My Fiancé Is The Duke's Disgraced Daughter

Elizabeth stood behind Kenric as he opened a door to a room with a simple table with chairs around it. Though the whole manor was lacking decorations of any sort, there were paintings hung here. They were enclosed by simple wood frames, and they were portraits of men and women. One specifically looked very similar to Kenric.

He noticed Elizabeth staring, "My father," he explained, "These are all members of the Wulf family past."

Yes, Elizabeth thought, she could see that. There was a severity in all their eyes that matched Kenric's.

"Anyway, this is the dining room. Make sure to be here before nine in the morning if you want your breakfast hot," Kenric said, "The manor staff won't be free all day just to cook for you."

It felt like an indictment of sorts, a shot at all those nobles who asked for anything at any time with the expectation they would receive it. Elizabeth couldn't exactly say she wasn't the same either.

The two left the dining room, with Kenric closing the door behind them. "Come," he said, "There is one last place to show you before taking you to your room." They walked the bare hallways once more before reaching the back doors to the manor. When they exited, they arrived at what seemed like a sparring ground. It was crude, just a circle fence made of wooden sticks with packed dirt inside. However, two people were duelling within, and several more people watched from the outside, cheering.

"Today's the day you get him, Noodle!" One of the spectators, a woman with her black hair tied up in a tight bun, yelled. The bald and stocky man beside her, missing an arm, laughed, "Yeah right!"

When they spotted Kenric they bowed in greeting, "My lord."

Kenric waved them up, "Noodle is trying his hand against Edward again?"

"He learned a new move or something," the woman said, "Said he's sure to win now."

"He's lost five times already," the man said, "Barely took Edward any effort. Look, Noodle's going for his move again."

Elizabeth and Kenric watched as Noodle, a rather thin-looking man, went for a high feint, and then in the same breath, fired off an incredibly quick thrust towards his opponent. His opponent, Edward, easily batted aside the move and kicked him square in the chest, sending him flying.

"And—match!" One of the spectators on the far end declared.

Noodle clambered to his feet, "Once more, Ed! I nearly had you!"

Edward, with his short and poofy black hair, had gentle features, and when he smiled, he seemed even gentler, like he was about to wrap you in a comforting hug, "I'm sure you did, Noodle. I welcome the chance to fight you again."

"What a load of bull," the woman laughed, "Edward hasn't even broken a sweat yet. Noodle's dreaming if he thinks he can defeat Edward in this life."

"His name is Noodle?" Elizabeth asked.

"There was an incident with noodles," The man with one arm said, "We don't talk about it."

"His new move is good, but it doesn't guarantee his victory," Kenric said sharply, "Especially if the opponent has seen it before."

"I shall let him know," the woman said, "What about you, my lord? Have you come to spar?"

"You can fight?" Elizabeth asked, surprised. She looked at the cane in his left hand, he had been using it to walk this whole time and was leaning slightly upon it even now.

"You seem doubtful," Kenric said. He turned to the sparring ring, "Edward, I will be facing you now. Noodle, take a break."

Noodle jolted at Kenric's voice, "Huh? But, my lord—!" The sight of Kenric's glare was enough to make him forget whatever he was about to say, "I—I mean, of course. Enjoy yourself."

He exited the field, and Kenric entered. Edward bowed, "My lord."

"Come, the match has begun," Kenric said. He didn't look ready at all, leaning on his cane as he still was. He didn't even have a weapon ready. Edward, however, did not hesitate to instantly charge forward. His expression had changed; it was filled with intense determination now.

Edward's speed was completely different than it had been against Noodle. He was like a blur now, and his sword swung like steel lightning—

—Clang!

As though it had taken no effort at all, Kenric merely raised his cane underneath the swing, sending it flying over his head. Edward did not stop, he spun and went for another swing, but this was easily batted aside. He grew quicker and quicker, leaping around the battlefield, trying to reach Kenric from any and all angles, but Kenric didn't even move a step as he kept deflecting his attacks.

Finally, Kenric moved to attack. He made to swing high, and to his credit, Edward quickly brought his sword up to deflect it. But then, almost as naturally as breathing, Kenric abandoned the swing and switched it up into a thrust. His cane struck Edward like a lunging viper, and he was sent flying back, saliva forcefully expelling itself from his mouth.

Edward, now on the ground, coughed several times in pain, and Kenric looked to a spectator on the far side of the ring. "M-match!" The spectator declared.

"You've improved," Kenric said to Edward, "Now use this battle to improve further." He left the sparring ring, using his cane to support his left leg with each step again, and returned to Elizabeth and the others, "Come, let me show you to your room now."

He walked away, and as he did, Noodle ran his hand through his short brown hair, "Damn… can't even imagine fighting like the boss does…"

"What are you talking about?" Elizabeth asked, tilting her head in confusion, "Lord Wulf used the same move you've just learned to end the battle. Wasn't he showing you how to use it properly?"

The woman with the hair bun, the one-armed man, and Noodle stared at her. Elizabeth felt suddenly put on the spot, "Wh-what is wrong—?"

"Do you intend to stay out here, Lady Filangris?" Kenric called, already at the doors.

"Until next time," Elizabeth said to the three with a small nod, eager to use this excuse to get away. She caught up to Kenric, and they entered the manor proper again. As he led her down the halls, she realised, "That's the first time you've called me by name."

"If you'd like, I can stop," Kenric said unconcernedly.

"No… it's fine," Elizabeth said. She looked at his cane again, "I thought you were injured. How did you fight like that?"

"I am injured," Kenric said, "And unfortunately, every healer I have been to has said that this injury will never heal completely. I will have to rely on this cane till the end of my days. However, for just a short period of time, I am able to force myself to move without it. In other words, for a short period of time, I am able to fight."

"But then… how are you so strong?" Elizabeth asked.

"Because I was already strong before," Kenric said, "Here we are." They were on the second floor now, and he opened the door to a clean, but—just the same as the rest of the manor—bare room. There was a bed, a desk, and a few candelabras. That was it.

"But you are correct in thinking that a person who cannot fight long enough to train can never grow stronger," Kenric said, "I am powerful, but since I cannot train, I will slowly lose my skills and my enemies will one day surpass me. Think of me as a metaphor from one of those fancy poems nobles love so much. I am this land. I will defend it as long as I can, but one day we will lose, and we will be overrun." He smiled coldly and bowed, "Welcome, Lady Filangris, to your place of exile."

He left the room and closed the door behind him with a loud bang, the sound echoing as Elizabeth stared at it.