573 Admiring Handsome Husband
When Seren heard that, she was torn between laughing and sighing. She felt like both her husband and his knight are no more than kids parading as adults. Even worse than Ruven. They probably just wanted a reason to escape work and play.
Meanwhile, a sudden silence enveloped the training grounds as the two swordsmen began to take their stances with their swords pointed at each other. A strange hush came over the crowd. Everyone was holding their breaths—
And the air exploded as both men lunged at each other at the same time.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The following flurry of movements caused the stunned audience to roar into happy cheers.
The royal knights were fervently praying for Slayer to win. If their commander wins, he would be in a good mood for the next couple of days—maybe even weeks— and spare them from his hellish training. Perhaps, he would even allow them to have a small party in their barracks, where they could share a drink or two as long as they wouldn’t be on active duty the next day.
The group that supported the King, though less in number, was no less in terms of loudness. It was partially because the royals and nobles in attendance were unable to cheer out of keeping dignity, but the servants and guards had no such reservations. Especially those who had never yet seen the royal swordsmanship passed on within the Ivanov Family, the two-handed sword used by Drayce gave off a bold and imperious feeling with each swing; it was as if he could completely overpower and dominate any battlefield as long as he had a sword in hand.
Seren was obviously on her husband’s side, but more than praying for him to win, her mind was stuck at her husband who was moving valiantly with his sword. It was as if nothing could stand in his way, and he could cut all obstacles in front of him.
She had always wondered how in the story books she read, many ladies would fall in love with a hero after seeing him fight. Wouldn’t it be disgusting or scary to see someone slaughtering another person in front of you?
‘Now, I know. It’s real.’
If the man was even half as handsome as her husband, and if their sword skills were a third as good and as beautiful, then it was possible.
Drayce was the epitome of those valiant heroes who could move a woman’s heart. Because of him, Seren could understand how possible it was for a man to look so attractively handsome when he fought with a sword.
At that moment, she forgot she was surrounded by a crowd. She forgot she was watching a sparring match. All she could see was her husband.
On the other hand, the subordinates of the Queen had eyes sparkling with interest towards the commander of the royal knights.
Sir Calhoun Sanders. Although of common origins, his skills and military accomplishment had earned him a knighthood and became one of the most trusted people of the King of Megaris.
He was an aloof man, yet he was popular in an unconventional sense. Loyal and steadfast, a person of mystery, a handsome man who had never even spared a single glance to any of the noble daughters who tried to catch his attention.
All he knew was his duties as the King’s guardian knight. The sword of the King. The Slayer of Megaris.
Precisely because of his rigid attitude, girls and women alike fantasized about him.
‘Imagine if a man of such dedication falls in love with me…’
Other than Marie, the other women in Seren’s entourage were all unmarried and could not help but eye Slayer with adoration. Their sparkling eyes were fixed at Slayer but they could only praise him in their minds. As the Queen’s servants, they had to support the one who the Queen supported and there was no need to even think about who that is.
Swoosh!
The whistling sounds of blades cutting through the air continued to echo within the training grounds.
For those who never wielded a sword like Seren, they could only admire how rapid the changes were occurring. One moment, Slayer was on the defensive, and then the next, he was overwhelming Drayce. But the second the spectators blink, Drayce seemed to have gotten back the upper hand.
Both swordsmen looked equally strong and no one could guess who would be the winner. Half an hour passed by like that. Meanwhile, the spectators, both men and women alike, who understand swordsmanship began analyzing the spar, trying to gain enlightenment from the movements of the two amazing swordsmen.
“Would you look at Brother’s footsteps? He disperses the recoil by spreading his legs every time Sir Calhoun does a downward slash…”
“I don’t know if it’s just me, but look at the way he’s swinging. It is like he’s baiting him to attack. I think if Sir Calhoun dug up that opening, he would fall into a trap.”
“Alas! That was a nice block!”
“Brother is awesome!”
“His knight isn’t so bad as well. He dodged the counterattack quickly…”
Listening to the people talking nearby, it was then Seren found out that the princesses were all trained in the sword as well, albeit none of them were too interested in pursuing a military career.
‘Ah, despite being females, as members of the Ivanov Family, they need to learn how to fight as well.’
Didn’t Great Lady Theodora mention that she too was a famed sword genius in her youth? If she wasn’t selected to be the queen back then, she would have joined the ranks of the royal knights. Not to mention, Queen Esther was very skilled with the blade as well, as she personally dealt with the enemies who tried to harm the Great Lady during their first meeting.
“Whoa!”
The gasps and cheers brought back Seren’s attention to the spar.
Drayce’s sword had cut the back of Slayer’s shirt. It was a long cut and his muscular back was exposed. While the males were cheering for Drayce, the majority of the females had their eyes and mouth wide open.
Seren turned to look at her entourage. The ladies-in-waiting and female servants immediately controlled their expressions, though no one could hide the blush caused by their excitement. Obviously, those single young women fancied Slayer.
“Waah! Good job, Commander!”
Another round of roars and cheers erupted as Slayer quickly avenged himself. He did the same to his opponent, though rather than the back, his sword slashed Drayce’s shirt from the front. Slayer chuckled at the King whose chest and stomach were exposed.
Now, it was time for Seren to join the ranks of gasping women. To her embarrassment, her servants were throwing amused glances at her.
However, that was just the beginning.
The crowd went wild when Drayce and Slayer completely tore their shirts and threw them aside as those remnant fabrics clinging onto their bodies were proving to be more of a hindrance, leaving the upper half of their body exposed. People could not help but admire their strong muscular and well-toned bodies covered in sweat.
Seren felt her cheeks heating up; thankfully, her face was covered in a veil. Thus, she boldly observed Drayce’s body. She could not help but drool over it in her mind, her heart beating fast as she admired his beautiful physique.