The Blood King's Bride
Chapter Forty Four

Calhoun took her to see the owner of the building. They had met when he was going on

one of his 'errands.' The man had seen Calhoun as someone who had money, so he offered him his building for a reasonable price. When Elena met the man, Calhoun made the introduction, and a deal was set. It was a swift discussion, and not much took place. Calhoun paused as they were leaving the building, turning to face Elena.

"What? Is anything wrong? Did you forget something?" Elena asked, her brows raised in curiosity.

"No, no," Calhoun said, shaking his head. "Truth be told, I don't feel like going home. Do you?" He asked, a tinge of hope in his voice.

"Well now that you mention it, I would love to see the rest of the town. The ones you have shown me so far are pretty. I wonder what the rest are like."

"Yeah," Calhoun said, smiling brightly. "We can go now. And now is even better. I doubt you would have time in the upcoming weeks."

"No, I don't think so too," Elena said, nodding her head disappointedly. "Let's do as you

say." She offered Calhoun a bright smile. Calhoun smiled back, and without thinking too deeply to avoid changing his mind, he held onto Elena's hand and dragged her along the way. They walked by several stores, Calhoun pointing out what kind of wares they sold.

Elena's eyes brightened throughout the whole trip, her hands itching to spend her money on some- if not all of them. Calhoun's noticed her strange behavior, so Elena had no choice but to tell him her weakness.

"Back home, once I was given my salary, my boss or Forest held on to it, giving me only ten per cent of it every week." She started.

"Why is that?"

Her cheeks turned crimson, and she bent her head, refusing to gaze on Calhoun.

"I am a horrible spender. It's a bad addiction I can't seem to get rid of. My boss helps me

to curb it and when he isn't there, Forest helps me in his place."

Calhoun could feel the embers of jealousy trying to ignite in his heart. Still, he quickly

doused it out, calming himself down with the thought of doing the exact opposite of what Forest

does, and not only would she not spend a dime of her money, she would gladly run to him whenever she needed him next time.

He would spend his money on her. Buy her the whole city if she so wishes it. He was a king, the Blood King, for that matter. He could afford it.

"Well, what if I can help you with it? It isn't bad to indulge in your guilty hobbies once in

a while." He told her reassuringly.

"You don't understand," she replied, shaking her head. "Once I start to spend, I never stop till I have used up all the money I have been given."

"What if someone else decides to buy them for you?"

She looked at him, awe shining through her eyes before disappointment quickly washed over her features.

"I wouldn't want to spend your money like that. It isn't nice nor courteous of me to do so."

"I insist." Calhoun quickly replied. He was beginning to entertain the idea of spending on Elena, not only now but in the future too. He didn't hate the future he was imagining. "And besides, I come from a very wealthy family." He continued. "Spending in you surely won't leave a dent on my allowance." He said smugly.

Elena was torn between accepting the offer and voting against it. She didn't know which one would change Calhoun's perspective of her. No matter how much she tried to deny it, she began to like the man. He was fun to be with; she didn't want to lose his companionship. "Okay," she replied reluctantly after a while. Calhoun took her acceptance as a huge victory, and a bright smile engulfed his whole face.

"Well go on then," Calhoun said, waving to the stalls. "Help yourself."

"Don't mind if I do," Elena said.

"Trust me, I won't."

The shopping spree consisted of Elena pointing at what she liked and Calhoun paying for it. At first she did it hesitatingly, as if afraid that he would take back his words. But after seeing that he was serious about spending on her, she let go and pointed out all her heart had desired. Calhoun fondly looked at her all through the trip. He was happy that he spent so much time with her because of it. Finally, He and Elena went home with a cartload of provisions, both unable to stop the grin on their faces. Their jaws went slack when his guards saw him, shock and surprise clouding their visions. Firoza gave a fake friendliness, even coming over to Elena to offer her help. Calhoun refused before Elena could reply, telling her that he had it covered. He had barely a few minutes to spend with her, and he didn't want to do it in front of someone. Besides, his instinct still keeps nagging about the female. He recorded in his mental notebook to do his investigation of her.

They reached Elena's abode and saw Forest and Elion sitting on the terrace in front of the house. Upon seeing the goods Elena and Calhoun carried, Forest stood up quickly, dread engulfing his features.

"No, No, No!! Elena, please tell me you didn't use all our allowance for this?" Calhoun wondered why Forest's expression was that extra. They had barely spent a lot. With the way he was looking at Elena with dread mixed with guilt, Calhoun couldn't stop the irritating feeling that rose in him, and this time, he didn't attempt to try.

"I knew it! I should have gone with you! How could I have forgotten about your excessive spending disorder?" Forest continued his rant. Calhoun turned to face Elena and saw that her face was completely crimson. He would have found her cute and probably wouldn't have been able to prevent the temptation of pinching her face had he not been angry for her. "She didn't spend her money. She spent mine." At that declaration, Forest's eyes widened, and his jaw went slack, his features one of dreaded surprise. He was beginning to get tired of people thinking he couldn't treat a lady right. He can do it, as proven by his treatment of Elena. "Y-You bought for instead?" Forest said, stammering.

"Yes," Calhoun replied, nodding his head.

"And you don't feel angry or guilty about it?"

"No. And if she likes, I would be willing to spend more money on her whenever she

likes. I brought enough money with me to last a lifetime." Calhoun said, giving Forest a smug grin.

