"Ah, Miss Amelia. So this is where you have been hiding out for the past three days! " I spin to see Lord Edmund Darby entering the training arena. I notice that his face, barely affected by his sixty years, is just as handsome as his son's face. The same dark hair and dark eyes, but there is an added strength, an added passion that his son does not have. As the king's boyhood friend and top general, he holds in his hand both power and wisdom. Though he and I have never been close acquaintances, I always enjoy pitting myself against him in a battle of wit.

"Where else would I be?" I respond.

"I would think preparing for the ball as the rest of the ladies of our company."

I throw my head back and laugh rebelliously. "Lord Darby, you should know by now I'm not like the rest of the ladies." I retort.

"Indeed." He replies with a nod. His eyes show a mild amusement at my rebelliousness, then glance at Castra. "Practicing, I see. Have you pitted yourself against anyone recently?"

"Only the trainers, sir."

"Well, then may I have the pleasure of pitting myself against you?" The smirk had left Lord Darby's lips and he raises an eyebrow challengingly.

I pause. Lord Darby is known as one of the best swordsmen in all of Aspenvale. His only true competition is King Eric. If I do pit myself against him, I will probably lose. If I back down though, I will lose as a coward by not accepting the challenge.

"The pleasure would be mine." I finally respond. A smirk leaps onto his face, and he calmly walks over to the swords. Suddenly,the picture of a mouse that turned to confront a cat creeps into my mind and a pit forms in my stomach as I realize I am the mouse. How could such a feeble animal expect to win?

He returns with a sword similar to Castra. We bow and begin the fight. I know his style is not an aggressive one so I make a few thrusts which he easily parried. The clang of our swords meeting resound in the room, calming down enough to recognize that this was a fight I would need to win by cleverness, not skill.

I circle him and he watches, amusement toying at his smile. I thrust upwards, then down. Again he parries them as if he were swatting a fly. He then began his barrage of thrusts which, though I effectively parried them, drove me back several feet.

We continue in this fashion for a while, with me thrusting and circling until he decides to assault me with a barrage of thrusts. I then threw my own barrage thrusts, which he parried.
With one last swing, he knocks Castra out of my hand. It clatters against the floor and before I can try to scramble for it, I feel the cold pressure of the tip of Lord Darby's sword against my neck

His smirk is irrepressible. "Well done, Miss Amelia." He says as he lowers his sword.

"Well done?" I repeat.

"Yes, well done. Usually a person your age is much too hasty, yet you restrained yourself. Often they are foolish in their movements, yet you even impressed me with your timing. With a few more years of experience, you will be able to beat me any time you wish."

I blush, his praise embarrassing me. "Thank you, sir, but you must have seen how many mistakes I made."

He responds, "I saw actually very few mistake though I would-"
The ringing of the bell cut Lord Darby off. His eyes widen as he realizes the time. "Forgive me, dear lady. I just realized the time and I am late for an appointment. Good bye."

I watch after him as rushes off for a moment and then begin to practice. Something is off. My mind is rebelling as I try to tell myself that everything is fine. I stop suddenly as the fact strikes me.Lord Darby practically ran off. But Lord Darby hurries for no one.

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Hi everyone!! sorry to keep you all in such agony! Senior year happened and homework caused a writer's block for me!! My goal is to write in this story every other week at least.

I would love to have someone answer this honestly. Have you ever had feelings for someone that you previously labeled "as close as a brother"?? That's where I got the idea for this plot, from my own experience.

lol I accidentally put the pic at the top... anyways... who here loves Ironman???*raises hand* I do!!!
Please vote and comment!!

Anyways have a great day!!!