Chương 47: A Week Later

One week later. Felicity watched Leah from a distance as she practiced with her staff. Her movements were still stiff, but determined.

"Be careful not to reopen your wounds", she said.

"Xia practically healed them perfectly. They shouldn't reopen, even under heavy strain". Leah stopped, planted the staff on the ground, and looked at her.

"Can I ask you something, Feli? And I want you to be brutally honest".

"Go ahead".

"I only wounded the King because of beginner's luck, right? The truth is…I didn't fight well, did I?" Felicity remained silent for a few seconds, studying her.

"Yes, it was beginner's luck. Hitting someone by throwing a sword is an extremely rare occurrence", she admitted. Then she added, "but it wasn't just luck. When I said you fought well, I meant it. You weren't afraid to die. You didn't hesitate to attack. You kept fighting even when the difference between you was obvious. You're on the right path, Leah". Leah smiled, relieved.

"Would you like to join me?" Stolen novel; please report.

"With pleasure", Felicity replied, picking up a staff from the ground. Oscar was lying in bed, his abdomen wrapped in bandages. He tried to sit up, but Teresa immediately pushed him back onto the mattress.

"Where do you think you're going in that condition?"

"To govern, Mother. Or have you forgotten that I'm the King?"

"You are the King, yes. But right now, you need to think about your health. I'll rule in your place".

"You? You're not capable of it, Mother, you don't-". Teresa placed a hand on his bandages and pressed down. Oscar groaned in pain.

"Because of your arrogance, you nearly died", she said, her voice trembling.

"Don't you understand that if you die, this kingdom will lose the war? That the capital will be conquered?" Her eyes grew moist.

"And above all…what I did. Your brother's sacrifice. It would all have been for nothing. I cannot allow that. Is that clear?!" Oscar clenched his teeth, then nodded.

"Crystal clear. Now stop". Teresa removed her hand and kissed his forehead.

"Forgive me, my dear. Rest. I'll take care of everything else". In a snow-covered field, Ethan was training with Renlin. She attacked him with a flurry of swift strikes; Ethan parried every one of them and counterattacked. Renlin dodged gracefully and deflected his blows with precise movements. In the end, they struck at the same time, their blades pointed at each other's throats. They stopped and smiled. Renlin stepped closer and kissed him on the lips. Then they both sheathed their swords.

"You're truly a skilled swordswoman", Ethan remarked.

"It would be a problem if I weren't after a hundred and thirty years", Renlin replied with a faint smile.

"As for you, considering how little you've lived, your talent is incredible".

"Let's just say that the sword has been with me since I was a child. It has always been a friend of mine". Renlin nodded.

"Now let's go back to the others. Tonight, we're having a grand celebration.

"A grand celebration? For what? Ah, right. I forgot that you elves celebrate even when there's no reason". Renlin smiled, wrapped her arms around him and together they made their way back toward the camp.