Felicia stood in front of her full length mirror, dressed in her newly acquired attire. She was meant to meet up with Sir Rovar the day after their visit with Hildegarde to start her combative training, but due to the attack and her lengthy unconscious state, she had completely forgotten about it until the Butler had come to her room and mentioned that Sir Rovar wished to see her if she had fully recovered and was ready to start.
The dressmaker had sent her several pairs of the specific article of clothing she had requested. It had arrived that very morning and now she was all set. Donned in clothes which had been fashioned in men's style, but adjusted to fit her feminine physique.
She had gained enough weight and looked a lot better.
It was still a strange sensation for Felicia as she felt both familiar and unfamiliar with her surroundings.
She had lived. She had died. Her soul had been trapped in between the here now and the here after, she had wiped out both the church and all of nobility with a curse she was not even aware of, Alex had made a deal with the Goddess to help heal her fractured soul, they had lived another life hundreds of years in the future and now they were back here again.
Back to a time that was filled with danger.
Only this time, both she and her brother were carrying holy magic in their souls.
And their minds had the clarity they both lacked before.
Felicia couldn't believe only three days had passed since they got attacked by the Pope's assassins. She felt as though years had passed.
Did Alex feel that way too? Was it different for him than it was for her?
She felt older as well. If that made sense. She combined her age now and her age as Dixie. That would make her a middle aged woman.
And Alex was a middle aged man.
They were both in their 40's. The same age as the Duke and Duchess. How bizarre.
Satisfied with her attire, which was both light and figuring hugging without being too tight, she donned some buckled boots and gave another twirl. She never really thought all black would suit her, but it contrasted quite nicely with her pale skin and red hair.
A knock on the door disrupted her thoughts. She walked over and opened it to see the smiling face of her big brother. Alex took a proper look at her and gave her a big thumbs up.
"You look beautiful and fierce. This look suits you more so than mother's dresses."
"Thanks, Alex."
"Unfortunately, I can't come with you. That boar I have for an instructor is really trying to bury me under a mountain of assignments." Alex rolled his eyes. "I came to wish you good luck. I'll try to make time to come watch you later."
Dropping a kiss on her forehead, Alex left before she could say anything. She felt a bit worried about him. Being both the Duke's heir and her Guardian was not an easy task. She hoped he would not overwork himself.
Walking down the stairs and out into the training grounds, Felicia ignored all the stares and whispers. The servants were baffled by her fashion. Although they had heard the Duke gave her permission to learn how to fight, it was still a shock to see her walk about in men's attire.
She looked as beautiful, but now with an edge.
Felicia spotted her target and met him halfway.
"Ah, Lady Felicia! I am so glad to see you've recovered from that shameful attack." Sir Rovar, an aged man with a long mane of white hair, but surprisingly no wrinkles greeted her with a bow. "Safety is paramount and I'm sure the incident has fueled your determination to learn how to defend yourself."
Felicia bowed her head to show proper respect towards the aged knight. "Indeed. I am more determined then ever and hope to learn quickly!"
Some of the other knights who were training started eavesdropping. Though they had practice of their own to complete, they couldn't help but be intrigued by what they were hearing. Sir Rovar, the retired head of the Del Montague knights had returned, but not for the men once under his charge, but at the request of Lady Felicia.
It appeared the first lady wished to learn how to fight and reached out to Sir Rovar for guidance. How peculiar. Ladies did not learn swordsmanship.
But after what had happened to her and Master Alexander, it did make sense.
The slim lady and Sir Rovar briefly exchanged words before her training began. She did not start with weapons but rather, Sir Rovar tied a small sack of sand around her waist and told her to run the length of the track five times.
"Before I put a blade in your hands, my lady, we must first start by building your endurance. I need to see how strong your body is."
The young men and boys, who were also using the track quickly stepped out of the way to ensure they did not hinder the lady's run.
Felicia began running at a measured pace. She did not wish to go full out as the track was long and five rounds would certainly tire her out. Though doubtful as to whether or not she would succeed, she was determined to complete it even if she had to finish by crawling.
The first run wasn't so bad, though her face turned red and her heart beat very strongly, she wasn't finding it difficult. By lap three however, her side stung like crazy! It felt as if a large hornet had latched onto her and she had to massage herself with one hand to keep running. She felt the weight around her waist dragging her. Sweat was pouring down her cheeks.
