The Duchesses

Chapter 72 : Too Late?

The next round is getting complicated because the others started calculating their moves more than the first. Finally, only Haden, Vazoels, Angelos and Elentrus are the team left, and the sun gradually moves to the west. The Angelos decided to rest for a while. The additional one could not believe their eyes, looking at the seven badges on their leader's coat.

Lord Apollo approaches the woman, who sits alone under the tree.

"May I sit here, Your Grace?" he politely asks as the woman closes her eyes and leans her head against the tree.

The amethyst eyes flicker open, only to see the sturdy man, then she gives the nod to him without uttering any words. She decided not to rush, although she could overpower them with the forces she had right now. Nevertheless, she cannot underestimate anyone's capabilities. Who knows some of them hiding their capabilities like her until now?

Medea understands that underestimating an adversary is risky business.

Patience is also another strategy. Waiting to strike at the right moment, she smells an opportunity coming. Medea had faith in one quote.

"He will win. Who knows when to fight and when not to fight."

"Thank you, my Lady," Lord Apollo suddenly states, causing Medea to open her eyes again for the sudden exclamation.

"For?"

"For making Her Grace to be happy again," he said, looking in the distance, remembering how the woman used to fill with sorrow around her.

How dim the atmosphere in the Smith's manor since her parents' funeral day. Now, the Duchess of Light turns her slightly goofy side to her closed one, and the workers are more than happy to work there again. He smiles when his mind pops with the blonde smile. Although it is not her best yet, still, she is smiling with more feelings now.

"I make her happy?" the Duchess then leans forward, looking at the man.

"Yes. Duchess Natalie never showed her emotions a lot before. However, after the poisoning incident, she changes but is still in gloominess. However, since she associated with you, she smiles, jokes around with me and most importantly, she lets out her soft side only for you," the man explains in excitement.

"Aurora did that? But Apollo doesn't know she is not Natalie. That's why the person changes afterwards," Medea thought.

"But, she rarely smiles again, now. I wonder why," Apollo feels bittersweet at that.

Before their conversation continues, Medea senses something is wrong in the woods. The sounds of birds chirping were suddenly gone. She goes on her feet immediately, bewildering Lord Apollo. Then, with a natural movement, she speaks to them.

"Shall we rest at the cave?" the others' faces change but quickly recover.

It is a secret code for an ambush in Angelos's team. They quickly bounce back, riding on their horses.

Ares' POV

I rise up from my seat in an effort to get some air since the number of questions running through my head is overwhelming. After a few steps, my feet suddenly stopped moving, and I found myself standing still.

"Oh, there's no way--"

I suddenly remembered the day when everything went wrong, my banquet, when I tried to kill Hera. However, she survived that time, claiming she met with a person who saved her in front of the people. As Hera had never wielded a sword before, it did make sense for people to help her. That's why she had only minor injuries.

Yet, Medea displays her skills in swordsmanship on another level. She manages to defeat seven teams from the knighthood's background. But, she can't achieve that in less than three hours, although with her other three teammates only, unless the additional team comes in time.