Nicholas was very surprised when he heard those accusations. He wanted to immediately refute, but he held back because Sophie was there. What if the accusations were true?
Did his family have any hand in the Hansley's murder? He was too young back then to know what happened. He must try to investigate Sophie's parents' deaths. Who would know things that happened then?
His father had died. His mother didn't seem to know anything about things that happened outside of the royal palace. So, who could he consult with?
As Nicholas was lost in thought, someone knocked on the door.
"Your Majesty." It was the voice of Noel, the leader of the Royal Lycan Hunter. Why did Noel suddenly come to his room?
Suddenly, Nicholas slammed the table before him.
That's right. Noel had been around for decades as a member of the royal lycan hunter, before he was appointed as the captain. He must know a lot. Nicholas could talk to him about the past and probe for information.
"Come in!" Nicholas looked at the door and waited for Noel to enter. He thought this was such good timing.
Noel opened the door. For a few seconds, he stood still in the doorway and looked at the king with a smile, not saying anything.
He remembered Karenina saying that the king was a lycan. Noel came to make sure of that.
Nicholas furrowed his brows as Noel continued to stare at him intently. He asked him impatiently, "Why are you just standing there, Noel?"
Noel widened his smile and walked over to the king. Nicholas returned to his chair and motioned for Noel to sit down.
"I was a little surprised that you suddenly came to see me. Is everything all right?" asked Nicholas.
"Well, everything is fine. Don't be offended, Your Majesty, but lately I've seen Your Majesty get injured frequently. So I thought of getting Your Majesty to practice swordsmanship together."
Hearing Noel's words, Nicholas chuckled. "You mean I get hurt a lot because I'm really bad at fighting so I need some practice?"
"Your Majesty is too outspoken. Please don't be offended. I was just trying to suggest that we can train together again."
"No. I'm not offended because it's true. Go to the practice arena first. I'll catch up with you after changing."
"Very well, Your Majesty." Noel then stood up and walked to leave the king's room. Before he passed the door he stopped then turned and looked at the king who seemed lost in thought.
Nicholas had a look that was difficult to interpret. Noel watched the king for a few seconds then continued his delayed steps.
***
The sound of swords clashing was heard in the middle of the training arena. While on one side of the arena the screams of the soldiers who were watching their two friends who were doing a duel sounded excited.
"COME ON BEAT HIM!"
"RICK, STAY UP! DON'T LOSE! I'M RELYING ON YOU! IF YOU LOSE, MY MONEY WILL BE OUT!"
"Haha be prepared. You will lose the bet."
In the midst of the crowd, two soldiers shouted excitedly cheering their heroes. They had made a bet. The two continued noisily followed by all the soldiers behind them until they all suddenly fell silent when they saw Noel coming.
The two soldiers who were sparring immediately stopped their fight when they felt the atmosphere around them suddenly turn quiet.
Not long after, Nicholas arrived and everyone bowed politely to the king. Noel said that he and the king would do sword training. He then asked that the arena be vacated.
"Please vacate the arena. The king and I will use it," he said.
Hearing Noel's words, the two soldiers who were in the arena immediately walked out while the two soldiers from the audience approached the king and the leader of the Royal Lycan Hunter while carrying training equipment in the form of swords, helmets, and shields.
"When was the last time you were in the practice arena, Your Majesty?" asked Noel casually.
"I don't know. I think it was a year ago," Nicholas said as he put on his helmet and took his sword and shield. After that, he walked into the arena followed by Noel.
"Wow, this is going to be fun," muttered one of the soldiers. He and all of his friends stood at the side of the arena watching impatiently.
Meanwhile, inside the arena, Noel had mounted a stance while looking straight at the king. It was time to find out if the king was really a lycan or not.
"Are you ready, Your Majesty?!" he shouted to Nicholas who was standing in front of him.
"Hmm." Nicholas smiled.
"Good."
"Come on, Noel!" he said then ran quickly towards Noel and opened the fight by making the first attack.
CLANG!
Swords clashed. Noel managed to withstand Nicholas' attack but due to the heavy impact, he was pushed back a step. Nicholas' strength was beyond his expectation.
He aimed a kick at Nicholas' stomach but Nicholas jumped back and then attacked again. Then, the king launched a fast attack and showed his sword skills. However, Noel who was a swordmaster was able to counter Nicholas' attacks and made the entire audience amazed watching their fight.
"I guess I misunderstood because I thought your abilities were weak, Your Majesty," Noel said while dodging and parrying Nicholas' attacks.
"Really? I think right now you're just not serious about fighting me, Noel," Nicholas said then ducked to avoid Noel's sword swing. Then he kicked Noel in the stomach causing the man to be dragged back a few steps back.
"Come on, take me more seriously!" Nicholas jumped while doing a vertical slash from top to bottom and Noel reflexively raised his shield. Then, he quickly kicked Nicholas in the stomach after that counterattack.
"Uff... you're good, Noel," Nicholas praised the head of the Royal Lycan Hunter after he dodged his kick.
"So are you, Your Majesty," Noel replied.
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