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There were a few points in her life when Alicia wondered if she was alone in the world.
After all, it was lonely at the top. She was royalty. A queen before anything else. She couldn't trust too easily — such was the way of politics. Be fair and just, but not someone soft to be taken advantage of.
She excelled in her studies, in her etiquette, and the sword? They called her a genius. Before she became the youngest swordmaster, it was thought impossible to reach such a level before 40 years old.
Sir Kyle was her mentor in swordsmanship. Even once they became equals, she would never forget how he helped mold her into the person she was.
She would never forget how it felt to be betrayed by someone she trusted like no other.
And the fact that she was not saved by her own strength, but rather the strengths of two people not even in her inner circle?
…
…she would be a fool if she didn't try to keep those two close.
Of course, part of being a good queen was knowing when to yield a little. She was no tyrant, and no novice to having to butter up and strong arm her allies in a delicate balance. So she let Lloyd Frontera and Javier Asrahan lead the lives they wanted.
In the meantime, she couldn't help but wonder if that outcome were for the best.
In the aftermath, Javier came forth. His manner spoke more of hesitance due to tact than physical exhaustion.
“Speak.” She commanded.
“Your Majesty. As I fought Sir Kyle, all your guard knights drew their swords at his command against me. Whether that was due to blind faith or more sinister intentions is beyond me.”
It was succinct, with no ulterior motives. He wasn't trying to further his position or sabotage the kingdom, he was merely informing her as was his duty.
She could see how that situation played out; how they nearly played right into Sir Kyle’s hands.
“Thank you for your honesty.”
Alicia trained every day, harder than she ever had before. She sought to break through her limits, again and again. She felt like she would only find true safety, true freedom is she transcended all human limits. So what if it had never been done before? They called her a sword genius — she'd set the precedence herself.
She was on that meteoric rise when she was suddenly humbled once more.
The bone dragon.
The man who took her title as youngest swordmaster became the world's first grandmaster. He effortlessly broke through the ceiling that was the sky.
And yet. About to knock on death's door, and even after, she didn't fear or resent him for it. She allowed this man to spar her, to witness her weaknesses and criticize her for them, all so she could improve.
More so than a fight with someone else, sparring with Javier was fighting her own instincts. The last time she fought someone with the upper hand over her…
Though cheeky like his master, Javier had proven his righteous character through and through. The fight with the bone dragon drove home that they shared the same values. Alicia respected him.
Although that didn't mean he couldn't be brainwashed like Sir Kyle was.
Maybe she could never prevent herself from being hurt again, but she had more to lose from antagonizing or ignoring this man.
So she took that risk.