The Children of Riverfield

Chapter 9: Swords

/!\ Slight sexy stuff at the end, will mark with a /!\ for those wishing to skip x

Rose

It was later in the day and I was sat on a stone bench with Lana by my side. In front of us, Ace and Adelina were fighting against their trainers.

After spending the day with the royal siblings I was surprised how much empathise the Queen put on their education. After herbology we had a physics and math lesson, followed by languages, history and politics. The last lesson of the day was physical training, required by the King. Trainers hadn't been provided for Lana and I, so we sat watching as the siblings sweated as they fought against their opponents.

Adelina was gracefully avoiding and providing punches whilst Ace swung a golden sword, his thin chemise sticking to his body as he sweated, making his exposed skin glow. His pine green eyes narrowed in concentration and with every swing his mouth formed a nervous smile.

"Careful." Lana said, breaking me out of my daze.

"What?" I frowned.

"Your smile. You look like you're about to fall in love."

I started at her in disbelief but was unable to think of an excuse or a witty comeback. Content with my reaction Lana smiled smugly.

However, her smug smile quickly disappeared when a certain Gabin Raymond walked onto the lawn, dressed in brown leather that hugged his skin tightly, revealing his prominent muscles. I glanced over at Lana and saw her eyes swiftly moving back and forth between him and the ground. Her fidgeting and unease caused me to smile smugly. I had already noticed this the previous evening but had said nothing.

Gabin and Ace were laughing together, and Adelina had come to join us on the bench.

"You fight well." I praised her.

"I've been fighting even since I could walk." She shrugged. "Though you did too... until you didn't." She frowned and shook her head, obviously wondering why she had chosen those words.

"Actually we did martial arts and fencing in London." Lana said, getting to her feet. "Is it our turn now?" She asked Ace's sister, who shrugged. "Good." Lana said walking over to a rail of training clothes.

"Rose they have trousers!" Lana yelled, grabbing everyone's attention. "It's about time I can wear something other than these bloody useless dresses." She stated triumphally, stepping behind a changing screen, only to emerge in a pair of black trousers and a brown jerkin. I watched in dismay as she put her hands on her hips and addressed Gabin and Ace. "So who am I fighting?"

The two men looked at each other. Gabin shrugged and step forwards.

"It would be an honour princess." He bowed deeply, drawing his sword. Lana grabbed one out of the rack and the pair started striking swords. I watched my sister disarm him twice, before finally being disarmed herself.

"She's a good fighter." Adelina stated in awe.

"Too good for her own good." I rolled my eyes.

"What about you, do you fight Lady Rosalina?" Adelina inquired.

"Please call me Rose or Rosalina." I pleaded, taking her hand in mine.

"Does that mean we are friends now?" The younger girl asked hopefully. "I don't have many friends... well I don't have any really, apart from Ace and my maid. I'm not allowed to speak to people you see, my father is scared something might happen to me."