Levi marched through the palace corridors, grumbling to himself.
'I swear...'
'If I actually go after that sword...'
'I'm doing exactly what she wants.'
'That damned Goddess gets free entertainment while I risk my life.'
He let out an exhausted sigh.
'Wait...'
'Am I even allowed outside the palace?'
"...Outside?"
Levi froze.
He slowly turned around.
Standing behind him was the Knight Captain.
Arms folded.
Smirking.
"...Captain."
"What are you planning?"
Levi laughed awkwardly.
"I think you misheard."
"I didn't say anything."
He looked away and began whistling.
The Captain stared at him.
"...You know."
"The thing I hate most..."
"...Is when people lie right in front of me."
Levi's shoulders slumped.
"...Alright."
"You got me."
"I want to leave the palace."
The Captain raised an eyebrow.
"And where exactly are you planning to go?"
Levi rubbed the back of his neck.
"...Maybe..."
"...A forest."
The Captain blinked.
"...A forest?"
Levi nodded.
"That's somehow less concerning than whatever I imagined."
He sighed.
"Unfortunately..."
"I'm not allowed to approve something like that."
Levi frowned.
"...Then who can?"
"The King."
"Or the Queen."
Levi fell into thought.
'Hm...'
'Father will probably ask a hundred questions.'
'Mother...'
'Maybe she's easier.'
"I'll ask Mother."
The Captain shrugged.
"Good luck."
"I have a feeling you'll need it."
-
Levi wandered through the palace.
'If I remember correctly...'
'Mother usually spends this time around this part of the palace.'
Several minutes later...
He finally spotted her.
"There you are..."
He caught his breath.
"...Mother."
Queen Aurelia turned.
The moment she saw him...
A bright smile appeared on her face.
"My precious son."
Before Levi could react...
She wrapped him in a warm embrace.
Levi smiled awkwardly.
"...Good afternoon, Mother."
"What brings you here?"
Levi hesitated.
"...I wanted to ask something."
"Hm?"
"...May I go outside?"
The Queen blinked.
"...Outside?"
"You were outside yesterday."
Levi shook his head.
"...Outside the palace."
Understanding dawned on her face.
"...Oh."
She gently placed a hand on his cheek.
"My dear..."
"That's dangerous."
"You're the Crown Prince."
"There are people who would kidnap you."
"...Or worse."
Levi nodded.
"I know."
"But..."
"I'm stronger now."
"I can protect myself."
The Queen looked at him thoughtfully.
After several moments...
She smiled.
"...Alright."
Levi's eyes lit up.
"Really?"
"On one condition."
"...What condition?"
A strange glint appeared in her eyes.
"...Prove it."
Levi tilted his head.
"...Prove what?"
"That you can protect yourself."
"...I haven't seen it yet."
Levi instinctively took one step backwards.
"...Mother?"
She slowly rolled up the sleeves of her dress.
Then...
She clenched her fist.
A smile spread across her face.
"...It's been years."
Levi gulped.
"...Years since what?"
"Since I last held a sword."
She looked toward the palace courtyard.
"Come."
"We'll have a duel."
Levi's face went pale.
"...A duel?"
"Yes."
"You wanted permission."
"Earn it."
-
The open field behind the palace soon became their arena.
A servant brought two wooden practice swords.
Levi accepted his with trembling hands.
Queen Aurelia casually spun hers once.
The movement alone was enough to make Levi nervous.
"...Mother."
"Yes?"
"...You said..."
"You haven't trained in years."
"I haven't."
She smiled warmly.
"I've simply been busy."
Levi narrowed his eyes.
"...Then..."
"...How did you become Queen?"
She laughed softly.
"My dear."
"I wasn't born Queen."
"I earned my place."
"Do you think a noble lady reaches the royal family without overcoming rivals?"
Levi swallowed.
"...That's..."
"...Fair."
The Queen lowered her stance.
"Ready?"
"N-not really."
"Wonderful."
She disappeared.
Levi's eyes widened.
'Fast!'
Clang!
He barely managed to block the first strike.
A second came immediately.
Then a third.
Then a fourth.
Each attack flowed seamlessly into the next.
Levi desperately defended himself.
He blocked one.
Dodged another.
But every successful defence was followed by two more attacks.
'She's smiling...'
'WHY IS SHE SMILING?!'
Minutes later...
Levi lay flat on the grass.
His wooden sword had long since flown from his hand.
His entire body ached.
Queen Aurelia looked down at him.
Hands on her hips.
"Hm."
"You blocked more attacks than I expected."
She nodded approvingly.
"...You'll do."
Levi blinked.
"...Does that mean..."
"...I have permission?"
She smiled.
"You do."
"But."
She leaned down.
"Take guards with you."
Levi managed a weak thumbs-up.
"...Deal."
The Queen walked back toward the palace, humming happily.
Levi remained on the ground.
A few tears welled in the corners of his eyes.
'...Father married a monster.'
From a nearby balcony...
King Maverick watched the entire duel.
He chuckled to himself.
"I warned him once."
"He'll learn."
Levi could only groan into the grass.
"...I just wanted to go outside..."