Silence reigned over the training grounds.

  ?For a moment, the only sound was the wind rustling the banners.

  ?Then, the murmurs began. First a trickle, then a flood.

  ?“Is she really only six? That can’t be right...”

  ?“To think the Prince would lose... Who is she?”

  ?“She must be the next Hero of the Viremonts... She has the eyes.”

  ?In the shadows of the stands, a tall man in black robes watched silently. His face was hidden beneath a hood, but his eyes were fixated on the small girl standing over the defeated Prince.

  ?To think Prince Louis—the genius, the golden child—would lose to a girl from the North...

  ?He turned away, his robes swirling like smoke.

  ?I must report this to the Cardinal immediately.

  ?He vanished into the crowd, unnoticed amidst the chaos.

  ?Aelira stood frozen in the center of the arena.

  ?She felt the weight of countless eyes pressing down on her. It was suffocating. She stared at the white stone floor, wishing it would crack open and swallow her whole.

  ?But the earth offered no such mercy.

  ?The crowd began to press closer, their voices overlapping into a wall of noise.

  ?“We would like to know the winner! You are Viremont’s heir, right?”

  ?“How were you able to defeat the Prince? What style was that?”

  ?“What’s your favorite food? Do you like sweets?”

  ?Questions fired at her like arrows. Her vision began to swim.

  ?“Ehh...?”

  ?She looked frantically from side to side, searching for an escape route. But she was surrounded by towering adults.

  ?What is this? What am I supposed to say? Why are they asking about food?!

  ?“I-I...”

  ?Clap! Clap!

  ?A sharp, commanding sound cut through the noise.

  ?A knight stepped into the middle of the training ground. He didn’t shout, but his presence was undeniable.

  ?“Alright, everyone! That’s enough for today! The show is over. Back to your duties!”

  ?The crowd groaned.

  ?“Tch. It would’ve looked amazing in today’s news...” someone muttered, but they reluctantly dispersed, shooed away by the glare of the knight.

  ?Once the area was clear, the knight turned to Aelira.

  ?“Are you alright? Aelira Viremont, correct?”

  ?Aelira looked up.

  ?He was tall, with blond hair that caught the sunlight and a warm smile that softened the stern weight of his silver armor. He looked like the knights in the storybooks—noble, kind, and safe.

  ?“Yes... T-Thank you,” she whispered.

  ?“That was quite a duel,” he said, his blue eyes twinkling. “I don’t think anyone imagined the Prince would lose to someone his own age.”

  ?“Is... that so?”

  ?Aelira frowned slightly. Compared to the bone-crushing spars with Mr. Telgit or the terrifying speed of Zaek, this fight had felt... slow. Manageable.

  ?“Well, he is a natural, after all,” the knight continued. “Whatever he does, he exceeds expectations. He’s reached this level in weeks. But today... you showed everyone that you’re no different.”

  ?No different?

  ?Aelira shook her head internally.

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  ?I am different. I’m not a natural like him. I’m just stubborn.

  ?Without the hours of swinging that heavy wooden sword until her hands bled, without Telgit’s insults, without Zaek’s pressure... she wouldn’t have stood a chance.

  ?She wanted to voice her disagreement, but a shadow fell over them.

  ?“You’re spoiling her...”

  ?Louis limped toward them, clutching his bruised arm. His white shirt was stained with dust, and his hair was a mess.

  ?Seeing his condition, Aelira felt a pang of guilt. “Are you okay?”

  ?Louis’s face flushed. “Of course I’m fine! What do you take me for? This is nothing.”

  ?He tried to stand tall, but his legs trembled betraying him.

  ?“Being able to walk after that is admirable, Your Highness,” the knight said gently. “But I think it’s best if you rest now.”

  ?“You don’t have to tell me that...” Louis muttered.

  ?He shifted his gaze to Aelira. He looked her up and down—not with disdain this time, but with a grudging respect.

  ?“You must be tired too, right? If you want... we can arrange a room for you to rest.”

  ?“T-Thank you.”

  ?She wasn’t tired, but she sensed he needed her to be. It was his way of saving face. ‘I lost, but she’s exhausted too.’

  ?“Fine,” Louis huffed. He turned away with as much dignity as he could muster. “Feel free to speak with Heinz. He’ll show you to your room.”

  ?And with that, the Crown Prince limped away, refusing help from his aides.

  ?As he left, the knight turned back to Aelira.

  ?“He looks very upset. What do you think? He certainly sees you as a rival now. But what about you?”

  ?Rival?

  ?Aelira blinked. Do I see him as a rival?

  ?Prince Louis was strong. Talented. But a rival meant someone you chased, someone you wanted to beat again and again.

  ?I just want to go home.

  ?And if the future King saw her as a rival... wouldn't that mean more duels? More attention?

  ?That sounds exhausting.

  ?“You’re not sure about it, are you?” the knight asked, reading her silence perfectly.

  ?Aelira blushed. “I-I’m sorry... I was thinking. And... I don’t know who you are.”

  ?The knight froze. His eyes widened in realization.

