Andrew stood at the window of the northern study, one hand resting on the hilt of his sword, the other clasped behind his back. The late afternoon light cast long shadows through the glass. He didn't turn as Lyz entered.
"Reporting in, my lord," Lyz said as she stepped inside, boots quiet against the stone floor.
Andrew blinked and turned his head slowly, the fog in his mind clearing. "Hmm?"
"Rea," Lyz said, folding her arms. "She's progressing. Her power flow is... volatile. But focused when needed. The issue is physical stamina; she's barely keeping up with the strength of her own energy. She'll burn herself out before she ever masters it."
"I see," he murmured.
Lyz narrowed her eyes. "You're not listening."
"I'm thinking," he replied.
She stepped further into the room. "She's using red light now. Almost accessed Adamas. Her body nearly gave out."
That made him shift. "She accessed Adamas?"
"Barely," Lyz said. "And paid for it in blood. She needs conditioning, serious physical reinforcement. Starting now."
Lyz stepped closer. "You're distracted."
Andrew finally turned, slow and deliberate.
Lyz raised an eyebrow and hesitated. "I would like to start working with Annabella as well. Her technique is solid, but too refined. She needs to feel the dirt"
Andrew's gaze sharpened. "She'll refuse."
"That's why I came to you," Lyz said calmly. "I need you to speak with her. Convince her I'm acting in good faith."
Andrew's expression darkened subtly. "If it comes to that, I'll train her myself."
Lyz studied him. "You're protective."
"She's under my household's care."
"She's not Helene, Andrew."
He moved toward the desk, picking up a parchment but not reading it. "Watch your tone."
Lyz didn't flinch.
"You forget yourself," he said coldly.
"I remember exactly where I stand," Lyz replied. "And I remember how much her loss hurt you. You've buried it under duty, but don't confuse your heart. Annabella looks like her, yes but she's not her."
Andrew set the parchment down, slowly.
"And you?" he asked, his tone now laced with warning. "Your interest in Annabella...what kind is it?"
Lyz's lips twitched. "Tactical. Curious. Mildly entertained."
He stepped forward, eyes narrowing.
"Don't be clever with me, Lyz. Keep your hands where they belong".
For a moment, the silence thickened between them.
Then Andrew turned away, voice quieter. "Start with Rea. I'll speak to Annabella when the time is right."
Lyz nodded once and walked toward the door.
In her Room,
The room was quiet, lit only by the amber glow of a single oil lamp on the wall. Annabella stood by the window, still in her gown from the earlier sparring, her back turned, arms folded across her waist.
The door creaked open. Rea stepped in, her boots heavy from training, sweat glistening on her skin. She looked drained physically and otherwise.
Annabella didn't turn. Her voice was calm, but clipped.
Remove your shoes. You're getting dust on the floor.
Rea arched a brow but obeyed. She kicked them off, the clunk of leather hitting the wooden floor. No sarcasm, no complaint. She knew this tone, Annabella was in a mood.
Then, with a slight grunt, she peeled off her shirt, letting it fall unceremoniously onto the rug.
Annabella turned slowly, just in time to watch it land.
"Are you actively trying to irritate me?" She said sardonically, smirking
Dropping into a chair, voice low, Rea replied You're already irritated. I'm just… coexisting with it.
Rea didn't look up. She lifted her hips and shimmied out of her pants, letting them fall to the floor with a satisfying thud.
Annabella ran a hand through her hair, her fingers trembling at the ends.
I am not "irritated ." She inhaled sharply. I'm… perplexed. That's all.
She turned fully now. The moonlight from the window made her look almost too perfect to be real.
The burial is today. From what Andrew told me, things are escalating. Villages burnt to ash. Families displaced. All… courtesy of my father. Annabella said her voice heavy with guilt.
Rea sat forward, elbows on her knees. Her voice was quiet, but firm.
This is not your fault.
Annabella's lips twitched. " Lyz seems to think otherwise."
Rea let out a breath through her nose. Annoyed. Protective.
" Well, she can keep her opinionsto herself. She doesn't know you. And frankly, I don't care what she thinks."
Annabella looked at her for a long moment, something vulnerable flickering behind her eyes, quickly buried.
She makes it sound like I'm complicit. As if my presence here puts your life at risk. And they keep on reminding me how identical i am to him...I don't know anymore...
Rea stood then, slowly, her body tall and silent in the dim light. She crossed to Annabella, bare-chested and unapologetic, and stopped just in front of her.
