vampire

Author pov...

After they had taken a moment to rest and rehydrate, the training grounds were filled with a sense of calm, a brief respite before the next challenge. Esteria sat on the grass, her chest still heaving from the exertion of the race. She wiped the sweat from her brow, her thoughts racing just as fast as her heartbeat.

Lord El stood nearby, his gaze fixed on the horizon, lost in thought. Esteria couldn't help but admire the way he carried himself—an air of quiet strength and authority that commanded respect. Despite the intensity of the morning's training, he seemed as composed as ever.

Esteria's thoughts drifted back to the race. She had given it her all, pushing through the pain and fatigue to reach the finish line. The memory of Lord El's subtle smile when she crossed it brought a sense of accomplishment, though it was tempered by the knowledge that she had much to learn and improve upon.

Lord El turned to face her and the others, breaking the silence with a tone that was both firm and encouraging. "You've all done well today, but our training is far from over. There's one more test I want to conduct before we finish."

Esteria's heart skipped a beat, curiosity piqued. She rose to her feet, steadying herself as she met his gaze. "What kind of test, my Lord?"

El-Kharis approached her, his eyes assessing, as if weighing her readiness. "I want to see how skilled you are with a sword. Your endurance and determination are commendable, but I need to know how you fare in combat."

He gestured toward a rack of weapons, and Esteria's eyes followed his hand. The swords gleamed in the morning light, their blades sharp and polished. She felt a mixture of excitement and apprehension. It had been a while since she had engaged in a serious sword fight, but the thought of testing herself in this way was invigorating.

El-Kharis selected a sword from the rack, its hilt intricate and well-worn, a weapon that had clearly seen many battles. He handed it to Esteria, his expression unreadable. "This is yours for the day. You'll be sparring with Leon."

Leon, who had been stretching nearby, looked up at the mention of his name. He offered Esteria a friendly nod, though there was a glint of determination in his eyes. He was clearly eager for the challenge as well.

Esteria took the sword, feeling its weight in her hand. It was familiar, comforting even, as memories of her father's training flooded her mind. He had been a strict but fair teacher, instilling in her the importance of discipline and precision. She had always been a more defensive fighter, preferring to wait for the right moment to strike rather than rush in blindly. But now, with the demon blood coursing through her veins, she felt a new strength, a power that she hadn't fully explored yet.

El-Kharis moved to the edge of the training ground, giving them space. "This isn't just about winning," he said, his voice carrying across the field. "It's about testing your limits, understanding your strengths and weaknesses. Fight with everything you have."

Leon unsheathed his own sword, stepping into position. Esteria mirrored his movements, her body tense but focused. The world seemed to narrow to just the two of them, the sounds of nature fading into the background as they locked eyes.

"Ready?" Leon asked, his voice steady.

Esteria nodded, gripping the hilt of her sword tightly. "Ready."

The fight began with a clash of steel, the sound sharp and clear in the morning air. Leon was quick, his strikes coming fast and hard, but Esteria was quicker in her defense, parrying each blow with a calculated precision. She could feel the power in her muscles, the new strength that had been awakened within her, but she remained cautious, not wanting to overextend herself too soon.

Leon was a formidable opponent, his experience evident in the way he moved. He was both a striker and a defender, switching between the two with fluidity that kept Esteria on her toes. She matched his movements, countering his strikes with her own, though she remained on the defensive, waiting for an opening.

As the battle wore on, Esteria found herself growing more confident. Her father's teachings came back to her in full force, guiding her actions as she blocked, dodged, and struck with a precision that surprised even her. But it wasn't just skill that she was relying on; it was the raw power that flowed through her, the demon blood that gave her an edge she hadn't had before.

Yet, despite her best efforts, Leon was relentless. He pressed forward, his strikes growing more aggressive as he sought to overpower her defenses. Esteria could feel the strain in her arms, the burn in her muscles as she fought to keep up. But she refused to back down, determination fueling her every move.

