My Most Precious Human

Soldiers surrounded me, glaring at me as if I was some kind of villain. They all decided to support Kylo, no questions asked. Only Patrick stood beside me, shielding me from whoever thought of attacking me, physically or verbally. I started to be seriously sick and tired of everyone purposely disregarding my authority and stripping me of a single ounce of respect.

"Your sister deserved what she got. She insulted me, she brought me rotten food intentionally, and in the end, she tried to attack me. She is the only one she can blame, as a maid who tried to step on the King's concubine," I said calmly, surprising myself that I was able to keep my composure.

"She did what?" Patrick gritted his teeth, his eyes widening at my words.

"She insulted me and attacked me. Now, her brother is trying to do the same," I stated, catching the gazes of those who surrounded me.

Kylo stepped towards me, his teeth clenched angrily while his enraged eyes looked me up and down. "I don't care that you're a woman. I don't care that you are a human. It is my right to challenge you because you have sent my sister to her death. That is why I will kill you and restore her honor." He glared at me, then spat at my feet.

"You cannot be serious about referring to some ancient custom!" Patrick called out, pointing out the ridiculousness of his words. "Besides, the King would never allow this to happen," he claimed confidently, looking at me as if to calm me down.

"The King is away from the Palace, and he won't be back until the end of the week." Leo's strong voice came from across the hall, instantly silencing the crowd.

He seemed to appear out of nowhere, but it looked like he was observing the whole situation from a distance. The soldiers stepped aside, making space for him as he walked toward us. He looked me up and down with a smirk and then gazed at Kylo, raising his eyebrows.

"So, you want to challenge this... pretty little lady to save your arrogant sister's honor?" he chuckled, mocking him.

"It is my right to challenge her, no matter who she is," Kylo hissed.

Leo sighed, "Very well... Since the King is gone, it is up to Lady Lilith whether she accepts your duel or not." He pointed his hand my way.

I felt instant relief. It was obvious that I wasn't going to agree to fight this 6.2-foot ogre. The thing that bothered me was the sudden grin and the wicked spark in Leo's eyes as he approached me.

"I accept your challenge in her name," he tossed nonchalantly.

"What?!" I shouted, my eyes filling with shock and confusion.

Leo grabbed my hand while smirking, then he slowly turned towards Kylo, "As the King's right hand and his counselor, I claim that Lady Lilith will duel with you in three days. I suggest the duel take place after sundown so that every commoner soldier can also be present."

I nearly collapsed while staring at him in disbelief and outrage.

"Master Gotha!" Patrick thundered, "How can you do such a thing?!"

"If Kylo wins, he will restore his sister's honor as he wanted," Leo stated, facing the crowd, and then added, "but if Lady Lilith wins, you will all have to admit she is worthy of your loyalty... After all, she is going to fight one of the strongest soldiers in the Royal Army."

The soldiers nodded in agreement, which came along with whispers filled with mockery, sneering, loud remarks, as well as all kinds of snorts and chuckling that spread through the hall. It was clear that those soldiers had already predicted a winner of this upcoming duel, and they certainly weren't betting on me. Since they were convinced that I would die, they all accepted their part of the bet suggested by Leo.

Initially, I wanted to yell, rejecting this most ludicrous idea. I thought that Leo was using a perfect chance to get rid of me, but his words almost sounded like he believed that I could win against Kylo. He still held my hand as if he was trying to prevent me from calling the duel off. I looked into Leo's eyes with question marks all over my face. I knew that there was a huge probability that I had become stronger recently. I even wanted to test the ability that came with my super-genes, but not while fighting an almost-noble-vampire!

I stayed silent on the outside while panicking inwardly as another issue came to my mind. Even though I fought supernatural creatures before, none of them genuinely wanted to kill me. I faced a rape attempt, a kidnapping, and drugging, but not the rage of someone who wanted me dead!

"I am so screwed," I muttered under my breath, watching Kylo burst out in laughter while pleasingly accepting the three-day delay.

"Enjoy your last three days alive... Lady Lilith," Kylo chuckled and made his way to the exit.

I stood motionless, processing what the hell had just happened while all of the soldiers were slowly leaving the hall. Leo stayed beside me, and so did Patrick. When the hall became almost empty, Leo turned towards me and patted both of my shoulders with a cunning grin on his face.

"You'd better change into more appropriate clothing before we begin your training," he tossed and began walking towards a side door, motioning for me to follow.

I glanced at Patrick, stunned. "Is he going to train me before the duel?"

A nervous smile popped out on Patrick's face, "You should take his proposal. I think this is your best chance to survive this fight."

My legs were still trembling, and my heart was pounding restlessly while I reluctantly decided to follow Leo, wherever he was heading. When I did, I soon found myself walking into an empty gym that looked like it was designed to practice martial arts. Patrick followed me and closed the door behind him. Leo walked to some closet on the side of the room, pulled out a black Gi uniform with a belt, and threw it at me. "Change before we start." He pointed at the door leading to the locker room.

I slightly nodded, despite being completely uncertain of what the hell I was doing, but I was sort of forced to trust that Leo had a good reason for getting me into this mess. I changed quickly and walked out, impatiently gazing at Leo and Patrick.

"Now, can you tell me why you are trying to get me killed?" I asked Leo, nervously clenching my fists.

Leo snorted and walked towards me. "I am helping you and have made the right choice for you."

"How is fighting that infuriated monster going to help anything?!" I burst out.

Leo looked me up and down. "I have a very good eye when it comes to judging someone else's fighting abilities, and I am well aware that you can win against Kylo."

"And how is that?" I crossed my hands on my chest, unconvinced.

"I have seen you fight for your life at the casino," he stated, smirking.

"I was barely surviving in there!" I fumed, irritated by his choice of argument.

"True," he chuckled, "but something changed in you recently... I don't know what it is, but today, I've seen your eyes following every single move that Patrick made. That makes you good material to work on," he claimed confidently.

"Seriously?" I looked at him in disbelief, "You decided to risk my life because my eyes were moving fast?"

Leo smirked and, a split-second later, threw a punch aimed for my face. Instantly, I blocked it, covering his fist in my palm before he could reach me. I gasped at my own reaction while Leo grinned widely.

"You see, Lilith? I knew I was right." He smirked, locking his eyes on me. "I'm going to put you through hell in the next three days, but you are going to win this fight, and the Royal Army is going to bow down to you faster than they accept the new king."