On the third day of the tournament, excitement filled the air as Flavian eagerly awaited Leesa's appearance. His noticeable eagerness was fuelling Elzar's curiosity. The nobles gathered, each holding their own motives and desires, including the opportunity to belittle others if the chance arose. Among the noble ladies present, the news of Duchess Marlene's daughter, Leesa, participating in the tournament sparked intense interest. It became the perfect topic for tattletales, as no other noble dared to send their daughters to the battlefield. While even the idea of sending their sons seemed excessive, the temptation of the tournament's grand prize proved too alluring for the nobles. While some nobles opted to send their soldiers to compete on their behalf, further adding to the intrigue and competition of the event.
"The Duchess gave Lady Leesa the exact upbringing she had received."
"Well, what else would you even expect from a daughter of a fallen noble of the Wraisan empire?"
"As mother as daughter"
"I bet she will make a nice show for the audience."
"She must be after the prize of getting the position of the crown prince attendant"
"Obviously she is just doing this to get close to the crown prince."
The murmurs from the audience spread throughout the arena and reached Flavian's ears. He was disgusted by the disrespectful talks circulating about Leesa and Duchess Lilian. Having dedicated his years to learning how to govern and manage an empire, Flavian held great admiration for those who had taught him valuable lessons. Duchess Lilian, in particular, had been one of his esteemed teachers, imparting knowledge on managing the empire's budgets. Flavian's respect for her surpassed even that of the duke himself. Additionally, now learning of Leesa's connection to his past as a lover only intensified his defensive perspective. He simply could not tolerate any rudeness or discourtesy towards his beloved teacher or Leesa.
"I am sorry to have you hear this Lilian," said the duke sadly.
"It's OK Darrell, I don't even bother listening to those old things."
Hearing this, the duke let out a sigh of relief, but he was determined to remember the faces of those who had dared to disrespect his beloved wife and daughter. The duke silently vowed that when the opportune moment arrived, he would have his turn to confront and admonish those individuals, ensuring they faced the consequences of their actions.
Despite the presence of negative rumours, it was undeniable that Duchess Lilian served as a role model for many young noble ladies. Her strength, leadership aura, and expertise in managing the duchy made her an admirable figure within the Dukedom. However, the younger generation of noble ladies found themselves incapable of confronting the elder nobles who were responsible for spreading this baseless gossip. They felt forced to remain silent and endure the nonsensical talks circulating around them.
As rumours continued to circulate, the third day of the tournament began. Leesa, positioned third in the second part of the noble's team, patiently waited in her designated room for the first part's match to conclude. Today, she made the decision to wield her sword instead of her knives, hoping to showcase her skill and technique without gathering an audience. As she knew, using her knives would gather unnecessary attention and could potentially bring trouble. Regardless, she carried her knives with her, prepared for any situation that might require their use.
After the first part of the tournament concluded with a victory, the matches for the second round began. Finally, it was Leesa's turn to step into the ring. As she entered, the murmurs and anticipation among the audience grew louder. They were eager to witness the entertainment that Leesa would provide.
However, to their astonishment, before they could even utter a word, Leesa swiftly defeated her opponent, who happened to be the son of a count. This count's family was one of those that had been spreading derogatory remarks. The audience watched in awe as Leesa showcased her skills and emerged victorious. A smile appeared on Duchess Lilian's face as she cheered on Leesa's win in her first match.
As for Flavian, who watched the match intently, his mind swirled with questions. He couldn't help but notice that Leesa had chosen to fight with a sword instead of her usual knives. This change in her fighting style puzzled him, and he began to wonder if their initial encounter, where Leesa wielded knives, had been nothing more than a mere coincidence.
As the matches progressed, Leesa continued her winning streak, smashing the rumours and those who were spreading rumours had nowhere to hide their embarrassed faces. It became apparent that Leesa's competence far outperformed many participants in the noble's team. Unbeknownst to the spectators, Leesa had dedicated herself to practising with the sword, only in the last two months when the tournament was announced. Of course, changing her usual fighting stance was not easy but now her hard work for two months seemed to prove efficient. While cheers came from the audience, Bryant and Wienne took some time off to be proud of Leesa.
Only Byrant and Wienne knew about Leesa's training and were amazed by her progress. Byrant, drawing from his own training as the duke's heir, imparted the basics of sword fighting to Leesa. Together, they worked diligently to refine her techniques and enhance her abilities. Witnessing Leesa's mastery of the sword, Byrant and Wienne couldn't help but feel a sense of awe and admiration for her remarkable progress.
The day drew to a close with Leesa emerging as the victorious representative of the noble's team, just as Flavian had predicted. Duchess Lilian beams with pride, acknowledging her daughter's remarkable achievement. As for Darrell, a mix of emotions washed over him. Witnessing Leesa's display of skill, using a sword for the first time, he realized that his perception of her as a delicate and calm girl was wrong. It became evident to him that Leesa possessed a formidable strength, comparable to any soldier serving the Dukedom. Meanwhile, Byrant and Wienne couldn't contain their excitement and support for Leesa. Their cheering echoed throughout the arena, reaching Leesa's ears even as she stood in the ring.