The Royal Deal

CCLXXI - CCLXXX

After they were done with their conversation, Amethyst finally found out who was waiting for her. As Alexcent left her chamber, she entered.

"Lunia!" Amethyst exclaimed.

"Hello, my Lady. My name is Lunia, and I will be serving you."

Amethyst leapt out of bed and tackled her with a big embrace.

"That wasn't nice." Lunia mumbled, with a hint of a snicker.

"I'm sorry," Amethyst smiled back.

"Do you know how much I searched for you?"

Amethyst looked at her as if she was nuts.

"I said I would resign and chase you after you." Lunia was being serious. "But I was stopped by Gen and scolded for my reckless behaviour."

Amethyst felt horrible that she caused so much trouble. "Lunia, I'm really sorry. I wasn't even thinking of the people around me. You see, I was..."

"I don't care now." Lunia stopped her. "I'm just happy you came back safely. That's enough for me. You're not going anywhere else now, right? You're not leaving?"

"Not at all," Amethyst laughed.

"Roman will soon be here..." Lunia began.

The bedroom door suddenly flew open and Roman ran in to hug Amethyst. "Ma'am!!"

"...to greet you," Lunia finished, smiling.

"I'm sorry." Roman quickly detached himself and stepped back, realizing he had just touched his Mistress' body without permission.

Amethyst responded with a bright smile. "It's quite all right."

"I'm glad you're safe," Roman said. "I was so worried when you suddenly said you were going to be studying abroad. Then the Duke disappeared."

"Uh, Roman." Lunia said carefully. Apparently, this was a topic they were not supposed to discuss.

"I'm sorry," Roman said, backing down.

"Well, you know what comes next," Lunia said, handing Amethyst some clothing.

"Sir Hill!" Amethyst was all smiles when she arrived at the training grounds in the comfortable garments that Lunia had provided for her. The knights were all gathered there.

"Oh my, look who's here!" Sir Hill announced.

The knights all gathered around, welcoming her back.

"How is everyone doing?" Amethyst asked. "Everyone seems the same as when I left."

"You're looking a little different," Sir Hill mentioned. "You're a bit lighter?" He pointed at her hair.

"How is it?" Amethyst asked. "Do I look more like a knight? I look sharp, right?"

"It's not bad," Leyrian answered. The knights looked at him and he shrugged his shoulders, not caring what anyone thought.

Amethyst could not stop smiling as they greeted her like an old friend who they hadn't seen for a while. "So, what brings you to the training grounds?" Sir Hill asked.

"Why do you think I'm here? I'm here to learn swordsmanship," Amethyst announced.

"Swordsmanship?" Sir Hill looked to be in shock.

"You know, the sword ability thing. I want to learn the moves that make your opponents not able to fight. That's possible without magic, right?"

Hill, Leyrian, and even Buer looked at one another, silent at her rambling. "It is different from magic but how did you know about these moves? And why do you want to learn it?"