บท 31: WHAT MAKE YOU THINK YOU CAN DO IT?

Ariana sounded a bit excited as she knew the knight had already lost against her willpower.

Lucas, Josh and Kay had to accept what happened and follow the princess from the back even if they are the one who is supposed to lead.

"Go and tell the Duke after we escort her." In a whisper, Josh said to Kay. She nodded slowly and waited for the right time to go unnoticed.

"Oh right, let me stop by my chambers for a while to change clothes. I also need to get Lily to come with me." Ariana is not aware that the knights scheme something from her back. But it's not like she didn't calculate the situation which the Duke might be there. She already thinks that far, and its not a big problem. She wants to see his reaction about this too!

She then skips happily while flipping her dress left and right like a child. It's been a while since the last time she was in an area that was part of her flesh and blood. She bet the atmosphere must be similar to the place where she always practices for her martial arts in her real world. And she knows she will love it!

After talking to Lily, Ariana quickly changed the clothes provided. She is now wearing pants and a long-sleeved shirt cut a bit similar to the knight. It's light, cool to the skin and easy to move.

With this look, she is now walking in the hallways to go to the kitchen.

"Woah, I didn't know I had something like this. Can't I just wear this all the time and not the dress?" Ariana started her wishful thinking. This is much more comfortable and matches her style.

"Save your thinking to yourself, my lady. This outfit is what you wear when you are riding a horse and also during the hunting season. You made these two matches with the Duke even if you never go to a hunting competition as you are too nervous to blend with people. But seeing you now, probably next year you can attend and support the Duke. He always won the competition anyway. "

Thinking that she has the same clothes as Zayn makes her face and spirit down a little.

"But, why do you need to change into this? It's not like you wanted to train with the knights. You are just going to observe right? " Lily is not wrong to be suspicious.

"Of course. I just want to be matched with the atmosphere anyway. It's easier to walk looking like this than wearing a dress." Ariana tried to convince.

"R~ight... I'm watching you so please keep your word."

"There, there... Enough with the worried look Lily. Let's go fetch the snack from Orlando or we're going to be late now."

*Orlando is the head chef of this Silver Palace. The princess is already making friends in the kitchen as she always spends her time there other than her own bedroom. So they are on friendly terms.

"He must be thrilled to hear your compliment today. He even tried to prepare a lot of things even if the request came on short notice." Lily could imagine the happy face of the middle-aged man.

"That's why he is a professional and I like in efficient person." Ariana can't help but be satisfied.

She is actually trying to win the hearts of all the palace workers as she thinks if they thought about her is changed to positive one, it must be easier for her to sneak out one day.

Little by little she managed to attract some of them, and she knew it wouldn't take long for her to tackle all the hearts there. She just needs to be patient. But, this one person,

"Princess!"

There she is, the Head Maid of this Silver Palace.

"Maria, nice to meet you today." Ariana decide to just be friendly.

"Why are you bothering the kitchen when they already have a lot to do. You didn't even talk to me first before giving out an order. Urgent one at that."

This again. Maria the head maid always thinks that her position is too important in this Silver Palace as she is responsible for ensuring the welfare of all of the maids and even Ariana as the Duke fiancee is considered as not having the authority to do things that seem to interfere with her work. She is simply just like a senior employee bullying the new contract worker!

"Why? This is just a personal request and Orlando, he also accepts the request and do the job personally. He didn't even ask help from any of his assistant."

"That because he cannot said anything when being asked abruptly. You think people can said no to the princess? I can just ignore this but no more next time under my watch. You must telling me first whatever request you have for the workers here and I will decide whether the request is relevant or not."

Ariana felt it was difficult to understand this situation but she was never feel threaten by Maria as she didn't feel her to be a dangerous person. Maria to her is just rude, old grumpy lady.

"Didn't your job is to pay attention to the maids? Are workers inside the kitchen also fall into your responsibility? Isn't that Smith's job?" Ariana tries to argue.

Maria gasped. Her eyes began to wander as if affirming the words.

"A-anyway! I'm doing a charity here to help Mr. Smith when he already has a lot of work to do. So please listen to me."

Ariana had a sour face and looked sharply at Maria. This old woman has too many rules and Ariana didn't like it at all.

"Your eyes, do you want me to report this behavior to Madam Petunia?"

Again, with this empty warning.

"So what are you going to do. I'm looking at you like this. Let's see who blinks first." Ariana now exploded and out of nowhere started the staring contest where Maria unconsciously being a player.

"What the,"

"I'm sorry head maid. I bring her go now. Bye." Can't seem to see this anymore Lily pulled Ariana away from there.

"What are you doing my lady? You know how the Head Maid is. If you provoke her like that she will be more annoying next time." Lily said while pulling Ariana to walk fast, leaving the red area.

