The Lost Princess
A/N: Thanks for the reviews! This is a short one. I'm so sorry .
Chapter 21
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Syaoran wiped perspiration from his forehead as the sun slowly rose that day.
"Your Highness, do you still want to continue?" Sir Smith asked the obviously weary royalty.
"Yes," was the firm reply.
Sir Smith sighed inwardly and began their unending mock duel.
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"I'm worried about her, Deshi." Yelan stated as they watched their only son duelling with Sir Smith from their bedroom window. "He'd been killing himself on the duel grounds for the past month." She added quietly, unshed tears clouding her vision.
"Don't worry. At least he's doing some training before their summer vacation is over." Deshi assured his wife, placing an arm across the back of her waist.
"Training?! You call that training? He's punishing himself! He wakes up before the crack of dawn to duel with Sir Smith and only stops until he can barely move! That is not training!" Yelan shot back harshly, frustration and helplessness very evident in her eyes as she glared at her husband.
"I'm sorry. Okay. I'll try to talk some sense into that son of yours." Deshi assured his wife as he enclosed her in his arms.
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"Sir Smith," the king's voice interrupted the duel that had been going on for hours.
"Your Majesty." Sir Smith acknowledged his presence politely.
"I'm sorry to have interrupted your duel." The king started then, turned to his son and said, "Want to have a round with your old man, son?"
Syaoran didn't answer but assumed his position. Sir Smith left the area and stood on the audience space. The king bowed to his son and also assumed his position."
"Cross your swords!" Sir Smith announced when both parties were ready. "Begin!"
The sounds of steel against steel flooded the area.
"Your mother is worried about you." The king informed his son as he blocked a direct blow from him.
"She worries too much." Syaoran grunted nonchalantly as he maneuvered his weapon to stop his father's incoming attack.
"It's one of a mother's job description, isn't it?" Deshi managed with a soft expression on his face. Syaoran saw it and felt disgusted with himself. His attacks became fast and furious.
"She doesn't need to worry about me. I'm perfectly all right." Syaoran replied as he continued attacking and his father continued blocking.
"Are you really?" Amusement laced the king's words.
"Of course I am!" Syaoran snapped, eyes turning a shade darker. He attacked relentlessly and uncontrollably but carelessly. His father managed to find an opening and after a few seconds of maneuvering, he successfully presented the gleaming tip of his blade on his son's neck.
"The way you are now, you can never win a battle." Deshi stated calmly, meeting his son's furious eyes.
Syaoran clenched his hands and stared back at his father, his emotions clearly reflected in his hazel eyes.
"Go and apologize to you mother. You owe her a month's worth of sleep." Deshi finished as he re-sheathed his blade and left his son standing there alone.
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"Ma…" Syaoran called quietly to his mother as he opened the oak doors that led to his parent's room.
"What is it, son?" Yelan asked in surprise as she saw her son enter the room. Oh, how it broke her heart to see that sad expression on his beloved child. If she could only help him. But she knew she couldn't interfere with his and Saku's problems. They alone should be the ones to patch things up. Though she couldn't help wonder how long it would be until she could see him smile again.
"I'm sorry." He delivered humbly while standing in front of his mother, head bowed low.
"Come here." Yelan gestured and he followed, letting his mother's warm embrace soothe away his lonely feeling.
After a few minutes, he was already lying with his head on his mother's lap, sharing his frustrations, fears and confusions until he was overcome by sleep.
"How's our son?" Deshi inquired the moment he entered the room. He gazed softly and lovingly at their son.
"Miserable." Was his queen's sad answer.
"Saku?" Deshi guessed the reason of their son's behaviour.
"No doubt." Yelan agreed, stroking his son's hair fondly.
