227 Learning Swordmanship
Annaâs lashes fluttered shakily as her forehead creased in sheer disturbance, as though there was something discomforting bugging her in her sleep, and she was trying hard to wake up from her slumbers. She could hear inaudible whispers in her head, they sounded so ominous but she couldnât grab a single word that was being said to her.
The whispering grew louder, and louder, and louder, and louder till it became too much to bear! Her eyes snapped open without warning, giving her the same golden colored eyes that sent her nerves skittering with strange energy, but she didnât panic, all it took was a deep calm breath to make her eyes turn normal.
She didnât even open her eyes like how a normal person would when they wake up after sleeping from morning till noon, her eyes just snapped open like someone who escaped hypnotism.
She was fully awake, and she barely felt sleepy.
Sitting up on the mattress, the headache that didnât seize to leave her alone since this morning was no longer felt. Touching her head to confirm if it was really gone, she felt no pain at all.
âItâs gone.â She was internally happy about it but also found it strange at the same time. She could barely recall everything that happened and she has no memory of how she got on the bed.
âWhat happened?â Her voice sounded hoarse like someone who was waking up in the early mornings.
She recalled asking the new maid to go get settled for the day, and apart from that, she barely remembers what happened after the maid had left.
âWhy canât I remember?â
.....
Her moment of thinking was disrupted when Roshan stepped out of the bathroom, wiping his shiny black hair with a towel. He was wearing only his black breeches while his upper body was exposed to Annaâs frozen gaze. Roshan only spotted her awake when he stopped cleaning his hair with the towel, and he met Annaâs dumb stare.
âAwake, I thought you planned on sleeping till daybreak.â He joked, and Anna finally realized what he meant as she looked out the wide glass window to see it was already getting to noon, and the reality of it sent shock jabbing through her system.
She was asleep for that long???
âI_I didnât know the day would go by so fast.â She stuttered, still taken aback by it.
She finally got out of bed, and Roshan had no issue if she chose to sleep or not, but he knew Anna doesnât sleep so long and he was worried for a second there, but with her breathing and her heartbeat still normal, he knew she was alright.
âFeeling better?â He asked, and she nodded her head before looking at him, only to realize she was still talking to a half naked man.
He had already turned around and headed back to his wardrobe to pick a shirt, placing the towel around his neck like someone who just returned from a workout. His broad shoulders and muscles flexed themselves when he reached to pick a shirt, and Annaâs face flushed instantly at the flawless sight of him.
The night they had shared together came rampaging her already stressed head, and she turned away from Roshan to hide her flustered look, but that didnât stop the crazy imagination from popping into her head, most especially when she felt that immaculate body of his herself.
âSnap out of it!â she inwardly scolded herself, letting out a soft exhale before turning around to look at the glacier who had already put on a shirt, and he continued to wipe his hair clean.
âRoshan.â
He looked at her through the dressing mirror, but Anna instinctively averted her gaze as though she knew sheâd get extremely flustered if she met those hazel-green eyes of his.
âHowâs the new maid?â She asked, trying to brush off whatever silly thoughts that were slowly trying to invade her mind, and Roshan turned around to look at Anna, leaning against the dressing table with his arms crossed.
âSheâs been handy,â he said the honest truth, âshe carries no negative vibes, but Iâm sure she has a purpose for coming here, Iâm just having trouble figuring out what.â
Anna nodded in agreement, âwhen you agreed to let her work here, I knew you had your reasons for doing that.â
âI had two reasons.â Roshan corrected, âthe first is obvious, keep your friends close, your enemies closer, but I sense no form of hatred on her side, which leaves me even more curious about letting her stay. As for the second reason, I wanted someone new, someone who doesnât know about the sequence of events that occurred in the palace to take care of you. I donât trust these maids, and Beccaâs already handling Gemma and a few things in the palace.â
âKeeping you around someone who feels no jealousy towards you should make you comfortable, plus sheâs human too, so it might be easier for interactions.â
Anna appeared startled after hearing the things Roshan had to say, to be honest, she never really thought about that until he said it.
