"Aaki… there's something I need to tell you."
"What is it?" Aaki asked.
Miyuna hesitated. "Something isn't right… I—"
She stopped.
Aaki's expression tightened. "What's wrong?"
"…Forget it," she said quietly. "There's something more important."
Aaki didn't interrupt this time.
"Aaki…"
"Yes?"
"You need to train the prince faster," Miyuna said, her tone firm.
Aaki frowned. "Training takes time. You know that. His body isn't strong enough yet to handle full training."
"I know," Miyuna replied. "But he has the determination."
Aaki stayed silent.
"The prince has to participate in a duel."
"A duel?" Aaki looked at her. "What kind of duel?"
"This year, the neighboring kingdoms have organized a competition," Miyuna explained.
"All the princes will fight. Ours has to take part."
Aaki's gaze lowered slightly.
His body isn't ready… but his will is.
"…Alright," he said at last. "I'll train him for the duel."
Miyuna smiled faintly.
"That boy has determination," Aaki continued. "I'll teach him everything I can."
"I knew you would," she said softly.
Aaki looked at her again.
"Miyuna… why didn't you train him?"
She didn't respond.
"You've been here for two years," he continued. "You could've trained him far better than me. So why didn't you?"
Silence.
Miyuna stood up.
"It doesn't matter why I didn't train him," she said.
"It matters to me," Aaki replied.
She walked toward the door.
Just before leaving, she stopped.
"You said I'd be a better teacher than you," she said quietly.
"I don't think that's true."
She didn't turn back.
"Rest well, Aaki."
And then she left.
Aaki sat alone, staring at the empty doorway.
That was strange…
I've never seen her walk away like that.
Something's off.
Miyuna stood by a window, watching the prince below.
"…Tomorrow won't be easy," she murmured.
She turned away before he could notice her.
Later that night, the terrace was silent.
"Big sis… do you have a moment?"
Miyuna turned. "Of course. What is it?"
The princess opened her mouth—but no words came out.
Miyuna stepped closer and gently placed a hand on her head.
"The prince will be fine," she said softly.
"Don't carry all that worry alone."
"Aaki will train him properly. This time… he won't fail."
The princess exhaled, relieved. "I guess I was overthinking."
She smiled. "What are you doing up here, though?"
"Nothing," Miyuna replied. "Just needed some quiet."
"Oh… okay. Good night, big sis!"
The princess ran off.
Silence returned.
The wind brushed through Miyuna's hair.
"Please… train me…"
Miyuna's eyes snapped open.
Her breath caught for just a second.
She slowly looked up at the moon, her eyes reflecting its pale light.
The Next Morning
"Run," Aaki said.
The prince blinked. "Run?"
"Yes. As fast as you can."
"Y-Yes, Master!"
"You need stamina," Aaki continued. "The stronger your stamina, the more your body can handle magic."
"Magic doesn't depend only on stamina—but without it, you're nothing."
The prince began running.
At first, it was manageable.
Then it wasn't.
Hours passed.
His legs burned. His breathing broke. But every time he slowed—
He saw Aaki watching.
And he kept going.
Aaki turned to the princess.
"You're skilled in barrier magic, right?"
"Yes, Mister Aaki."
"Good. Create your strongest barrier."
She raised her hand. A solid barrier formed.
Aaki looked at it calmly.
"How many attacks do you think it can take?"
"…A lot," she said confidently. "It's my strongest."
Aaki stepped forward—
—and punched it.
CRACK.
The barrier shattered instantly.
The princess froze.
"W-What…?!"
Aaki looked at her.
"It broke because it was weak."
Her expression faltered. "But I—"
"You tried," Aaki said. "But you didn't try hard enough."
"I don't understand…"
Aaki stepped closer.
"Why do we create barriers?"
"To protect," she answered.
"Then why couldn't yours protect you?"
Silence.
"You made that barrier to show me your strength," Aaki said.
"Not to protect someone."
Her eyes widened slightly.
"A barrier isn't just magic," he continued.
"It's intent."
"If your will to protect is weak… your barrier will break just as easily."
He stepped back.
"Make another one."
This time, his voice was quieter.
"Make it to protect someone you love."
The princess nodded slowly.
"I understand… Mister Aaki."
She raised her hand again.
Aaki walked away, scanning the area.
"…Miyuna?"
No answer.
His eyes narrowed slightly.
Where are you…?