Under the intense summer sun, I moved my heavy legs. Eagerly looking at the dark green shade of the lush green leaves, I was counting the number. Fifty more times. Sweat ran down my back. I frowned at the unpleasant feeling. It’s so hot and sticky.

“Oops, it’s hard. Are you okay, Abi? ” Jane asked

“Hoo, hoo, yeah.” I barely finished my share of practice sessions today and took a rest under the shade of the tree. Shortly afterwards Jane almost fell down next to me and breathed out. I covered my cheeks with both hands. My face was hot because of the heat in August.

“This is the end of our training today, right?”

“Yes.”

“Great. Whew! This practice is killing me.”

“I think you feel it’s harder because of the heat. Um, do you want to stop by my house for a break?”

“Really? Okay, then. Thanks for your invitation.”

With a pleasant smile, she stood up and reached out. When I grabbed her hand and tried to stand up, I lifted my head to see somebody else reaching out first. Noah, who already approached, was looking at me.

“Your practice is not over yet” he said with a smirk and I frowned. The whole ground was already empty. Every knight had long gone for the lunch break, even Jane nodded and left. Then how was my practice not done?

“What else is left, sir Noah?” I asked with narrowed eyes, yet maintaining the respect in the voice.

“Well lets see. . squatting?”

“Done”

“Running”

“Done”

“Sword practice”

“Done”

“Archery”

“Done”

“Passing hurdles”

“Done”

Knotting…”

“Done”

He kept on counting and I kept on nodding. This was how we spent the rest of the 15 minutes.

“Well then, show me how much have you learnt” he said in the end and my eyes squinted on him.

It was clear that he was doing it knowingly. Tsk tsk.. If it had been two days ago, I would have accepted it, but the villain in me had returned. Since he wanted to see what I have learnt, I should show him.

An evil smirk formed on my face as I nodded, “of course, sir Noah, as you say.” He looked at me surprised as he was waiting for me to flare up but I smiled.

He turned and walked towards the ground and I followed.

“What shall we start with?” I asked and he passed a wooden sword to me.

“Let’s check your fencing practice.” he said and I nodded. He turned to take the sword and walked towards the ground.

We both took our position and started the practice.

“Hands further up, move your left leg a bit more behind” he commanded and I rolled my eyes.

The first attack was done by him, he targeted my arm and I turned back but instead of letting it go, I pushed my leg and tried to trip him. He smirked and flipped in the air, giving me a tsk.. Look, as if challenging that was all I had got.

I gritted my teeth and took two steps forwards and marked his gut when he took a side turn and and moved his sword towards the band of my hair and my hair fell loose.

“Nice trick, but it would not affect my eyesight.” I exclaimed and then we took the stance again.

I marked his neck this time clearly aiming it from my eyes and he rolled his eyes. As if he was saying that you are still dumb to clear your attack to the enemy.

But I maintained my serious expression, and when he moved toward me this time he bent his body backwards to save his neck from my attack but I took the benefit of his position and moved my knee to kick his jewels and his face instantly turned red. He winced and took a few shallow breaths and his both hands moved but before he could touch the part, he moved his hands away and stopped.

He was too ashamed to touch the part.. Oh my, so innocent.

“Pfft” laugh escaped my lips when I saw him agonizing yet not touching it and trying to stand straight.

“What happened sir Noah, are we not practicing anymore?” I asked , blinking my innocent eyes and the man glared at me.

“You, why did you do this?” he asked, even his voice was becoming strained.

It looked like I had used more force than I had thought! But I still feigned ignorance.

“What have I done, sir Noah.. I was just practicing with you.” he gritted his teeth and waved his hand.

“I think this is enough for today..” I nodded and left the ground with a chuckle.

When I entered my chamber dining table, Jane was already sitting there waiting for me. She was the only girl except me who was taking the training of knights under my father.

“Oh, I thought you would not be able to make it.” she said in her chirpy voice.

She was one of the lucky people. She was always happy and chirpy and it was infectious. I didn’t even realise when I started smiling with her.

“Oh, it was nothing. Sir Noah just wanted to make sure that I have learnt everything well, “I replied with a chuckle when she looked at me with a confused face.

“Come let’s have lunch first.” I skipped the topic and she nodded.

The food that was served in the palace was rich, full of nutrition and expensive. Belonging to a middle class family, her eyes glimmered, looking at the food.

If it would have been past, I would have scorned and called her poor and opportunist who was trying to suck nobles.

I hated the poor in my past life as I have always seen them as greedy people, but now that I think about it.. I have become a hybrid villain this time, i could not let the devil in me go and at the same time the humanity in me had developed.

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