Chapter 120 Choosing you from among thousands for the rest of my life, please guide me...
Many people spent a sleepless night last night.
Fortunately, the young people were in great shape, and the princess's guards still went to bed early and got up early to arrive at the training ground.
Some of them looked excited, while others looked worried, but they were all talking about the same thing.
"Manzhu, do you think we'll be sent home in the future?" Caroline asked Manzhu as she drew her longsword.
They are the Princess Guard; a princess would never establish such a team to protect her at all times within the palace.
However, on the other hand, princesses—especially crown princesses—can train armies within their fiefdoms! With Princess Eleanor being so favored, surely some of them will be chosen as captains of the guard or even generals!
"Ouch!"
A long sigh interrupted the guards' excited chatter.
Princess Myrcella lay sprawled on the target, rolling around like a hugging doll: "How could this happen~"
Yesterday was arguably the longest day of her life.
What? Mother wants to kill Eleanor?
What? Ophelia is the crown princess?
What?! Eleanor is that strong?!
...Regardless of what others think, her mindset has completely shattered.
"Waaaaah, from now on I'll have to call my little sister 'Crown Princess'!" She gripped her sword resentfully, muttering to herself, "No, I have to challenge her!"
The guards twitched their lips, unable to utter a single word of comfort.
It was Mysella who noticed them then, her eyes lighting up as she rushed over, sword in hand: "You saw yesterday's duel, didn't you? One sword—just one sword!"
Even though she was just thinking about challenging her younger sister, her face is now full of pride and joy!
“My sister stepped on Ophelia’s shoulder, raised her sword, and said to her—the throne is not for you! I forgive your weakness and humility; from now on, live under my protection!”
"Your Highness really said that?!" Natalie arrived late yesterday and stood on the outermost circle, surrounded by princes, ministers, and other high-ranking nobles. She didn't dare to push her way forward.
"...No, that's not true at all." Manzhu covered her face, unsure of what to say.
The scene from last night flashed through her mind.
The tall girl was bathed in light. She cleaved Ophelia's sword in two with one hand, then walked slowly past her, brushing past her shoulder.
Ophelia was probably planning a sneak attack, but she was so stunned by a single sentence that her legs slipped.
The onlookers didn't hear exactly what the princess said, but what happened next was deeply etched in their minds.
King Nolana stepped out of the crowd and met the gaze of his young crown prince.
"So, you still want to forgive Ophelia?"
"She doesn't need to atone for future mistakes; I will prevent her from making them."
The girl looked up, her head just one head away from the towering King Nolana, and she would most likely overtake him in the next eight years.
Eva watched her daughter with interest. "Hmph, weakness itself is a sin."
Eleanor didn't argue back in front of everyone; she smiled and said, "I will take on responsibilities that the weak cannot."
Being too weak to protect those behind you... is not a fault.
If only Ophelia is willing to become the Queen of Norlana, then the responsibility for Norlana's destruction due to her inability to fulfill her royal duties should be shared by everyone who has the right to make that choice.
In this lifetime—I will bear this heavy future.
"Heh." King Nolana laughed merrily, but her expression quickly changed: "You brat, I'm not dead yet!"
The crowd was so intimidated by her imposing presence that they either retreated silently or stood frozen in place. But Princess Eleanor smiled gently, walked over affectionately, and whispered something in the king's ear.
......
"What do you think Lily said to her mother?"
Mysella touched her nose, her eyes darting around: "Could it be a new toy? Or something interesting like soap?"
Everyone shook their heads. Who knows?
Manzhu was quite close at the time and vaguely heard words like "fleet...overseas...", but she shook her head like everyone else.
When Misella saw Manzhu, she burst out laughing: "Stunned now, aren't you? Your sister can't possibly marry you!"
Manzhu nodded calmly. "Her Highness is entitled to choose anyone she loves."
She tried to change the subject, but Misella wouldn't let her go. With a wicked grin, she grabbed Manzhu's shoulder and shouted, "Hey, why don't you go back and ask her what kind of princess they've prepared for my sister? Oh dear!"
A sword sheath struck Mysera's head with a light touch, and everyone immediately straightened their backs.
The princess's dark hair brushed against her sister's ear as she patted her shoulder and whispered, "Good morning, sister. Is there anything you want to tell me?"
Glug.
The guards instinctively took a few steps back.
Princess Eleanor's face remained gentle and delicate, but her aura shifted in a peculiar direction, completely unlike the chattering Princess Myrcella!
Mysera turned around, but she showed no sign of being intimidated by her sister. She chuckled and raised her longsword high in the air.
"Perfect timing, Lily! Let's have a life-or-death battle between sisters and see who the true queen is. But please, don't beg for mercy!"
......
"I just can't do anything with you."
Eleanor smoothly sheathed her sword, half-squatting down to poke her sister's face with her finger: "Are you still alive? Please, don't die!"
“…” Mysera lay face down on the ground, motionless.
She felt a sense of familiarity with this scene, but the situation was too shameful to bear; she would rather die than get up and face it!
Pat, pat.
The sun was shining brightly when a person arrived late.
Andra's face was backlit, with a few bluish tinges under his eyes, clearly indicating he hadn't slept all night.
She stopped in front of Eleanor, her lips moved as if she had a thousand words to say... but how could she?
【——，——】
【——，——，——？】
【——】
Countless images and fragments of Eleanor's face and words flashed through my mind and then vanished, leaving only a trace as ephemeral as a bubble.
This is wrong; the current situation is wrong.
Andra was initially excited last night, thrilled to have witnessed the miracle and overjoyed at Eleanor's complete escape.
But these positive emotions only lasted until the moment I went back to sleep.
