Living Like a Mouse? How About a Lion?

Bravery of a LION

Dinner was a mess, as always. But at least it was over. I had more important things to deal with, like finding a knight to escort me to Prince Benedict's birthday banquet. Not exactly my idea of a great time, but better than walking in with either of my wonderful brothers.

Honestly, at this point, I'd take a dragon over Derrick or Reynold.

After getting away from the dining hall, I made my way toward the knights' quarters, hoping to make this as quick and painless as possible. I wasn't in the mood to deal with any more drama for the night.

But of course, fate had other plans.

As I approached the training grounds, I could hear voices drifting toward me. Several knights were lounging around, talking, and laughing. For a second, I thought nothing of it. Just knights being knights, right? But then I heard my name.

"Did you hear about the maids that got fired?" one of them was saying, a sneer in his voice. "Apparently, they were tossed out because of that bastard girl."

I froze in my tracks, my heart thudding in my chest.

Did they just—

Another voice chimed in. "You mean the one with the commoner blood? She's flying way too high for her own good. Thinks she's something special just because she's living with the Duke."

Laughter echoed around the room, and I felt my blood boil. They were talking about me like I wasn't even human, like I was some sort of stray animal picked up off the street.

"Honestly," one of them continued, "I wouldn't be surprised if she gets tossed out next. She's nothing but trouble. A bastard with delusions of grandeur."

I clenched my fists so hard that my nails dug into my palms. Every word felt like a slap to the face, each insult stoking the fire in my chest. I was used to whispers behind my back, used to the cruel comments from the nobles, but hearing it from the knights—the ones who were supposed to protect this household? That hit different.

Oh, you've got the wrong girl today.

I pushed open the door to the training room, my footsteps loud enough to silence the group. The moment they saw me, their laughter died in their throats. But I didn't stop there. I marched straight up to one of the knights—the one who had spoken the loudest—and without a second thought, grabbed the nearest sword.

The weight of the blade felt too heavy in my hands as I lifted it and pressed the cold steel right against his throat.

Oh yeah, now I've got their attention.

The room went deadly silent, everyone staring in shock as I held the sword steady, my eyes locked on the knight's face. His mouth hung open, fear and disbelief flashing in his eyes. Good. Let him be scared. Let them all be scared.

"Do you have something to say to me?" I asked, my voice low and dangerous.

Come on, say something. I dare you.

The knight stammered, clearly not expecting this turn of events. "L-Lady Penelope, I didn't mean—"

"You didn't mean what?" I snarled, pressing the blade a little closer, just enough for him to feel the edge against his skin. "Didn't mean to insult me? Didn't mean to mock the so-called 'bastard girl'? Or are you just sorry because you got caught?"

The other knights stood frozen, none of them daring to move or speak. I could feel their eyes on me, their fear thick in the air. And I reveled in it.

So much for your jokes.

"You think I'm some dead sewer rat you can laugh at?" I continued, my voice rising with every word. "Is that what you all think? That I'm just some commoner blood you can step on, like I'm beneath you?"

The knight swallowed hard, his face pale. "N-No, Lady Penelope, I—"

"Shut up!" I snapped, my grip tightening on the hilt of the sword. "I've had enough of your gossip. Enough of your insults. Do you think because I don't have your precious noble blood that I'm less than you?"

I glanced around the room, making sure every single knight understood that I wasn't backing down. "You all think you're so high and mighty because you've got titles or fancy armor? Well, guess what? I'm still here. I'm still standing. And I've survived a hell of a lot worse than some petty words from cowards like you."

The tension in the room was suffocating, but I didn't care. I wasn't going to be some meek little girl, taking abuse from every side without fighting back. If they wanted a quiet, obedient noblewoman, they were going to be disappointed.

I'm no dead mouse. I'm a lion.

"If any of you," I said, my voice cutting through the silence like the blade in my hand, "ever talk about me like that again—ever—I'll make sure you regret it."

I lowered the sword just a fraction, giving the knight a chance to breathe. "And if you think I'm joking, try me."

The knight nodded frantically, too terrified to do anything but agree. I could see the sweat beading on his forehead, his hands trembling at his sides.

 Good. 

Now he knows who he's dealing with.

With one last look of disgust, I pulled the sword away from his throat and tossed it aside, the blade clattering against the stone floor. I turned on my heel and stormed out of the room, leaving the stunned knights in my wake.

As soon as I was outside, I felt a rush of adrenaline coursing through me. My hands were still shaking slightly, but not from fear. No, this was something else. For the first time in a long time, I had stood up for myself—really stood up. And it felt good.

Me: I'm not some weak girl they can walk all over. Not anymore.

The knights would think twice before talking behind my back again. And if they didn't, well, I'd be more than happy to remind them exactly who they were dealing with.

As I made my way back to my room, I couldn't help but smirk.