The Tired Maid

Chapter 5

You were on the verge of slaying half of the knights here.
The men were not subtle in their insults against you, practically shouting them out. They tried to get the rookies and the others to join them, some even threatening them. You were internally deadpanning at this immaturity. 'If this is the age of men, then I'm happy to be the one to destroy it.' you internally raged.
Only some of them looked apologetic, one of them being Commander Cole, who looked sheepish at this outcome. "I'm sorry for their. . . rudeness, (Y/N)."
Cole is one of the more decent men in this world.
And although you initiated this, you started to have small doubts about this. Was this considered a bold move too early? Should you have been more subtle before building up? Was this too fast? These thoughts whirled in your head as little whispers, but by rationality, it's too late to turn back.
The men are already energized, excited to see the winner; men or women? If you back out now, you would be giving them another reason to look down on women. And you don't want that.
Although there might be some consequences later.
After deciding, you sighed. "It's alright, I might as well learn from this."
The knight who played the referee looked at both of you. "Are you ready?" you both readied your wooden swords. "Start!" Cole attacked first, thrusting his wooden blade at you. You parried in response before taking a step and clashing your wooden blade against his. The fight became a dangerous dance between you and the commander, eyes locked as your feet stepped in time with his as blades clashed against each other like lightning.
Even if they were made out of wood.
You never took fencing nor had proper swordsman lessons, but by the movement and his position, you can predict where he'll strike next.
Cole readied the sword from his right, making you block the swipe before you pushed it away and thrust. He maneuvered his blade so the swords will graze each other as you both pushed against each other. You met his eyes and saw excitement and surprise before parting and preparing for the next attack.
You noticed that his eyes glanced at your non-dominant arm before looking back at you, the arm that was supporting the sword. Your grip tightened as he thrust forward and moved your blade away from you so he had an opening — you saw through this and tilted your sword to deflect him.
Soon, it became something of a dangerous dance.
You both parry, thrust and block each other.
Cole had an excited grin when facing you after blocking an attack from behind. "You're quite the swordsman, Maid (Y/N)."
"Your words flatter me, Commander," you replied evenly as you blocked a swipe of his blade. "However, my experience is nothing to yours."
What you said is true; you can hold on for so long before he finds an opening. The body you were in has improved stamina thanks to the exercise and training regimen you implemented when you first awoken, but you know next to nothing about sword fighting and could only predict where he will attack next. What if he does a complicated move that you can't evade?
You have to end this now.
You steadied your gaze on the captain, sweat dripping down your face as your breathing heaved a bit from the effort and the fucking hot sun. Cole grinned at you as he readied his blade, not breaking a sweat at all. When he bent his arms, the muscles under his shirt flexed.
'Damn, any girl would kill for a guy like that.'
Eyes tearing away from his arms, you focused on his face for any indication of an opening or weakness.
His eyes were shaking with adrenaline and excitement, his focus was single-mindedness on you and your sword. In short, he lowered his guard when it comes to unpredictable things. You saw this as your chance as you thrust your blade at him, the two blades grazing each other before you flicked your wrist, and Cole's wooden sword was sent flying to the air.
Seeing him distracted and surprised, you quickly went to ground level, stuck out your leg, and swiped at his feet. You watched his shocked pupils as he hit the ground. You swiftly stood up, single-handedly caught his sword that went into the air, before pointing it at his neck. You ignored the shocked gasps of the knights as you stared down at Cole, distantly feeling the window blowing your bang away from your covered eye.
You heaved in breaths, sweat drenching in your clothes much to your displeasure, before flipping the sword you were pointing to its edge and handing it to Cole. "That was fun," you commented before handing him the other sword, dusting your dress, and walking away from the training area.
The knights that previously jeered and insulted you stayed silent as they made way for you. You internally smirked at the result.
You'll have these men on their knees.
-*-
Cole ignored his comrades when they helped him up as he continued to stare at your back as your figure became smaller, heart pounding from the rush of battle and excitement and the blood roared in his veins. Incredible, was the one word he could summarize you. A woman that only appears in a hundred years, sue him for exaggerating.
He never met a single woman in the kingdom who could equal him, much less, fight!
Yet you, the usual kind and warm mother figure of the servant staff, beat him against a sword fight. The power you held when you challenged him had him shivering in excitement as those silver eyes glinted under the sun. Eyes that resembled silver metal were crafted into jewelry for nobles and are too expensive for commoners. They held knowledge that only you know of, something he wouldn't understand. Your hair braided into a tight ponytail before it became messy as dozens of loose strands danced in the wind as you fought.
The way you fought him was a surprise as you managed to equal him on the footing and on speed, your strength is more than a regular woman. He knew that there was a civilization of strong women outside of the kingdom, to the point they were called monsters, but your strength didn't make you a monster.
It made him see you as something elegant and strong.
So calm, so mature, so - he could go on and on. And that was from one interaction.
But he fell into a pool of admiration.
. . .
"Commander, you can't possibly be in love with that bitch, can you!?"
the crude comment from one of his soldiers had him snapping from his daze as he turned to the soldier who commented. He frowned at the man. "(Y/N) is not a bitch, soldier. She is not terrible nor is she a female dog, so I ask that you call her appropriately."
"But commander!" another protested. "That bi—woman just embarrassed you!"
"What is there to be embarrassed about?" Cole asked with a raised brow. "It shows that she is strong even as a woman, she could be a new age of woman who are not just below men."
A soldier spat at the ground. "I'll believe that when pigs fly."
Cole's glare went deeper as he turned around. "Five laps for the soldier Marcus, Joel, and Armand."
"Commander—"
"That's an order, soldier."
No one protested as Cole heard the sound of feet shuffling before he resumed to put the wooden blades away. His mind wandered back to you. Did he fall in love? Hardly, he barely knows you after all. Although, he can't deny if heels a sense of awe and respect for you; how you carry yourself, how poise you are, and how strong.
He can tell you were an amateur with the sword, that's for sure, but you have potential. If he helps you practice it, maybe you can become something of a security maid for the castle.
And maybe, be the first ever warrior woman in this kingdom's—no, the world's history.
-*-
"(Y/N), may I speak to you?"
You looked up from your gaze at the field, meeting the eyes of Commander Cole. 'How curious,' you tilted your head. "What may I be of service, Commander?"
Cole looked hesitant at first before gaining the courage to speak. "Would you like to spar with me before dark?"
The question had you widen your eyes a bit. "I beg your pardon?"
"When we sparr yesterday, I saw potential in you. And you could do better with enough practice and training, and maybe you can change history itself for all women—" he stopped mid speech before he flushed pink. "If you want, that is." before muttering under his breath. "Great, I was ranting again."
You couldn't help but be amused at this side love interest. How cute of him, maybe you should consider him as a possible husband in the future? Maybe.
You brought a fist to cover the small giggle that escaped you as you replied. "That sounds like a plan, Commander."
Seeing him light up like a puppy let you know you chose the right option. With his help, you'll be more competent in protecting the princess and yourself and be able to get to your dream life faster.
Maybe your relaxation will come sooner than you thought.