The other knights were a bit concerned for her when she stopped to brace her hands against her knees and catch her breath. One young lad offered her a water skin, which she took a small sip out of before thanking him and resuming her run.
From where he was watching, Sir Rover smiled. He had expected her to give up when she had taken her break, so to see her pick up greatly impressed him. She certainly was determined. Some of the men around her were impressed as well and cheered her on when she passed by them.
Huffing and puffing and finally collapsing onto her knees, Felicia finished her five laps. She did not realize building endurance was this exhausting. She felt a newfound admiration towards all the knights who could do this kind of stuff everyday without fail.
Sir Rovar walked up to her and smiled. He knelt down and placed a hand on her shoulder. "You have done very well, my lady. Though your run was very slow and you had to stop several times, you did not give up until you completed all five laps. I am very proud of you."
The other knights chipped in.
"Indeed, my lady, you did very well!"
"It was most impressive!"
"You are an inspiration to us all!"
Felicia rolled her eyes at the excessive flattery. She doubted they would be saying this to her if she wasn't a woman and one of their masters. Wiping her face with a cloth that was handed to her, she glanced at Sir Rovar.
"There was nothing impressive about my run. I was moving like a newborn fawn who just learned how to use its legs. I also fell on my face on two separate occasions! Did you not see that part?" She turned her head to the other knights. "Don't compliment me over my terrible performance just because I'm a woman. I prefer honesty!"
Some of the men blushed and ruffled their hair. Others bit their lip and smiled.
Sir Rovar laughed. He had thought she would appreciate all the praise. Most noble ladies loved being complimented. Instead, the lady before him appeared to be very humble.
"It is your first time, my lady. It's to be expected that you are lacking in skill. But I would not say your run was terrible. You just need to keep at it. But with better form." He stood up and offered her his hand.
Ignoring the other hands which were also offered, Felicia accepted that of her instructor and stood up. Fisting her hands on her hip, she addressed the men loitering around her.
"I would appreciate it if all of you would stop staring at me and resume your own training!"
"Apologies, my ladies."
The men bowed and quickly cleared away, leaving her alone with Sir Rovar who laughed once more.
Glancing back at him, she asked a question. "Is there another way for me to build up my endurance without running?"
Sir Rover placed his hands on his hips. "Indeed there is, my lady. There are many ways to build endurance. But running is the most basic. You need to learn how to pace yourself and control your breathing so you do not tire quickly when exerting yourself. Until then, all the other exercises will be too difficult for your ladyship to attempt."
Felicia laughed.
"For today, all I want you to do is run as many laps as possible."
"Can I at least take this sand sack off my waist? I can run better without it."
"No you cannot." Sir Rovar placed a hand on Felicia's back. "And let's fix your posture while we're at it because there were moments when you were running about like some bones had slipped out from underneath you."
Felicia laughed some more. She very much enjoyed his comments. He was proving to be both stern and comical at the same time. Sir Rovar smiled at her. It was a relief to see that she was not one of those highly sensitive ladies who could not handle criticism without crying.
This young lady is most interesting. I wonder if she will be able to handle it. He frowned when he remembered something. Why does she have such horrid rumors surrounding her? She is nothing at all like what Duchess Tyren described her to be.
Watching her run with slightly better form, he narrowed his eyes. We have a long way to go. Her posture is so poor it almost looks like a circus act. Is she trying to look ridiculous? Why is she sticking her tongue out?
He couldn't help but smile at her efforts. Flaws aside, Lady Felicia was not one to give up.
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Inside the manor, it was another mood entirely.
While Felicia was having one of the most tiring days of her life, Alex was tempted to set all his paperwork on fire. Or maybe, he would summon the Holy Sword and slash it into pieces. Wasn't this what Goddess Kartara created her sword for? To subdue great foes?
Rubbing his tired eyes, he set his quill down and walked over to his bedside basin. Soaking a cloth in cold water, he wiped his face and hoped Felicia was having a better time than he was.
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In another room, located inside the servants quarters, Nanny Hildegarde was served some warm biscuits by a sweet, smiling maid. She thanked the beautiful young girl and took her first bite. It was very tasty.