The next day, I could not resist the urge to sneak out of my room once more. Amy and the other servant were busy cleaning, leaving me with the perfect opportunity to slip away unnoticed. I moved quickly, my heart racing with excitement as I rushed toward the spot Theo and I had planned to meet, or what I planned to be exact. As soon as I reached it and as expected, I saw him already waiting for me with a spare sword in hand.
"Theo!" I called and waved my hands. "You are quite early. Shall we begin?" I asked cheerfully, my voice full of anticipation.
It took a moment for him to answer. He just stared at me in silence, making me feel awkward. I nervously diverted my gaze and scratched my neck. What is wrong with this kid?
"Princess," he finally spoke, his voice cold and distant, but there is a hint of respect.
I immediately stood up straight and turned to face him. "Yes? What is wrong?" I asked, my curiosity piqued. Ugh, this kid was so hard to read. I could not figure out what was going on in his mind.
"Nothing," he replied simply, handing me the sword. "Shall we start?"
The sword was almost as tall as I was. I glanced at Theo if he's really serious on making me use this sword and once again I saw him emotionless face. I sighed before gripping the hilt. It was heavier than I expected, and before I could fully process it, he suddenly let go of the weapon. The sword pulled me forward, and nearly stumbled into him. But Theo, ever so composed, stepped back, causing me to fall to the ground instead. I winced slightly and looked up at him, irritation flickering within me.
What a gentleman, I thought sarcastically.
Then, a flash of memory hit me, a warning from Amy. Be careful with the knights. The words echoed in my mind as I stared up at Theo His cold, unfeeling eyes seemed to pierce into me, making me feel uncomfortable. I quickly lowered my gaze, suddenly questioning everything.
What id Amy was right? What if knights like Theo were not as kind as I had thought? Could it be true? Did I let my guard down again?
I started to feel scared and panic. He almost killed me yesterday, was it really on mistake or on purpose? Before my thoughts could spiral further, I heard Theo speak again.
"Princess," he called, cold but there is a hint of softness. "Are you hurt?" he offered his hand, extending it toward me.
His hands were rough, calloused, with faint scars crisscrossing them. They spoke of a life filled with hard work and hardship. His hand was not the delicate, noble hand of a prince, but that of someone who had seem the struggles of the world. I could not help but stare at it, and Theo, noticing my gaze, quickly withdrew his hand. He reached for a handkerchief and covered it.
"I apologize," he said, his voice as emotionless as always. "I did not mean to make you touch something… dirt."
I was taken aback by the formality of his words. But there was something in his tone, a subtle hint of sincerity.
I shook my head and took his hand without hesitation. "there's no such thing as dirty hands." His fingers tightened around mine, steady and unyielding, as he helped me up. I turned away, brushing the dust from my dress, my thoughts swirling.
Theo fell silent once again, and I could feel his gaze on my back as I adjusted myself. But I was not about to let this moment pass. I had to keep going. I had to train.
"let's continue," I said, my voice firm. I reached for the sword again, trying to lift it, but the weight was almost unbearable. My arms trembled with the effort, and my frustration grew. There has to be something smaller than this!
Theo noticed my struggle and let out a quiet sigh. "Princess, I think it's too early for you to be training with a sword, "he said, his tone reluctant, while he watches me struggles.
I immediately shook my head, my determination flaring. "There is no such thing as too young, Theo. Even death does not care about age when it takes someone. So, there's no such thing as young in anything."
I could hear the frustration in my voice, but I could not stop myself. I had to do this. I had to become stronger. If I did not, I knew I would just be a pawn in someone else's game. If not, I will die early and wont able to escape this hell like place. If I did not, I would be as pathetic as I was in my previous life!!
But then something strange happened. As I tried once more to lift the swords, I felt a strange energy course through m. a faint glow of pale blue light flickered around my hand, like a whisper of something magical, it glows so bright like a sun.