A strong sense of alienation enveloped Andra.
First and foremost, there is loneliness.
She inexplicably felt that someone should be with her in bed... of course, it should be the little princess.
How could that be? That's impossible.
Even if everything went smoothly for her the past two days, and the princess hadn't become a royal princess, Eleanor couldn't possibly share a bed with her... right?
have no idea.
No.
I don't think I've been dwelling on these things, have I?
Andra wasn't sure; she had experienced a long sleepless night and a nightmare without dreams.
All the details of the dream were forgotten upon waking, but the feeling of loss lingered in my heart for a long time, as if I had unknowingly lost a treasure in my life.
This feeling intensified after meeting Eleanor.
Andra scrutinized the girl before her; Eleanor, only 10 years old, was already as tall as her.
The princess's bones stretched after the ceremony, and her frail, endearing demeanor vanished completely. The little girl who gave her flowers that night disappeared, leaving behind...something else...!
Thump, thump, thump!
My heart was pounding like a drum, one beat louder than the last.
She still longed to be close to such a girl... Andra could not regain her lost memories, but at least she understood her own desire at this moment.
She craves battle!
The extraordinary power bestowed by the gods—just thinking about it is exhilarating.
"Your Highness Eleanor."
Andra changed her tune faster than expected, stepping forward and eagerly placing her fingers on the hilt of her sword. "May I have the honor of sparring with you?"
"ha?!"
Mysella, who was lying on the ground, sprang to her feet with a somersault, spread her arms, and shouted at an angle, "Are you out of your mind? My sister has super strength that can easily defeat me!"
"......"
"......"
Eleanor bypassed her sister and came to Andra's side, extending her right hand in a friendly manner. "Of course, come on, shall we practice over there?"
“Okay.” Andra ignored Myrcella, paused for a few seconds, then gently shook Eleanor’s hand.
......
The wind blew through their hair. Eleanor weighed the longsword in her hand; the once incredibly heavy weapon was now barely heavier than a tree branch.
Whoosh—
She got into position, and Andra on the other side did the same.
The guards stood in a circle around them, while Mysella was held down by the shoulders of the arriving sword instructor and placed on the outermost edge, waiting for the instructor to give the signal to begin.
They only had eyes for each other.
This was the first time Eleanor had seen Andra like this: cautious—yet eager.
A bright sparkle shone in the boy's eyes, and his joyful mood was clearly conveyed through the air.
Andra used to always stand in front of or behind Eleanor, protecting her as her lover or patiently accompanying her princess.
Rustling sounds... Fragments of memories surface in my mind.
The dagger-wielding Angie who fell helplessly, and the queen who bravely faced the longsword, are no more.
[Andra, in this life I will stand before you as a warrior. Will you feel pleased?]
It seems so.
Andra raised his sword, a smile playing on his lips that he himself was unaware of.
It's coming!
Both of them lowered their center of gravity at the same time, took a step forward, and swung their swords.
It didn't work out.
It missed because both feet veered to the left and right.
ha......
What kind of feeling was that? Andra's blood was boiling.
She had faced wolves, ferocious tigers, the clamorous Queen, and the clumsy yet powerful cavalry.
But no one has ever made her heart beat so fast.
Clang!
After several swings in the air, the two swords finally attracted each other like magnets and pressed tightly together.
What incredible strength!
They're like monsters!
The same thought arose in their minds: the opponent's power is just too unfair!
Truly a person favored by God...
One, two!
For the first time, Andra experienced the feeling of parrying a sword with all her might. Aside from the difference in swordsmanship, their strength was roughly equal.
Her eyebrows rose slightly: Eleanor was only ten years old; she would surely possess superhuman strength in the future.
Ophelia and Myrcella, no wonder the two people who experienced it firsthand were so desperate.
Logically, she should have been in despair: what was there to say when her opponent possessed divine power? With such a king in Norlana, Hertuya's future was bound to be bleak.
Eleanor will be like the sun high in the sky, obscuring the brilliance of all the stars.
Ha...that's really, really!
Andra's eyes widened the instant she drew her sword. She saw Eleanor's next move clearly. The sharp sword light pierced through her opening and slammed into her shoulder armor!
Thump!
The heavy blow caused her to lose her balance and crash to the ground.
This is truly an experience beyond imagination!
Andra crashed to the ground, lying face up, still clutching his longsword tightly in his hand – he had no time to retaliate.
"Do you think you're so great?"
"Monster—Monster!!"
"Andra, one day someone will defeat you!"
She was tired of hearing the raucous barks of the losers since she was a child. She knew that she was the one loved by God and that she would naturally go far and fast, leaving everyone behind.
Of course I'm strong; no one can defeat me.
She laughed heartily at the sky, looking forward to every day that would come—a day that would never be boring. She would savor fine wine amidst the fertile fields of war, win everything under the watchful eyes of the crowd, and leave behind an epic sung by future generations.
But perhaps that future would be missing something.
Gesha.
A figure blocked the sunlight as the girl sheathed her sword, bent her knees, and reached out her hand to the boy on the ground.
"Shall we do it one more time?"
“Okay!” Andra reached out his hand, his heart pounding, but he didn’t take it.
She flipped her wrist, clenched her fist, and gently tapped Eleanor's palm.
The latter smiled sweetly, then clenched her palm into a fist and returned the gesture with a tap as agreed.
Please guide me for the rest of my life.
-----------------------
Author's Note: Andra: Seeing you like this makes my heart race—I understand, this is the charm of battle, battle is exhilarating!
Andra at the beginning: I still prefer that gentle, tender, delicate, intelligent, and beautiful little princess, sob sob, what a waste...
Andra later said: But falling in love with Eleanor is as easy as breathing.
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