The Last of the Miras

XXII | Ni-Jū Ni

The ten year old girl spent her time training in order to be qualified as what her parents and her grandmother had discussed about. One of the needs on how to become a nature guardian.

Ready are you, Your Highness?

Helen's chosen instructor asked. She nods fiercely and softly yet firmly replied.

As I'll ever be.

At a certain signal, the equipped princess ran towards her instructor and attacked him with semi-precise force and speed. The adolescent girl confidently attacked with an undeniable focus.

Hmm. . .the princess learns fast rather than what I expected, eh? Let's see if she can evade this.

The male instructor grinned to himself and crossed his arms that served him as a shield from her physical attacks. With his defense, the ten year old stepped back for she knew that he was going to reverse their positions now.

Aww, he's going to be in offense now. 

She stopped thinking as he was approaching her in an offensive stance.

Well be it or not, I won't let him. The girl didn't notice that both ends of her mouth curled up, making it look like she was thoroughly enjoying this.

Two shadows can be seen if one would look from an audience's perspective. Two beings who are in clash, head to head and neck to neck. Each countering and in defense to the other's attack. Nevertheless, one could say that the mentor and his student are almost on par with each other.

Wow! I didn't even imagine that the youngest of the royal family would be that skillful.

One spirit maid voiced out her thoughts as she passed by the place, holding a tray.

Hugh!!

A male voice echoed throughout the place.

It was Xander, Helen's combat tutor. He stopped a minute to catch his breath for a second because he felt something that made him uneasy.

Maybe it's just my intuition, or it's just that I'm afraid of getting caught by ojo-sama's attacks?

He thought out while breathing harshly. The said princess still attacks her tutor, making his situation an advantage for her and the opposite for him.

Clacking noises were heard within the training grounds of the palace. The two were still in action as the queen dowager visits the said place without disturbing the princess nor her hand-to-hand combat tutor.

Queen dowager Alynna observed her granddaughter from the terrace of the palace.

Hmm. . .my grandchild is a fast learner, no? Or it is because she was already trained from a veteran tutor before they left Mariejois? The queen dowager thought admittedly.

After twenty minutes, the two beings who were at each other's neck from before stopped and sheathed their weapons. Both of them stood straight and bowed ninety degrees as a sign that they already are finished in their schedule.

Princess Helen saw her grandmother and went upstairs to greet the older monarch.

Hello, obaa-san.

My dearest grandchild, greetings to you too.

The said queen looked at her son and daughter-in-law's child with loving warmth. She beamed at the said child and announced.

Helen dear, I have found you a tutor who can help you with your powers.

The said princess glanced at her grandparent.

That's good. Will this be added to my daily schedule, obaa-san?

No, dear granddaughter. But, you will start training next week with her.

Oh, so it's a female that would train me. Helen thought.

Okay obaa-san, I'll be off now. My second schedule is going to start soon.

The princess walked several steps away and looked back when she suddenly remembered something.

By the way, thank you obaa-san!

At the same time, the old lady was greeted with a soft smile that came from her.

What a nice and pleasant granddaughter I have.

Alynna inwardly smiled in turn as she watched the youngest monarch disappear from her view.