The Queen Who Shares Love
S2 Chapter 2 The Fight With the Duchess

"Who's the girl?" ask Leonard.

"Don't I ever tell you that? He is the leader of this team. The nobility who defeated the previous rebels" Will explained.

"You never said she was a woman" Leonard protested.

"You're the one who doesn't want to know the information about nobles" Will replied.

Duchess Hillbright received her knight salute. His eyes glanced at Leonard. The Duchess's face did not show any expression. He passed to his tent.

Leonard was still speechless in his place staring at the young noble. 

'How can that cowardly girl lead an army?' inner Leonard.

***

Duchess Hillbright stands on stage to give a speech. He put his eyes on the whole team. His face hardened when he saw the group of priests. But only for a moment. He began to give his speech.

Leonard did not hear the speech of Duchess Hillbright at all. He still observed the Duchess from head to toe. Indeed her height exceeded that of an average noble girl, but Leonard was not sure the Duchess could defeat a man.

Duchess Hillibright finished her speech to her tent. The mercenary leader approached the Duchess followed by Leonard. Leonard thought that the mercenary leader also disagreed that the one who led the rebel crackdown was a woman.

"Duchess, wait," shouted the mercenary leader.

Duchess Hillbright turned to look at the mercenary leader. "What's wrong?"

"I've done what the Duchess told you do you want to hear it now?" 

"Later, someone eavesdropped." Duchess Hillbright's view turned to Leonard hiding in one of the tents. Leonard came out directly stating his importance.

"I know nobility must be respected, but if something is wrong we should protest it. Why would the leader just shut up, let this girl lead the army? There could be a lot of casualties."

The face of the mercenary leader stiffened. He smothered the mouth of his brazen subordinate. The head bowed did not dare to look at the Duchess who was bound to be furious.

"Is that so? Then are you the one who wants to lead this army?" the cynical Duchess.

Leonard took off the mercenary leader's hand. "If I had the strength, of course I would. Actually I don't mind being led by someone else as long as that person is strong."

The mercenary leader immediately hit Leonard on the head and kept his head down apologizing. He also told Leonard to apologize for his stupidity.

"Then I will prove it. Fight me," challenge Duchess Hillbright.

"I agree" replied Leonard steadily.

The mercenary leader looked up while shaking his head. "The Duchess forgave me for not telling her properly. You don't have to fight. I'll convince this boy."

"He wouldn't be sure if he didn't see for himself. Bring the other mercenaries to see our fight, so that there can be no doubt between them as well" Duchess Hillbright ordered.

"Both Duchess," submissive mercenary leader. He immediately called for another mercenary to gather.

Duchess Hillbright and Leonard were both looking fiercely. There was no fear surrounding Leonard's heart. He will prove that noble girls should not play with war. A girl should have just sat sweetly in her residence.

The other mercenaries had already gathered. The mercenary leader brought the sword to the Duchess and Leonard. Once everything was ready he gave a cue to start while closing his eyes. He was afraid that bad things would happen to his subordinates.

Both fighters were silent. No one goes forward first. Leonard actually gave the Duchess a chance to strike first, but it seemed that the girl did not understand.

"Why don't you attack?" ask Leonard.

Duchess Hillbright smiled obliquely. "Once I attack you you'll lose."

The Duchess quickly dodged Leonard and fell. The whole audience cheered. Leonard was irritated to immediately rise to attack the Duchess again. His entire attack could be avoided easily. He's starting to get upset.

"Stop avoiding."

"All right, I'll attack."

The Duchess' sword immediately brushed off Leonard's sword until it was thrown. 

"It still doesn't prove anything" replied Leonard, who would not admit defeat.

"Pathetic."

The Duchess threw away her sword because she felt the match was unfair. Leonard put up the horses to fight empty-handed. He did not have the heart to hit women and did not want to hit the Duchess. It will only scare him.

Leonard threw his punch. The Duchess dodged him and hit the air on Leonard's day. It felt like a bull was hitting Leonard's body. Not letting Leonard rest, the Duchess nudged Leonard's back to the ground. The sound of Leonard's body crashing onto the ground rang out loud. Leonard grimaced in pain. He tried to stand up but could not.

"Is it done?" duchess Syndir.

Leonard could not answer because he was ashamed. This was the first time he had been humiliated by a woman.

"Call the priest to heal this man. And don't ever underestimate me because I'm a girl" the Duchess recalled to the people who were there.

"Well, Duchess," replied the mercenary leader.

The audience began to return to their tents. They get an interesting spectacle and will not forget the incident earlier.

Leonard still fell to the ground clenching his hands tightly. He will avenge the noble who hurt his pride earlier. Whatever the way.

The sound of footsteps approaching Leonard. Leonard's eyes catch the black-haired priestess who begins to heal her. The pain in his body began to decrease. He rose to see the face of the man who saved him.  This pastor is young about 12-14 years old. Leonard was surprised but tried to cover it up. The pastor noticed it and said.

"I know what you're thinking. I was still a child but my healing power was not inferior to other pastors."

Leonard quickly resolved a misunderstanding between them. "I don't think about that. It's just that you're too young to put down this rebellion."

"I just want to help my parents" the pastor replied looking glum.

Leonard could only guess the reason this young girl was willing to come forward to crush the rebels. Must be financial. It could be that his parents have debts such as Leonard's parents or because of severe illness that requires treatment. His life could drift suddenly without prior notice due to this rebellion. What a noble deed. Leonard did not want to ask because he was not happy to ask personal questions let alone they had just become acquainted. No they haven't met.

"What's your name?" ask Leonard.

"I'm Ariana."

"I'm Leonard. It's nice to meet you. No need to talk that formal with me."

"Good." 

Ariana standing. He finished healing Leonard and returned to his tent. Leonard promised to protect the girl. He had helped her so it was fitting that Leonard would repay him.

***

Leonard woke up earlier than the other soldiers. He warms up and trains. By becoming strong, the goal of avenging Duchess Hillbright will be achieved. 

The sound of people talking. Leonard stopped his practice from approaching the source of the sound. He went into hiding, watching the Duchess talk to the downcast priest. He knew the priest, Ariana.

Quickly, Leonard stopped the Duchess's lecture on Ariana.