In a sudden burst of energy, Leon launched a series of rapid strikes, forcing Esteria to retreat. She parried each blow, her movements quick and precise, but she could feel herself being pushed to her limits. The realization hit her—Leon was stronger, more experienced, and he was using that to his advantage.

But Esteria was not one to give up easily. She drew on the strength within her, tapping into the power that had been lying dormant for so long. She fought back with renewed vigor, her strikes becoming more forceful, her defense more solid. For a moment, it seemed like she might turn the tide, that she might actually win.

But Leon was too skilled, too seasoned. He saw an opening in her defense and took it, his sword slipping past her guard to land a light but decisive blow on her side. Esteria stumbled back, her breath catching in her throat as the pain registered. She had lost.

The fight was over.

Leon lowered his sword, breathing heavily, but there was no gloating in his eyes. Instead, he offered her a respectful nod. "Well fought, Lady Esteria. You gave me quite a challenge."

Esteria nodded, catching her breath as she lowered her own sword. The sting of defeat was tempered by a sense of accomplishment. She had fought well, better than she had expected, and she had learned much about herself in the process.

El-Kharis approached them, his expression unreadable as he looked between the two of them. For a moment, Esteria wondered if he was disappointed, but then he spoke, his voice carrying a note of approval. "You fought admirably, Esteria. You've shown great strength and determination, and more importantly, you've proven that you have the potential to grow even stronger."

Esteria met his gaze, a flicker of pride swelling within her at his words. She had wanted to impress him, to show that she was not just a burden to be protected, but someone who could stand and fight alongside him. And while she hadn't won, she had come close.

"Thank you, my Lord," she said, her voice steady despite the fatigue that weighed on her. "I will continue to train and improve. I won't let you down."

El-Kharis nodded, a small smile playing at the corners of his lips. "I have no doubt that you will, Esteria. You have a warrior's spirit. Remember that."

With that, he turned to Leon, offering him a nod of respect as well. "Well done, Leon. You've proven yourself a skilled fighter, and a worthy opponent."

Leon bowed slightly, clearly pleased by the praise. "Thank you, Lord El."

**Esteria's POV**

As I lay on the grass, my body aching from the intense sword fight with Leon, I could feel the fatigue settling deep in my bones. Despite the exhaustion, there was a sense of satisfaction. I had held my own against a skilled fighter like Leon, even though he ultimately won. I was more than just the princess I once was—I was stronger now, both in body and spirit.

Just as I was about to push myself up, the sound of hurried footsteps broke through the calm of the morning. A maid rushed toward us, her face ashen with fear. The urgency in her eyes made my heart skip a beat.

"My Lord!" she gasped, barely catching her breath. "Vampires... Vampires have been spotted in the land!"

Her words sent a shockwave through me, and the world seemed to spin. Vampires. My heart plummeted, and cold dread seized my very core. The mere mention of them brought back the nightmarish memories I had fought so hard to bury—memories of Vincent, my former fiancé, who had betrayed me in the most horrific way by stabbing me in the heart.

I struggled to keep my composure, but the fear clawed at me, threatening to consume the strength I had worked so hard to build.

Lord El's gaze immediately sharpened, his expression darkening as he assessed the situation. He wasted no time, his voice cutting through the tension like a blade. "Adrian, Levy," he commanded, his tone leaving no room for hesitation, "take Esteria to her room. Protect her. The rest of you, follow me."

Adrian and Levy were at my side within moments, their hands gently but firmly guiding me to my feet. The others formed a protective barrier around me, ready to fend off any threat. I wanted to argue, to tell them I could handle myself, but the terror that gripped my heart made it impossible to speak.

As we moved quickly toward the palace, I cast a glance back at Lord El. His imposing figure was already striding purposefully toward the source of the threat, every movement radiating power and authority. Despite my fear, I wished I could stay and fight beside him. But I knew, deep down, that I wasn't ready—not yet.

As Adrian and Levy led me through the corridors, I fought to steady my breathing. The image of Vincent's betrayal loomed large in my mind, but I couldn't let it weaken me. I had come too far to let the past dictate my future.

Vampires had once shattered my heart, but I would not allow them to shatter my resolve.