  ?“Ah! I can’t believe I forgot to introduce myself.” He straightened his posture and placed a hand over his heart. “My deepest apologies. I am Albert von Heinrich, Captain of the Royal Knights. I hope you can forgive my rudeness, My Lady.”

  ?Captain of the Royal Knights?!

  ?Aelira’s mouth formed a small ‘o’. Even in Isenvale, she knew that title. It meant he was one of the strongest men in the Empire.

  ?And Heinrich... that was a high noble name.

  ?“It’s fine, Mr. Albert.”

  ?“Albert is fine,” he corrected with a smile, extending a hand. “It’s an honor to meet you.”

  ?Aelira looked at his large, calloused hand. She slowly extended her own small one.

  ?“It’s an honor for me as well. But... I can’t just call you Albert. Isn’t your position important?”

  ?She’s not aware of the formalities, yet she speaks so earnestly, Albert thought, charmed. For a Viremont, she is refreshingly humble.

  ?“It’s fine, really,” he assured her. “I was born a commoner. The title is just a decoration. Please, treat me as a friend.”

  ?“I see... thank you, Albert.”

  ?“Yo, kid! You had your fun while I wasn’t here, huh?”

  ?A familiar, lazy voice boomed from behind.

  ?“Sensei...”

  ?Albert spun around and bowed deeply.

  ?“Master Zaek. It is an honor to meet one of the Empire’s heroes.”

  ?“Yo! You’re Albert, right? The young captain everyone talks about.” Zaek grinned, wrapping an arm around Aelira’s shoulders. “So? What do you think of my student? Pretty tough, right?”

  ?“Indeed,” Albert nodded seriously. “Although the Prince is a prodigy, Lady Aelira’s foundation is solid. The way she wields her sword... it’s not something you’d expect from a child. It speaks of discipline.”

  ?Discipline.

  ?Aelira felt a flush of pride. Someone noticed.

  ?Zaek puffed out his chest, looking prouder than if he’d won the duel himself. “Of course! She’s my disciple, after all.”

  ?Then he waved a hand. “I should leave you two alone to chat. Young people stuff.”

  ?“Already? I wished to speak more with you, Master Zaek.”

  ?“You overestimate me, Captain. Compared to a shiny knight like you, my title is just gathering dust.” Zaek smirked. “Look at you—handsome, humble, strong! I bet the ladies are falling over themselves for you.”

  ?“No way!” Albert laughed, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. “I’m just doing my job.”

  ?“Don’t mind me, I’m just messing with you. Go back to your work, Captain.”

  ?Albert bowed again. “Then if you’ll excuse me, Master Zaek, Lady Aelira. I hope we meet again.”

  ?He walked away, his cape flowing behind him like liquid silver.

  ?Aelira watched him go. “He seems... nice.”

  ?“Yeah. A bit too stiff, but nice enough.”

  ?They began to walk back toward the carriage.

  ?“How did it go?” Aelira asked.

  ?“Hmm?” Zaek raised an eyebrow.

  ?“Your meeting with the King. How did it go?”

  ?“Ahh, that.” Zaek shrugged. “It went well. He accepted that I won’t be Prince Louis’s teacher. Hopefully, he won’t ask again.”

  ?“Is that all?”

  ?“What else do you expect me to say? We drank tea and talked about the weather.”

  ?Aelira stopped. She looked up at him, her eyes sharp.

  ?“After this... did you expect us to fight?”

  ?Zaek paused. A grin tugged at his lips.

  ?She’s sharp.

  ?“More like I hoped,” he admitted. “I knew the kid had too much pride to let it go. And I knew you wouldn't back down. Sorry about that.”

  ?Aelira sighed. “...It’s okay, I guess. It was kind of fun.”

  ?“Fun, huh?” Zaek chuckled. “I bet you’re tired. What do you say—should we head back to Isenvale, or stay in the capital a little longer? The King offered us a room.”

  ?Aelira didn’t hesitate.

  ?“I want to go back home. I missed Lassy.”

  ?She looked at him with pleading puppy eyes.

  ?Zaek’s resolve crumbled instantly.

  ?“I see. Then it’s settled—we’re going back.”

  ?“Yay!”

  ?She beamed happily as they walked.

  ?“So,” Zaek asked casually, “how did you end up clashing with the Prince anyway? Did he insult my hair?”

  ?“It was right after you left,” Aelira began eagerly. “I was waiting in the garden, and—”

  ?Zaek held up a hand. “Oi, oi! Don’t start telling me the whole story now. My ears are tired.”

  ?“But you asked me!” She pouted.

  ?“When did I? I only asked how it happened. Keep it short!”

  ?“...Ggh. Fine. I’ll tell you on the way back.”

  ?“Good. Save it for the road.”

  ?They walked toward the exit, their silhouettes stretching long in the afternoon sun.

  ?Aelira didn't know it yet, but this "short trip" had changed everything. She wasn't just a neglected daughter anymore.

  ?She was a Victor. A Rival.

  ?And a threat.