“You alright?” Bryson asked as Kristel had her head bandaged up by Florence.

“Yes Lord Bryson, I’m fine.” Kristel said nodding her head in response.

“Don’t shake your head.” Florence said as she was tying up the bandage.

“Sorry.” Kristel said bowing her head in apology.

“I said don’t move.” Florence said as she finished the bandage, “Alright, you should be fine. But no physical excertion.”

“Good. My father is waiting for us.” Bryson said.

“I will wait for the good news with Lottie.” Florence nodded as she left the two to head to Duke Coldwater's stadium office.

“Okay. Let’s go see my father now.” Bryson said looking a bit uneasy as he looked at her bandaged head.

“Oh, no. I’m fine Lord Bryson.” Kristel said quickly getting self-conscious from him staring.

“Right.” Bryson said still feeling bad for her. A part of him felt at fault for her injury, though he also knew that there wasn’t much for him to do during the fight between Kristel and Bodger; it was her fight.

What’s more, was that she did impress him with her performance. Bryson suspected that she would have beaten Bodger, just based on what he had seen of him. But he was not expecting her to have him beat so handily, well before the chaos of the arena ensued.

Bryson was still upset over the fact that his parents apparently knew that the fight was going to be one-sided and decided to try and even things up by throwing everything into chaos. Kristel nearly lost because of that nonsense!

He wanted to complain to them, but he highly doubted that they would pay much heed to his complaints. He was more worried about how his parents would react to him interfering with the end of the fight. While they did seem to understand and even agree with what he said, he couldn’t shake the paranoia that he was going to be in trouble.

Walking his way over to the office he was surprised to see that Gilles was waiting outside.

“Gilles. Why aren’t you inside yet?” Bryson asked confused.

“I was told to wait until father lets us in. Been standing around for a few minutes.” Gilles said looking annoyed as he glared at Kristel. Noticing the bandage on her head, Gilles shook his head in disbelief and muttered something to himself.

“Are you both outside?” Their father’s voice called out from the room.

“Yes father.” Bryson replied.

“Is the girl with you?”

“Yes father.”

“Enter.”

Bryson and Gilles shared a quick glance before Bryson opened the door and entered first. Gilles and Kristel followed behind and shuffled into the room, where they were met by Duke and Duchess Coldwater.

“Come in! Sit down, get comfortable.” Duchess Coldwater beckoned them to sit down around the coffee table while Duke Coldwater sat behind his desk. An entire tea set has been set up for them.

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“What’s this for?” Gilles said looking confused and very unhappy over the result of the battle.

“To discuss what happened dear. Don’t worry it shouldn’t take too long.” Duchess Coldwater said assuring them.

“Gilles, your champion clearly cheated.” Duke Coldwater said as a matter of fact.

“It wasn’t my fault! I didn’t do anything!” Gilles started to defend himself adamantly, “That guy did it himself! I don’t know what he used, but I didn’t help him!”

“I am aware.” Duke Coldwater said, “I do not believe that you were the one to provide whatever medicine he took.”

“Medicine?” Bryson asked.

“A vial with trace amounts of some type of strength-inducing liquid was found. More details will be discovered later, but obviously it had some sort of madness enhancement. It is unlikely that you gave him it.” Duke Coldwater said and Gilles breathed a sigh of relief.

“However.” Duke Coldwater said causing Gilles to stiffen up again, “To select a champion that would stoop to that level in front of a crowd of my respective guests is insulting. You disappoint me.”

Gilles visibly drooped his head in shame upon hearing his father’s admonishment. Duke Coldwater was not done however as he looked over to Bryson.

“Speaking of disappointing actions. You interrupted a fight despite my direct orders to allow the action to unfold.” Duke Coldwater said looking accusingly at him.

“I didn’t think it was fair.” Bryson said quietly.

“What was that?”

“I said that allowing the fight to continue was not fair.” Bryson said a bit louder this time, “Especially when something that I value would be damaged.”

“Value?” Duke Coldwater said narrowing his eyes.

“Value?” Duchess Coldwater said sounding excited.

“Uh, yes.” Bryson taken aback at his mother’s reaction, “I have spent a year having Kristel become a capable squire. I did not want to see her hurt.”

Duke Coldwater gave one quick look to his wife indicating for her to settle down her excitement before turning back to Bryson, “That is a valid reason. I will admit that had you not interfered, the girl would have been injured after Gilles’ champion cheated. Your actions do show your conviction. However, do not make it a habit to disobey me.”

“Yes father.” Bryson said heading bowing low.

“Now to address the two participants in the fight.” Duke Coldwater said glancing over to Kristel which caused a shiver to run down her spine.

“Gilles’ champion is currently being treated so he will not be participating in this conversation. But due to his cheating and inability to defeat Bryson’s champion, I award this win to Bryson.” Duke Coldwater said looking over to Gilles, “Do you have any disagreements?”

“No.” Gilles said, “I accept my loss.”

“I will leave your champion’s fate to you.” Duke Coldwater said.

“Thank you father.” Gilles said his hands balling into fists.

“Kristel.” Duke Coldwater said regarding her.

“Yes your Grace?” Kristel said looking nervous.

“Despite the changes of terrain and the fact that your opponent was taking enhancements you still handled yourself. You showed creativity, tenacity, and cunning during the duel. I welcome you as an official squire of the Coldwaters. I look forward to seeing how you progress here.” Duke Coldwater said with a nod.

“Thank you Duke Coldwater.” Kristel said bowing deeply.

“You are dismissed, go do what must be done.” Duke Coldwater said.

As the three bowed and exited out, Gilles marched straight in the direction of the infirmary leaving Bryson and Kristel alone. With them alone in the hallway, Bryson looked over to Kristel who seemed to be internalizing many thoughts.

“How are you feeling?” He asked gently.

“Fine… fine. So. Uh, that means that I get to stay?” Kristel said not quite believing what she was told.

“Yes. You did well Kristel. Your hard work paid off.” Bryson said trying to assure her.

“Thank you.” She said suddenly surging forward and embracing Bryson, “Thank you Lord Bryson, for doing all this for me.”

“Uh. Great. Now get off of me.” Bryson said with a surprised grunt.

“Oh! Sorry.” Kristel said backing up and turning a deep shade of red.

The two looked at each other in awkward silence before Bryson finally spoke, “Let’s just head back home and rest your wounds.” Before quickly striding away.