[38 — Rule of Thunder (2)]

"To think you'd actually have the audacity to challenge me to a duel, Aria. After losing so many times, you finally decided to rely on brute force? I wonder what people will say when they see the one who's supposed to protect me actually fighting against me."

"Don't bother trying to scare me, Katou-sama. I won't fall for your tricks anymore. If you're afraid, then just admit defeat."

I still can't believe it took me this long to come up with the idea.

"Afraid? That word doesn't even exist in my vocabulary. I just think it's a little unfair for someone who's trained swordsmanship her whole life to pick a fight with a complete beginner. But hey, what can I say? I guess desperation finally got the better of you."

He can be unbelievably annoying when he wants to be.

"First of all, Katou-sama, this isn't a fight. It's a game with clear rules."

"A game, huh?"

"Exactly. This game consists of… uh, let me see…"

"Tch, so much for 'clear rules.'"

"Could you please be quiet?! You're distracting me! Anyway, like I said, the rules are simple: you just need to hit me three times. There will be three rounds. Whoever lands a hit on the other first wins. That's it! To give you an advantage, I'll be using a wooden sword. How about that?"

"Hmm…" He propped his head on his hand. "These rules sound pretty weird. Besides, I don't see using a wooden sword as an advantage. Honestly, I expected you to say something like: 'I won't move' or 'I'll only use one hand to defend.'"

"What?! Not moving? That would basically be the same as letting you win!"

I don't know exactly how he fights, but I'm not convinced giving him that kind of edge is smart.

"Sigh… Fine. What can I do? The game's yours, so you set the rules. Okay, let's start."

Katou-sama stretched his arms and stared me down.

"Hey, wait! Aren't you going to grab a weapon?"

"We both know my swordsmanship is trash. Why risk losing by using something I don't even know how to handle?"

"Ah… right, I guess that makes sense."

So why do I have this bad feeling…?

"Alright. It's on—"

Before I could even finish, he vanished.

A light tap landed on my shoulder.

"That's one. Two left."

"W-what?! How did you—how did you get here so fast? No! I mean, that doesn't count! I hadn't even finished talking!"

"What do you mean it doesn't count? You clearly said it was on."

What just happened? He… disappeared. I didn't even see him move.

"No excuses, Aria. A point's a point. Now let's keep going."

He strolled casually to the other side of the training ground.

"I'm ready whenever you say go."

I took a deep breath, gripping my sword tighter.

This time I wouldn't lose sight of him.

"Go!" I shouted, eyes wide open. I wouldn't let him catch me off guard again.

Now, let's see how you moved that fast…

"…"

Huh? Why is he just standing there? Isn't he coming toward me?

I kept my eyes locked on him. I paid close attention to his feet so I could follow any motion. But oddly, he remained motionless.

What is he planning?

"…"

I never thought silence could be this intimidating.

With each passing second I felt more anxious. I even stopped blinking just to concentrate.

It was useless.

"Gulp."

I was starting to get worried.

How long has it been?

Ten minutes?

I couldn't tell.

All I knew was that it was driving me crazy.

It didn't look like Katou-sama was going to move anytime soon.

"If that's how you want it…" I whispered.

Fine. If he won't set the pace, then I will.

I moved my feet into an attack stance, making as little noise as possible so he wouldn't notice. I would take this round without giving Katou-sama a chance to react.

"Ha!" I exhaled sharply and lunged forward with all the speed I had— "Kya!"

I felt a sharp blow.

My supporting foot completely lost contact with the ground.

Of course I was going to crash face-first onto the floor.

"That's two, Aria." Katou-sama caught me by the arm.

"T-thanks…" It slipped out before I realized.

"Thanking me for losing? That's a new one."

"That's not it! And who said I lost?! That was just the second round. Now that you know the rules, I won't hold back anymore!"

"Sure, sure…"

Ugh! He's just messing with me!

Once again, he sauntered lazily to the far side of the yard.

Just looking at how casually he moved pissed me off.

"Alright, shall we?"

"Go."

Alright then, smartass. Know this: I'm fully focused now. I won't rush ahead and I won't take my eyes off you. I want to see what tricks you try next—

Thud.

A pebble bounced off my head.

"…."

I was left completely speechless.

"Three points. Guess I win. As usual."

"Y-you, you—"

"Haha, tell me, Aria. You didn't expect that one, did you?"

"K-Katou-sama…"

"Hm? What is it? Impressed? I know, I know, you're about to say—"

"How could you throw a pebble at my head?! That… that… That doesn't count! You didn't touch me directly!"

"There you go again with the 'doesn't count' line. The rules you gave were clear: first to land three hits wins. You never said it had to be direct contact, right?"

"Y-you—!"

"Don't be so mad, Aria. That's the price you pay for making rules so slopp—"

"THAT WAS CHEATING!!!" My anger boiled over before I could stop myself. "HOW CAN A PRINCE ACT LIKE THIS?! DON'T YOU HAVE A SINGLE SHRED OF HON—"

Before I knew it, I'd lost control.

Blue sparks crackled around me, bursting like a field of lightning.

So many of them… like a storm raging across my body.

"A-Aria… you…"

Katou-sama frowned, bewildered.

He saw it.

He… had discovered I was a witch.

"…"

No! Not here… not in front of the royal family.

Why did it have to happen now?

Why had I been so impulsive?

I shouldn't have fallen for his games.

I shouldn't have lost my head.

"Haa… haa!"

It was over.

What do I do?

Run? No! There's no way I'd make it out of the castle alive.

Attack? Could I even do that? He hadn't done anything to deserve being attacked. It was my fault for being stupid. My fault for being born with this curse. Should I just accept it?

Is this the end?

Will I die like this?

No…

I don't want to die.

I'm too young to die like this.

I want to live.

"K-Katou-sama…"

Before I realized, I was already on my knees.

My whole body had gone limp.

All those years of training, of fighting... they meant nothing. My pride vanished in an instant. I didn't care about my image anymore; all I could think about was surviving.

"Aaah! Katou-sama, please… please… please." Tears began to fall from my eyes.

"I don't want to die."

"Please."

"I… I'll do anything!"

"Anything you want."

"Just let me live."

"Don't tell anyone."

"Katou-sama… I… I—"

"Holy shit, Aria! What was that? That's your power?!"

He grabbed my hands.

"K-Katou… sama?"

"Hahaha! That's insane! You're like Pik—no, no, you're like Killua!"

What is he even talking about?

"No, maybe more like—"

"Y-you… you're not going to execute me?"

"Huh? What kind of question is that? Why would I execute you? Who else am I supposed to play with if you're gone?"

"B-but I'm a witch. I'm cursed! If anyone finds out—"

"Nonsense. Cursed my ass. You're special." Our eyes met "Do you have any idea how many people would kill to have a power like that? What you've got is a gift. Something only you can wield. You are… ah, I got it! The Rule of Thunder! It suits you! Doesn't it sound like one of those card game titles? I can already imagine you introducing yourself like that."

"R-Ruru what? Kaado geemu?"

"Come on" He held out his hand. "Get up. We've still got plenty to do today."

I hesitated. Stared at him, dumbfounded, before finally accepting his help.

"T-thank—"

Crash!

The sound of shattering glass echoed across the training ground.

The head maid had appeared in the doorway.

She'd seen us.