The world seemed to hold its breath before chaos broke loose. Both Aurelian and Drusilla charge at the same time, swords meeting with a sharp 'clang!' They disentangle and move back, Drusilla doesn't give a chance to catch his breath before she charges at him again with perfect precision, Aurelian barely dodges, the crowd gasps collectively. Aurelian realizes that Drusilla is actually dangerous and stronger than she looks "she's not just all talk" he thinks, he charges at her almost hitting her torso before she dodged and hit his shoulder, the crowd in support of Drusilla runs wild, screaming, Draven clenched his jaw "point to lady Drusilla" he wasn't sure why he wanted Aurelian to win but he sure doesn't want Drusilla winning. The field was filled with the metallic clang of swords, just as Drusilla let her guard down, Aurelian hit her in the shoulder, "point to prince Aurelian" Draven announces, the fight continues and after a while of sparring Aurelian lands another point "point to prince Aurelian" Draven announces again "come on pretty prince, one more point and you win" Draven says internally.
Drusilla charges at Aurelian but he blocks her sword just in time, she whispers to him "you don't deserve him" "and yet... here I am, his soon to be husband" Aurelian whispers back. With a scream Drusilla pulls back and fights more aggressively, she wasn't aiming to win the challenge anymore, she was out to injure Aurelian, she hits his unprotected leg, and blood started gushing out, Draven stepped forward ready to interfere but Aurelian cut him with a firm look, he knows he shouldn't interfere but why does his chest hurt knowing Aurelian is injured? He looks back at the field. Drusilla hits Aurelian arm scoring another point, Draven expression tightens,"point to lady Drusilla" he badly wants to stop the fight but he can't, so he just watched hoping that Aurelian fights back or at least calls it off.
Back at the field, Drusilla shouts "what's wrong prince? Weak already? One more point from me and you have to stay away from what's mine" Aurelian wipes sweat from his forehead and smirks "is that all you've got?" Aurelian charges at her knocking off her weapon, he stops the blade at her throat "never underestimate me". For a moment, no one moves and then, the crowd erupted into cheers "point to prince Aurelian,the winner!" Draven's voice rings out. Aurelian drops his blade and limps out of the centre, Draven immediately approaches him, he goes down on one knee to check on his injured leg "uh..y..you don't have to.." Aurelian tries to pull away but Draven only grabs his leg "shut up, you're reckless" "and you're annoying" Aurelian crosses him arms. Draven straightens to his full height "you need to see the physician" "no, I'm fine"
"don't be stubborn"
"I'm fine really.."
Aurelian tries to argue but Draven wasn't having it, he carries Aurelian on his shoulder like a sack of potatoes, "hey put me down" Aurelian hits his back"keep hitting me, you'll regret it" Aurelian huffs but stops "I'm taking you to the physician, you're not fine" Draven says already walking away from the crowd, Drusilla yells "this isn't over Aurelian!" "Oh but it is" Aurelian retorts and she stomped her foot on the ground like a child throwing a tantrum, Her eyes burned with quiet fury as she turned away. This wasn't over. Not even close. but it was clear that she wasn't about to give up. Not yet.
Draven takes Aurelian to the imperial physician's place, he places Aurelian on the physician's bed pinning him down "Why did you do that?"
"Do what?"
"Why'd you fight Drusilla? You knew she'd hurt you"
"Is that worry I sense?" Aurelian teases
"Don't change the topic" Draven deadpans "fine, I just wanted to prove myself" Aurelian justifies "why do you need to prove yourself?" Draven looks into his eyes, his gaze unwavering "I don't know but..."
"You did well"
"What? You're praising me?" Aurelian ears burned red in embarrassment or something else? Draven smirks. The physician who had walked in cleared his throat, Draven quickly pulls away from Aurelian as if burned "his leg is hurt", the physician gets to it immediately, cleaning the wound and treating it. Aurelian watches the physician treat him his gaze occasionally darting to Draven at the corner "why was my heart beating so fast just now?" He questions internally.