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nYvonne blinked her wide eyes at the man who had just disclosed a certain information.

nThe girl who was on two minds whether she should return to her usual interaction with her parents as the punishment had ended was now narrowing her eyes at her father.

n'You think you can bribe me with your gifts?' She scowled at this poor attempt on their behalf.

nRaylene and Rutherford were anxious to see that she had not expressed her joy at their announcement, instead, she was gazing at the Earl with hostility in her eyes.

nHowever, the mother patted his hand, encouraging him to make the next move.

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"I'm sure Vonna will like this.

" Rutherford added to strengthen his case before his daughter.

nHe had punished her for disobeying them but not being able to talk to her in the last week was a bigger punishment for him.

n'I do not want this silence between us to continue!' He demanded and this was the reason why they had decided to placate their sulking daughter with a present.

nThis suggestion came from his dear wife which he appreciated and with a certain someone's help, he was able to find the perfect gift for her.

nHowever, the disgruntled look on her face was making him feel anxious.

nHis wife's encouraging smile boosted his confidence in what they had planned to express that the little girl was precious in their sights.

nYvonne watched in silence as her father called for the Butler who immediately entered with a large box in his hand.

nJust a single look and she guessed what might be inside the box.

n'Great! It's another one of those heavy dresses that will make my back hunch over.' She rolled her eyes at the box which held her present.

nThis only worsened her mood and she was not interested to see what was inside the box.

nHowever, Rutherford did not mind her neutral expressions as he placed the box on the table between them.

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"Papa got this prepared specially for Vonny.

" Raylene revealed to build up her child's excitement which seemed to be absent.

nThough Yvonne was least bothered about the kind of dress they had prepared for her, she did not wish to be the reason for the atmosphere to sour.

nTherefore, she forced a smile and glanced at the box whose ribbon the Earl was untying.

nThe large box, about a few feet long, was white in color and had been fastened with the help of a black satin ribbon which he had pulled away.

nAs the box was opened, Yvonne's indifferent eyes which were waiting to see what kind of heavy dress they had prepared for her were left wide open in surprise.

nWhat laid inside was not a dress as she had expected, but in its place was something that caused her eyes to sparkle.

nThe parents were watching her every expression and hence had noticed how her languid face now had shifted to surprise and even awe.

nThe amethyst eyes which were fixed at the contents of the box were shining, not only due to her excitement but also due to what was inside.

nA long sword whose blade shone brightly as a result of the light from the window falling on it was at the center of her attention.

n'Amazing!' She exclaimed as she beheld the beauty of the sword.

nA silver blade that seemed sharp enough to cut through wood in a single swipe.

nThe triangular tip of the sword was mesmerizing enough to grab her attention, causing a smile to blossom on her earlier lazy face.

nThe hilt consisted of the grip which had been made with black leather strips knotted together for better control and the metallic part between the grip and the blade was made of pure gold.

nThe little girl's awe-filled gaze as she scrutinized the sword which was laid inside the box was enough to bring a smile to her parents' faces.

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"Desmo had revealed that you would start training with a real sword so we got this prepared for you.

" Rutherford explained the reason why this gift was chosen.

nHis conversation with his old friend about their training had given him the best choice for her present.

n'And the smile on her face shows that we were right.' He asserted and then smiled at his wife.

nYvonne's mind was too busy admiring the sword to comprehend the words he had just said.

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"And this present is from Mama.

" Raylene disclosed and clapped her hands, resulting in the Butler returning with another box in his hands.

nThis time, the anticipation on her face was greater as she awaited what might be inside this box.

nRaylene chuckled as she accepted the box and handed it over to her.

n'This one is smaller than the other.' Yvonne observed as she turned the box around in her hands.

nSlowly, she grabbed the top part and pulled it open.

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"Pretty!

" Her whisper echoed in the silent room.

nThis time, there was a beautiful pair of black gloves in the box which she received from her mother.

nTouching the gloves, she realized that the material was sturdy and tough enough to save her palms if she ever held the blade with her hands.

nThe thoughtful gifts she received from them which went well with each other made her smile widen.

nHer earlier anger at their attempt to bribe her with gifts was nowhere to be seen as she alternated her gaze between the two boxes.

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"Thank you, Mama and Papa!

" She chirped, forgetting all about her anger for the punishment and also for the bribe.

nAll the parents wished for was to appease her anger which they had managed to do so with these two presents so they were pleased beyond measure.

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"So Vonna will no longer be mad at us?

" The father inquired, hesitant and worried about what her answer might be.

n'Not after the gifts!' The little girl's eyes twinkled with satisfaction at what they had given her today.

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"No longer mad.

" She confirmed with an eager nod, eliciting a chuckle from them.

nThis change in her was what they were looking forward to and was glad that their gifts had aided in achieving this goal.

nWatching her gleam as she gazed at her gifts, the parents were glad that they had thought of this.

nRutherford recalled how he visited the store he frequented in the days of his youth but this time it was for his child.

nThe old man in charge of Smith's smithings, the store where he had gotten the sword prepared was an old acquaintance he could trust.

nHence, he did not have any qualms as he got this sword prepared and even had the old man rush the delivery just for him.

nThe waiting list at this store was long thanks to its superior quality of swords but for Rutherford, the owner had pushed them aside to finish his order first.

nThe gloves were also prepared at the same place which went with the sword being made for the little girl.

nThus, the father had met an old friend while getting this gift prepared for his daughter.

nHe was also pleased that the owner promised not to reveal his order details to anyone else for old times' sake.

n'Mr. Smith will keep his promise and Vonna's secret will stay hidden for longer.' He smiled at the trust he had in his old acquaintance.

nOn the other side of the table, Yvonne was finally comprehending what her father had said earlier.

n'So this is why that man was so reluctant to start teaching me how to wield a real sword?' She shook her head at her trainer who had been stalling for time.

nNow she understood that it was all for the sake of the sword that her father had ordered to prepare for her.

nHer assumptions were both true and false at the same time.

nCaptain Desmo had been hesitant to teach her as he was worried about her safety and for this reason he had consulted the Earl after her repeated reminders to be taught using a real sword.

nRutherford, who had been in a sour mood due to his child's anger towards him had just been suggested by his wife to think of a present she would like.

nSo when he heard Desmo's concerns, he requested him to stall for longer until he could get a brand new sword for her.

nHence, the fact that today was the first class she had with a real sword was not a coincidence.

nIt was to prepare her for the one she would receive as a present this afternoon.

nYvonne who did not know the entire story was nonetheless ecstatic as she touched the gloves and gazed at the beautiful sword.

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