The next morning, Bar got ready for the new student orientation ceremony (which servants were not allowed too) which would be followed later by a party-mixer for new students to meet and get to know each other (which servants were allowed too). Bar had wanted to skip them and stay with Joan, but had been convinced by her to attend, mostly by promising to join for the party-mixer as well.

Leaving the dorm room with a goodbye kiss, Bar began briskly walking to the great hall where the orientation ceremony would be held.

The incoming class was probably around a hundred students, with names on seats. Bar found his and waited as more of the students filtered in. After a few minutes of waiting, one of the seats next to him was taken.

While Bar looked straight ahead, the newcomer decided he wanted to introduce himself. “Heya. I'm Gerard, House Coronet. Nice to meet you.”

Deciding it would be too poor manners to not reciprocate, Bar shook his hand. “Bar. House Champage. You as well.”

Gerard, however, gave him a jovial smile. “What are you here for? Military like me?”

Bar nodded. “Probably. My older brothers were, so that's my plan as well.” Or at least, that's what I'm telling everyone. After thinking a moment, Bar remembered hearing his name before. Actually, he was pretty sure it had come up multiple times in gossip from noble girls. “Aren't you...engaged to one of the King's daughters?”

Gerard gave a weak smile. “That I am. That....stern-looking lass over there, Carlotta” he motioned a couple rows back. There sat a blond, attractive, but dour looking girl. Stern was an understatement, she looked like she was upset she didn't have the room to herself.

Bar nodded, “Well, she's pretty...”

Gerard nodded back, “Yeah...” but then shook his head. “What about you? Have you been set up with a noblewoman yet?”

Bar smirked, thinking about Joan. “No, I haven't.”

Gerard sat back in his chair, crossing his arms. “I...”

But whatever Gerard was about to say got cut off, as a short man with a long beard took the stage. Bar could barely make out his face due to all the hair around his head.

The man hopped on a box behind a podium and began speaking. “We welcome you all today...”

Bar spent most of the speech planning/daydreaming about his first date with Joan again. It would probably be a bit until they had a chance, but he wanted to make sure everything went well.

After the headmaster finished talking, several students and teachers came up to talk, which Bar mostly ignored, barely managing to stay awake (as he had been up late last night with Joan again).

After a couple hours of this, they were finally dismissed to the party-mixer, which was occurring in the adjacent dining hall. The dining hall had been rearranged to have the tables around the edge of the room, and the middle cleared to provide an area for intermingling.

Bar immediately saw Joan, who was standing in the corner along with many other servants. When she saw Bar, a small smile crossed her face as she went over, bowing in front of him. Bar was about to stop her, but then remembered the situation they were in, and merely stood close to her.

“How was the ceremony?” she asked.

“As boring as I thought it would be,” he replied.

Joan gave a small giggle. “Would you like some refreshments, young master?”

Bar nodded, so they went over to the tables. Joan poured a glass of wine for Bar, and assembled a plate of cheese and crackers.

Munching methodically in between sips of wine, Bar looked around. I guess I need to make myself aware of the other people at the academy, if I'm to fit in properly. The first thing he noticed was Gerard and his fiance Carlotta, as they had a sizable squad around them already. Not surprising, since she's a royal.

While Carlotta seemed to not be talking much, Gerard seemed more than happy to chat away with those around him. Next to Gerard was a stoic-faced silver-haired maid. Maybe because he was paying close attention, but he noticed her eyes were darting back and forth at the different people around Gerard, and also shot a look his way as he stared.

Another person with a sizable group of people around them was a tall-black haired girl. Bar remembered she had been one of the speakers during the ceremony, but he didn't remember her name.

Joan leaned over and whispered, “Are you not going to talk to anyone?”

Bar shrugged, whispering back “Even if I wanted too, which I don't, I'm not good at initiating conversation...”

Joan sighed, before turning around and grabbing some more cheese and crackers, while Bar finished off his wine. He didn't plan on staying the entire several hours the mixer would go, but he figured he at least needed to stay long enough that it didn't seem impolite.

However, as Joan returned with more crackers, Bar was approached by someone he didn't know. A shorter, slightly rotund man (although, he almost still looked like a boy) came up to him.

“Hello there,” he said, in an overly nice tone. Bar could instantly tell he was going to try to butter him up, as he had seen and been in numerous conversation's with nobles that had started this way. “I see you have a nice servant there.”