Theo's expression shifted for the first time. He stared at my hand in surprise, his eyes wide, yet it was hardly evident. For a moment, the world seemed to freeze, and I could hear nothing but the sound of my own heartbeat.
I barely had time to react before the light around my hand suddenly flared, bursting out in a wild explosion. I let go of the sword and stumbled backward, thrown off balance by the sudden surge of power. Theo stepped back as well, his eyes wide with alarm.
"Princess!" I heard him called my name, in slight panic.
I fell, but my thoughts were a blur. My heart raced as I looked down at my hand, where the glow had appeared. My palm was now empty, but the memory of the magic still lingered.
"What was that?" I whispered, a smile creeping onto my face despite the shock of the moment. "Theo, did you see that?! It was magic!" I happily said.
Theo's face was as stoic as ever, but his voice, when he spoke, was laced with something I could not quite place. "Yes, princess. Its… amazing."
His response sent a thrill through me. magic, I had magic. But what did It mean? Could I use this power? What if this was the key to changing everything, to breaking free from the life I had been given? Maybe I still have the chance to live!
I stood up slowly, the weight of the sword forgotten for a moment, as my mind raced with possibilities.
"Your highness," Theo said, his tone as calm and unreadable as ever, "I will leave the sword in your hands. Ill return once you are able to carry it."
"Theo, wait!" I called out, but before I could say anything else, he was already gone. How did he move so fast? I stood there, staring at the spot where he had been, the sword still heavy in my hands. There was no point in protesting now. he had already made his decision.
I sighed deeply, trying to shake off the frustration that was slowly building inside me. as I stood there, something caught my eye, movement, delicate and faint. A butterfly, its wings shimmering with hues of violet and blue, appeared out of nowhere. It fluttered past me, making its way toward the castle. I was puzzled for a moment, unsure why it seemed so familiar, but there was no time to question it. the butterfly beckoned me.
Without thinking, I dragged the heavy sword into the nearby bushes, hiding it where no one would see. if anyone found it, I could get into trouble, and I did not want Theo to be involve just in case. He had already tried to help me. I could not let his named be dragged into any potential scandals.
After hiding the sword, I sprinted after the butterfly. My feet moved faster than I intended, my heart pounding as I followed its delicate, almost ethereal path toward the castle.
"Luneth," I called, calling to the butterfly. "what's wrong?"
It continued to lead me, its wings beating softly in the air as it effortlessly toward the castle huge door. I was almost breathless by the time I reached the grand entrance and two guards who always by the door bowed at me respectfully and opened the door for me.
Just as I was about to step inside, I saw a familiar figure. Amy, she was pacing back and forth in front pf the bedroom door, her brow furrowed, her face filled with concern. She did not notice me at first, too caught up in her worried thoughts, but when her eyes finally landed on me, her expression changed from worry to relief.
"Your highness!" she exclaimed, rushing over to me. her hands gripped my shoulders tightly, and I could feel the tension in her touch yet gentle. "you're finally here."
I blinked in confusion. "Amy, what's wrong?"
She looked at me with a mix of urgency and frustration before speaking quickly, her words tumbling out. "His majesty the emperor is asking for your presence during dinner later!"
I froze, the air around me suddenly feeling heavy. My heart skipped a beat. The emperor? My father? I had not expected this. his sudden request sent a chill through my entire body, as though the world around me had come to an abrupt stop.
"His… majesty?" I repeated, my voice barely a whisper.
Amy nodded, her grip tightening on my shoulders as though she feared I might collapse at any moment. "Yes, your highness. You are to join him for dinner this evening. Its important, and we must prepare you. Quickly."
I felt the blood drain from my face. It was not just a simple request. It was an order. And the last time I had seen my father… it had not been a pleasant meeting. The fear and uncertainty that had lingered ever since my arrival in the castle flooded back to me all at once. I swallowed hard, trying to keep my composure, but my hands felt cold and my knees weak.
Why did he want to see me now? what did he want with me?!nis he going to kill me now?!