"I know my father loves me but he has always been strict." Lenally couldn't help but defend her father somewhat, and she was not some weakling either. She hadn't cried when he struck her, showing her true Aserit spirit by not showing weakness.<br/><br/>Lenally nodded a little, dropping the subject of the late king of Theiri. She listened as Gerrard spoke, hearing the anger dripping from his voice. Her eyes widened, it sounded as though Gerrard would wish to strike her father in retaliation for striking her. She was stunned, she expected something like this from Lorenso but was floored that Gerrard was so thoroughly incensed by her father's choice of disciplinary tactics.<br/><br/>"I should not have left but I wanted to be away awhile." she said, again being a dutiful daughter, but she felt herself suddenly unable to hate Gerrard as much as she hated him before. She bit her lip as he spoke of wanting to keep her beside him in public, away from her family. She felt a slight flush at her cheek as he brought up a hand to stroke her bruised cheek.<br/><br/>In typical Lenally form she stepped back and looked away. She felt such confusion, being with Lorenso, now Gerrard. She wasn't certain of all this and longed to go to the training arena. She kept her eyes down. "I'm not a wilting lily, I can take a hit or two." she said, he can hear a slight quiver in her voice, hinting at her surprise of his actions and all that had happened. "I can handle it."<br/><br/>The look she gave him was a bit of a smirk. "Hold up your hand and I'll prove it." Lenally waited until Gerrard lifted his hand to hold it in place. Once he was ready she stood up and rolled her shoulders to stretch, not caring if he got any enjoyment out of it as she prepared herself to finally hit something.