Angelica held her breath as the fight began. The big man went on a full attack and she would flinch and close her eyes every time he swung his sword at Lord Rayven. But each time she opened her eyes again, Lord Rayven would be unharmed. Slowly, she began to relax. Maybe she didn't have to worry. Lord Rayven was doing well so far.Some of the crowd that had been cheering for the big man yelled in frustration. He wasn't doing as well as they expected, missing each time he swung his sword that looked more like a plaything in his enormous hands.Lord Rayven didn't seem to have any difficulty avoiding his attacks. It was as if he could predict the big man's next move before he even moved. While it looked like Lord Rayven had just got started, the big man was already puffing.The crowd wanted blood and the ones cheering for Lord Rayven shouted for him to attack.Listening to their demands, Lord Rayven began to attack, and the flock cheered louder. Angelica could tell that he was prolonging
Angelica's father started to act more and more strangely after he told her to never meet the King again. He also stopped her brother from going to his lectures at the castle and told them to never leave the home. Meanwhile, he came home late every night, intoxicated.He would yell a few words no one could understand, and then he would pass out. Angelica was worried for her father and asked him several times what had happened to him, but he always seemed too frightened to tell her. After that night when he first came home drunk, whatever he had seen had been haunting him. But why couldn't he tell them what he saw?Thomas, who went out unlike her and William, would tell her about what happened outside the walls of their home. More young women were found dead, and no one knew what or who was killing them. The people of the town believed it was Lord Rayven. Why she wasn't sure?"Do you think Lord Rayven is the killer?" Angelica asked her brother while they had lunch."No," he said. "Peopl
Angelica couldn't believe that her father threatened to throw her out of her home and not seeing her brother. She knew he could be ruthless sometimes, but this was a whole new level of being heartless. What would she do now?She turned in bed, unable to sleep."Is something wrong?" William asked who was sleeping next to her."No," she lied.Even though she was facing the other way, she could tell that her brother didn't believe her."Is father forcing you to marry Sir Shaw?""Yes," she replied.He was quiet for a long moment. "I told you, we are better without him."Angelica turned around, disturbed by his comment."William, he is only doing what he thinks is best for me. Truth is, I need to get married." She explained."Then he should find someone you are content with."That was the problem. She was never content."It is taking too long to find someone I am content with and father is getting concerned.""You don't have to make me like him. I am alright with liking you only," William
"What did Lord Rayven want?" Her brother asked once she came back."You will go to the castle tomorrow and start your training," she told him.His eyes widened. "Really? Did he agree to train me?"Angelica nodded.Her brother became excited, but it only lasted for a moment before his face turned sad."What is wrong?" she asked."Father won't let me," he said.Angelica smirked. "He has no choice. I am sure His Majesty asked Lord Rayven to train you so you have to go to the castle."And her father also had to go to the castle. What was he thinking by neglecting his royal duties? The punishment could be severe.What if he was busy trying to kill whoever he wanted to kill? If he killed someone, things would turn ugly.Angelica was becoming frustrated with his behavior. She had been trying hard to make her father and brother get along. She had tried to make his actions appear to be out of care so her brother wouldn't hate him, so her brother wouldn't feel like he only had her, but maybe al
Angelica decided to go to the castle with her brother. Thankfully, her father was still asleep when they left, so she would have to endure the scolding later. But this time, she would scold him as well. If he was thinking of killing the King, then he was putting them all in danger.But why the King? Her father must have seen something? He wouldn't just turn against the man who gave him a higher position for no reason. And what about the danger signals the King gave her? That couldn't be just because he was different. She had to follow her gut feeling, and it told her the king wasn't the killer, but he was definitively not harmless.Once they arrived at the castle, Angelica felt nervous as they walked in. "Where do you have your lectures?" She asked William."I have my theoretical lectures indoors, but I am sure the sword training will be in the soldiers' quarters. They have a large yard where Knights and other soldiers can train."Angelica nodded.William took them to the soldiers' qu
Angelica felt the deeper meaning behind his words. Most people weren't what or who they seemed to be. What they presented to the world was different from their true self. People showed their best side to the world or what they wanted the world to see. They portrayed themselves in a certain way that was beneficial to them.Other times, the reason for hiding their true self could be because of insecurities, shame or fear.What was the King's reason for hiding his true self?Angelica wanted to ask him what or who he truly was, but she knew he wouldn't tell her if he was hiding it. They weren't close enough for him to be vulnerable with her or trust her with his secrets."Are you very different from what or who you seem to be?" she asked instead.An unknown emotion flickered through his eyes before she saw the same sadness as before. "It depends on how you perceive me.""My brother says you are a good person."His lips curved into a wide smile. That truly made him happy. "Your brother is
Angelica watched Lord Rayven through the window of her carriage. He rode his horse beside them and even though the sun was still up, she felt safer with him by their side. How ironic considering that he was the man people thought was the killer and the man close to the one her father thought was the killer. It was very confusing and Angelica didn't know who was real and who was hiding behind a mask."How was your training?" she asked her brother."Lord Rayven let me watch, mostly. He wanted me to observe how others fought before I could try.""How did you get the wound?""A boy hit me with his wooden sword. It's nothing serious. I missed blocking his attack."Today, she was surprised to hear that her brother wanted power to protect her. She didn't want to be a burden to him. She was supposed to protect him."It was your first time. I am sure you will get better," she encouraged him. "Just be careful."She worried that Lord Rayven would be too hard on him. "Was he kind to you?" she ask
The next day, Angelica sent her brother with Thomas to the castle for his lectures. She wanted to stay at home in case her father came home. She didn't want to miss the chance to talk to him this time.The whole day went by with her being anxious and unable to focus or think about anything other than her father. It was making her feel sick and she could barely eat."My Lady, you are not eating." Eva said, concerned."I am alright. Prepare some food for William. He must be home soon."When William came back from his training, she was shocked to find him covered in dirt and with bruised hands. He also had scratches on his knees. Angelica became furious to see him like that."What happened?" she asked.He shrugged. "Training.""Like this? Your hands are blue and your knees are bleeding."Her brother sighed. "Angelica, it is hard to train without getting hurt.""Not this hurt," she retorted.He was only ten. He wasn't even supposed to start his training yet and Lord Rayven knew that. How