A THRONE OF BLOOD || bxb

VIII | Rosalia's Treat

[Lucian]

"Okay Lucian," Rosalia began as she handed me a rapier, "Ignore those two brutes over there and focus on your training, alright?"

I nodded my head eagerly, gripping tightly onto the handle of the light blade. I twirled the blade around, watching the sun reflect off it. The tip of the rapier was guarded with a red ball thingy to make sure I didn't stab anyone.

Rosalia had led me to a few training dummies made out of hay wrapped in a brown sack.

She looked at me first, a sign for me to watch her closely, as she slowly let out a long breath.

Her feet had shifted positions, her right foot forward. The blade was pointed right at the training dummy. The once soft golden eyes she had were now filled with precision and strength.

I shuddered slightly. She was a war veteran. As for me, I was a veteran too! Just in bed... That was my territory I was most familiar with.

As fluid as water, she began stabbing the training dummy right in its torso with three strong jabs. The loud thuds resounded with each jab.

I clapped softly in awe at her strength. She sheathed the rapier by her waist, gesturing towards me to do the same.

Sorry Mr. Dummy!

"First thing's first, you put your foot at the front aligned with your dominant hand. Point it straight forward. And bend both your knees. Strike the dummy in its chest thrice."

I nodded, putting my right foot forward as I pointed the rapier in my right hand right at the dummy.

I shut my eyes for a few seconds, heaving a heavy sigh before thrusting the blade in my hand.

I made sure I had landed three direct jabs onto the dummy.

I felt the impact vibrating, an indication that I did land all three hits. Though they weren't as strong as Rosalia's... It didn't make as loud of a sound as Rosalia's attempt did.

"Not bad for someone who has never held a blade before." Rosalia commended as she pat my shoulder.

I giggled, slightly happy at my first attempt.

She told me to run the jabs a few more times when I noticed something crashing into the training dummy.

The poor training dummy exploded into a bunch of hay as it toppled to the ground. A large man clad in a fully black armour had landed right on top of the training dummy I was supposed to strike.

It was Reynold. He was rubbing the back of his head as he groaned in pain.

I wanted to run up to him and check up on him, but I didn't see the need to.

He was smiling so brightly. His eyes were twinkling as though he had experienced something great.

"M-My training dummy..."

"Ah! Sorry 'bout that, Prince Lucian. Prince Ares landed a very good kick. I was practically flying!"

Rosalia was grumbling to herself, her face contorting with anger as she stomped up to Reynold.

"I'll make you fly to the moon, you idiot!" Rosalia exploded as she yanked Reynold's ear, twisting it with great force.

Ares ran up to the two of them, an expression of fear on his face as he watched Rosalia nag at Reynold. It looked so painful, like his ear was going to be ripped off.

"H-Hey Rosalia? Don't be too hard on him.." Ares' voice slowly trailed off as Rosalia shot him a frightening glare.

"Oh of course, Ares!" She had a menacing smile as her hand slowly reached towards Ares' ear.