Lyria's POV
I heard a knock on the door—twice.
I was awake, but I didn't have the strength to respond. Every part of my body ached. It felt heavy, broken, as if even breathing required effort. So I stayed still, lying on my bed, staring blankly at the ceiling.
A moment later, the knocking came again—louder this time.
The door suddenly swung open.
"How many times does a poor maid have to knock before Your Highness allows her to enter?" Kara's sharp voice echoed through the room.
She walked in, followed closely by my personal maid.
I didn't move. I didn't speak. I remained lying there, unmoving.
Kara stopped beside my bed and looked down at me.
"What's wrong?" she asked, her tone shifting. "Are you sick?"
I slowly turned my head toward her and shook it gently.
"Then what is it?" she pressed.
I let out a long breath before answering.
"It feels like my entire body is shattered," I said quietly. "I don't even have the strength to lift my arms. This is the second day, and I still feel this unbearable heaviness."
Kara laughed softly.
"That's normal," she said. "You'll feel better tomorrow."
Then her expression turned serious.
"But for now, you need to get ready. You have meetings today—with the noble families and later with the council members."
My maid placed my prepared clothes neatly on the bed.
"I've prepared your outfit," she said gently. "I'll help you get ready after your bath."
I sighed and slowly reached out both hands toward Kara, silently asking for help.
She took them and pulled me up carefully.
"Have you eaten breakfast?" I asked weakly. "I'll be ready in ten minutes. Let's eat together."
Kara smiled at me.
"I'll wait for you on the balcony."
As they left the room, I sat there for a moment, breathing slowly—trying to gather the strength my body refused to give me.
I walked into the bathroom and gently closed the door behind me. I turned on the warm water, removed my nightclothes, and stepped beneath the shower. I closed my eyes, welcoming the warmth as it poured over my body.
I let out a slow breath and murmured to myself,
"Raven was right… I really needed to rest for two full days after that harsh training."
Raven.
I repeated her name silently, then again aloud.
"What are you doing right now, I wonder?" I whispered. "I really want to see you."
I sighed more loudly this time.
"I should get out. I don't want to be late for the meeting."
After finishing my bath, I returned to my room, where my maid helped me get ready. As she reached for my hair, she asked softly,
"How would you like your hair today, Your Highness?"
I smiled faintly.
"Leave it like this. I want it loose today."
The maid smiled back.
"Very well. I'll just dry it."
Once I was fully dressed and ready, I stepped out onto the balcony where Kara was waiting.
"I'm ready," I said. "Let's go eat something. I'm very hungry."
We headed to the dining room. It was empty—everyone had clearly already eaten and started their day. I couldn't blame them; it was already close to ten in the morning.
After breakfast, Kara and I walked slowly through the hallway on the first floor.
"You have a meeting with the nobles at eleven," Kara said, "and another with the council members at two."
I let out a dramatic sigh.
"The council again?"
Kara laughed.
"These are your duties as a future queen."
"Yes, yes," I replied. "I know."
And with that, we continued walking toward the meeting hall.
By the time the meetings finally ended, hours had slipped away unnoticed, leaving a dull ache behind my eyes and a heaviness in my shoulders. Kara and I retreated to the garden in search of a moment of quiet—somewhere the air was softer, and the world felt less demanding.
The afternoon sun filtered gently through the trees, scattering light across the stone path. A maid soon arrived, carrying tea for Kara. When she turned to me for my order, I hesitated only a second before speaking.
"Coffee," I said.
Kara raised an eyebrow as she watched me take the first sip. Then a smirk slowly curved her lips.
"Wasn't your favorite drink red tea?" she asked lightly. "Why are you forcing yourself to drink something so bitter?"
I felt a faint warmth creep into my cheeks.
"I'm not forcing myself," I replied quietly. "I actually like it now."
Kara laughed, clearly unconvinced.
"Of course you do. I completely believe you."
I cleared my throat and looked away, pretending to focus on the garden. After a moment, I spoke again, my voice softer.
"Kara… since the meetings are over, what do you think about taking a walk through the lower streets of the city?" I paused, then added, "On the way, we could stop by the orphanage and see what Raven is doing."
