"I can't teach a beginner how to deflect strong attacks, that's impossible," Hypha said. "You should know that's impossible."

Will chased her all the way to the library, where she finally stopped amongst the shelves. "Princess Amelia, I-I'm sorry," he said, still panting. "I didn't intend to publicly spar with your brother, he suggested this."

"I know," Amelia said quietly, glaring at the shelves. The words on the spines swam, she couldn't even read them in her frustration.

"While I'm no expert on sword fighting, it certainly looked like a good attempt regardless. My son is very well trained, and doubtless yours is as well." Gavin Sr. replied as they walked.

Richard stated "Which is fair, but I have a feeling that there is something...more to this situation."

Bair asked "What do you want her to do?"

"To teach you how to defend yourself from magical attacks" responded Grim with a hmph. "You need to know how."

Bair looked at Hypha and Grim and said "Master Grim, you know Ms. Hypha knows light magic...right?"

Hypha's eye twitched slightly. "You arrogant fucking bastard," she cursed at Grim. "You have no right to act entitled to anything I do. I'm not a teacher, and a beginner, if he's even that, can't just simply learn how to combat someone like who's after him.That would take ages, years, probably, but you don't want to listen, you're throwing a fucking tantrum like a fucking child and I'm not going to stand here and listen to it. Step on my toes one more time and I don't give a shit what Commander Roland does, I'm leaving. I don't have to put up with this."

"He does, and that is what I wished to speak to you about." Gavin replied with a subdued smile. "I think an arranged marriage would be beneficial for everyone involved. Our family is of high esteem and value, in no way devaluing your daughter for some trite such as marrying below herself, and more importantly, they both seem to be very close with the other. I can see no reason why they would not be grateful for this, if not now, then in the long run. It will be a marriage of both duty and friendship, and it will be one that none in their right mind would look down upon."

WIth a heavy sigh, Richard said "Ordinarily, I would agree with you. However, I feel like I've given my children a bit of a double standard" He continued "Eric found Kira...and I let him and her date and soon become a couple. I'd be a pretty bad father if I didn't allow Amelia the same treatment." He chuckled "Though give it time William, those two will probably fall in love on their own terms."

Grim finally got to say something "She's right..." he sighed "About both fronts."

Bair looked at him in confusion as Grim looked at Hypha saying "Sorry, Hypha. I have no excuse."

"As you should be," Hypha replied, frowning still. "I'm here for protection, not training."

"I had only asked to train with him, and he turned it into, well, this," Will said. "I know you don't approve of brazen displays and such...debauchery, it was never my intention, but, well,"

"He's a prince, and you can't exactly tell him no," Amelia finished for him, sighing.

"Exactly."

Amelia crossed her arms, frowning. So why had Eric done it? Why would he insist on this, and then not tell her why? He was plotting something but-- a cold chill ran through her as realization struck her. She knew why. Eric was playing matchmaker. Freshly 18 and in need of marrying, who else to pick but her best friend? Why wouldn't she? The chill stuck with her as she turned to look at Will, who was red in the face from the fight, and still dirty. His eyes shone with worry, and as he held her gaze, he realized she had caught onto Eric's intention. "Did you agree to his plans?" she asked quietly.

"Not his methods," Will answered honestly.

"And if she is ready to make those tough choices, she will inevitably choose an unhappy marriage of power over her own personal happiness. From what my son has spoke of her, she is more than ready." William reiterated.

Bair paused and said "I'm 21 why?" confused by the wording there. "Still do you guys want food?"

Grim looked at him and said "What is it, anyways?"

Bair looked at him in confusion "It's deer...."

Richard sighed and said "I would rather she pick your son, William. He's a good kid" he then cross his arms and said "And you have been benifical to the Kingdom. You were one of the very few who stayed by my side during the war." He finally said "I think that maybe...this is a good idea" 

Hypha kept her reflections to herself. "You should know well enough not go off on your own, especially when you're hunted," she said.

"Amelia, what's wrong?" Will asked, stepping to follow her.

"What's wrong? What do you mean? You're...you're no different than the rest of them," Amelia said, and Will frowned, anger sparking in his eyes.

"I"m nothing like the rest of those vapid, air headed fools. None of them could have done what I did today, and none of them stand in my position. Amelia, I know you, we are good friends, close companions. We are a good match, surely you see that," Will said, gesturing at himself. "I love you, I always have. I care about you, and I want your happiness. I can give that to you."

(Training process: invalidated by sudden massive improvement)
"Ah, that is quite an honor my liege, I will let him know the good news." Gavin nodded. And he didn't even need to use his trump card.

(Don't worry)

Grim said "Okay, I guess we'll increase the weight then and..." grim paused as he heard something rattling now that him and Hypha weren't fighting. Grim paused as Bair looked at him, going to run but Grim pinned him down. He paused as he slowly opened Bair's weights as wood chips fell from it. "So that's how"

Bair looked away as Grim sighed "Care to explain?"

Bair said "I miss Veronica"

Grim sighed an said "I figured this would happen" as Bair was released. "Sit." Bair doing so looking away in shame. "Bair, Veronica is counting on you to see this to the end." he held those chips in his hand and gently tossed them saying "What would she say if she knew you were trying to cheat your way through this?"

Bair was quiet as Grim said "Not onyl that, this is the easy stuff...the hard part...Bair...what I do took years of practice just to reach 1 mach. Even now I can only go up to 2, and it puts a lot of strain on the body."

Bair said "I just wish she was here"

"She's safer at home" Grim said putting his hand on his shoulder. "This is hard but tell me something...do you think your father would be okay with you doing this?"

Bair was quiet as he let out a heavy sigh after a few minutes saying "No...no he wouldn't."

Grim said "Okay then.." he stood up and then get four weights putting them in Bair's leg weights saying "I'm stepping you up anyways, and I'm going to let this slide this time. Pull a stunt like this again though, and I won't be as kind"

Richard said "The boy deserves it. He's a wonderful friend to Amelia, and as we saw today a good warrior. I think Elodus will be in good hands."

Kira sat with Eric in her room as Eric said "I'm sorry that..."

Kira said "Don't..."

Eric responded with "Kira, I was just trying to help him. He's a friend"

"You lied to me, and worse, your sister" Kira said looking at him. "What if this confession thing doesn't work out, huh? With how things are going lately, Amelia is going to hate you." She sighed "I never thought we'd be in a position where she might like me more but I didn't lie to her"