"How is it?" Blanks asked between bites of her salad. She always had a habit of eating like a ravenous monster than a human being. Guilford sighed.
"How is what?" He asked.
"You know what I mean," Blanks said, exasperatedly. "Your training with Princess Cornelia. You've been doing it for almost a month now."
"Honestly, I don't know why she bothers," Guilford said bitterly. "Apparently I'm nothing but incompetent. She's always critiquing me."
"Guilford," Blanks said, almost in a scolding way, "You should be honored that she's teaching you. I never learn anything from her. I only deal with Darlton."
"I know, you're right," Guilford conceded. "I'm just tired of failing in front of her. It's like she's seeing all of my weaknesses and none of my strengths. I get so frustrated with being her pupil, but I can't help but respect her." Guilford's feelings towards Princess Cornelia were, at best, perhaps the most complicated thing he'd ever experienced. He hated her arrogance, her confidence, her ability to cut him down with a word. Yet, he respected her, revered her, and had odd feelings of devotion. Guilford supposed this could be summed up as grudging respect.
"Well, I'm sure you're learning a lot from her," Blanks said. She was always the optimist, always the one able to look at the glass as half full. "I bet you're way better than me now," she grinned.
"Oh, yes, as opposed to before when you were clearly superior," Guilford retorted sarcastically. Blanks elbowed him in the ribs.
"I wasn't all that bad," she said.
"What are you learning under Darlton?" Guilford asked, after a pause. Blanks' bright mood dampened slightly. She swallowed her cheek-full of tomato before responding.
"Secretive military stuff," she shrugged. Guilford looked down at the ground. The fact that Blanks wasn't even allowed to share information with him anymore was upsetting.
"I understand," Guilford said, trying not to let his disappointment show through. His attempts as masking his emotions were futile, for Blanks could read him like a book.
Blanks sighed deeply. Out of the corner of his eye, Guilford saw her glance around. She scooted closer to him and continued to speak in a hushed voice.
"Darlton says Princess Cornelia is putting together her own team," she said, her eyes alight with their usual excitement. "He says the Emperor has his eye on conquering another country soon."
"Which country?" Guilford asked, sure that he would participate in the combat. He wouldn't be on Cornelia's special team, but he would no doubt be needed somewhere in the Britannian Army.
"Japan," Blanks replied. "It's a small country, but we're still gathering intel about its defenses. So far it's expected to be an easy win."
"Well, I'm sure you won't mind getting the glory," Guilford said, lightening the mood. Blanks shot him a sardonic smirk. "Don't let all that glory go to your head," Guilford continued. "I can probably crush you, since I've received training from Princess Cornelia."
"I'd be happy to test that little theory, brother," Blanks challenged. She had managed to brighten his spirits. Her friendship meant the world to him. She was his sister by bond.
Having no real siblings of his own, Guilford felt a connection to Blanks that he assumed most biological siblings shared. Until recently, the two of them had been attached to the hip. Blanks arrived at the training facility several weeks after Guilford and the two bonded immediately. He remembered when she first stepped into the facility; he had the urge to tell her to go back. Blanks had appeared too small and fragile to make much of a difference, but Guilford was quickly proven wrong. Blanks was not only full of energy, but she was quite fiery when in heated battle. Having her by his side in any battle was indeed an advantage. He hoped to have that advantage until his dying day.