“We’re going to use real swords?” Maude asked.

“Of course,” he answered, picking up a sword that she assumed was. Maude noticed her sword was nowhere to be found.

“That’s dangerous,” she pointed out. “I’m literally your enemy and your hostage. I could kill you at any point.”

Duke Rosenberg shrugged. “But you won’t, Maude.”

Maude raised her eyebrows. “Are we so close that dropping the ‘Lady’ title has been permitted?” she asked. “Duke Rosenberg?”

“It’s Jaspar,” he replied. “When we are dueling, we are equals,” he replied.

“Right, then,” she said. “Jaspar.”

“Choose whatever sword you’d like, Maude,” he said. She didn’t know that she wouldn’t be able to focus with her name coming out of his mouth so casually. The only people who’d ever called her “Maude” instead of “Lady Maude” had only done so out of disrespect. Never out of equality. The only person she could remember saying her name affectionately was her mother. That had been so long ago now, that she could hardly remember.

She watched as Duke Rosenberg–Jaspar–stepped up onto the wooden platform that had been built in the center of the courtyard. Maude didn’t know what else the platform would have been built for, if not dueling, so she assumed that it got used for the purpose fairly often.

Winter’s air was beginning to settle in, and the colorful leaves of the trees were mostly gone, or looking brown. The sun peeked through the branches overhanging the courtyard, and shone brightly on the platform.

Maude couldn’t help but wonder if the reason why the courtyard was so quiet so early in the morning was because Jaspar had requested it to be quiet, or if all of the soldiers that would otherwise be training were out fighting the war.

After closely inspecting the swords, Maude selected one that seemed to be the most similar to her own. She picked it up and noticed that the weight was slightly lighter. I hope its close enough, she thought.

“Is that one you feel comfortable with?” Jaspar asked her.

She nodded at him while stepping up onto the wooden platform. “It’s definitely different from mine, but it’ll do,” she said.

“Excellent,” he said. She faced him, preparing herself for the duel. “Come at me with all you’ve got!” Jaspar exclaimed.

Maude took a deep breath and tried to remind herself that Jaspar’s life wasn’t necessarily at risk from dueling her. So long as she stuck to her basic sword training. So long as she didn’t go at him with all she had.

She lunged at him, beginning the battle between them. He ducked easily, as expected of the leader of troops who’d effortlessly defeated her own. He slashed back at her, and she quickly blocked it. His attacks came in rapid succession. Though she did not struggle to defend herself against them, she was impressed with his skill. He kept her busy enough playing defense that it was difficult to get in a blow offensively.

He smiled warmly at her on the other side of his blade. She met his eyes. It was most certainly the first time anyone had smiled at her while dueling.

Maude also noticed that he didn’t try to play any dirty tricks like the ones Callum typically deployed. He didn’t try to distract her focus by talking to her or making remarks. He didn’t try to trip her. This was a true duel, fair and square. The type that Maude had only ever experienced against her sword tutor. Someone who truly wanted to see what she was capable of. There was no doubt in her mind that Jaspar was testing her in a similar way.

Jaspar blocked another one of her incoming strikes. Then, he said, “Stop.”

Maude had to hold back her sword from striking out again. “S-stop?” she asked, her eyes widening. “But we have no winner yet!”

“I also told you, specifically, to go all out, Maude,” he said.

She grimaced at him. “I think going all out is a terrible idea,” she said. “There’s a greater likelihood of you getting hurt or killed.”

“That’s fine,” Jaspar said.

“That’s fine?” Maude exclaimed. “That’s definitely not fine.”

“Why not?” he asked, shrugging. “It’s my life to risk, after all.”

“This is not just about your life,” Maude said. “It puts my life at stake as well. I’m not about to be executed for the accidental murder of a duke of an enemy country.”

Jaspar threw his head back and laughed. ”That’s what you’re worried about?” he asked.

“Absolutely,” Maude responded. “Why wouldn’t I be worried about that?”

“Well if that’s all you’re worried about, we can fix that with a contract.” He turned to Helena, and nodded. “Would you fetch some parchment and quills for me, Helena?” He asked.

“Of course,” she answered, turning on one heel and striding quickly towards the manor.

“You’re an incredible swordsman,” Maude said, turning back to Jaspar and meeting his eyes.

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He smiled and bowed. “Why thank you, Maude. You’re astounding with the sword yourself.”

She smiled back at him. “I’ve dueled very few people who have given me such a difficult time to keep up with them. You are one of the only ones, ever.”

HIs smile widened, showing off his teeth. Maude felt her heart skip a beat. His smile lit up his face in a way that made him look exceptionally more handsome than she had seen him look before. His strong jaw seemed to get more pronounced when he smiled, and his eyes crinkled underneath from his cheeks. His face is dangerous, she thought.

“Ever?” he asked.

“Ever,” she replied, her smile mirroring his.

Helena was back, parchment and quills in tow. “Okay,” Jaspar said, sitting down on the edge of the wooden platform. “I’m going to write a contract that will protect you if you accidentally kill me during our duel.” He put the paper on the platform and started writing on it. “And Helena, here, will ensure that this contract is followed through with.”

Maude nodded. Her heart felt heavy. The piece of parchment may protect her life if she were to accidentally kill the duke, but it would not protect her from the mental anguish she would spend the rest of her life with.

I just have to be careful, she thought. I can use my powers, but I can’t just let it take over me like the other times.

