Grandeur Fantasia

Chapter 71.1 ~ Incident in the Training Ground

AN: Free from mid exams, back to regular classes by tomorrow... Updates will go back to 2 updates a week! Part one on Sunday and part two on Wednesday! Hope you enjoy it and have a nice day!!!!

Early in the morning, a single girl walked excitedly through the halls of the palace. Such childlike excitement was rarely shown by her since it might diminish her dignity or shame the person she serve in the eyes of others. She would always act stern and proud, just like her father, so others would respect her as a captain of a knight order.

But at this moment, she was just a young girl walking with glee as her crimson hair, which was tied into a ponytail, swayed left and right and the sound of metal hitting against each other from her armor. She wasn't equipped with full armor. She was only equipped with a breastplate, gauntlets, a sword on her slim waist, and greaves which made rhythmic sounds of metal as she walk.

That was the standard equipment for a knight's training. Although such level of protection might be deemed over the top, training with real blades were the norm for the knights of the royal guard. As such, this level of protection was the minimum.

She soon arrive in front of a door. However, there was something that a girl, or at least she, must do before knocking on the door of a gentleman who held a special place in her heart.

Fixing her hair and making sure that it's neat and pretty was but a matter of course. She checked her garment, even those under her armor, to make sure that it's perfect. She raised her arm and took a quick sniff to make sure there was no smell except the flowery fragrance from the special soap she used this morning. Even though she would be sweating later, she still wanted to be at her most womanly and beautiful self in front of him.

After calming her quickly beating heart and clearing her throat, she finally knocked on the door. A man's voice asking her to wait for a moment was heard from within the room. As she waited for a moment that seemed to be forever for her, her heart beated faster and faster. She could even feel her face getting hotter and felt nervous but excited at the same time as well.

The door opened a few moments after, revealing a handsome black haired young man wearing casual black t-shirt. The young crimson haired woman could not help but stare at his casual look. He would always be wearing either his overcoat or a formal attire when they meet, but this was a first for her to see him like this. And she liked it very much.

"Good morning, Iris. Is there something wrong?"

"...G-G-Good morning, L-Leon!"

Leon tilted his head in confusion at Iris's sudden panicking. He had some guesses as to why she would be here, but clueless for why her face would be so red and be so nervous.

Iris took several deep breaths to calm her down, and although her heart was still beating really fast, she could finally convey her intention for coming to his room this early.

"L-L-Leon, w-would you like to j-join the knight's training this morning? Since we would be going on a mission in a few days, I think it would be beneficial for the knights to train with a great swordsman like you..."

"Thank you for the praise, Iris. And of course, I'm honored to be invited to join the knights of the royal guard's training by you."

"R-Really?! T-T-Then let's head to the training grounds at once!"

"Ah, one thing. Is it fine for my friends to join in the training as well? I imagine at least Vyra, Rafael and Alex, if he's not busy, to want to join it."