the prince of Dravaryn, Seraphina selected a practice sword, Kael chose one as well.

"One rule," she announced.

He raised an eyebrow.

"Only one?"

"No striking below the waist."

"Afraid I'll injure you?"

"Afraid you'll need an excuse when you lose."

The surrounding soldiers exchanged glances, Kael smiled.

"After you, Princess."

Seraphina attacked first, her opening strike was fast, aimed at his shoulder, Kael blocked it easily, she changed direction and struck again, he parried, their swords met with a sharp crack, seraphina moved quickly, using angles and precise footwork rather than strength. For the first few moments, she surprised him.

Then Kael began to press forward, he was much stronger, every time their blades met, the impact traveled up Seraphina's arms, she gritted her teeth and adjusted her stance, Kael noticed.

"Having trouble?"

"Merely wondering whether you were born this insufferable or trained professionally."

He laughed and attacked, she ducked beneath his strike, pivoted, and brought her sword toward his side, kael twisted away, but not quickly enough, her blade touched his ribs, the yard erupted in surprised murmurs, seraphina stepped back.

"One point to me."

Kael stared at her, then he smiled, it was not his usual arrogant smile,this one was sharper, and more interested.

"Again."

This time, he attacked with greater speed, Seraphina blocked the first strike, avoided the second, and nearly caught his wrist with the third, but Kael changed his grip, swept her sword aside, and stopped his blade a breath from her shoulder, the yard fell silent again.

"Point to me," he said.

Seraphina stared at the sword, then at him.

"Your technique is unnecessarily aggressive."

"And yours is unnecessarily predictable."

She lowered her weapon.

"Your footwork is poor."

"Your defense is weak."

"Your temper is worse."

"Your pride is exhausting."

"Your face is exhausting."

Kael blinked, then he burst out laughing, the sound echoed across the training yard, Seraphina looked deeply offended.

"What is so amusing?"

"You."

"Then I suggest you find another source of entertainment."

He lowered his sword.

"You're not bad, Princess."

She stared at him.

"Was that supposed to be a compliment?"

"Don't get used to it."

"I assure you, I won't."

She turned to leave, Kael called after her.

"Seraphina."

She stopped, it was the first time he had used her name without a title, she turned slowly.

"What?"

His gaze held hers.

"Same time tomorrow?"

She lifted her chin.

"Only if you promise to lose."

His grin widened.

"Keep dreaming."

She walked away, and though she would rather have swallowed a handful of needles than admit it, Princess Seraphina had enjoyed herself, maybe just a little, Kael watched her disappear through the archway, his captain approached.

"Your Highness, do you think the princess is suitable for the marriage?"

Kael kept his eyes on the doorway.

"No."

The captain nodded.

"Of course."

Kael picked up his discarded cloak.

"She's stubborn, argumentative, impossibly proud, and thinks she knows everything."

"Yes, Your Highness."

"She also has excellent footwork."

The captain looked at him, kael turned sharply.

"Not another word."

The captain lowered his head, but the smile on his face was unmistakable.

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Kael made his first serious mistake three days later, he insulted the princess in front of the royal court, the occasion was a formal dinner celebrating the upcoming alliance. Nobles from both kingdoms had gathered beneath golden chandeliers, and the royal families occupied the center of the enormous hall.

Seraphina sat opposite Kael, she had spent three hours preparing for the evening, her gown was flawless. Her jewelry had been selected to complement the colors of both kingdoms. Even the seating arrangement had been designed to encourage diplomatic conversation.

Kael arrived wearing his usual black, he also arrived with a smile that immediately made her suspicious, dinner proceeded peacefully for nearly an hour, then the king of Dravaryn raised his glass.

"To the future union of our children, and to a peace that will endure for generations."

The guests applauded, Kael lifted his glass.

"To a marriage that will finally teach my future wife that not everything can be controlled."

The applause died, Seraphina slowly lowered her glass, her father's expression darkened, Kael continued, apparently unaware that he had just stepped into a trap.

"Though I suppose a woman who spends half her day correcting flowers will find ruling a kingdom rather challenging."

A few nobles laughed nervously, seraphina smiled, it was a beautiful, and yet a terrifying smile.

"How fortunate, Your Highness, that I will have an excellent example of what happens when a ruler mistakes physical strength for intelligence."

The prince's smile vanished, she leaned forward.

"I have reviewed Dravaryn's trade records. Your kingdom has lost nearly a quarter of its annual revenue because your advisers negotiated unfavorable shipping contracts."

Kael's jaw tightened.

"Those contracts were signed before I took command."

"Precisely. And yet you have spent three years boasting about your military victories while allowing the economic situation to deteriorate."

The room was utterly silent, seraphina took a sip of water.

"Of course, if you would prefer, we could discuss your army's supply system. I have several suggestions."

Kael stared at her, his father looked fascinated, the king of Aurelion slowly lowered his head into one hand, Kael placed his glass on the table.

"Careful, Princess."

She tilted her head.

"Or what?"

For one dangerous moment, they simply looked at each other, then Kael smiled.

"Perhaps our marriage will be entertaining after all."

Seraphina's smile disappeared.

"Perhaps."

Neither of them noticed the man standing near the far end of the ballroom, he wore the uniform of a royal servant, his face was ordinary, his posture unremarkable,