The battle between Winona and Sir Roland continued with a relentless exchange of strikes and parries. Amidst the chaos, Winona swiftly managed to swap her sword for two daggers, revealing her agility and adaptability on the battlefield. The maids, Evelyn, Lila, and Marielle, watched in a mix of awe and concern as their queen faced off against the chief guard.
Sir Roland, however, proved to be a formidable opponent. He lunged at Winona with a series of merciless attacks, giving her little room to counter. Winona, with calculated precision, dodged each strike, her movements fluid and evasive. Sir Roland couldn't resist a sarcastic taunt,
"Quite the nimble queen, aren't we? But can you keep up, or is this where your little spectacle ends?"
The maids held their breath as the intense combat unfolded, their expressions a mix of admiration for Winona's skill and worry for her safety. But Winona had more surprises in store.
In a sudden turn of events, Winona executed a swift and unexpected kick, sending Sir Roland sprawling backward. The impact of her kick on his heels propelled him through the air, and his back landed against the hard ground. Winona seized the moment, ready to deliver her next attack.
Her taunting words filled the air, "Seems the chief guard isn't as invincible as he thought. Perhaps you should reconsider underestimating queens, Sir Roland."
As she rushed towards him, prepared to press her advantage, a commanding voice echoed from a little distance. It was King Aurelius, his voice loud, cold, and filled with rage.
"Stop this nonsense!"
Winona halted mid-air, her eyes locked on the fallen Sir Roland. The maids exchanged uneasy glances, unsure of what the king's command meant for their queen.
She turned her head to see the source of the interruption, her daggers poised but restrained. The king's eyes were ablaze with fury as he approached, a formidable presence that demanded obedience.
"Enough!" King Aurelius bellowed, his voice carrying the weight of authority. "I won't tolerate such behavior. Guards, seize them both!"
The maids exchanged worried glances, realizing the dire consequences their queen might face for defying the king's command. As the guards moved in, Winona lowered her daggers, her gaze still defiant.
King Aurelius approached, his gaze piercing.
"You, Queen Winona, have overstepped. And you, Sir Roland, should have known better than to indulge in such folly. Explain yourselves!"
Winona's response was cold and direct.
"I train to protect myself, Your Majesty."
King Aurelius's eyes flickered with a mix of anger and something else, perhaps a hint of admiration for Winona's tenacity.
"Guard the queen in her chambers. As for you, Sir Roland, we'll discuss your actions later."
The guards moved to escort Winona away, and she cast a lingering, defiant glance at the king before leaving the training grounds. The maids followed, leaving Sir Roland to face the consequences of an impromptu duel that had disrupted the fragile peace of the royal palace.
• • •
In the confines of her chambers, guards stationed outside, Winona found herself freshly bathed, the scent of exotic oils gracing her skin. The maids, Evelyn, Lila, and Marielle, busied themselves with the task of dressing her. They pulled out an array of corsets and skirts, each more lavish than the last.
As the maids discussed and argued over which outfit would be most suitable for the queen, Winona remained silent. The events of the impromptu duel lingered in the air, an unspoken tension that overshadowed the otherwise routine dressing ritual. The maids, wisely, avoided discussing what had occurred earlier, focusing on the task at hand.
YOU ARE READING
Cursebound Hearts
Roman d'amourAll her life she has been trained for this. Kill the king!! She would rip his heart out, but now she is his. His queen. Every woman who bears the mark of the dragon meets a grim destiny, sacrificed on the 13th moon of the equinox to sustain King Aur...
