The first fencing class of the term arrived along with a new recruit to replace Thomas Dorset who's injuries are not healed yet for him to participate in the team.
Still he is going to attend as substitute this term while Sharma fills in for him. "I am happy Sword Master chose you mate as my replacement, now give Fife and Cho Hell for me."
Sharma and Bassett smirk while Bridgerton looked anxious as he warned them. "There is no need for unnecessary quarrels. You know Fife is one of the best fencing students here and I fear he could intentionally harm Sharma and make it look like an accident."
Sharma smiled and gently patted his back as he assured him. "Do not worry Bridgerton, no matter how much Fife think he is best he couldn't harm single hair on my head."
With that they all settled in their seats As they watched Sword master clapping his hand to gather everyone's attention. "So students I have wonderful news. The fantastic performance of our team in the Autumn and Winter tournament has reached the Queen's ear and she wanted our students to compete with her players in this spring festival that will going to be held in Queen's Palace and winners will get special trophies and prizes. The other sports masters will choose their candidates and teams in their classes but today I am going to choose two candidates who are going to represent this university."
An exciting murmur ran amongst the students as Sword Master calls four pairs at a time to see who is the best.
After two hours of intense competition only two pairs were left fighting against each other.
"Well done Fife and Bridgerton! You both showed what deserving champions look like and Cho and Sharma what a brilliant performance you have given us! Especially you Sharma as this is your first class!"
Thomas clapped harder with Bassett as Sword master praised their friends.
"Now Fife, Bridgerton. You both are going to compete against Sharma and Cho and the two winners of today will represent our university this spring in Queen's Palace."
"Oh no!" Bassett murmured behind him as he looked a little worried and Thomas noticed both Bridgerton and Sharma looked a little worried while Fife and Cho smiled gleefully at them as Sword Master first turned towards Fife as he asked.
"So Fife? Who are you going to pick as your competitor?"
Somehow everyone knew what the answer was going to be as he pointed his sword at Sharma as he says. "I will choose him."
"Great, which means Bridgerton and Cho will compete again each other and since Fife got first chance to pick then its only fair Bridgerton get first chance to compete."
Thomas watched as Sharma patted Bridgerton shoulder and he stared after him with his eyes full of worry as Sharma walked towards us to see his match.
As Bridgerton took his position Bassett give Sharma one arm hug as he assured him. "Do not worry, Bridgerton is best and after watching your performance I am sure that you both are going to represent our university."
"He is right Sharma. Cho is not that great and Fife is going to lose because instead of focusing on his game he will try to ruin yours."
Sharma stared at him and smiled. "Thanks mates, now let's hope that we can avoid any cheap tricks they throw at us."
They watched as competition began and Bridgerton and Cho's swords clashed with each other.
It was clear Cho was being aggressive as he attacked Bridgerton relentlessly.
"Finish him Cho!" Fife yells while Sharma and Bassett yell together. "Be careful!"
Thomas knew why they yell this because he could see Cho trying to push his friend but Bridgerton saw this coming and using his sword as momentum he pushed Cho back who fell on the floor and Bridgerton manages to disarm him.
All three of them screamed and rushed towards Bridgerton and soon all four of them were embracing each other and cheering for their friend's victory.
"Well done Bridgerton! Well done!" Sword master clapped along with other students while Cho returned by his friend side who was looking quite angry. "Well everyone we have our first champion and now let's see who will be our second champion? Two time winner Fife or our newest recruit Sharma."
"All the best." Thomas watched as Bridgerton gave him one arm hug while Bassett and him patted his back.
The competition began and it seems Fife is not competing but declaring war.
He attacked and attacked and ruthlessly tried to push Sharma back.
Sharma, on the other hand, was holding the edge of sword as if his life depended on it.
He dodged and moved fast to invade Fife attack.
"Watch out!" Bridgerton suddenly yells as Fife tried to slash his face.
"Wrong move Fife!" Sword master warned and Fife barely acknowledged as he continues attacking.
Never they experienced such an intense match and it seemed Fife was getting exhausted as the match went longer.
"He is tiring him." Thomas whispered to his friends and they finally realised Sharma game plan as he is now attacking and Fife defending himself.
Sharma was not aggressive but he moved smartly. His hand movements were unlike anything they ever saw and after a few slashes of his sword he disarmed Fife.
Thomas along with Bridgerton, Bassett and everyone saw Fife Sword flying out of his hand and Sharma catching it with his other hand with ease as he triumphantly pointed two swords on Fife's chest.
"Yay!" All three of them cheered and rushed to embrace Sharma as Sword Master declared him champion.
"Well done my boy! Well done! It's decide you and Bridgerton will represent our university."
It was then the entire club joined as Bassett and Dorset along with other students put Bridgerton and Sharma on their shoulders and started to cheer for them.
Well not everyone as Fife and Cho along with their friends left angrily as they threw their swords behind.
As the week passed things got better for Anthony and Kathani. They both sighed in relief once they were allowed to go into the village and both of them resumed their previous routine.
Kathani arrival as Lady Bridgerton creates quite sensation in small village. The women of the village always call on her at Mr Delacroix's house or at his shop in hope of getting into good books of Viscountess.
Genevieve's father was quite happy with this outcome as his business increased after people around the village and nearby villages and towns found out he is in a relationship with Viscount Bridgerton and the new Viscountess is still residing in his house for the duration of her brother and husband's studies.
Kathani is still adjusting to being center of attention and whenever she complains this to her husband one afternoon as they both enjoyed alone time in Genevieve's house.
He sweetly kisses her and assures her. "Consider this as part of your education darling because once our studies are finished you and I will take our position in ton and there many people will call on you everyday to get closer to our family."
She huffed in frustration as she laid on her husband's chest. "Its tiring Anthony! I cannot concentrate on work because women in the village are always trying to converse with me. Gen was complaining the other day that our workload was increasing and I am not much help anymore because of those women always conversing with me but her papa told us all the attention is good for business."
"I really wish I could help you darling but it was your choice to return and help Genevieve and her father out. I know you wish things could return to normal but darling it will take some time. For now all I can advice is to make the best out of this situation."
And for a while that's what they all tried to do but the situation became difficult on the first day of spring when Anthony came to visit his wife in the shop and Mr Delacroix excitedly cornered them. "Lord Bridgerton! I am so glad you arrived today otherwise I would have sent you the invitation."
Kathani and Anthony both looked confused while Genevieve inquires. "Invitation? Invitation for what papa?"
"I have decided to host a small wedding dinner party to celebrate yours and Kathani wedding. I will invite Karan myself in the evening once he returns from work."
"What?!" Both girls screech in shock while Anthony tries to stop this disaster from happening. "There is no need for this dinner party sir."
"Of course there is! Do you know my friends are so angry with me because I didn't invite them to my only daughter wedding."
Genevieve felt frustrated as she tried to reason with her father. "But papa! We decided to renew our vows once Mary and Edwina arrived from India. If you want we can celebrate then and invite all your friends."
"I know that darling and do not worry I have only invited three close friends of mine so its just small dinner party and Lord Bridgerton I have decided to host this party on Saturday night so you and Karan could stay overnight without worrying about your classes."
Kathani grimaces because it seems Me Delacroix has planned everything to make sure Karan and Anthony will attend this party.
Apparently that's what the others two were thinking as Mr Delacroix left excitedly to resume his work and only once he was gone all three of them watched each other in horror as Kathani let out her exact thoughts about this invitation.
"We are so doomed!"