Hmm...maybe I shouldn't judge too quickly, Bar thought, assuming anyone else who saw Joan in such a light couldn't be that bad. Next to the man was a maid, probably a few years older than them, with short brown hair down to her shoulders. She was probably about a foot shorter than him (and Joan) but her chest was the same size as Joan's, which meant it looked larger in comparison. Bar wasn't staring, this was just obvious due to the maid's outfit being a bit more...risque than the type Joan wore, as it had an opening at the top of the chest. Hmm, he also has good taste in maids. Maybe I should get an outfit like that for Joan?

Bar responded, “Yours is lovely as well,” with a slight nod to her.

The maid gave a slight blush and looked away.

“Oh, this cow?” the man said, grabbing her by the side and poking her chest. “Belle here is terrible, all she's good for is night service.”

Bar's opinion instantly turned back around, even lower than it had originally started. What a bastard, even if she is terrible, that's no way to treat a servant. His thoughts were reinforced by the way the maid shuddered a bit. He, however, held his tongue, not wanting to cause a scene, although he unconsciously drew closer to Joan.

Pushing Belle away, the noble looked over Joan like she was a steak dinner. “I'd like to purchase your servant here. I'm assuming she's good at night service, too?” he asked, grinning salaciously.

Well, yes, but...

“And you'd form a connection with me, Cob, of House Peckard. I'm sure you know of us, right?”

Bar did know. House Peckard was one of the richest houses in the Kingdom. Of course... “I wouldn't sell Joan for all the gold in the Kingdom.”

Cob's jaw slackened at the response. Belle seemed extremely surprised, and Joan couldn't hide that she was blushing a bit.

After a few moments, Cob recovered a bit and started chuckling. “Haha, you're very funny, Mister...”

“Bar, House Champagne.”

“Mister Bar. I see she must be a very good servant then. Name your price.”

Bar reiterated, “She isn't for sale at any price.”

At this, Cob grew visibly angry, and raising his voice. “You really mean to deny me?”

Bar shook his head, “It's just a matter of not wanting to sell her.”

Cob grew more indignant. “Is it just a matter of needing a woman? Here, you can have Belle as part of the arrangement too,” he said, pushing her forward.

Belle grew red, looking down at the ground.

Bar shook his head. “No, as I said...”

“Impudent whelp!” he let out, causing a bit of a scene and earning the gaze of those around him. Cob, realizing what he had done, grabbed Belle by the hair and started pulling her away.

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Bar, however, had had enough. Taking off his glove, he threw it and hit Cob in the back of the head.

Cob, dropping Belle and looking at the glove, grew even angrier. “You mean to duel me?”

Bar nodded. “Yes. You insulted me, and I can't stand the sight of the way you treat your servant. If you want Joan so bad, offer up Belle in the duel. Winner shall have both.”

Cob grew even angrier. “Belle, come on, I'm not...” he was cut off, however, by Gerard blocking his path.

“Do you really intend to walk away from this?” he asked, looking down at Cob. “I heard your conversation, you can't mean to walk away after causing such a scene...”

Cob ground his teeth. “You intend to have it now? I....”

The black-haired girl from earlier walked up, holding two wooden swords.

Where did she get those from!? Bar thought.

“Headmaster, are you fine with presiding over this duel?” the black-haired girl asked, turning around.

The headmaster, who was sitting in a chair by the wine, nodded, a bit of red on his face. “Of course! I love it when our new students are so lively...”

The black-haired girl nodded before offering them each a sword. Bar walked back a bit, having practiced duels many times with his older brothers (and usually getting soundly beaten) he knew the procedure.

Joan leaned over, “Are you sure this is wise?”

Bar nodded, “There's no way I'd lose you.”

Joan smiled softly, “Not that, I know you won't lose, I meant...you're causing a bit of a commotion.”

Bar looked around. Basically the entire room was crowding around him, Cob, Gerard, and the black-haired girl now. Blushing a bit, he responded, “I couldn't just let him...”

Joan smiled, “I know.”

Turning around, he looked and saw Cob still angry, clasping at his sword. Despite his slightly rotund appearance, he still was holding the sword correctly and in the correct form, while staring daggers at him.

Seeing they were ready, the headmaster flopped off his chair, waddling over, one hand still clasping a goblet of wine. “Ready? And...” he said, lowering his hand, spilling some wine in the process.

Bar quickly closed the distance between them. He started with a basic downward stroke, designed to test his opponent's guard. It was a common opening move for someone planning to be the aggressor in a duel. As he struck down, Cob blocked...and staggered back. Bar was almost taken aback at the poor form, but quickly stabbed forward, hitting Cob squarely in the chest, causing him to lose his breath. With another stroke, he knocked the wooden sword out of Cob's hand, and placed the wooden sword at his neck.

