Rebirth (A Remington Leith AU)

Chapter 15

One day, I found myself waking up in the library after what I assumed was me trying to finish a book I was reading but couldn't put down because I wanted to finish it. I looked out the window, rubbing the sleep from my eyes and yawning, as I realized it was almost noon and I wondered if Remington was still in bed. I got up to head upstairs to our bedroom and I opened the door only to see it was empty. I wondered where he was and only hoped to see his face at the start of my day. I looked out the window to see the sun was almost at the peak of the sky and I gazed down to admire the beautiful gardens. I started to remember many lovely moments between me and Remington in the gardens and how he helped me from learning to be comfortable with him to end up admiring him more and more to the point where just his presence brightens my day. Now I felt happy to be here, and happy that Remington was proud of his relationship with me to call me more than just his bride, but his beloved. I want to say the same about him, but a part of me was scared to do so.

I walked downstairs and asked one of the staff members setting up some furniture if they knew where Remington might be. They told me, "His Highness is out on the courtyard training his knights for combat." He trains knights too? This man never stops surprising me. I nodded and thanked them before I made my way out to the courtyard which took a while to find since this place is so big, I haven't explored every part of it yet. Once I was there, the sound of metal clanging and people shouting out sounds enticed me to see what it would look like. I inched closer to find Remington dueling with one of his knights wearing metal armor and a helmet to cover its head and face while other knights around them stood to observe them. I went around to watch them from a distance as Remington dueled with his sword to the best of his abilities against the knight before him who seemed like they were about to lose the fight. Seeing Remington in action, I found myself enjoying the sight of him acting defensive and strong.

Remington then got the knight on their knees as he was about to strike them with his sword while the knight tried their best to block his attack with their sword. As Remington was close to bringing his sword down, the knight kicked his leg away so he'd lose his balance as he fell on his back and the knight had one foot on his chest as they pointed their sword at his neck. Scared he might get hurt, I tried running after Remington, but one of the knights held me back and brought a finger to his lips before pointing at the opponents to tell me to pay attention. I turned back to see Remington smiling and then laughing before the knight backed away and sheathed their sword away. They helped Remington to stand up and Remington shook their hand proudly as he exclaimed, "Most excellent, Sir Maxima! You've improved to your maximum level and have shown everyone what a great example you are to this defense unit."

Remington then noticed me amongst the crowd of the other knights and smiled as he saw me, "Ah, my princess! Come over and I'll introduce you to our finest knight." I nodded as I rushed over to meet the person who was able to best Remington in combat. When I was close enough, Remington placed a sweet kiss on lips and greeted me, "Happy to see you, sweet princess", I blushed lightly at his compliment. He then pulled me close as he gestured toward the knight who stood proudly and firmly, "My princess, this is my best student in my knight squad, Sir Sloan Maxima. Maxima, it's time you met my lovely wife, Princess Lillian." I held my hand out to shake the knight's hand and they begun to remove their helmet, "It's a honor to meet you, Sir...", I paused as I realized after the knight removed their helmet, they turned out to be a young woman with piercing eyes and a stern expression as strands of her blonde hair fell over her eyes, "...Maxima?"

She seemed to judge me as she eyed me up and down and expressed in an affirmative tone, "Judging by your expression, I'm guessing you've never seen a female knight in royalty. Is that correct?" He words took me back but I was embarrassed as I nodded in honesty, she rolled her eyes as she explained, "I wouldn't expect you to, but then again, nobody ever expects women to do anything except look pretty." She stepped closer to me and exclaimed as if to prove a point, "But I earned this title as one of Prince Remington's most skilled knights and I won't let anybody view me lesser than that. Not even a pampered, well-privileged princess who can only say please and thank you." Remington put a hand on the knight's chest to keep her at distance from me and warn her, "Now, now, Maxima. You may be a great soldier, but remember that you must also respect your peers before you judge them. Your princess is not as bad as you believe and I hope you'll learn to feel comfortable around her."

She turned her head away in defiance, but then gave in to her instructor's request, "Very well, Your Majesty. I'll be nice for you, but don't expect me to be easy with someone I don't trust at first." Remington chuckled and added, "You never are, Maxima. But you wouldn't be you if you were. We'll train again tomorrow, great progress today, all of you." The knights saluted to their prince as they went off to do their own business and then I walked away with Remington back to the castle. I was still in awe of Sloan Maxima who was amazing with a sword, I asked Remington about her, "How long has Sir Maxima been training under you?" He smiled and explained, "Since she helped defend me against thugs who wanted to kill me in a dark part of a village a couple of years ago. She was kind of like you, a commoner who didn't have much, but after she saved me, I could tell her defensive skills could be used to save an entire kingdom. She can be tough and untrusting at first, but after you help her to let her guard down, she might end up giving her life for you."