Kael's POV:
The image of Seraphina falling into the Duke's arms refused to leave his mind.
The way her hair fluttered. The way she steadied herself against him. The way the Duke smiled—as if he knew something Kael didn't.
He clenched his jaw, sitting behind his desk. Damn him.
Seraphina Vale.
She had walked into his palace, disrupted his thoughts, thrown his world off balance. And now, Duke alric seemed to notice it too. The way he looked at her during the duel—it was as if he saw her as a challenge, or worse, something more.
Kael shook his head.
She's just your poison tester and court aide, he reminded himself.
But no matter how many times he repeated it, the irritation in his chest only grew.
He stood and walked to the window. "Find out everything about the poison incident," he ordered the man standing quietly behind him—his trusted aide. "Who stole it. Who planned it."
The aide bowed and left in silence.
Just then, there was a knock at his door.
"It's me," came a soft voice.
Seraphina.
"Come in," he said, sitting back down, smoothing the irritation from his face.
She stepped in, looking as poised as ever. "You summoned me?"
He nodded. "Yes. Come in. I have someone for you to meet."
At his signal, a tall man in robes stepped forward. "This is Master Rian. One of the best scholars in the court. He'll help you prepare for the upcoming academy exam."
Seraphina blinked. "Wait… academy exam?"
"Yes," Kael said, unable to suppress the smirk on his lips. "You'll be representing my court. As my personal aide, after all, I can't have you failing basic theory, can I?"
She crossed her arms. "I'm not that hopeless."
"Oh?" His smile widened. "Well, with my help, maybe you'll at least get passing marks."
Seraphina huffed, clearly not amused. But Kael found himself enjoying it far too much.
"And that's not all," he added. "Starting tomorrow, you'll be practicing swordsmanship with me every evening."
She blinked. "You?"
"Why? Worried I'll go easy on you?"
"No," she muttered, looking away.
"Good. You still need to learn how to keep up with Duke Alric."
He saw the faintest pink touch her cheeks—and oddly, that made him feel victorious.
—
Evening fell.
Sweat glistened on her brow as she stood across from him in the training yard, sword in hand, breath uneven. She was quick—clever—but he could still see the cracks in her defense. She needed more practice. More confidence.
She was improving fast. But not fast enough for what was to come.
—
Later that night, he passed by the study and found her slumped over a book, fast asleep.
A candle flickered beside her, casting soft shadows on her peaceful face. Her lips parted slightly, her lashes resting gently on her cheeks. One hand still gripped the edge of the book as if she had been fighting sleep until the very end.
kael paused at the doorway, arms folded, leaning silently against the frame.
She's working hard, he thought. Too hard.
He stepped in quietly, pulling a blanket over her shoulders. For a moment, his fingers hovered near her cheek, tempted to brush away the lock of hair that fell across her face.
His heart tugged.
No one is taking her away from me.
The thought was fierce, sudden. Surprising.
He frowned, stepping back.
It's not like I care. She's just... my responsibility. That's all.
But even as he walked away, something in his chest tightened. A feeling he couldn't name.
And he wasn't sure he wanted to.