Kara's smile turned sharp, mischievous.
"What's this?" she teased. "Did you miss Raven already?"
Heat rushed from my neck straight to my face.
"What do you mean already?" I protested. "It's been two full days since we last saw her."
Kara laughed openly.
"And since when do two days count as a long time?"
I frowned at her.
"Stop twisting my words and answer me," I said. "Are you coming with me or not?"
She chuckled and leaned back in her chair.
"Do I even have a choice? Even if I said no, you'd still go see Raven. You clearly miss her."
I reached out and lightly hit her shoulder.
"Stop teasing me," I said, then exhaled. "Yes… I want to see her. I miss her, and I'm not going to pretend otherwise."
Kara lifted an eyebrow, surprise flickering across her face.
"You've gotten quite bold," she said. Then she leaned closer, her tone suddenly serious.
"If that's how you feel, why don't you confess to her?"
The question stole the air from my lungs. I went silent for a moment before answering in a barely audible voice.
"What if she rejects me?"
Kara frowned.
"What was that? I didn't hear you."
I swallowed and forced the words out.
"I'm afraid she'll reject me."
Kara's expression softened. She reached out and rested a hand on my shoulder.
"And what if she doesn't?" she said gently. "You'll never know unless you tell her."
She sighed, then stood.
"Come on. Let's go visit Raven."
A smile spread across my face, bright and immediate. I stood up at once.
"Let's go," I said eagerly.
I took a few steps forward, then stopped.
Kara turned back to me.
"What is it?" she asked. "Did you change your mind?"
I hesitated, then asked,
"Kara… how do I look?"
She studied me in silence, then sighed and shook her head slightly, her gaze moving from my face to my clothes.
"You look beautiful," she said honestly.
I bit my lip.
"This outfit isn't too much, is it?"
Kara laughed softly.
"You really are in love," she said. "No, it's not too much at all. It's simple—and elegant."
I smiled, my heart lighter than it had been all day.
"Alright," I said. "Let's go."
We took a carriage toward the lower city, the rhythm of the wheels steady beneath us. Just before we reached the orphanage, I asked the driver to stop.
"I'd like to walk the rest of the way," I said. "I need some air… and a quiet mind."
The carriage slowed, then came to a halt. Kara glanced at me knowingly but said nothing as we stepped down onto the stone road.
We walked side by side toward the orphanage, our pace unhurried. The streets were calmer at this hour, softened by the golden light of the late afternoon. Shops were closing, voices were fewer, and the world felt… gentler.
My heart, however, was anything but calm.
It had been two days since I last saw Raven.
Only two days—yet it felt longer, as though something essential had been missing from my days. With every step closer, my anticipation grew, light and aching all at once. I wondered what she was doing. If she was well. If she would smile when she saw me.
The orphanage came into view.
Children were playing in the front garden, their laughter ringing bright and clear as they chased one another through the grass. The sound warmed my chest instantly.
As I approached the gate, several of them noticed me. Their eyes widened, and in a flurry of excitement, they ran toward me and swung the gate open.
"It's the Princess!" one of them shouted.
They lined up clumsily and bowed, far too seriously for their small bodies.
"Welcome, Princess Lyria!"
I laughed softly.
"Thank you," I said warmly.
Before I could take another step, a small girl grabbed my hand and tugged eagerly.
"I'll take you to Mama Mary!" she announced, already pulling me inside.
I barely had time to react before the front door opened and Sister Mary stepped out, her brows drawn together in mild concern.
"What is all this noise—?" she began.
Then she saw me.
Her expression softened instantly into a gentle smile.
"Princess Lyria… welcome to our humble home," she said. "It has been quite some time since your last visit."
I returned her smile, feeling a hint of guilt.
"Thank you. I've been very busy lately. It hasn't been easy to leave the palace."
I hesitated, then asked quietly,
"Is Raven here? We haven't seen her for several days, and we came to check on her."
Sister Mary sighed, worry clouding her eyes.
"That girl has been acting strangely lately," she admitted. "She leaves early and returns late. When I ask, she only says she's meeting friends."
