…
3rd Pov
*Stab* *Slash* *Slash*
Subaru relentlessly attacked Reina, however she easily deflected his attacks not even moving an inch from her place, he hastened the speed of his attacks but with a stab, Reina threw his wooden sword away.
He panted and fell on the ground "Another defeat, damn Reina you are so good in swords!"
A tint of blush appeared on her face hearing his compliment, due to her Divine Protection she knew it was a genuine compliment from him, and hearing it from him made her extremely happy.
"Not only that you are also good in teaching, I can't believe it. I am already fighting like a pro! And it has been like what? Four hours since we began!" he said.
"It's because Zero you have a decent talent in Swordsmanship, I think it's less only than a few Knights such as Sir Julius and you also learn things and adapt to the situation very quickly" she said.
"But your teaching talent is also excellent, it is as if everything you are teaching is getting embedded in my brain and body" he said and she grinned "It's because I have the Divine Protection of the Teaching, which makes me the best teacher!"
She wasn't lying, due to her Divine Protection and Natsuki's enhance talents he was already at the level of normal knight.
His true prowess though had reached the level of an elite knight due to his immense speed, quick reaction, superhuman senses.
"According to my calculations, if we continue for a few days like this- You should be able to reach the level of an Elite Knight in terms of Swordsmanship" she said.
His eyes widened, shocked at his own progress. He looked at her with immense gratitude, 'After this I will be strong enough! To not die randomly!'
"Thank you, Reina, you are my hero- For real" he said and her heart thumped, her heart beat became erratic, she felt butterflies in her stomach, a euphoria took over her.
It was love.
'Your hero? Then if that's the case then I shall be your hero' she thought with determination.
"Master Zero, as much as I hate to disturb you both. It is already past lunch time- I have prepared food for you and Lady Emilia, who is waiting for you" said Rem breaking their moment.
"Is that so? Reina, would you like to join us?" he asked her and she gave shook her head, "Unfortunately, I would have to return to Mansion"
He sighed and hugged her before saying Bye to her and she left.
"Master, now please follow me" said Rem and he nodded glancing at the place from where she teleported.
"Let's go"
…
Returning to Astrea Mansion, in her own room, she couldn't help but smile.
Suddenly a blush appeared on her face and she thought with a love-struck look.
"~Hero~Ah~He called me a hero!~ I am his hero~ He patted me~He hugged me" she said in a sweet tone before jumping on her bed and rolling holding the pillow.
"Zero, I love you" she muttered holding the pillow imagining him smiling at her.
However, at that moment a knock sounded at the door.
"Reina! Are you there?!" hearing the voice, her mood instantly plummeted and she came and opened the door revealing a man.
He was a muscular man, with short-red hair, blue eyes and stubble beard.
"What were you doing in your room for hours?! Why didn't you go on patrolling today?" he asked angry, looking at her as if looking at filth.
"I was reading a book, father" her voice strained as she uttered out the word 'Father'.
He snorted and said "Anyway, come with me. I have something to tell you"
She nodded and followed him, he said "Listen, I have decided to support that gu- Felt in the Royal Selection"
"She is the best candidate for us to get the Dragon Blood, Lady Crusch is too rigid and she might deny the Dragon blood itself due to her ideology"
"Lady Antastasia meanwhile is too scheming for my taste, Lady Priscilla is too arrogant and she even called me servant, me?! The current successor of Astrea family! As for that last candidate, half-elf?" he snorted.
"Choosing her will mean losing, after all who would want a Half-Elf as their ruler? Now, while Felt is from the slums, we can do a total makeover of her in one month and with Astrea family's support she has got a solid chance- I see potential in her" he grinned at the end as they stopped before a door.
'So, you can see potential in her? And cannot even spare a glance to your own daughter?' she thought sarcastically, her eyes dimmed before regaining their light as she recalled a smiling Subaru.
"However, she will need a Knight, and that's where yo-" before he could finish his sentence Reina said "I refuse"
He was stunned; it was the first time his daughter has refused HIS ORDERS.
"What did you say?" his eyes became cold, as he towered over her frame and glared at her.
Not a bit fearful she said "As I said, I refuse father" he broke into laughter.
"Do not make me repeat myself! Are you so ungrateful that you cannot give your Loyalty away for your mother?! You scum!" he spat, looking at her with hatred and disgust.
Her heart broke seeing that look, however she stood firm and looked into his eyes "My answer is same, I refuse"
He rose his palm, ready to hit her, "You ungrateful bitch!"
"Stop!" his hand stopped mid-air and his face became pale as he was glared by an angry Felt with her arms crossed.
"Princess- why are you outside? We were just about to meet you" he said a bit nervously, since he had accepted to sponsor her, it meant her position was higher than his.
She was a royal candidate after all.
"Sir Heinkel what were you going to do just right now?" she asked demanding an explanation.
"Princess, this daughter of mine refused to take oath as your Knight- Despite knowing whom the Astrea family is supporting!" he said.
She turned towards Reina and asked "Miss Reina, are you okay?" to which Reina gave a nod.
"If she doesn't want to become my Knight, there is no need to force her, and isn't it disgusting for you to force your own daughter to do something unwilling?" she questioned.
"Daughter?! She is a fucking curse to me! Because of her my wife went to coma and my mother died! It's all this bitch's fault! And now that I am giving her opportunity to redeem herself! She is refusing me!" he shouted his grievances.
Felt was shocked, not by what Felt did but how Heinkel treated her daughter.
"Heinkel, you disgust me!" she said and his eyebrows twitched.
"I disgust you? This is all this bitch's fault! And remember! You are a gutter rat! Without my support you are nothing!" he spat in anger, however seeing Felt's moist eyes his face became pale.
"I am a gutter rat huh?! Fine! I don't need you to sponsor me! I can become the queen by myself!" she said turning around and walking away in anger.
"N-No princess wait! I apologize for my words" he said panicked, then he glared at Reina before going to Felt, trying to fix up his mistake.
Reina stood there for a moment, silent. Her emotions a mess, she turned around and walked, her steps hastened and soon she was running.
Reaching her room, she got inside and closed the door with a thud before falling on her knees and breaking into tears.
Her father insulted her, he called her a bitch again! Did she have no value in his eyes?!
Yes, she wanted to save her mother too! However, she had already made up her mind to accept Zero as her Lord.
Did her wishes not matter to him at all? In fact, she wasn't against supporting Felt, she only wanted to accept Zero as her 'Lord'.
Recalling the gentle figure of her father from her past, she even cried louder.
She acted tough, she acted cold and distant, she acted as a perfect Knight, however in the end she was just a girl!
The words her father said hurt her deeply, she gritted her teeth.
Negative emotions flooded her mind, her father's curses, her grandfather's look of hatred, everyone's look of disappointment during that day, the scared looks of Felix and Julius.
She started panting, clutching her heart, she was drowning.
"You are my hero! Reina!" like a ray of light cutting through darkness, the words reached her heart.
"Sir Zero" she muttered, her breathing becoming calmer.
'I still have him, even if the world rejects me- I know he won't, he is just that kind' she thought and a smile appeared on his face.
She wiped her tears and she willed to acquire a Divine protection.
Soon a picture of Subaru appeared in her hands and she moved it closer to her face… and kissed it.
"~Ah~My Zero~" her yandere stage had just begun.
To be continued...
(A/N: This chapter is unedited by AI, cause for some reason AI was rewriting in like 700 words! A 1500words chap into 700 words!)