The Hero's Forsaken Princess
Chapter 46: Training

Chapter 46: Training

Stormholt Manor Library

"Princess, shall we start your training?" Gideon smirked at her, giving her a challenging look.

Eve nodded, staring back at him with confidence. "Yes, Master," she playfully responded.

"Princess, today, call me Professor Deon." Gideon stroked his fake mustache, his eyes glinting with humor.

Eve giggled, shaking her head helplessly. "Alright. Call me Eve... I don’t want to hear my master calling me princess."

"That’s a deal!" Gideon nodded in agreement.

The two burst out into a peal of laughter.

"Shhh! We need to stay quiet. Your personal maid might hear us. She is so fierce. She looks more like a warrior than a maid." Gideon shared his opinion regarding Sera.

Eve looked at Gideon, giving him a teasing smile. "Do you like her?" she asked him in her elated voice.

Gideon choked at her last remarks. "Eve Valemont Stormholt, Stop making crazy assumption. You are making me puke!"

Eve pouted her lips, narrowing her eyes on him. "Why? Sera is so charming in her own way. What’s wrong with admiring her?"

Gideon moved closer to her, pinching her nose. "Stop with your nonsense, Eve. I don’t admire any woman."

"Ouch!" She rubbed her nose, glaring at Gideon.

"Let’s begin your training now!" When Gideon uttered those words, Eve’s face brightened up.

She straightened her back and stood properly in front of Gideon, resembling a knight awaiting for her captain’s command.

"I’ll teach you how to fight using a dagger. With your small frame and frail body, I won’t recommend heavy swords. But once you recover and gain a little more weight, I’ll teach you how to wield a sword."

Eve bobbed her head vehemently. "I’ll eat properly starting today. In a few weeks, I’ll gain more weight."

"Good. I’ll give you routine exercises as well to strengthen your body." Gideon gently patted her head.

"Here. Use this!" He gave her a small dagger.

Eve accepted it, curiously checking the weapon in her hand.

"Hold it like this," Gideon moved to her side, showing her how to grip the dagger.

"The easiest way to kill your enemy is to slit his throat or stab his heart and eyes. You can also aim for his ankle and legs if you are trying to run away." Gideon gave her some tips while executing the moves before her.

Eve gasped in amazement as she watched Gideon move swiftly with his dagger.

To her surprise, Gideon suddenly grabbed her from behind, gripping her body tightly and pressing the dagger against her throat.

Gideon flashed a devilish smile as he held her body close. He could smell her sweet scent.

Meanwhile, Eve stiffened, swallowing hard. She didn’t expect Gideon to make a sneaky attack on her.

"Eve," his husky voice was heard behind her ear. "Show me what you are capable of. I’m going to release you. But you have to attack me. Think of me as someone you want to kill. Don’t hesitate."

’Someone I want to kill?’ For some unknown reason, Queen Amara’s face flashed in her mind.

Gripping her dagger tightly, Eve slammed her eyes shut. She waited for Gideon to release her from his hold.

A few seconds later...

Eve snapped her eyes open and turned to face Gideon. She swung her dagger, charging toward Gideon.

With his quick footwork, Gideon managed to dodge her attacks. However, Eve continued plunging the dagger in his direction, aiming at his neck.

’That’s nice. Eve is seriously attacking me. She is not holding back. I wonder who is she imagining right now.’ Gideon thought, his lips curling up in satisfaction. He could see the murderous intent in Eve’s emerald eyes.

Gideon was being pushed back to the corner as Eve continued swinging her dagger, advancing toward him.

’Throat. Eyes. Heart! I have to strike those parts and defeat my enemy!’ Eve murmured inwardly.

With her determination to hit Gideon, Eve failed to notice the uneven floor, causing her to trip over her own foot.

’Oh no! I’m falling!’ Eve shut her eyes, waiting for the impact.

But before her body landed to the floor, Gideon sprinted to her, catching her in an embrace. But his rush movement caused him to bump into the bookshelves in the library, sending several books tumbling down.

"Fuck!" Gideon cussed under his breath.

He maneuvered their position so that Eve wouldn’t be hit by the falling books. Shielding her head and body, the books fell to Gideon’s back one after another.

Thud!

The moment Eve opened her eyes, several books had been scattered on the floor. But Gideon remained holding her body in his embrace. Eve blinked, trying to hold her breath. Their faces were so close to each other.

Gideon’s mesmerizing blue eyes gazed at her intently.

’Is he mad?’ Eve gulped hard, noticing Gideon’s dark expression.

"Eve," his cold voice sent shiver down her spine. "You have to work on your footwork first." He pursed his lips tightly. "Until then, I won’t allow you to hold any sharp weapons!"

Eve parted her lips to complain only to close them again. Gideon’s grim expression made her speechless.

’Why is he so mad?’ She mused to herself.

"A-Are you hurt?" she asked him anxiously. "I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to... You shouldn’t have protected me..." Eve thought that Gideon was angry because he had been hit by several books because of her.

Gideon narrowed his eyes further at her last remark. He clicked his tongue and said, "Oh my Little Princess. You are still as clumsy as ever."

Eve glanced at him clueless.

’Sigh. What am I supposed to do with her?’ Gideon took a deep sigh.

If he hadn’t caught her, Eve would have been hurt by her own dagger. When she felt her body falling to the ground, she shut her eyes, forgetting about the dagger in her hand.

"I’ll be more careful. Don’t get mad anymore," Eve pouted her lips, giving him a puppy-eyed look.

Gideon shook his head helplessly. "Im not mad. I’m just worried about you. You silly girl!" He gently pinched her cheeks.

"Crazy Master bullying Princess! Don’t touch, my Princess! Stay away!" Silvester suddenly flew toward Gideon, his sharp beak pecking at his head.