The sound of metal clashing resonated in the vast training ground in the queen's palace. Aries and Miguel exchanged blows, keeping their focus on each other since the weapons they were using were the real ones. Aries wasn't afraid that her head would fall off if she allowed herself to zone out, but Miguel was certain he wouldn't just get a graze if he didn't give her his full attention.
Swoosh!
The sound of metal stopped as Aries froze, chin up, with a sword tip pointing at her throat. She kept her eyes on the man before her, showing no sign of fear.
Miguel assessed the Queen's face, and he knew she was someone who was never fazed by a sword. He had been sparring with her, and even though this was the first time they used real swords, her performance and diligence in every session were the same.
"I guess that's it for today," he said, retrieving his sword from her throat. "It was fun. Thank you for your time, Your Majesty."
Miguel beckoned a neck bow, smiling. But before he could raise his head, his brows rose. He slowly raised his head, only to see Aries still standing in the same spot. She would usually just leave without saying anything or giving him a date for their next sparring session.
"The teas from the Maganti Empire arrived last night. Join me for a cup of tea." Her voice was still distant like usual, but it still surprised him. "Let's go."
Miguel watched her turn on her heel, sauntering off. Her steps were still the same, unfaltering, but this time, she looked back after seven steps.
"What are you waiting for?" she asked coldly. "Do not make the Queen ask you the second time. There wouldn't be a third time if you do."
"Ah… yes." Miguel smiled, snapping out of his trance.
With that being said, Miguel followed the Queen, keeping a three-step distance from her. As they headed to the queen's pavilion, his eyes were fixed on her back. Her silver hair was tied up, moving sideways at her every step. He would catch a glimpse of her slender neck that was covered by a thin layer of sweat from their training.
Assessing her from behind, Miguel only realized how small and thin the queen was. If there was another person behind him, they wouldn't even notice that the queen was walking ahead of him. Yet, despite that realization, Aries still felt big for him.
Her personality wasn't small for sure, and she could be very intimidating.
'No wonder she intimidated them,' he told himself, frowning as he recalled a conversation he had with his father and Giselle. 'A person who might destroy the mainland… do you truly plan to destroy this land, Your Majesty?'
Miguel kept wondering about things, and his mind kept drifting further and further away. He was so occupied with these thoughts that he didn't realize they reach the queen's pavilion until she stopped. When he raised his gaze, he caught her looking back at him.
Aries didn't say anything again and simply looked at him.
He didn't know what that look meant, watching her peel her eyes off him. Aries resumed her steps, heading to the pavilion while he followed. There were a few servants who welcomed the queen at the entrance. Among the servants was the queen's most trusted chamberlain, Gustav.
Aries didn't say anything back to the greeting, walking straight to the table and chairs in the center of the pavilion. When she sat down, she lifted her eyes to the side where Miguel was standing still.
"Sit down." She cocked her head to the chair across from her.
Miguel rocked his head and whispered, "yes. It's an honor, Your Majesty."
With that being said, Miguel sat down on the chair across from her. Silence reigned over them for minutes, watching Gustav serve them snacks to quench their hunger from the training, and then prepared a set of tea which he left sitting on the trolley tray.
"Thank you, Gustav." Aries flashed Gustav a short smile. "You may now go."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Gustav bowed politely, only to furrow his brows when she told him to take the servants with him. He raised his head, confused. "Your Majesty?"
"I'm afraid Lord Miguel is uncomfortable with other people's presence," explained Aries, seeing the confusion in Gustav's eyes. "Do not worry about me. Lord Miguel wouldn't kill me."
"That's not what I am worried about, Your Majesty, but I'll take the servants with me. May you enjoy your time." Gustav bowed once again, but this time, he didn't idle as he walked away without serving the tea.
Meanwhile, Miguel watched Gustav leave the pavilion. The latter paused in front of the servants on standby outside, and when he walked away, the servants followed him. Even a few marshalls around fled the place, and soon enough, there were only two people in the pavilion.
He snapped his eyes when he caught Aries standing from the corner of his eye. Shifting his eyes to her, Aries approached the trolley tray.
"After becoming the queen of the mainland, eyes were always on me. It was suffocating." Aries spoke as if she already guessed the question he had in his head. "Telling my people to get out of my vicinity makes it easier to discern whose eyes remained. It's easier to count that way."
She didn't say it directly, but Miguel was quick enough to grasp what she truly meant by that. Aries was aware she was being spied on, but her calm mien made him realize she was used to it.
"How many eyes are on you now?" he blurted out quietly, keeping her eyes on her as she worked on the tea placed on the trolley tray.
She didn't answer immediately, taking her time as she placed the tea sets on another tray. When she picked up the tray and faced him, her lips curled up subtly.
"A pair."
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