She paused, trying to find the right tone. Not too soft, Annabella hated pity. But not too cavalier either. You are the only reason why I am alive. You gave me a purpose when I had none.
Rea then wiped her face with Annabella's white towel before tossing it again, this time deliberately closer to where her robes were folded.
Annabella sighed arching a brow as her gaze flicked down to the growing pile of Rea's mess. You know I do have a very clear boundary when it comes to war criminals and clutter.
She then reached out and held Annabella's hand, ignoring her comments. "Besides you are not your father. You're worst. You are a clean freak who glares when someone leaves anything out of place. You are a tease, and you are proud as fuck
That got a faint laugh out of her. But her eyes shimmered.
Then Annabella stepped back, just slightly.
You smell like sweat and burnt steel.
Rea said grinning. And yet you still let me in.
Annabella gave her a sharp look, though her lips were twitching with restraint. Only because I'm feeling charitable.
Rea tilted her head, stepping a little closer again. "Then I hope your charity doesn't run out tonight."
Annabella then got on her tiptoes and gave Rea a peck. If it does, you'll sleep on the floor.
Rea burst out laughing, rubbing her face.
Gods, I missed you when you were in that sulking mode earlier. Sarcasm suits you better than martyrdom.
A silence stretched, and intimate.
Dinner was being laid out in the west hall
Annabella had asked to be left alone.
Rea had watched her for a moment longer than she should've, half-wanting to argue, half-knowing better. So, she left, dressing quickly, her hair tied back in a loose knot. The corridors were quiet.
At least until she rounded the far side of the garden...
Lyz turned slightly, her mouth twitching, but not into a smile. More like a challenge.
You are alone tonight? Isn't her highness coming tonight?
Rea didn't hesitate and said bluntly as she stepped closer, her jaw tight, voice low.
You've been pushing her since the moment you arrived. Whispering things. Testing her. That's cruel.
Lyz's brows lifted, the only outward sign that Rea's words hit their mark.
Maybe I've been reminding her that emotions cost lives. And lately, her emotional thinking where you're concerned is putting all our lives in danger."
Rea replied, her arms folded,
You're bitter she chose me. So now you're lashing out, trying to make her feel guilt for it.
Lyz's composure cracked. Her eyes darkened. Her jaw tensed.
I don't think the two of you should be together. It's costing lives. She needs to be with someone who belongs in her world.
Rea's eyes narrowed. Her voice dropped, dangerous. "Someone like you?"
Lyz didn't answer.
Rea laughed sarcastically. "You're an assassin. Even worse.... of the same order that killed Arthur. The delusion is a real"
"Keep your voice down,"Lyz snapped, her face paled, her voice low. "She doesn't need to know."
She stepped even closer, her words now a quiet threat.
"I may not be able to kill you now. But if you keep circling her like a vulture, hawking what isn't yours…you'll find out just how far I'll go to protect what's mine."
Lyz gave a sharp scoff. less sure now. less superior.
Rea brushed past her without another word.
The west hall was nearly silent, the long table stretching into shadows. Only two seats were filled: Andrew, already halfway through his flask, and Rea, who sat stiff-backed across from him. Servants had cleared the meal hours ago; the only things left were a half-empty jug of wine, two goblets, and the heavy scent of oak smoke lingering from the hearth.
Andrew tipped his drink back, chuckling at his own story. "So there I was, in a tavern that smelled like rotting fish, and before I'd even finished my first pint, every geisha in the place was hunting me down. Not with blades, mind you ..oh no. With claws and teeth. All because i had slept with all of them."
He laughed again, loud and coarse, head tipping back. The sound echoed, filling the emptiness around them.
Rea's fingers curled on the table. Something inside her snapped. Without thinking, she said, loud and plain:"I want to marry Annabella."
The words fell heavy into the silence.
Andrew stopped mid-laugh, choking slightly on his drink. He stared at her, eyes wide, disbelief flashing across his face before it shifted, tightened, into something darker.
"You—what?...You cannot," he said flatly, the humor gone from his voice. "It is not the time."
Rea leaned forward, her jaw tight. "I didn't ask if it was the right time. I want her with me. She's part of me. If she's not here, I don't need to be here either."
For a moment, his expression twisted with something that looked very much like jealousy as he said:" "If I were you...which I am not, I would plan it right. You know her, she is stubborn. Dignified. She'll push you away if you come at her recklessly."
She leaned back sipping on her drink. "I am listening."