Return of the General's Daughter

"What is going on here?" Duke Connor Arces’s voice rang out across the training grounds as he strode forward, General Odin at his side. Behind them, Duchess Eloisa and Marchioness Freya followed at a more measured pace, skirts brushing against the cobblestones.

Jansen flinched at the sound of the Duke’s voice. His body ached as though he’d been trampled by a cavalry charge. Every muscle throbbed, and each breath felt like a punishment. He still couldn’t wrap his head around how he’d been bested so thoroughly by a girl who barely reached his chin.

The girl’s strikes had been swift and accurate, each one landing precisely where he would usually hit young Sandoz during training. But her power—gosh, her power—was far beyond anything he’d ever used. What he gave Sandoz was discipline. What she gave him was wrath, multiplied tenfold.

Before Jansen could muster the nerve to speak, a nearby knight—one who had earlier offered to train Sandoz—stepped forward and bowed.

"My lord, Lady Lara engaged Sir Jansen in a sparring match. I’ve never seen anyone handle a sword like she did—and she defeated him easily."

General Odin’s grin was wide, almost reaching to his ears. That was his daughter, after all.

Duke Connor, however, narrowed his eyes. "And why were they fighting?"

Lara’s voice was calm, cold, and cutting. "My lord, I simply wanted Sir Jansen to understand the pain Sandoz has been enduring. Who in their right mind uses a metal sword to train a growing child? His body is still developing. The bruises he carries could leave permanent damage."

Jansen, his pride wounded more than his body, protested with a grimace. "It’s not like that. Pain builds resilience. He needs to learn it early so he can adapt."