A Battle of Wills

"You’ve only seen the beginning."

Maria’s breath came hard and fast, her arms trembling as she blocked another strike from Sebastian. He was relentless, his movements sharp and precise. No wasted effort. No hesitation. Every blow tested her strength, her speed, her endurance.

She refused to fall.

She had endured worse than this—humiliation, whispers, rejection. What was pain compared to that?

“Too slow,” Sebastian muttered, stepping back. “If I were an enemy, you’d be dead.”

Maria wiped sweat from her brow, ignoring the frustration clawing at her chest. “If you were an enemy, I wouldn’t be fighting fair.”

A slow clap interrupted them.

Maria didn’t need to turn around to know who it was.

Tobias.

“Such intensity,” he drawled, his tone dripping with amusement. “Are we training or preparing for war?”

Maria’s jaw tightened as she turned to face him. Tobias stood at the edge of the training yard, dressed in deep blue and gold, the colors of his house. His coat was immaculate, his boots polished. He looked as if he had just stepped out of a noble gathering out of place among the dirt and sweat of the yard.

His eyes found hers, glittering with mocking amusement.

Sebastian sighed heavily. “Do you ever arrive without making a spectacle of yourself?”

Tobias smirked. “What would be the fun in that?” He stepped forward, his gaze locked on Maria. “Though, I must admit, watching our dear Maria Rosa Thomson flail about with a sword is entertainment enough.”

Maria tensed, her fingers curling into fists. “If you’ve come to insult me, Tobias, don’t waste your breath. I’ve heard it all before.”

Tobias’s smirk widened. “Oh, I don’t doubt it. But you make it so easy.” He tilted his head. “You’re trying so hard, Maria. Sweating, straining—what exactly are you hoping to prove?”

Maria met his gaze without flinching. “That I am not someone to be dismissed.”

Tobias let out a soft chuckle. “A noble goal. But you do realize, don’t you? No matter how many hours you spend swinging that sword, the world will never see you as an equal.” His voice dropped to something silkier, more condescending. “You were born outside the rules of society, and no amount of training will erase that.”

Maria’s fingers itched for her weapon. She had endured years of veiled insults, of people pretending she was invisible, of being tolerated but never accepted. But Tobias he didn’t just dismiss her. He challenged her, poked at the wounds that had never healed.

And she refused to let him have the last word.

“I may have been born outside the rules,” she said coolly, stepping closer. “But that only means the rules don’t apply to me.”

For the first time, Tobias’s smirk faltered just slightly.

Sebastian, who had been watching silently, finally stepped between them. “Enough of this.” He turned to Tobias. “Why are you here, really?”

Tobias sighed, as if bored. “Mother asked me to pass along a message. It seems our dear Lord Thomson and Lady Ashford are due for another… discussion.” His gaze flicked back to Maria. “And I couldn’t resist seeing how her training was going.”

Maria stepped forward. “Care for a demonstration?”

Tobias blinked. “Excuse me?”

“You have so much to say about my abilities,” she said, grabbing her sword from where it lay in the dirt. “Why not test them yourself?”

Sebastian frowned. “Maria”

“I insist,” she cut in, eyes locked on Tobias.

Tobias’s smirk returned, but this time, there was something else beneath it. Interest. Challenge.

“I suppose I could humor you,” he mused. He removed his coat and tossed it aside, drawing the thin, elegant blade at his side. He stepped forward, the confidence in his stance undeniable.

Sebastian sighed heavily. “Don’t come crying to me when she embarrasses you, Ashford.”

Tobias laughed. “I’ll take my chances.”

Maria gripped her sword, her muscles still sore from hours of training but she refused to let exhaustion win. She raised her blade, her heart pounding, as Tobias mirrored her stance.

Then, without warning he struck.

Maria barely had time to parry, her body moving on instinct. Tobias was fast—faster than she expected. His blade sliced through the air, each movement calculated, each attack forcing her back.

She gritted her teeth. No. I will not lose.

She sidestepped a sharp thrust, twisting her body just in time to avoid the edge of his sword. Tobias’s smirk widened.

“Not bad,” he admitted. “But you’re still relying on reaction. You need to”

Maria lunged.

She didn’t wait for him to finish his sentence. She didn’t give him the satisfaction of another taunt. She attacked—fast, fierce, unpredictable.

Tobias’s eyes widened for half a second before he twisted away, barely blocking her strike. “Oh?” He laughed, the sound laced with genuine surprise. “Now we’re talking.”

Sebastian stood at the edge of the yard, arms crossed. He didn’t interrupt, didn’t call for them to stop. He was watching. Studying.

Tobias and Maria clashed again, their blades ringing against each other. Maria could feel the strain in her arms, the burn in her legs. But she didn’t stop. She wouldn’t stop until she won.

Tobias twisted his sword, forcing her back. “You’re persistent, I’ll give you that,” he said, his voice lower now. “But persistence alone won’t win a battle.”

Maria’s grip tightened. “Neither will arrogance.”

Tobias feinted left before striking right, the sudden movement nearly catching her off guard. But Maria had studied him his patterns, his habits. She anticipated his move and countered, her blade sliding past his defense.

For a brief second, the tip of her sword pressed against his ribs.

Tobias froze.

Maria smirked. “Dead.”

Silence stretched between them.

Then, to her surprise Tobias laughed.

A rich, amused laugh, as if he had never been more entertained in his life. He stepped back, lowering his weapon. “Impressive,” he admitted. “I underestimated you.”

Maria let out a breath, lowering her sword. “You did.”

Sebastian clapped his hands together. “Well. That was more satisfying than I expected.” He smirked at Tobias. “How does it feel to lose to a girl?”

Tobias ran a hand through his hair, still smiling. “I wouldn’t call it losing. Let’s just say… I’ve learned something new today.”

Maria arched an eyebrow. “And what’s that?”

Tobias met her gaze, his expression unreadable. “That you’re more dangerous than I thought.”

Maria held his stare. “You’ve only seen the beginning.”

”Maria’s growing strength is tested when she clashes with Tobias, forcing him to recognize her as a true opponent.”

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