The Werewolf King's Bride

(From Blue's Perspective)

"Your Highness! You are here!" Perita exclaimed as I approached the palace grounds where she planned to train me.

My body felt healthier than before, and I was able to move more freely. I was trying very hard to not be sad all the time about what happened and I wanted to move on.

Dem and I never discussed the fact that we had lost our child. It was as if he was afraid of saying something wrong lest he should hurt me. I did not say anything either. Because every time I thought about it, my heart would hurt.

Perita was the one who suggested to me that I should start learning swordsmanship again. It would take my mind off things and allow me to get better faster.

Ruby had also been trying to cheer me up. She did not talk much about it either and tried to behave like previous times when she used to tell me about the latest gossip.

I could not visit Luc since both Dem and I decided to give him some time to rest. He had worked very hard. Dem was very angry at him that he could not protect me and even Luc said that he deserved any kind of punishment. But I managed to stop Dem and reminded him that Luc tried his best and it was partly my fault as well since I was the one who told Luc to stop that woman's bleeding.

After quite a while, he, at last, agreed not to punish him.

"Ruby, can you hold Sapphire?"

Ruby was here as well with some towels and water for me. Despite my protests that there was no need, she persisted, claiming that I should be more cautious about my health.

This morning, I went to Dem's study. Though I told him that I wanted to show him my outfit, I actually went there to meet him. I just missed him a lot.

I had my period for two weeks after the miscarriage. So, we could not get intimate and besides, I was not mentally ready as well. But after that, we still did not do it. It was because I could get pregnant again.

It would be a lie if I said I did not miss his warm touch. I wanted to do it with him, but I knew he would say no if I asked for it since he was too worried about me.

"Sapphy, come here!" Ruby muttered sweetly as she took Sapphire in her arms. "Has Your Highness met His Highness before coming here?"

"Yeah..."

"Did His Highness not want to come here? It's pretty unusual..."

Almost everyone was aware of Dem and my good relationship. But Ruby knew better than anyone else how much Dem actually doted on me. She could even predict Dem's actions without even seeing them.

"He has work to do," I explained, blushing slightly. "And... he's a little surprised about something... Even I am... I was suddenly too brave..."

"Yes?"

"Nothing... Don't mind me," I quickly said, shaking my head.

I had come here to practice. What was I doing? Fantasizing about my husband? "Let's start now, shall we?"

Perita first demonstrated a few moves to me. She said it would help me realize how much I had learned.

"I recognize all of the ones you're showing me right now. Aren't those the moves of the first phase?" I asked.

"Yes... Please watch until the end of the first phase first and then tell me if there is any move that Your Highness has not learned. Then I'll have a general idea of Your Highness's progress," she stated.

"Alright..."

Lessons in swordsmanship were divided into five phases. The basic moves were covered in the first phase. To be qualified as a sword master, the five phases had to be completed. Each phase was divided into three divisions. The first division of a phase was the easiest one and then it would get harder with each division as we moved forward.

As far as I recalled, I completed the first phase. Ezekiel stated that I finished them quickly for a beginner. He was just exaggerating for sure.

"I know them all," I said.

"I have shown Your Highness all the moves of the three divisions of the first phase. Are you sure you know them all?" she asked. "I heard Your Highness has only trained for a month. The first phase usually takes two to three months to complete.

"Yeah, positive... Should I show you then?"

"Yes, that would be great."

I showed her the first phase. Because of my memory, even though I had not practiced in a month, I remembered the techniques. This time, I could not help but feel grateful for my ability.

"Wow, Your Highness! You are pretty good at this!" Perita exclaimed.

I had learned the first phase pretty well. Perhaps it was because Ezekiel taught me twice a day, despite how exhausting it was. I was confident as well that I would be able to do it well.

"Yeah! That was so cool!" Ruby exclaimed.

"You guys are making me blush...," I mumbled.

"No, seriously! It took me a month and a half to learn the first phase," Perita said. "Your Highness, it seems you can remember techniques pretty well."

"Her Highness can remember anything she hears or reads or sees," Ruby said. "Perhaps that's why..."

"Is that so?  Then it can be used to Your Highness' advantage," Perita said. "Now that I know Your Highness has a good grasp on the first phase, I'll move on to the first division of the second phase. If I am correct, if Your Highness practices three hours per day, the second phase will be completed in a little more than a month."

"But I have to get one thing straight first. No matter how much Your Highness learns swordsmanship, you cannot win against a knight," she added. "It's possible to win against someone who does not know swordsmanship or fighting. But knights know swordsmanship and since they are werewolves, they are at advantage here."

"I know..."

"So, my plan is to first teach Your Highness the five phases, but with a focus on techniques rather than physical strength. Werewolves rely more on physical strength, but Your Highness is incapable of doing so. So, my advice is to concentrate on the techniques and learn them as thoroughly as possible. Your Highness should learn them from the ground up.

After learning the five phases, it is a good idea to learn some basic tricks from someone who has been to war before. We already have that person, so we'll concentrate on the five phases for the time being."

"Wow, Perita is unusually serious about swordsmanship," Ruby mumbled as she handed me a towel. "It's strange to see her like this, but I feel like respecting her a lot all of a sudden. I think it was a good decision to give her this duty."

"Ruby... I told you not to..."

"My apologies, Your Highness. I won't do it again," she said quickly.

"Alright, Perita, shall we start today?"

"Let us not rush, Your Highness. Even if we take our time, Your Highness will finish the second phase in less than forty days. So, today, we will practice only some points. Please watch carefully first, Your Highness."

Perita was truly incredible with her sword. Despite the fact that werewolves typically relied on their strength and fought like devils, she showed me how to practice knowing the rules first and using tricks so I would not have to depend on my strength.

"Ah, that move... Do I have to bend on my knees a bit for that?" I asked.

"Yes, it is important because this move requires you to put pressure on your legs." If the person fighting you tries to swing from above, you can dive quickly and slash them in the stomach. It's a simple move that they'll anticipate. And, besides, they will be wearing armor. Because Your Highness is not physically capable of fighting werewolves, stabbing them would be nearly impossible.

So, I propose that Your Highness stage a move in which you appear to be aiming for their stomach. Even though they know Your Highness won't be able to stab them, they will still try to block it with the body of their sword out of habit. You'll take advantage of the opportunity and strike their throat as quickly as lightning. That's the trick of this move."

"Every move has a couple of tricks. This is not something that many werewolves are taught. Only a few werewolves who are not physically strong enough or who are overly skilled use this move. In Your Highness's case, you have to pay undivided attention to learn these moves," she added. "These tricks will be Your Highness's actual assets, not real techniques.

However, in order to predict their moves, you must first learn the techniques."

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