After the torturous training was over I went straight to my bed and this kind of routine went for 4 months.After todays arduous training with Rei was over I went back to my room without attending dinner.

When I woke up next morning I wasn't refreshed at all. This have never happened to me before. While I stared at the ceiling all I could feel was my body aching and that my hearth was broken.

It must have been because of my dream but I couldn't remember what did I see to make me this hearth broken.

After pondering on what I might have dreamt of for a few minutes I remembered I need to get ready for breakfast and started wearing my allready arranged clothes .

Just as I was about to leave my room I heard a knock

"Come in."

The door opened and I was welcomed with the sight of Nicoles friendly smile

"Good morning young master"Nico said

"Good morning to you too Nico! Is there something you want?"

"well, Master Frederik summoned you to his chambers"

"I will visit him right away"I said while gesturing to the door and went after her.I learnt this was the proper way from brother Elric. He always says a man should let the lady leave first so he can watch him but he wont teach me the second stage of where to watch when doing so.

While I was walking through the corridors leading to my fathers office I couldn't help but wonder what I did wrong that my father would summon me?

There wasn't supposed to be any reason to summon me first thing in the morning. I was always very diligent after the time I did 20 extra laps for being late 5 minutes.( Even thinking abot that day send shivers down my spine)

I was lost in my thoughts so much that I didn't even notice I arrived before the imposing doors of my fathers office.

I slowly reached my hand out to the door knob and and knocked it three times.

what happened afterwards was a wait that felt like hours but instead was just a few seconds.

Eventually my fathers soft but commanding voice responded

"come in"

I pushed the door open and walked in with the most elegance I could.

I think I did a considerably well job if we are to take the rate my hearth is pounding account.

when I stood before him , he lifted his piercing green gaze towards be for a second then went back to his work.

Unnerving me with the sudden silence he uttered the words that put my thoughts into chaos.

"I heard you are starting your real training today"

Was he going to scold me for taking too long to start or praise me for my efforts?

Was he going to say I am not worthy just like big brother Elric or was he proud that I was getting better every passing day?

Too many questions that only one man can answer.

I gulped down the cumilated salvia then replied with a shaky voice

"Yes father"

He looked at me with a small twitch in his lips and replied

"You have done well son. You are making me proud, keep doing so"

It may have been just a small praise but it still made my day, I just couldn't help but smile all the day

scene change

I arrived to the dininghall with spring in my steps. Mother , Cate , Mike and Elric was already seated and having breakfast.

First I gave a hug to mom and a pat on the head for my adorable sister. Which both returned with equally spirited greetings. I sent a goodmorning to my brothers which Mike returned with a stiff nod while Elric returned with a warm smile and a goodmorning of his own.

Then continued the conversation with his brows rosed

" Heard you are starting your real training today ? "

Before I could say anything Catelyn chimed in with a joyful mood

" Big brother will be the greatest knight ever ! I bet he will beat you in no time at all ! "

Brother laughed heartily and replied while swiping small droplets of tear from his eyes

"Aaah my sweet sister , anyone that has held a sword for a week can beat me "

Cate puffed her cheeks and declared

" Then William will beat you in 3 days !"

Scene change

When I was about to get up I felt a small tug on my sleves.

Oh my god

My sister was looking at me with puppy eyes !

At this point I already knew I just lost a conversation

"Brother can we explore the forest together ?" She asked with a hopefull tone

"Awww not fair Cate, how can I say no when you look at me like that ? "

She brightened up like a sun and kissed me sloppily

"But you must wait for my training to be over "

She looked a little sad but gave me a nod.

Scene change

Rei stood before me with a blank look

"Well, what are you waiting for ? Swing the sword"

"But arent you going to teach me cool moves ? "

He rolled his eyes mockingly

"When you are in a battlefield you either stab or get stabbed, the fancy moves other nobles learn will not make you survive in a battlefield.Over there its either get killed or kill.Now don't make me repeat my self"

I gave a disheartened nod and begun to make downward swings

"But aren't knights supposed to be graceful ? "

"Only the true Knights are Graceful , and the grace they have comes from constant practice of basics. The footwork, positioning of your body , the path your sword takes while swinging.It all adds up to a deadly dance , a dance that your opponents will see only once in their lifetime , they will be so captivated in your dances grace that they wont even know they are dead untill the reaper comes for them."

He finished with a smile that wasn't directed to me

2 hours of swinging later

"I- I can't do it anymore "

"Okey then , do 40 laps "

"NOOOOOO"

3 hours of pure agony later

"Am I dead ?"

The talking squirrel looked at me with eyes full of pity

"Dont worry William you are not dead, you are at your happy place is all! "

" Who are you ?"

"I am the happy squirrel !"

that makes sense

Before I could open my mouth again cold water splashed to my face and pulled me from my happy place.

Following days my father gave me my first real sword. It means so much to me that I carry it along with me to anywhere I go.

Over the months I noticed a change of air around our city. Everyone seemed tensed up because of something.

Whenever I walked down the streets The words of a new demonlord an how monsters were spawning at places they were not seen before.

When I asked Father he said it doesn't concern me so I asked Mother and she said to not believe in rumors.

I also noticed my little sister getting more sad everyday. Sometimes looking at me like a lost puppy.

I couldn't handle it anymore so I catched her and questioned why

She looked at me like she was about to cry and answers shakily

"Do- do you hate me ?"

"why would you think like that Cate ? You are one of my most precious people"

"But you said you will play with me after your training is over , its been 2 months and you still havent"

Then I remembered promise and facelalmed

" I am so sorry Cate , I promise I wont train tomorrow so we will go explore the forest "

"Do you mean it "

"Of course I do " I smiled and kissed her head