BLOOD BOUNDED - THE MOONLIGHT - Eng - Castlevania Lords of Shadow (fanfic) PIII

Chapter 72

"Winner, Christian Du L'étoile!"

At the soldier's announcement, the stands were filled with uproar. The maidens hurled cheers, flowers, and silk scarves at him. He greeted them by blowing kisses to his admirers and picking up some of his gifts to kiss them, which caused even more fuss and even fainting. The knight in shining armor material, the charming prince that everyone adored...

"I'm bored!" Anise complained again for the thousandth time.

"Oh, it's over." Marie had stopped paying attention to the fight when it had just started since her book of exotic orchids was more interesting.

"Tomas is taking a long time to show up" snorted Julia, who was half entertained with some manuscripts that she had just taken from the library.

"At least Manuel's fight was fun!" Anise made her feet dance on the wooden bench.

"I must agree," Julia said, "at least he knows how to entertain and he is more skilled than he appears."

Although those were some kind of friendly training, the trainees were taking it as if the real tournament had already started. Even more so after it was decided that the maidens would formally attend each event. That, according to Gabriel's brothers, resulted in a kind of balm that multiplied their motivation to show off to the ladies of the adjoining building and, who knows, shoot an arrow or two in some hearts.

And for the most part, the young warriors were doing their best to put on the best show and sneak in on female gossip.

Tomas, with his more than brand new scimitars and his neat armor, had dedicated each of his victories to Julia, which had not been a few, which her sister was delighted to receive. José, sober as always, surprised with his huge mallet and greeted the three of them respectfully, and despite the fact that he only limited himself to extending his weapon, fighting at the top, and then retracting it on its cane and withdrawing, Marie knew that there was gained a good group of admirers.

Manuel... well, being Manuel... he made the audience burst into laughter with his jokes, playing with his rival, showing off his chain ending in a spiked ball, and whether he won or lost, he always got the most applause. Oh yes, he also greeted her admirers, made jokes only for Anisa to burst into laughter and...

"Soon I will dedicate the greatest of my triumphs to Sweet Marie."

Yep, he had said something like that, more than once, in front of everyone, and she had only taken it as one of her jokes, limiting herself to greeting him with some discomfort and praying that Gabriel would take it in the same way.

Speaking of Gabriel...

"Next, Gabriel and Roland!"

There was a collective hubbub. Something more and more habitual to the mention of Marie's gentleman, while the greater participation had in the events. She still didn't know how to feel about it. Just as her uncle had challenged him, he made sure to display any and all of his skills. Although only if necessary. When he did, the audience exploded.

God, she knew how brutal and aggressive he could be and yet he seemed to be holding back under her gaze, as if the training was to learn to control what he wanted to show to her eyes, instead of defeat his opponent.

Which, by the way, no defeat so far in her count.

She had heard that some of his brothers had begun to take it for granted that any match against him was going to be lost no matter what they did. She came to know of some who tried to cheat, others who targeted him, and others who wanted to protect his honor at all costs.

As he promised, Gabriel had no contemplation with any.

Of course, he was sticking strictly to the rules, telling her backstage how deeply he respected some of his rivals, guys who, in the past, he wouldn't even have thought to speak to, were starting to get close to him, some with cynicism, but many others with the best manners. Consequently, his circle of allies had suddenly increased. Not that Gabriel was much of a talker, but he confessed to her that their sincere company was quite pleasant.