The crowd stared in silence. The duel had lasted only a few seconds. Once they realized what had happened, a polite applause started (although a couple, like Gerard, clapped harder).

Cob, who was stunned, now became irate, pushing the sword away and stomping out of the ceremony.

“Hoho, a wonderful display,” the headmaster said, heading back to refill his goblet.

Gerard clapped him on the back. “I'll make sure to get her papers later for you,” he said, before heading back over to Carlotta, who was looking at Bar appraisingly.

Joan had walked over to Belle, who was on her knees crying. Walking over, Bar asked, “What...what's wrong, did you not...”

“Thanks...you...sfooo mufff...” Belle got out between sobs.

Bar smiled, realizing he had made the correct decision. “Joan, can you take her back to the room? Let her lie down and sleep if she wants.”

Joan smiled and nodded, before helping Belle to her feet. “There, there, Bar is a very...kind master.”

As the commotion was dying down, Bar went to return the wooden sword, but the black-haired woman was holding the one he had knocked out of Cob's hand, pointing it at him and smiling.

“I'd like to challenge you to a duel as well,” she said.

The crowd hushed again, seeing them.

“Errr...” Bar said.

The black-haired girl shook her head. “Forgive me, I shouldn't have assumed. I am Alice of House Bearen. I'm sure you know my family, at least.”

Bar nodded. House Bearen was an important military family, fielding many officers, including the current Marshal of the realm. I'm getting involved with way too important of people...

“Do you not want to duel me because I'm a girl? Or do you just want stakes attached?” Alice asked.

Bar wasn't sure what to say. Denying the duel would not be a good look, but accepting could be bad, regardless of outcome.

“How about this? If you win, I'll demand my father offer you my hand in marriage. I'm assuming you aren't engaged already?”

Bar nodded. I don't want to marry a noblewoman, but now it would look ridiculous from the outside if I don't accept. But it also means if I accept and lose, it won't be as bad. “And what if you win?”

Alice smiled, “I would have you join the dueling club. I'd like to have someone of your calibre to spar with.”

Bar groaned internally. If I join a club, I won't have time to work!

Alice, silently waiting, was doing a few exercises with the sword to warm up.

She just assumes I have to accept now, it's way too weighted in my favor... “Well, I don't think it would be acceptable to decline,” he replied. He held up his sword, getting into position.

“Headmaster, if you would,” Alice said.

The headmaster, who now had a turkey leg along with his refilled goblet, waddled over again, using the turkey leg to start the duel.

Alice instantly darted forward, her skirt whipping behind her as she flew at him. Bar barely got his sword up to block in time, taking a step back.

The crowd let out an 'ooooh' as the two stood there with swords crossed.

Alice smiled, pushing down on him.

Bar pushed back, causing Alice to jump a couple feet back. She again came at him, this time swinging to his left side.

This time Bar parried before trying a forward thrust, which Alice dodged back out of.

Alice then swung at his right side.

Bar went to parry again, but Alice rotated her sword with her wrists, hitting him in the left side. While it lost momentum due to the maneuver, it still hit him squarely, causing him to grunt in pain. Bar tried to quickly swipe at her, as the crowd let out another 'oooooh', while she dodged away again.

She's not as strong as my brothers, but she's a damn sight quicker.

Cracking his neck, he tried to ignore the pain in his side as he held up his sword at ready again.

Alice smiled, “I figured that wouldn't be enough,” before dashing at him again.

Bar was ready this time, going at her, causing her to go off-balance, allowing him to rap her in the side of the thigh as she skipped to the side.

It hadn't been a hard hit, but she winced a bit in pain. “It's been a while since someone actually hit me,” she said, a smile creeping across her face again.

Bar smiled back, getting caught up in the moment. This time, he charged first at her, which she parried and side-stepped out of. He tried this twice more, getting similar results, so he settled back into a ready position.

The crowd was fully immersed in the duel now, murmuring amongst themselves and causing a din in the crowded hall.

After a few moments, Alice charged at him again. This time, she went for an undercut. Bar, not expecting this, just barely got his sword rotated to block.

Alice quickly followed up by turning the sword, using the momentum to rap him in the shoulder.

Grunting in pain again, Bar backed off. I think I might be outmatched. As he tried valiantly to defend, she always managed to be a half-step ahead, slowly hitting him over and over until his arms and side were in splitting pain.