“Okay,” Jaspar said, handing the piece of parchment to her. “Give it a read and let me know if there’s anything you don’t like about it. Otherwise, go ahead and sign it.” He gently put a quill next to Maude’s thigh as she sat down on the wooden platform next to him.

She looked over the contract. His handwriting did not look as if it belonged to a man at all. It was neat, loopy, elegant, and very easy to read.

She read through every word just to ensure that he wasn’t tricking her. It said everything he said it would say. It didn’t have any words that Maude didn’t understand. It seemed as though he was being honest. So long as Maude remained neutral and chose to stay at the Rosenberg manor, she was welcome. Should she intentionally harm any of the inhabitants or go against the Duke’s will, whether that Duke was Jaspar or someone else, only then would she no longer be welcome to stay.

“This deal seems too good to be true,” Maude said.

“It’s true,” Jaspar said. “My people will take care of you unless I say otherwise.”

Maude picked up the quill by her thigh and signed her name underneath his. Next to his loopy letters, her handwriting looked exceptionally masculine. She was a bit embarrassed.

“Wonderful,” Jaspar said. “Now that we can get back to our match, I want you to actually come at me with all you’ve got.”

“Don’t regret these words,” Maude said with a small smile.

“I most certainly will not.” He stood up on the grass and offered her a hand to get up with. She took it gently, and grabbed her sword. They both stepped onto the platform again.

Maude faced Jaspar once more, and took another deep breath. She closed her eyes, and found the wooden, pristine, treasure chest inside of her that she tried so hard to keep under lock and key. She opened it.

Ah, the feeling of her abilities. It had been so long. Her sword vibrated in her hand, singing a beautiful melody to her–a sound only she could hear. A golden, green glow surrounded her being, and her sword. She could feel her muscles strengthen and become more flexible.

There were only a few documented sword saint abilities, and Maude had one that was called Augment. It made her faster, stronger, and allowed her to extend her blade through channeling energy to the end of the blade. Her ability was far more dependent upon the physical capabilities and sword play technique that she had, more so than some of the other sword saint abilities. It was one of the reasons she hated her ability so much; at least if she had gotten a different one, her father might have toned back forcing her to train so much.

“Incredible,” she heard Jaspar whisper. Under most circumstances, Maude likely wouldn’t have been able to hear him, but her ability also heightened her senses, which made her much better at finding and targeting enemies.

“Ready?” she asked him with a small nod.

“Ready,” he answered, nodding back at her.

She lunged at him, and as her speed was heavily increased, he nearly didn’t have enough time to block her sword. She met his widened eyes. She smirked at him. “You asked for this,” she said, smugly.

While during the first iteration of their duel, she had primarily been on the defense due to his speed, she was now primarily on the offense, thrusting and slashing her blade at him more often than he could with his.

Much to her chagrin, he was still able to keep up with her blows. She had yet to have anyone be so successful at defending against her while she was in this form. It was why she’d hesitated to use her abilities in the first place.

She noticed that Jaspar had some footwork and moves that she didn’t recognize. I wonder if that’s why he’s able to keep up with me so well, she mused.

Clang, clang, clang, went the swords. As the battle wore on, they both managed to nick each other’s hands, but there was still no true winner. Jaspar was the first evenly matched partner she’d ever had while using her ability.

Her breathing was heavy, and whenever she thought she saw an opening, he managed to block it. Whoever ends up the most tired is going to be the loser, she thought. This is no longer a duel of strength, but it is a battle of attrition.

Finally, she saw an opening. Jaspar was swinging towards her, and she thrust towards his neck but held steady, just enough for the blade to bile his flesh only a little. At the same time, she felt his blade nip at her own neck. They were both breathing heavily. It was a draw.

Well this is new, she thought.

“What happens if there’s a draw?” she asked him, her sword still pointed at his neck.

He withdrew his sword from her neck, so she took hers away from his.

“Then I guess,” he breathed heavily, “We both lose.”

“I suppose that’s better than going to a ball with you and whatever else you may have cooked up for me,” she said with a smile.

He smirked. “At least you have the sense to have been afraid,” he said, sitting down again on the wooden platform. She sat down next to him, still trying to catch her breath from the exertion.

“I think that’s the first time I’ve ever had a draw,” she said.

“Guess that means I’m better than whoever they had teaching you.”

“Undoubtedly,” she answered. “If all of the soldiers in the kingdom of Aulbert are as well trained as you, I can definitely see why you would be able to hold your own against the empire.”

He smiled warmly at her. “Aulbert has been preparing for a long time should the Empire ever decide to declare war on us.”

“Ah,” Maude said, cheekily. “Stop right there. I’m not sure yet if I believe you about the empire being the aggressor.”

Jaspar threw his head back and laughed. “Alright, I’ll bring you concrete proof.”

“Excellent,” Maude said. “That’s what I need. Something irrefutable.” Though the mood between them was playful, Maude caught herself hoping that he genuinely did bring irrefutable evidence. I need to change the subject, she thought, scratching at her hands. I don’t like what my mind is wandering towards.

“You pulled some moves I’ve never seen before,” she said. “Are those special Aulbert moves?” she asked.

He grinned at her. “They are,” he said. “Would you like me to teach them to you?”

The sun peeked through the trees, lighting up Jaspar’s hair and face in a golden light. The sun reflected in his eyes, almost causing them to shimmer in the glow. She felt her heart skip a beat again, threatening to jump into her throat.

“I’d love that,” she said with a warm smile.