Immediately, Forest's face split into a huge grin.

"Well Elena," he started. "Looks like you have found yourself a huge patron." Calhoun looked at Elena and noticed that her face turned even redder as she chided Forest. Yes, Calhoun thought. He would like to be that and more.

Firoza was in her room, tearing paper into tiny pieces. She couldn't break any object since

it wasn't her house, so she opted for another way of transferring her anger. Imagining Elena as

the paper, she taught of several ways she would tear the poor girl up.

"I can't stay here and do nothing." She said coldly, talking to herself. "It's about time I take action.

*****

The next day came by fast. Elena awoke and did her morning duties, including preparing breakfast for Forest, Elion, and Calhoun. Yes, Calhoun had been joining them for breakfast ever since he tasted her food. She beamed with pride whenever he always relished her dish, ecstasy shining on his face. Once they were done with breakfast, they headed straight to the field where the old man waited for them.

"Calhoun. I can see that you're beginning to get very well acquainted with our new

guests." He said, looking at him suggestively. Elena turned to face Calhoun and wasn't surprised that his face betrayed no hint of emotion.

"Yes. I must admit that I enjoy their presence very much."

"More than your men?"

"Yes," Calhoun replied blatantly. Elena and the old man blinked, both of them

speechless.

After a pleasant and rigorous warm-up that Calhoun- not the old man- had claimed

would help her body with her fighting stances, Elena bounced in her feet, ready to start. She was beginning to feel more and more that her teacher was Calhoun and not Old man Porv, with the way he was relentlessly hammering her into doing her best. The old man played his part too. But compared to Calhoun, he was a nice walk in the park.

"Assume stance," Calhoun commanded. She spread her feet apart, bringing her torso forward with her sword held in both hands.

"Remember, always breathe in when you strike, and release your breath once you hit your mark. It makes it's easier for your bodily instincts to aid your attacks. Always strike with fast analyses. Do not over analyse. It would end up as a distraction. Now, practice sword dance six, movement five, six and ten."

Elena did all these as instructed, willing her mind empty from any kind of stray thought. She moved with precision and quickness, trying to outdo her previous exercises. After several gruelling hours of repeating different instructions called out by Calhoun, she fell to the ground. A pair of feet walked up to her, and she raised her head and peered into the stunning eyes of Elion.

"Here," she said, handing her a cup of water. Elena took it and drank greedily. "Thank you." She said with a sigh once she finished it.

"Well Elena, I have to say you have improved so much. It's about time you had real combat experience." The old man said, sitting on a chair he had brought out to the back whenever he taught her.

Despite her tiredness, Elena's blood began to boil at the thought of fighting for real. She had only stayed for a few days, yet she has improved. Fighting for real was what she had always looked forward to. But she wondered who she would fight with.

"Who would I fight?" She said, cocking her head to the side.

"Why don't you fight your friend Elion first? She is mighty good with the sword. You

should practice all your moves on her.

"Hmmm," Calhoun's said, agreeing with the old man. "It would teach you how to look

out for your enemy's next attack, teaching you how to gauge your enemy and then outsmart them. If you can defeat her, you will fight me."

Elena swallowed her breath. From the intense training handed out to her by Calhoun, she knew he would not be an easy opponent. Yet, his deciding to fight her was akin to someone buying the town's market for her. She would be able to practice fighting someone more powerful than her father, and if she was able to defeat him, defeating her father would be as easy as a slice of cake, not to talk of taking over his kingdom.

Elion walked over to her and handed over her sword. Stretching her hands out towards her, Elena accepted her help and was dragged to her feet.

"Take a calm breath, then we begin," Elion said. Elena was grateful for the short break, even though she knew it wasn't possible had it been a real war.

"Assume stance," Calhoun called out, hands folded over his chest. Elena assumed her stance, and Elion did the same, standing at the opposite side of where she stood. Both had their swords drawn, and for a moment, Elena imagined when Elion had brought her sword. She barely brought it with her to practice.

"Begin."

Elena barely had time to conclude her thoughts before a huge force barrelled into her, throwing her to the other side of the field.

"Distractions would get you killed." She could hear Calhoun call out, so she quickly stood on her feet, enduring the pain as she waited for Elion's next attack.

Elion didn't pause and quickly kicked towards her head. Fortunately, Elena dodged but by

only a hair's breadth. Elion wasn't going to take it easy on her.

She was grateful.

She increased her attack movements towards Elion, letting her bodily instincts take over.

She suffered several slashes against her skin, but Elion wasn't speared either. The fight lasted for

over an hour before the old man finally ended it, calling it a draw.

"Good, Elena, very good." He said, clapping tremendously. "Just for being able to be in a

draw with her, it shows that you have improved tremendously."

Calhoun looked at her with immense pride and satisfaction, and she felt herself blushing

again.

"But you would have to train even harder if you want to be the best. Let this fight serve as a means of encouragement."

Elena nodded her head, panting heavily as she dropped her sword on the floor, trying to

catch her breath.

"Hello?"

Everyone turned to see who the owner of the uninvited voice was. Firoza strode down,

her expression one of pure innocence.

"Firoza!" The old man called her. "What can I help you with?"

"Well, I-I apologize for disturbing you."

"Naah, it's no problem. Tell me, what do you need?"

"Well," she began, clutching her gown tightly in both her hands, "I wan to learn how to

fight."