After a half-dozen more hits, he was breathing heavily, sweating through his school jacket. He could see she was, too, though. I might find her attractive if she wasn't beating me up. His thoughts trailed off though, as he realized while she was breathing heavily too, she was also favoring the side he had hit her on the leg earlier.

With that in mind, the next time she charged at him, he counter swung and hit her on the side. While he still received a hit to the arm, his hit connected with her causing her to fly a few feet to the side.

Holding her side, looking to be in pain, she half-smiled again.

The crowd was cheering raucously as this point, including the headmaster, who was spilling his wine everywhere from his upraised goblet.

Bar was trying to focus on Alice, but his arms were in so much pain, he was having trouble holding his sword. That was probably her plan with all the focus she put on them.

Deciding to try and end it now, Bar charged while she was still holding her side. Alice, seeing this, quickly stood up, twirling around. Bar felt her hair in his face, before a strong thud to the side of him sent him flying, sword leaving his hands.

The crowd was silent for a moment, before they cheered even louder.

Bar laid there, side hurting. Damn...she got me good. Honestly I don't think she took me completely serious at the start, or this might have been over quicker.

As he rolled over to his butt, Alice came over, holding out a hand to help him up. After she did, she shook his hand and smiled, which caused the crowd to applaud.

“Now that was a proper duel,” he heard Gerard say.

“So I take it you will join?” Alice said.

Bar winced, “Yeah...” Of course, I'm going to try and find some way out of it if I can.

“Good. It's too bad, I was almost hoping you would win,” she said with a knowing smile.

Bar watched as she turned around, her hair waving behind her, a slight limp to her walk. If she wasn't a noblewoman, I might not mind her...

Shaking his head, he turned to see Gerard approaching him. “That was a bloody good duel, mate. You held your own against a member of the Bearen family,” he said, slapping him on the shoulder.

Bar winced in pain.

“Ah, sorry,” Gerard said, scratching his cheek. “You might wanna turn in, you're probably gonna be bruised up tomorrow.”

Bar nodded. He turned to walk out, although he received a lot of words of encouragement, and surprisingly, a few thanks for putting Cob in his place. He must not be liked. Or maybe his family. Or maybe both.

Arriving back at his dorm, he opened the door.

“Bar, I had Belle sleep in the servant bed, but...” Joan started, but stopped when she saw the beaten up Bar. “What happened!?”

Bar explained the chain of events after she left.

Joan sighed. “Well, I figured something like this might happen.”

Bar looked down, “I'm sorry, I'll figure out a way to get out of it so I can work...”

Joan shook her head. “It's okay, I'll just work extra to...”

Bar hugged Joan closely. “No, I'll figure something out.”

Joan smiled and hugged him back. “Of course.” After a few tender moments, Joan continued, “Um...about Belle...”

Bar nodded. “Sorry, I kind of wanted to spend some more time with just you, but I couldn't let her get treated that way.”

Joan smiled, “I know, I meant...I don't think you should...you know....”

Bar raised an eyebrow. “You...don't want her added to the maid harem?”

Joan shook her head. “It's not an issue of not wanting her, she seems very sweet, but...she's a bit fragile emotionally right now.”

Bar grimaced, “I mean, I kind of figured, but...”

“I know...she...well, a lot of masters don't treat their maids as lovingly as you treat me,” Joan asserted, hugging Bar again for good measure.

Bar grimaced. “Well, I'll just leave her be. It's not like I would do anything she didn't want too. Actually, I could free her if she really...”

“Well, about that...” Joan said, looking away.

“What's wrong?” Bar asked, concerned at her reaction.

“I, um...I was trying to reassure her, and I sort of spilled the beans on our 'plan'... including the part about us planning to marry,” she said, giving a nervous smile and avoiding eye contact with Bar.

Bar sighed, “Well...I guess we'll need to keep her for now, then, to be safe. Did she seem like it?”

Joan shrugged, “Sort of? She thought it was romantic, but also seemed confused.”

“I guess that's probably normal, it took a bit of convincing to get you to go along with it,” Bar said, crossing his arms and nodding.

Joan punched him in the shoulder, which caused him to wince in pain. “Ohh...sorry!” she said.

Bar laughed it off. “It's fine, I probably deserved it.”

Joan blushed, “Um...Belle is sleeping in the servant bed, so it might be difficult too...”

Bar shook his head. “It's fine, I'm kind of beat up anyway. I'd rather just cuddle with you instead.”

Joan blushed deeper and nodded. After changing, they crawled into bed together and did just that.