As Darian continued his training in the palace courtyard, pushing himself harder each day, his progress didn't go unnoticed. The knights and nobles whispered about his sudden dedication, some impressed, others suspicious.
One morning, while practicing sword swings, a group of knights gathered nearby, watching with thinly veiled amusement.
"Swinging a sword like that won't get you anywhere, Your Highness," a voice called out.
Darian turned to see Sir Aldric, a seasoned knight known for his bluntness and skill in combat. His armor gleamed under the morning sun, and his eyes held a mix of skepticism and curiosity.
"If you truly wish to improve, perhaps a duel would be more useful than swinging at the air."
The surrounding knights chuckled, clearly expecting Darian to refuse. The old Darian would have scoffed and walked away. But this new Darian saw an opportunity.
"Very well," Darian said, tossing aside his practice sword and reaching for a heavier training blade. "Let's see what I can learn."
The murmurs grew louder. A prince challenging a knight to a duel? This was unheard of.
Aldric smirked. "You might regret that, Your Highness."
The duel began with a sharp clang of steel as Aldric tested Darian's reflexes with a quick strike. Darian barely managed to block, the impact sending a jolt through his arms. His body was still weak, his technique lacking—but he refused to back down.
Aldric, however, wasn't holding back. He pressed forward, his strikes controlled yet forceful. Darian was forced to rely on footwork and observation, dodging rather than blocking whenever possible.
"Too slow!" Aldric taunted as Darian barely evaded a downward slash.
Darian gritted his teeth. He was losing—but he was learning.
He began to notice patterns in Aldric's movements, the way he slightly shifted his weight before attacking. Instead of blindly defending, Darian adjusted his stance, countering with quick, unexpected strikes.
Aldric's eyes narrowed. "So, you can adapt."
The duel lasted longer than anyone expected, but eventually, Aldric disarmed Darian with a swift move, sending the prince's sword clattering to the ground.
His entire body screamed in exhaustion, his breath coming in harsh, ragged gasps. His fingers ached from gripping the sword for so long. His legs threatened to collapse beneath him.
And yet, as he stood there, chest heaving, limbs shaking, he felt something else.
Not defeat.
Not despair.
Something different.
Something dangerous.
A heavy silence followed.
A defeaning stillness envelope the surrounding,even the breadth of surrounding knights watching the duel could be heard clearly with gaze focused on the two figures standing motionless.
Aldric studied Darian for a long moment before nodding. "You're still weak, but you have potential. Keep training, and you might even give me trouble one day."
The knights who had mocked him earlier exchanged uncertain glances. For the first time, they saw Darian as something more than a pampered prince.
Breathing heavily, Darian picked up his sword and smirked.
"Then I'll make sure that day comes soon."
Even through the pain, Darian had won something that day. Not the duel—but their respect.
Aldric smile widened into a wild smirk upon hearing darian word,who could have thought the so called lazy prince who was declared unfit for the throne for his physical and mental fitness.
"I'm looking forward to it,Your highness."
Aldric was actually looking forward to it, with his mind swirling with a single thought"the situation is gonna get interesting"
Looking at the back of darian who was walking away with large and steady steps couldn't help but muttered while his subordinates approach him.
"Soldiers be prepared maybe we will soon be moving towards the golden time for this kingdom."