"What is this I'm feeling? Isabella thought within herself. "Why is my heart pounding so loud and fast?"She could feel the warmth of his hands on hers. She kinda loved the feeling but suddenly felt embarrassed and withdrew her hands from his."Sir Erik, I think it is okay to call me Isa when no one is around," Isabella said shyly, averting her gaze."Then you can call me Erik," Erik said. He gently grabbed her hand and planted a kiss on its back. Isabella blushed even further. This made Erik smile. He loved the effect he was having on her."I think I am hungry now. I will be going inside to eat. How about you?" Isabella tried to change the topic."I have eaten my breakfast already. I will accompany you inside," Erik said with a smile."There is no need for that, I can eat fast," Isabella interjected."It's my job to stay beside you, Isabella," Erik said. Hearing him call her by her name made her heart thump even more. "And after you have finished your breakfast, we will start some le
History and maths lessons were interesting with Erik. He was a strict tutor just like he said, but she loved it. She wouldn't have it any other way. It was a good thing she had been learning with the crown prince; hence, she was able to keep up with Erik's lessons.Erik taught her a lot about the history of Wales and also about the history of Avalon. Wales was surrounded by two kingdoms: the Kingdom of Avalon in the far south and the Kingdom of Geneva in the far north. To the east of Wales lies the great Pacific Ocean 🌊 .Avalon was the biggest of the three kingdoms and also the most powerful. Due to its geographical location in the south, they have provinces that have summer weather for the whole year, which is favorable for cultivating certain crops.The other locations in Avalon are quite cold and are used for cultivating fruits that need cold weather. Avalon was very suitable for raising farm animals, and their geographical location contributed to their thriving economy.Geneva, o
Phillips emerged from the flowers behind them."Phil," Isabella greeted, imagining how much of their conversation he had heard."Hello, Princess Isabella," Phillips said, smiling at her. His smile was warm and fuzzy, unlike Erik's, which was as bright as the sun, lighting up her day."Why am I comparing Phil's and Erik's smiles? That's improper," Isabella scolded herself inwardly."One of your maids in the courtyard told me you would be here," Phil said, walking towards her."Please have a seat," Isabella offered Phil a seat. "I'm taking a break from my studies.""Oh, is that so? I hope I'm not disturbing you?" Phil asked apologetically."Of course not. You are free to join me if you wish. I will be having horseback riding lessons next," she said."Then I will accompany you?" Phil said."Of course," Isa smiled at him."Oh, look who we have here," a familiar voice came from behind them.When they looked back, it was none other than the second princess, Camila."Princess Camila," Isabel
"What!" Charles shouted. "Who dares to hit me?""You dare lay a hand on my princess," a cold voice said. When they looked up, it was none other than..."Sir Erik," Isabella muttered.Erik looked back at her, his face full of worry and anger. He knelt beside her."I'm so sorry, my princess. I wasn't here to protect you. It's my fault you got hurt," Erik said, looking at her with regret in his eyes."Hmm, no. Don't blame yourself," Isabella said through her tears.Every single tear falling from Isabella's face made Erik's heart darken with anger."Who are you to dare hit me? I am the son of the Duke of Danbury. The heir to the Danbury Dukedom," Charles yelled with arrogance.Erik's face changed into that of a cold-blooded being. The look in his eyes made them all shiver. Isabella felt a chill down her spine. Erik's eyes had a tinge of bloodlust."My princess, please go inside. I'll take care of this," Erik said."No, Erik. I'm not going anywhere without you," Isabella said. She had a fe
"Haha, you challenge me to a duel? What audacity! Fine then. Somebody get me my sword," Charles yelled proudly.A servant came running towards Charles, carrying his sword."Give me that!" Charles yelled at the servant, snatching the sword and pushing him to the ground. He looked at Erik with anger. "I accept your challenge!"Charles unsheathed his sword and pointed it towards Erik. They both took their positions."Are they going to be okay?" Isabella asked, feeling more concerned for Erik than for Charles. This is the first time she was witnessing a real duel."I have seen General Marcus and Richard engaging in mock duels, and they keep sparing each other, but this is the first time I am witnessing a real duel," Isabella lamented to Phillips."Don't worry, though this is a serious duel. No one is going to lose their lives today," Phillips assured her. "But it is inevitable that they will sustain some serious injuries."Thinking of Erik injured made Isabella's heart race even faster."
"Sir Erik is the winner of this duel," Sir Uthred declared. "As the winner of this duel, Sir Erik, you can state your demand to the loser."Erik could barely open his eyes. However, he looked at Charles and said, "Kneel before my Princess Isabella and ask her for forgiveness," Erik said coldly."You want me to kneel before that bastard?" Charles asked, fuming with anger.At hearing what Charles said, Erik pierced the blade of his sword a little deeper into Charles's throat, and it started to drip blood."Would you rather let me shame you in all of Wales?" Erik asked.As the loser of the duel, Charles must meet the demands of the winner. If he didn't do it, he would be disgraced. Not obeying the demands of the winner as a loser is far more humiliating than losing the duel itself.As for kneeling to a princess of the kingdom, it was more acceptable than bringing shame to his family name.Charles clenched his fist hard. His anger was written all over his face."Alright!" He yelled.Erik
When they got back to the courtyard, Isabella called Erik into her study room.When the door opened, Erik walked in."My princess, you called for me?" Erik asked."Yes, please take a seat," Isabella told him.Erik was confused; however, he closed the door and sat down on the chair in front of him.Isabella opened the first aid box Maggie bought for her. Erik instantly knew what she wanted to do."Princess, I can attend to my wounds myself; you don't need to do this," Erik said, embarrassed."But you can't reach the ones on your middle back, can you?" Isabella told him softly."Well, yes... but," Erik was searching for an excuse but could find none."No buts. It's my fault that you were wounded; I can at least apply some medicine to it," Isabella said."But Princess, it's my duty to protect you..." Erik said, still looking for a way out."Why are you calling me princess? I thought we could drop the titles when we were alone," Isabella nagged, giving him an irritated face.Erik smiled.
Isabella shook her head. "I am not scared," she answered truthfully. "On the contrary, I am glad and proud of you."Erik looked at her seriously. "What do you mean?""Your scars show that you have been through a lot, and the fact that you are here with me shows you made it out alive, you conquered it all. So I am happy that I could meet you in my lifetime," Isabella said while looking into his eyes."I am also proud of you because you have not allowed what you have been through to affect your personality. You continue doing life with a beautiful smile on your face. Have I told you that your smile lights up the room?" Isabella asked him."My smile?" Erik asked shyly.Isabella blushed and looked away. "Y-yes, I like your smile a lot," she admitted.Erik chuckled. "You are different, Isabella.""Different? Is that a bad thing?" Isabella asked curiously. All her life people have always said she was different, and she felt bad about it. She never wanted Erik to see her in a bad light.Erik