Chapter 14
Three months had passed since the seventh prince's departure, and the palace had grown accustomed to his absence, but she still felt the void every day. Her body, once frail and weak, had gained strength she hadn't thought possible. After weeks of personal training, she had climbed to the tenth best trainee, a feat that drew attention, whispers, and envy.
Her trainer, Sky was a constant presence. Tall, handsome, with a warm smile and a teasing glint in his dark eyes, he had become more than a mentor. They trained together, laughed together, ate together, and sometimes even shared the same room during late-night practice sessions or sudden storms that forced them to stay in the hall.
"This is it—focus on your footwork," Skyrock said one afternoon in the training hall, adjusting her stance. The marble floors gleamed, sun streaming through the windows. "Good… good… now pivot and—perfect."
She smiled, breathless. "I didn't think I could manage that much a month ago."
"You've done more than manage," he teased, offering her a slice of bread and a piece of roasted chicken. "You're better than most of the older trainees now."
Later, they lounged in the courtyard, casually tossing a ball back and forth while eating fresh fruit from the vendor who had been invited months earlier. Laughter rang out across the stone floor.
"Careful!" she shouted, dodging a playful toss.
"I told you, you're improving. I'm not letting you fall behind," Sky replied, catching the ball and handing it back with a grin.
Even as she laughed, part of her mind still wandered to the seventh prince. But with each passing day, her thoughts of him became quieter, replaced by the warmth and attention Sky offered. She felt safer, stronger, and for the first time in her life, like she belonged somewhere.
Watching from a distance was the third prince, Talon. Soft-spoken, quiet, and gentle, he moved among the trainees and staff like a shadow—observing, judging, and subtly testing boundaries. He smiled politely when she passed, sometimes offering a small word of encouragement, but beneath his calm exterior, there was strategy. His card was not his demeanor but his subtle influence and patience.
During breakfast in the palace dining hall, Talon approached the table she shared with Sky. "Good morning," he said quietly, his voice polite. "You've improved remarkably. It's… impressive."
"Thank you," she said softly, glancing at Sky, who smirked at the exchange. Sky nudged her gently. "See? Someone else notices, too."
Her friend scowled from the side, muttering under her breath about Sky's influence and Talon's quiet interest. "You're drifting," she said. "Don't forget why you started training."
She didn't answer. Instead, she focused on the warmth of Sky's hand briefly brushing hers as they passed a plate of pastries, the steady rhythm of the courtyard ball game, and the way Talon's eyes lingered just a little too long.
As night fell, Sky helped her stretch in the training hall. "You're pushing yourself too hard," he said, voice low. "Even the tenth best trainee needs rest."
"I can't stop," she admitted. "I… I feel like I have to keep improving."
"You're doing more than anyone expected. Don't lose yourself in the process," he said gently, his hand brushing her shoulder—a touch light, careful, but intimate.
Outside, Talon watched silently from the balcony, hidden in shadow. Soft and kind as he seemed, he already had a plan. Every move, every improvement she made, he observed carefully. Her attention might be on Kael now, but he was patient. He had all the time in the world, and he played a long game—quiet, calculating, and always just one step ahead.
As she closed her eyes that night, sharing the quiet room with Sky, she felt stronger than ever, yet the palace still whispered secrets, rivalries, and the lingering presence of the absent seventh prince.