Guarded Desires (Padawan!Qimir x Princess!Reader)

Part 2

Qimir stands back as you train with the Kings Guard. You seem to already know your way with a sword well as you swing it, the metal clashing with your opponent's. There's a mixture of determination and amusement in your face. You're keen on overpowering your opponent but you're also having fun.

Your opponent is a young man around your age. He's tall and well-built! He's strong, but you seem to hold your own well. You push off the young man and he swings the sword at you. You tuck and roll, to then use your leg to swipe at his ankles. The man falls onto his back and you point your sword at him.

The other men watching the scrimmage cheer for you. You look at Qimir with a wide smile, "Wanna have a go next?"

"A hundred credits on the young Jedi!" the captain of the Kings Guard, Orin Zephar, hollers. He's a decade older you. You've always viewed him as like an older brother.

"Nah, the princess can beat him. I feel it," Orin's right hand, Lieutenant Kael Vandar, responds to the bet.

You roll your eyes and shake your head, "Ignore those toads," you say to Qimir.

He pulls off his robe and unclips his lightsaber, placing onto a nearby wooden bench. One of the knights hands him a sword. You give Qimir some time to get used to the weight. You watch him intently as he does a view experimental swings and twirls.

"Ready?" you ask when he gets into position.

The young jedi smirks at you, "I'll go easy on you."

Your smirk matches his as you say, "I won't." The men 'ooouuu' on the sidelines.

You then launch into offense. Qimir dodges your attack, his movements are swift. He's light on his feet, as compared to the knights you usually train with. He's something different you're enjoying this.

You don't get frustrated when every thrust and swipe of your sword misses him or clashes with Qimir's sword.

You and he come to a head. Both of your swords form an 'x'. You stare intently in Qimir's eyes and he stares back. In his eyes, you see determination and concentration. In your eyes, he sees a sparkle of amusement.

You smirk at him again and land a punch to his gut, causing him to stumble back in pain. You throw your hands up in victory again as there's a mix of applause and 'boos'.

You turn back to Qimir, who's clutching his stomach and groaning in pain, "You okay?"

"That was a dirty play," he says as he catches his breath.

You shrug, "Your opponent is never going to play fair. Don't they teach you that at the Jedi temple?"

"Not necessarily in this manner," he murmurs as he straightens up, "Regardless," he sticks his hand out, "you put up a good fight."

As you stretch out your hand, Qimir suddenly drops and pulls the same move you did on the knight before him. You brace yourself for impact but you don't feel it.

You crane your neck up to see Qimir with his hand stretched out. He used the Force to prevent you from falling. As he stands, he continues to use the Force to pull you back up.

You chuckle in disbelief, "I deserved that. I guess we're even then," you give him a wink and toss your sword to Orin as he approaches.

Orin smiles at Qimir, "Nice one, Jedi," he lightly punches Qimir on the shoulder and Qimir winces, "Ah, thanks."

One of your ladies' maids comes rushing onto the field, "Princess, lunch will be ready soon!"

"I'd like to have lunch out here, Jessa."

Jessa shakes her head, "Your mother wants everyone to have lunch together."

"Including the Jedi?"

"Yes, your highness."

You shrug and look to Qimir, "Come on then." The padawan quickly grabs his robes and lightsaber, falling in step beside you. You two follow Jessa through the corridors towards the dining hall.

"So, what can I improve on?" you ask Qimir, "You evaded every attack so flawlessly! It was amazing! It was like you were practically floating!"

Qimir can't help but chuckle, a warmth coming to his cheeks as you praise him, "Uh, well, I suppose I kind of was. I was using the Force to help me be lighter on my feet. But I suppose with you, you just need to be on your toes more. I noticed that you and the knights are very heavy footed."

You nod, taking in the feedback, "Alright. What else?"

He shrugs, "I'm impressed with how you handle the sword. Your movements are more heavy handed, but given the weight of the sword, it's understandable. But your maneuvers are very similar to the Jedi."

You playfully nudge his shoulder with yours, "Think I'd make a good Jedi?"

"There's more to being a Jedi than swinging a lightsaber and using the Force, princess."

The doors to the dining hall opens and you're greeted to your entire family already waiting for you, all of them sitting in their respective seats. The Jedi assigned to them sitting across the table from them.

You rush over to your spot beside your mother, "I apologize for our tardiness. I challenged Qimir to a duel."

Vernestra looks at her padawan with an arched brow. He shies from her gaze, "I was just showing her how Jedi are trained to fight."

"You're not supposed to be dueling the princess, padawan. You're supposed to be protecting her."

You speak up, "I asked him to duel me, Master Vernestra. I've never dueled a Jedi before. I was just curious on Qimir's fighting style. I am always open to going against new opponents to improve my self-defense skills."

"Was Orin there to supervise?" your father asks.

Your shoulders slump forward, "Yes, father. He always is."

"He's relayed to me how impressed he is with your improvement as of late."

You shrug, "I suppose I've improved a great deal."

"But there's always room for improvement, starlight," your father reminds you and you nod, looking down at your plate.

Qimir takes note of how your playfulness and confidence has dimmed. He doesn't see that sparkle in your eye that you had in the training grounds. You don't sit with poise and authority. Rather, you sit with a slump, a frown on your face.

It's not hard to see that despite efforts, the King doesn't see you as strong or capable. Qimir can only assume that your father, despite allowing you to have some freedoms, still shares some traditional ideals in regards to royal women.

Qimir clears his throat, "Princess Y/N was a great opponent. She fought well against me, your Majesty."

Your father looks at Qimir in surprise, "That so? Well, perhaps you can learn a thing or two from this padawan, Y/N. As long as Vernestra is okay with him teaching you a few things."

You and Qimir look to Vernestra, "As long as you're careful."

You and Qimir smile at each other. You mouth 'thank you' to him and he nods before you both go back to your meals.