Her hands folded together.
"I'm afraid she may be doing something dangerous. She's always been like this… ever since she was very young."
A familiar tightness settled in my chest.
Raven.
Before I could respond, cheerful voices rang out from the garden behind us.
"She's back!"
"Raven is back!"
"Raven came home!"
My breath caught.
Kara and I turned toward the front gate.
Raven was standing there.
She wasn't alone— the weaponsmith's daughter, stood beside her—but I barely registered her presence. My eyes locked onto Raven, and in that instant, the rest of the world faded into nothing.
Blood.
So much blood.
Her clothes were torn, shredded as if by claws. On the front of her shirt, three deep slashes ran diagonally across the fabric—wide, violent, unmistakable. The sight struck me like a physical blow.
I couldn't move.
My body froze where I stood, my breath catching painfully in my chest. My heart began to race, each beat loud and frantic in my ears.
What happened to her?
Was she hurt?
Is that… her blood?
The questions flooded my mind, one after another, until my thoughts blurred into panic. I didn't even realize how pale I must have gone until Kara's voice cut through the haze.
"Lyria," she said sharply. "Are you alright?"
I didn't answer.
I didn't even look at her.
I stepped forward instinctively, my feet moving on their own toward Raven—but Sister Mary reached her first.
"Raven!" she cried, fear plain in her voice. "What happened to you? Are you hurt?"
Raven smiled.
It was tired. Soft. Too calm for the state she was in.
"I'm fine," she said gently.
The words made no sense.
I finally reached her, my hand lifting without permission, fingers trembling as I reached for hers—only to pull back at the last second, fear stopping me.
"What do you mean you're fine?" I asked, my voice tight with worry. "You're covered in blood. Look at your clothes— they're completely torn."
Raven blinked, then glanced down at herself as if only now noticing.
"My clothes are torn?" she murmured in mild surprise.
Then she laughed.
A quiet, careless laugh, as if this were nothing more than a minor inconvenience.
"It's not my blood," she said lightly. "Don't worry. I'm really fine."
My chest ached.
Kara's gaze shifted to Ayla, brows knitting together.
"And you?" she asked. "What happened to the two of you?"
Ayla chuckled, utterly unfazed.
"We were working."
Sister Mary exhaled shakily, clearly unconvinced. She turned toward the orphanage door.
"I'll prepare a bath for you," she said firmly. "You need to clean yourself first. Then we'll talk."
She hurried inside.
I stayed where I was, standing far too close to Raven now, my eyes tracing every tear in her clothes, every dried stain of blood. She claimed she was fine—but my heart refused to believe it.
I watched Raven in silence.
She had lowered herself to one knee, speaking gently to the children, her voice soft and warm in a way that felt entirely different from the warrior I knew. They clung to her words, their small faces bright with laughter and trust, as if the world had never known cruelty.
For a moment, I forgot to breathe.
Then—
I felt it.
A presence.
When I turned my head, I found Ayla looking at me, a knowing smile playing on her lips, as though she had caught something I hadn't meant to reveal. I returned the smile automatically, thin and polite, then looked away toward Kara, unwilling to linger on that gaze.
The children suddenly scattered, laughter ringing through the garden as they ran off to play, their joy filling the space they left behind.
Raven stood and turned to us, smiling.
"Please," she said softly, "come inside. We can talk there."
Kara and I answered at the same time.
"Alright."
And then—
Raven turned to Ayla.
"How about a cup of tea before you head home?" she offered casually.
Something in Ayla's expression shifted , she looked at me with smirk , and then.
She smiled—strangely, almost shyly—and without warning stepped closer. Too close.
Before I could even process what was happening, Ayla slipped her arm around Raven's, pressing against her side as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
"If you don't mind," she said, her voice light, "I'd love that."
I froze.
My eyes widened, my heart slamming violently against my ribs. Heat rushed through my chest, sharp and unwelcome.
Why is she touching her like that?
Who gave her the right?
I stood there, motionless, staring at the way Ayla clung to Raven's arm—too familiar, too intimate. My thoughts spiraled, anger flaring hot and sudden, tangled with something far more vulnerable.
