Blindsided

Chapter 1

DAINTY FINGERTIPS WERE running through the walls. Elaine was walking to the sitting room, absently doing her habit of running her fingers through things. Faintly, she could hear the sound of wood against wood—of wooden sword against wooden sword, along with her brother's voice. More like a groan as his mentor pointed out his mistakes. She smiled, missing spending afternoons sparring with her brother or just watching him. Ever since she became of age for marriage, her afternoons were filled with lessons of being a proper lady and how to take care of her husband; being the perfect wife. Nothing in self-defense, much to her disappointment.

Swordsmanship, as her mother said, was not what a proper lady should take interest in, especially future Queens should she marry a King. But she couldn't help the lingering feeling of the sword gliding as an extension of her hand. Somehow, sparring felt much calming for her than sitting still in a room doing embroidery, or gossiping through the afternoon while having tea with the ladies. It must have been the way her muscles reacted, or the way her mind thinking of the next move—

"Missing sparring?" Olivia's voice brought her back to reality. She realized she had been staring out at her brother from the window. She turned back to look at her best friend, giving her a small smile.

"I didn't know you would be joining me for the embroidery session today," she said instead, returning her smile.

"I won't. I was just passing by and saw you," they walked side by side; Olivia curled her arm on Elaine's.

"Why? You have somewhere to be?" she was hoping she could spend more time with her best friend, but lately she had been busy taking care of her sick mother and sister.

"I'm sorry," she patted Elaine's arm. "I have to take my mother and Alice to a picnic. She's in a good condition today and has been asking for a picnic since last week," she smiled at her.

Being the General's daughter and her first cousin, Olivia had been Elaine's best friend since they were little. Growing up together, they were more like sisters than best friends. Before Nicholas—Elaine's younger brother—was born, Olivia had been her sparring partner aside from their own mentor. Sometimes when she tried to get a clearer image of her childhood, a vague image of a boy older than them joined their sparring. But then they grew up and their duty to be a proper lady started taking over their playtime. Unfortunately, Olivia's mother fell ill a few months ago, leaving her mostly alone in her preparation for future marriage while Olivia took most of her time taking care of her mother.

"Actually, there's something I want to ask you," Olivia asked, gaining Elaine's full attention. "Have you found out who your betrothed will be?" she asked, not being able to hold back the excitement in her voice.

She frowned. All she knew was, she was not supposed to have an arranged marriage, let alone to have a betrothed. But she decided to play along with it and worry about that later. Maybe another proposal came in and she hadn't been informed about it. She glared playfully at her best friend, "I thought it was something more important than that!"

"It is important!"

Elaine rolled her eyes. "What? You already know him?" she asked, just in case Olivia knew.

"No," she answered. "Not really," she continued in a lower voice. "I might have eavesdropped when Father was talking to Mother about this matter," she walked past Elaine, glancing back and giving her a wink.

Elaine weaved the indigo thread, making a flower on her shimmering white fabric. She sat back, stretching her back a little. It was not like she hated all her routines so much. Sometimes spending time with the ladies and gossiping about things could give her information about what was happening in the palace that went beyond her radar. Maybe she would find leading the conversation to a certain topic to dig information useful someday. But most of the time, she just missed spending time with her brother, sparring and playing.