Rebirth Of The Duke's Daughter

Chapter 26

Three years later...

Mila moved swiftly, sparring against four knights who had surrounded her from all sides. Since she didn't have a beast to assist her, the knights fought without theirs as well, ensuring a fair match. For Mila, the battle was all about strength, strategy, and finding the perfect moment to strike at her opponents' weaknesses.

As the knights closed in, she observed their movements carefully. Timing her jump perfectly, she leaped into the air just as they lunged at her, causing them to collide with one another. In a flash, Mila landed behind them and tapped each knight with her sword. "You all lose," she declared a triumphant smile on her face. The rules of their sparring were clear: a single hit from her sword meant defeat. It did not take too long to know each of their steps, but it would be helpful for her to catch on quickly if any enemy came at her, and she could spot their weakness at first glance.

"Again!"

"How does my lady keep winning?!"

"Ahh! More training for us!"

"Your swordsmanship has improved greatly over these three years."

Mila beamed, appreciating the camaraderie and respect from the knights. Despite their grumbling, they had always taken her seriously in their sparring sessions, offering her tips on how to improve her grip or stance. With their guidance, Mila had honed her skills, learning to read their movements and exploit their weaknesses. "You all did great, too! I hope we can continue to work well together!" she said, her joyful smile lighting up her face. The knights admired her determination and the fact that she didn't rely on any elemental abilities or special powers to succeed.

"Lady Mila! Lady Mila!" Sara's voice called out from a distance, and Mila turned to see her approaching with Ambrose by her side.

"Ambrose!" Mila exclaimed, running toward him and wrapping her arms around him in a hug. Over the years, Ambrose had grown taller, though he still wore his mask and cloak.

"My lady! Don't go around hugging random men! It's not appropriate!" the knights protested from behind her, concern evident in their voices. Mila turned to them, giggling at their protectiveness.

Over the past three years, Mila had spent time with both Ambrose and Prince Leroy, though the prince had left for war shortly after his last visit. He had been gone from the Mireraweth Kingdom for three years, and Mila knew what awaited his return. 'Prince Leroy should return tomorrow with a victory. He'll bring back the princess of the Gririth Kingdom as his first concubine, proving to his father that he's ready to be a great ruler.' Mila tried not to dwell on it too much. 'But bringing a woman from another kingdom doesn't necessarily prove one's victory,' she thought, her mind turning over the implications.

Ambrose sat quietly beside Mila, eating the sweet-tart that Sara had brought for them both. His birthmark, a brownish-grey line that ran from his cheek to his chin, stood out against his pale skin. As he ate, unaware of the tart smearing onto the side of his mouth, Mila noticed and couldn't help but giggle. She reached for a napkin, gently wiping the side of his mouth, causing his cheeks to flush red with embarrassment. The knights, watching the scene, clenched their jaws, visibly tense as they observed the interaction.

"All of you, calm down! Mila is just being nice!" Sara hissed at the knights, who seemed overly protective of their lady. 'You all need to learn to let her grow up,' she thought to herself. As she turned, she felt a hand on her shoulder and looked up to see Emmett smiling down at her.

"That's true. How have you been?" Emmett asked, taking advantage of the quiet moment to speak with Sara.

Mila, meanwhile, kept her gaze on Ambrose, who always seemed to carry an air of mystery. "You are a unique fellow," she remarked, watching as Ambrose adjusted his mask back into place. 'How did you die in battle? Let's test him,' she thought, curious about his abilities. "Ambrose?" she called, catching his attention. "Would you mind sparring with me?"

"My lady, you can't!" the knights protested in unison, their concern evident as they worried about her challenging someone as skilled as Ambrose.

But Ambrose simply stood up, drawing his sword in silent agreement. Mila smiled, pulling her sword from its sheath. The two made their way to the main training field, with the knights looking on, unable to intervene in a spar between nobles.

As the sparring began, Mila charged at Ambrose, who moved with incredible speed. She attempted to strike his shoulder, but he effortlessly dodged her attack. She aimed for his leg, but he avoided that, too. Mila quickly tried to strike from above, but Ambrose anticipated her move, sidestepping her blade once more.

In a sudden misstep, Mila tripped, and as Ambrose's sword neared her neck, she quickly recovered, clashing her sword against his. Using the sheath at her side, she pushed herself back up, only to find herself disarmed as Ambrose twisted her hands behind her back, securing her in a lock. Both of their swords fell to the ground.

"My lady!" the knights shouted in unison, but Mila only laughed. In a quick, playful move, she swung her head back, causing Ambrose's mask to hit his face with a thud. The impact sent them both to the ground, with Mila landing on top of Ambrose. She quickly placed her smaller sword against his throat. Both of them were breathing heavily from the intense sparring match.

"Nice spar," Duke Reynard's voice interrupted, prompting Mila to look up at her father. She quickly stood up and extended her hand to Ambrose, who accepted it gratefully. As she pulled him to his feet, she smiled, feeling a sense of accomplishment.

"Thank you, Father, but I think Lord Ambrose would have won this spar," Mila said with a smile, glancing at Ambrose, who met her gaze with a quiet nod.

"Now, don't be too hard on yourself. Both of you did great," Duke Reynard replied, his tone warm with approval. "Over the years, you've improved well. Good work." He reached out and gently petted Mila's head, a familiar gesture that made her feel comforted.

"How are you, Father?" Mila asked, her voice soft and concerned. She knew he had been preoccupied with the kingdom's affairs, particularly with managing the peace treaty recently established with the Gririth kingdom.

"I'm fine," Duke Reynard assured her, though a hint of weariness lingered in his eyes. "Just make sure you don't fall behind on your lessons," he added, his tone gently reminding her of her responsibilities.

As they stood there, Mila's thoughts drifted. 'Father will soon have a meeting with the emperor about a ball for Prince Leroy,' she recalled, nearly forgetting about the upcoming event. "Father, is something happening soon? You're usually not out here at this time," she inquired, curious about what had brought him outside.

"You know me too well," Duke Reynard said with a smile, impressed by how perceptive his daughter had become. "I'll be going to the palace soon. The emperor wishes to discuss the crown prince's return with his concubine from the Gririth kingdom." His tone was matter-of-fact, but Mila could sense the weight of his responsibilities.

"Okay! Make sure to come back!" Mila said, holding his hand and offering a warm smile. As Duke Reynard took his leave, instructing the knights to return to their duties, Mila turned to Ambrose, who remained by her side.

"I think it's about time you head home now. It's getting late," Mila said, her tone gentle. Just as she was about to leave, Ambrose reached out and took her hand, silently holding it for a moment before opening his other hand to reveal a purple pearl hairpin.

"Thank you. This must've fallen off when we were sparring," Mila said, her voice soft with gratitude as she took the hairpin and carefully placed it back in her hair.

Unexpectedly, Ambrose began to remove tiny bits of grass from her hair, his movements deliberate and tender. They stood in silence, a quiet understanding passing between them. Mila knew he was being thoughtful, and she appreciated the gesture.

"Goodbye, Ambrose," she said, waving as he turned to leave. She watched him go, a small smile on her lips, feeling a sense of contentment.

As Mila made her way back to her room, she couldn't help but reflect on how much had changed in the past three years. Her room, which had been destroyed, was now completely restored, a symbol of the challenges she had overcome. She remembered her father's anger when he discovered that Vita had been responsible for the destruction, but those memories felt distant now.

Settling into her room, Mila felt a sense of peace. The day had been filled with warmth and companionship, and she cherished the bonds she had formed. The future held uncertainties, but for now, she was content.