âBut if youâre uncomfortable with her presence in the end, youâre free to get rid of her.â He added, giving her the right to do as she pleased.
At first, Anna did have a second thought on letting the new maid stay, but after hearing things from Roshanâs side, she was determined to also figure out who the maid is and why sheâs here. Itâs very unusual to show up in a kingdom taken by Demons and not be scared, Anna knew how many months it took for her to adapt here.
âMhhmmn.â She smiled gratefully at Roshan, and he returned it back, making Anna blush profusely since he looked breathtaking whenever he smiled at her like that.
âWhat are you thinking?â He arched a brow at her, and Anna nibbled on her bottom lip, shaking her head in response, Indicating she wasnât thinking about anything, but she keeps forgetting that the Demon could easily read her mind if he wanted to.
The scheming fellow moved away from the dressing table, standing before Anna who had to tilt her head up to meet his dazzling eyes.
âI thought of something,â he reached for Annaâs cold hands, warming it up with the heat of his palms as he interlaced their fingers together, âyouâre good with swordâs, so how about you start training with Levi, starting from tomorrow to improve your techniques.â He suggested.
Heâs seen her fight before, and it would be wrong to let such talent go to waste. Levi and Azazel train every morning, theyâre capable of teaching her the basics and a few other special techniques that can make her improve. Plus, itâd be beneficial so she can stand her guard against minimal dangers without needing the help of anyone.
Annaâs eyes brightened at his suggestion, and she was smiling as though she couldnât believe he was suggesting something sheâs been dreaming of for a very long time, and that is to improve on her sword skills. She never really bothered to say anything since her dream to learn swords were becoming unreachable, but Roshan was typically offering it to her on a golden platter.
âReally?!â
He nodded, âyouâre naturally good, and Iâm sure Levi and Azazel wouldnât mind helping you out,â and if they did, heâd just have to blackmail them with something.
She was grinning now, âthank you! Thank you! Thank you!â she hugged him, âI promise not to misuse this opportunity youâve given me.â
Her sudden jubilation stunned him, heâs been thinking about this too but he thought women were the type who are afraid of wielding a sword. He even thought he had to do a lot of convincing to get his Anna to master swords.
There was a time she told him she was interested in swordsmanship, but he assumed her interest would have faded by now. Clearly he was wrong, because the silly woman was more than happy to learn.
She never seizes to surprise him.
Tilting her head up so he could look into her sparkling brown eyes, he slowly lowered his head so he could kiss her, and just when their lips were inches away from touching, three knocks on the door made him stop, interrupting his moment.
Anna held back a chuckle, seeing as heâs always interrupted whenever he wanted to have his way with her. But unlike her who found the situation funny, Roshan didnât as he let out a frustrated hiss, clicking his tongue.
Canât someone find a better day and time to interrupt him?? Whenever he wants to enjoy himself with his beautiful Anna, thatâs the right time for all his enemies to come together and jinx his day.
âWho is it?â He asked.
âYour Highness, thereâs someone here to see you.â A guard informed him from the outside, and Annaâs brows knitted.
âAnother person?â She looked at Roshan.
âIâm busy, if whoever it is canât wait, they should leave.â Was his response to the guard before he turned his attention to Anna and made her fall back on the bed, surprising her with his unexpected act.
âAh! Roshan_â
He got on top of her before she could escape, and she really couldnât believe he was still going ahead with this.
âSomeoneâs waiting, what if the person actually leaves?â She said, trying to remind him that it could be important, but the hungry, predatory look in his glimmering eyes made her feel like shrinking away from sight.
âTrust me, that person canât leave since I was the one who sent for him, now stop talking and let me kiss you.â
Annaâs heart drummed and her stomach fluttered by how boldly he said it, she couldnât speak anymore, giving Roshan the opportunity to finally devour his prey.