CH10 Preview, Part IV

Another preview now that I've officially wrapped up the Crown Self-Care portion of the chapter!! ✨

This is for the A lovers 💖

“Forgive me, Your Imperial Majesty,” $athey says to you while frowning at the trainee, “but could I request you go again?” 

“I don’t see why not.” You roll your shoulders and square them once more as Evdal gets up to his feet. Winning a sparring match does feel good, even with such a pitiful opponent. At least you can be confident in knowing you’re better than a mere recruit.

Compared to facing down the arrow of an assassin, or having one chasing you down a tunnel, a sparring match is child’s play. You have none of the nerves that are flustering your opponent, though he’s also no doubt intimidated by your title.

It occurs to you that $aname might be doing this on purpose, to lift your confidence. 

So, as $athey suggested, you go again, and even though trainee Evdal’s wounded pride makes him more cautious, it doesn’t increase his skill whatsoever. By the third round, the other palace guards start to jeer.

“Evdal is a poor opponent, Royal Protector, allow me to take his place!” 

“This is a disgrace, Sewedi, have some respect for $ctheir Imperial Majesty!” 

“You’re bringing shame upon the whole guard!” 

After you trounce Evdal a fourth time, $aname turns to the shouting guards, cutting through the commotion with chastising words: “Do you all believe yourselves so superior?” 

The guards fall silent.

“Not a single person among you has ever been in battle before.” $aname continues to speak as $athey offers a hand to where Evdal sits on the ground, after you tripped him. “Do you think your pretty little techniques will save you when faced with someone who wants to take your life? Do any of you have the spine to look hatred and bloodlust in the eye, and hold your ground?” 

$cathey pulls Evdal up, whose gaze is averted with visible shame.

“Half of the reason I’m training $ctheir Imperial Majesty is because I know I cannot rely on any of you to keep $them safe,” $aname states, ice in $atheir gaze as it passes on each and every watching guard. “Aside from the Imperial Guards, $they will not find any protectors in you, not the way you are now. Get back to your training and stop embarrassing yourselves by picking on the youngest among you.” 

IF THE CROWN IS ROMANCING A

As you watch $aname scold the guards, the sudden thought that $athey looks good doing it occurs to you from nowhere. There’s something mesmerizing in the way $athey wields authority…

Or perhaps you’ve been training too long; all the blood rushing through your head must be muddling your mind.

IF THE CROWN ISN'T ROMANCING A

Harsh words, but you agree that they’re ones the guards need to hear.

Finally the Crown gets to beat someone up for a change!! I'm so proud of my monarch 🥹