<At the courtyard...>

Travis: "Again...your posture is still not right!"

Travis extended out his sword and placed his left foot in front.

Travis: "Since you're a right handed, your left leg will have to be positioned further."

Moon: "Like this?"

Moon followed what Travis did as she gripped onto her sword tightly.

Travis: "Correct. Now, relax your shoulders and charge when you're ready."

Moon took in a deep breath.

Travis: "GO!"

Moon raised her sword and dashed towards her instructor. Travis quickly draw his sword and blocked her hard attack.

Travis: "Good job, milady."

They both stepped back.

Travis: "However, watch where your sword is heading. If not, your opponent will easily missed your attack."

Moon: "*Pants* Alright."

Moon used the back of her hand to wipe the sweat rolling down her face.

Travis: "Here, use this."

Travis handed her a handkerchief.

Moon: "Thanks, Sir Travis."

Travis: "You still have a lot to learn, princess. In no time, you will be as good as the king you call a dad."

Moon: "Right, the King I share the same bloodline with."

Travis let out a chuckle and continued to practice. Moon then placed the handkerchief on the bench.

Moon: "Sir Travis."

Travis: "Yes, milady?"

Moon: "How's Ling Ling doing? I see that she's not here today."

Without turning around, Moon could hear Travis stopping on his tracks and slowly withdrawing his sword.

Travis: "She...doing fine."

As she turned, Moon could see Travis' face darkened.

Moon: "Is there something wrong with her?"

Travis: "N-No, it's nothing. Ling Ling is just feeling a bit sick."

Moon: "Oh no, I hope she's okay! Should I check on her later?"

Travis: "There's no need to be concern, milady! Besides, she has Princess Harmony to look after her!"

Travis said, reassuring Moon, but she could tell that he was not telling the truth.

Moon: He's definitely lying...

However, she knew pressing him for the answer will only make things worse. But then again, Travis is not the only one hiding something... she too had a secret...

Moon: Urgg...my head hurts...

Suddenly, out of the blue, somebody's footsteps could be heard from a distance as if it was coming towards them.

Travis: "Prince Aiden!"

As Moon saw Aiden coming, her body immediately reacted on it own and she found herself covering the side of her face.

Moon: What is he doing here?!

Aiden: "Good day, Sir Travis. I see that some training was done here."

Travis: "You are welcome to join us. I bet the princess won't mind."

Moon: Dammit!

Aiden spotted Moon near the bench, covering her face. He smiled and sighed.

Aiden: "You know I'm not blind, Moon. You don't have to try to hide from me."

The princess turned to face Aiden and smiled back at him...sarcastically...

Moon: "Fancy to see you here, Aiden..."

Travis: "I was teaching milady some moves to use in combat."

Aiden: "Really..."

Aiden walked over to the sword stand and pick out a sword for himself. He then pointed it right at Moon.

Aiden: "Then let's test it out, shall we?"

Surprise, Moon stared at Aiden in disbelief.

Moon: "Are you...challenging me?"

Travis: "A duel! This is a perfect opportunity to test your skills, milady!"

Travis exclaimed in excitement, sounding like a kid in a candy shop.

Moon: "I'm sorry, but I'll pass."

Without even thinking twice, Moon declined Aiden's offer. As she was was about to leave, he called out to her.

Aiden: "Are you afraid to battle against me?"

She stood rooted onto the floor. The word 'afraid' struck her heart.

Moon: "I'm not afraid. I just don't want to get too involved with you."

Aiden: "Then how about this."

Moon looked over her shoulder and waited for his answer.

Aiden: "If you're the winner and I lose, I will not bother you anymore. And if I win, it will be the opposite. Deal?"

Although Moon knows it's pointless to accept, but she did not want to seem weak against a prince like Aiden. She had to prove herself. Like a woman in battle. If she really did win, he will not trouble her anymore...

Moon clenched onto her sword and replied.

Moon: "Alright, you win, I'll duel."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Travis: "Positions!"

Moon stood on the far right while Aiden stood on the far left. The princess shot a glare of determination at the prince. She flick her messy ponytail away from her shoulders and adjusted her footwork.

Moon: He has the guts to challenge me, I'll show him...

Travis: "READY!"

Travis shouted as he raised his arm in the air.

Travis: "BEGIN!"

The two opponents let out a loud cry and swung their swords. The courageous sounds of the metals clanged against one another.

Moon charged first but Aiden was able to miss it by just a bit. He then block her two forthcoming attacks.

Aiden: "You're good, princess, but is it enough to overpower me?"

Moon: "We will see about that."

After their short talk, Aiden sliced his sword right in front of Moon. Just in time, she managed to jump out of the way.

Moon: He's really fast!

She immediately rose to her feet.

Moon: No...I can't lose to him now! I need to become stronger!

Their bodies were bathed in fat beads of sweat as they danced around the courtyard with their weapons in their hands. They struggled to catch their breath, each time one person makes an attack.

Their fight attracted some maids passing by.

Maid 1: "Is that Princess Moon and Prince Aiden? Are they having a duel?"

Maid 2: "It looks like it!"

Maid 1: "Princess Moon is actually doing quite well!"

Maid 2: "Oh, why are the members of royal blood all so attractive and handsome?"

Maid 1: "Don't get too ahead of yourself, Maya! Besides, don't you think the two highnesses are a good match?"

Maid 2: "I agree!- Wait look!"

Aiden leaped forward at Moon but unfortunately, she took the chance to slide her foot right below his feet.

Aiden: "Woah!"

He did successfully avoided her foot but unluckily, he came crashing onto the ground.

Moon: "Got ya!"

Moon pointed her sword at Aiden while panting heavily.

Travis: "MILADY WINS!"

A hit of disappointment spreader across the prince's face but he encouragingly smiled.

Aiden: "I guess you win-"

All of a sudden, Moon felt a throbbing pain in her head and her vision blurred for a second.

Moon: Urg...my head...

Aiden: "Moon? Are you okay?"

Travis: "Princess?"

She rested her hand on her forehead and weakly answered.

Moon: "I-I'm fine..."

Moon turned around but Aiden stood up and grabbed onto her wrist.

Aiden: "Moon...you're not-"

Moon: "Please, let me excuse myself..."

Moon tried to pushed Aiden away but he tightened his hold.

Aiden: "Not until I find out what going on with you!"

The princess looked at him with weak, teary eyes. Her face was totally flushed as she continued to perspire.

Moon: ...I can't feel my legs...

Moon felt as if her legs were like jelly, Before she knew it, her entire body just gave in and she collapsed. Fortunately, Aiden was holding onto her when she did He dropped his weapon and quickly grabbed onto her waist.

Aiden: "Moon? Moon!!"

The prince felt her forehead and it was burning hot.

Aiden: "Sir Travis! Call the doctor at once!!"

Travis: "Yes, your highness!"

Travis rushed out of the courtyard and the two maids who were already there, followed him.

Aiden gently shook Moon's body.

Aiden: "Moon, can you hear me?!! Hang in there!!"

Moon could hear him calling out to her desperately.

Moon: ...I can't...I need to be...stron-"

However, her vision went pitch black and her body went powerless...

To be continued...

Hi everyone! It's Chewy here!! Thanks for reading this chapter and I hope you all enjoyed it! Some of you may have a lot of thoughts and feelings about this story and I'm really not against it. So, if any of you have any questions, you can freely comment it. I will do my best to answer them 😁 Okay, see you all next time! Love ya ❤️