Chapter 18

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I came to the castle to officially annul my engagement and finish off the duel with Alvin. Thereafter, I'll return to my original lifestyle.

I even felt like losing on purpose so that I could leave faster but the look on Alvin's face made me reconsider. I wanted to wipe off that cocky smile off his idiotic face.

I even hesitated a little to let Carlisa know about my plan of escaping, but then again her warm hug during the fireworks festival and her face this morning when she saw me changed my mind. I wonder how she would react.

We entered the training grounds together. Alvin waved at a few knights he recognized. Robert joined us.

I didn't know he was at the palace but I realized, just a little while ago, that he was the commander of the second knight order aka the guy who kills me next year.

Alvin relayed our situation to him and Robert started laughing.

"Sorry buddy, but my sister is going to smash your head." He said through his laughs. He had never called me 'his sister' before.

"We'll see" Alvin said with a hmph.

We got on to a wide platform. Carlisa gave me a thumbs up and that made me feel a thousand times better.

I took out my sword after doing some stretches. I should've warmed up but I decided to only go through the stretches for now.

Alvin had that annoying smirk on his face and I readied myself. He attacked first coming on with full strength. I would have toppled over if it wasn't for my boots' grip.

Using his strength to my advantage, I made him use all his strength on my sword and moved him toward the right. He realized my plan and took a step back.

I swished my sword at him as a surprise attack only to encounter his sword neutralizing my attack. I heard someone giving a slow whistle.

"How much are you betting on this? More gold?" Alvin taunted.

"Do you have any left?" I asked back.

"Hmm, 50000 coins?" He claimed with a chuckle.

"Oh, you're so on!" I exclaimed. I need that money!

He attacked me again. Ugh! Why is he so strong? I decided to fake it till I made it. I threw my sword to the right to distract him and he took the bait. He flung towards my right to counteract.

I quickly took my opportunity and kicked him in the shin from my left leg. He never told me that the duel would only apply to swords! * hehe*

"Hey, that's cheating!" He yelled by moving back a few steps.

"You never told me that we should only fight with swords." I twisted my own words.

"Well then, I won't hold back either." He said and he unleashed his aura. He had a double attribute. This is going to be hard!

His sword started to glow with a white and orange light. He had both air and fire! That's unfair!

I decided not to unveil my dark attribute. Even I was still getting the hang of it.  It could easily run wild. I almost broke a tea pot the other day too.

I went head to head with him. His sword play got even stronger. The heat was killing me. I started sweating like crazy. I glanced at Carlisa. She had a worried expression.

She mouthed some words to me but I couldn't hear it. I sent hand signals to her all the while dodging Alvin's speedy attacks.

"Use it! Do what you did to the buffoons!" She screamed using her throat voice to help me hear.

I shook my head at her. I'm already in enough trouble as it is. Using it will only attract more attraction. Think brain! What would the Original Rose do here??

"Rose, look out!" Robert yelled at me.

Alvin's sword came at me in a terrifying speed but I blocked it with my sword. I had to hold my blade from my bare hand to dodge. The blade entered my palm with a scratchy sound.

Blood! Blood spattered everywhere. For some reason, I lost it. The same blood that haunted me in my death at the crossing way occupied my mind. The blood puddle and the sirens filled my head. I couldn't snap out of it.

I swooped my sword at my opponent with my eyes fully open. My vision cleared better than before. My right hand gathered all my energy and I swiped my sword at Alvin. His sword clashed with it and ended up in a million pieces over powering him. He flopped onto the ground with the pressure of my sudden attack.

I kept my sword on his neck as the final move. I won, but I knew there was something wrong. My head was still in a blur.

'Relax, you'll get your answers soon. Get it together for now!' A feminine voice called out to me in my head. Am I going insane?

'No, you are not! Take it easy. You did good. Don't resist the darkness. It will only help you. You'll get the answers soon' the voice repeated.

Settling a little, I got down from the platform and sat on a bench nearby to clear my head. I brought my head towards my knees and stayed in that position for a few minutes.

Carlisa came to me and Robert followed quickly. Alvin looked haunted.

"Wow, you broke my sword in two!" Alvin spoke in surprise.

"Sorry about that! I'll get you a new sword!" I apologized. I may have to say goodbye to my new earned money.

"Are you kidding!? That was awesome!" He replied completely different from how I expected him to react.

"Anyway, it wasn't even my sword. So, relax Lady Rose. How's your hand?" He asked.

"It doesn't hurt. I'll give you that."

"Good, I'm sorry. I didn't think you'd get distracted."

"What are you apologizing for? In any case, I still won and I want my money, please." I said being a little smug after stabilizing myself.

"Sheesh, take care of your hand first. I'll call a doctor." Alvin said and ran out.

"You okay, Rose?" Robert asked.

"I'm fine, relax."

"I'm telling mom though." He said.

"Why, its okay now right?" I asked a little frightened at his declaration. Will I get scolded?

"I don't know about that." He said back.

A bell rang through the grounds. Robert smacked his hand on his forehead.

"I've got to go now. Is it okay?" He asked me with an earnest expression.

"Of course. Why are you even asking me?" I asked back with a bemused face.

"Dummy, it's because of your hand!" He yelled at me.

"I'm not a toddler. Relax! I'll be fine." I said with a frown. He's really acting like a caring brother now. I wonder what happened to that stuck-up commander of a brother from before. He left after looking back several times.

I saw Alvin running with a box in his hand.

"You two really suit each other. Both of you idiots are reckless and unbelievably smart." Carlisa mumbled.

"What are you talking about?" I asked her trying to grasp her words.

"Nothing. Are you busy afterwards? I want to know how to help you avoid, you know what." She told me in a whisper when a panting Alvin neared us. I nodded my head.

"Here, I brought...some bandages...Lets wash it... and wrap." He said after taking a few breaths.

I thanked him. Carlisa looked at me and winked for some reason.

"Oh, I forgot about the Count Ernmore documents my mum sent me this morning. I'll be right back. Better yet, meet me at the study, Rose. I have to hurry." She said by hitting her forehead.

Wait! Was she leaving me here? Alone with Alvin? Is she seriously trying to set me up with him?

"Come back! You liar!" I screamed at her running figure by standing up.

"No can do, sister. This cupid's job is done for today." She yelled back.

I felt my cheeks heating in embarrassment.

"Come on, lets wrap your palm." Alvin said with a cough.

"Sure." I sat back down, obediently.