Chapter 316: The Rot and the Beauty
Lyria's POV
Earl Hawthorne studied me for a long moment, his gaze thoughtful and assessing. Then he straightened, a new energy entering his posture.
"Your Highness," he said, "I am going to do something. I shall come upon you like a predator, and I want you to try to strike me. Punch me exactly as I taught you."
I blinked at him, startled by the abrupt change in the conversation.
"T-that is rather a s-sudden change of s-subject," I observed.
A smile tugged at the corners of his lips.
"That is quite true," he admitted. "But I assure you, we have not finished our discussion."
He folded his arms loosely.
"I fully intend for you to continue telling me about yourself whilst I teach you to defend yourself. The two need not be separate matters. One may learn while conversing."
I considered that for a moment before giving a small nod.
"I s-suppose that m-makes sense."