Ariana just laughed.

"Now you can even laugh. Why didn't you tell Duke about this. I'm sure he can replace Maria with someone else."

"It's fine. This is my little entertainment Lily. As long as there is no harm." True, to Ariana she just feels the bickering that she has with Maria just entertaining.

After stopping in the kitchen, Ariana, Lily and the three knights are now heading to the building which is reserved for the placement of all the knights. Its a long walk until they have to enter the forest before a large building with a dull gray color appears in the eyes.

Josh with a look in his eyes told Kay to leave there to find the Duke to tell about this.

Ariana realized the move, but she just pretended otherwise. It doesn't matter if Zayn knows about this or not. It's not like she's going to do something dangerous here.

"What else is here?" Ariana asked suddenly as she saw that the building was so big it was like a mini castle when compared to the main building that she and Zayn lived in.

Sir Lucas decided to answer.

"The stable for the horses also here in the back. You always come there to ride with the Duke before, but it is the first time you hear for the knights. Other than that, farmers, carpenters and blacksmiths assigned here are also in this building doing their work in their respective areas. This building is the busy and noisy one in Silver Castle. "

Ariana smiled hearing that.

"Cool."

She can't help but let out her thinking making Sir Lucas and Sir Josh increasingly not understand this person they need to take care of. This is certainly not that interesting for a noble woman to say it's cool.

Just entering from the main gate, Ariana could hear the sound of swords and knights practicing.

Through a long hallway, in the middle of the building there is such a wide open ground, threes, she can clearly see how many knights she doesn't know there are doing their daily routine.

"This is the place where the knights will practice for swordsmanship. We also learn how to combat

"Did Zayn also learn all this? " I don't know why she wanted to know that.

"Of course. Duke Zayn is one of the strongest knights in this empire. The King even entrusts him for political strategies including the army forces. " Sir Josh said proudly.

"Then, did he train here?"

"He is. Usually at night when no one was around. He rarely comes in daylight now but he did stop by a few times if he wanted to spar."

'That must be why he said if I'm with him I don't need another knight. What a confident fellow'. Deep inside Ariana's mind she really wanted to see the spark that they talked about. Maybe one day she can witness that.

"Ahem," Sir Lucas clears his throat.

"Princess Ariana Rose Conrad is here!"

The announcement was made, all the knights who were solemn with their activities were shocked. Those who don't wear clothes are frantically searching for their clothes, while the one who uses weapons keeps dropping them to the ground. Each of the knights is now standing straight facing the princess.

Ariana was a little disappointed as she still wanted to see them in action, but it looks like the snack time has already arrived.

At that time, Ariana could catch Sir Robert's face in a far corner, looking at her with disinterest.

Looks like Sir Robert already finished his

One person came forward. Based on the color of his clothes and his face, Ariana knows he is the captain.

"Melvin William, first rank captain of the Basileous Knight came to face the princess." He said politely.

"Sir Melvin? You are Zayn's personal knights am I correct?" Ariana had heard the name.

"Indeed I am. Sir Robert who is accompanying you also in the same position as I am."

'What's this? Why the explanation? Did he think I might be jealous of the Duke if my own knight is not in the same rank? ' Ariana pouts her mouth a little didn't really like where this is going.

"If I may ask, what are you doing here princess?"

"Ah," Ariana just realized what she wanted to do.

"I'm sorry for disturbing all of you practice but I came here just to see how our knights are doing and brought some snack and drink too. How about a short break captain?"

Lily and a few maids who followed directly prepared some of the snacks and drinks, placed on the table that was there.

"You didn't need to do this princess but thank you." Sir Melvin actually wondered what would happen afterwards. He seem to know this will lead to something.

"Oh, no need to thank me. Like you are thinking, I do have something in my mind why am I coming here." She started with a mischievous smile.

"And what might that be?" Sir Melvin had never directly confronted Ariana before so he couldn't read her behavior at all.

"You know, because of my health issues and stuff, my doctor said I need to regularly find activities that can help me sweat. Well, walking, running is find but don't you think something more active will be more beneficial for me?"

Lily who listened frowned a little. She knows very well that the doctor never said anything like this.

Realizing that she is being stared sharply by Lily, Ariana moves in the other direction so that she is not facing her. Well, at first she really only wanted to see, but after hearing the sound of swords and the knights who are sparring, she can't control her level of excitement now. She wanted to practice too!

Sir Melvin seems to understand what the princess is saying, but his face is now turning serious.

"I don't think here is suitable for your princess. You can learn how to archery or ride a horse but not to become a knight."

"Oh no, I didn't mean to become a knight. I just want to practice sword. Am I asking too much?"

"What makes you think you can do it?"