Jealousy.
I didn't even realize how intense my stare had become until Kara's hand settled gently on my shoulder.
"Breathe," she murmured. "You're glaring."
Her voice grounded me just enough.
"Come on," she added quietly. "Let's go inside."
I nodded stiffly, forcing myself to move, even as my eyes betrayed me—lingering on Raven just a second longer than they should have.
We entered the sitting room together.
Kara and I took our seats on the sofa, side by side, while Raven settled onto the one across from us. Naturally—painfully naturally—Ayla sat beside her.
Too close.
She still hadn't let go of Raven's arm, her fingers curled around it as if they belonged there, a shy smile permanently etched on her lips. No matter how hard I tried to ignore it, my eyes betrayed me, drifting back to them again and again.
Raven was the first to speak.
"So," she said lightly, her gaze resting on me, "what brings you here today, Princess?"
I straightened slightly and returned her smile, careful, composed.
"After hours of exhausting meetings, Kara and I grew restless. We decided to walk through the city for a bit. Since we were nearby, we thought we'd visit the children… and see how you were doing."
Raven's expression softened.
"I'm glad you came," she said. "Honestly… I wanted to see you too. There's something I wanted to tell you."
My heart lifted despite myself.
She wanted to see me too.
I leaned forward just a little. "What is it?" I asked softly.
"It's nothing serious," Raven replied. "I just wanted to let you know that I won't be able to come train you tomorrow either."
The words slipped out of me before I could stop them.
"What—?"
I immediately covered my mouth, heat flooding my cheeks.
"I'm sorry," I said quickly, lowering my voice. "That was rude."
I cleared my throat once. "Why won't you be coming?"
Raven opened her mouth to answer—but at that moment, Sister Mary entered the room, carrying a tray with an elegant teapot and several cups.
"I've brought some tea," she said warmly. "It's a new blend I bought today. I hope you'll like it."
She handed each of us a cup, then turned apologetically to Raven.
"I'm sorry, my dear. We're out of your usual drink—and I know you don't care much for tea."
"That's alright," Raven replied with a gentle smile. "I'm not in the mood for anything right now."
Sister Mary sat down, cup in hand, and studied Raven and Ayla closely.
"Now," she said seriously, "tell me why the two of you look like you've been dragged through a battlefield."
"It's nothing important," Raven answered calmly. "We had a mission today. This is just the aftermath."
"A mission?" Sister Mary frowned. "What kind of mission?"
Ayla answered casually, almost too casually.
"We closed a red dungeon today."
Kara froze.
"A red gate?" she exclaimed. "Those are rare—and extremely dangerous. How did you manage that? Wait… don't tell me it was the red gate near the eastern border—the one abandoned for months?"
Ayla laughed. "Slow down, Kara. That's a lot of questions at once."
Raven stood.
"I'll let Ayla explain the details," she said. "I'm going to take a bath."
She had barely taken a step when Ayla suddenly brightened.
"Can I join you?" she asked eagerly, smiling. "I'm covered in blood, sweat, and dirt too. Let's go together."
I was in the middle of taking a sip of tea.
I choked.
Not once.
Not twice.
But over and over, coughing uncontrollably, my chest burning as I struggled to breathe.
I barely heard Raven's response.
Sister Mary rushed to my side, handing me a glass of water.
"Are you alright, my child?"
Raven was suddenly in front of me, kneeling, her face etched with concern.
"Are you okay, Princess ? What happened?"
Kara rubbed my back gently.
"Easy, girl," she muttered. "You'll kill yourself like that."
Ayla tilted her head, a mischievous grin dancing on her lips.
"Are you alright, Princess?"
Why are you looking at me like that?
And why are you smiling?
I took a slow sip of water, steadying myself.
"I'm fine," I said with a small smile.
Raven didn't seem convinced.
"Are you sure?"
I looked at her quietly, memorizing her features—the concern in her eyes, the way she leaned closer without realizing it.
She was too close.
"I'm fine now," I said softly.
She studied me for another heartbeat, as if wanting to be certain with her own eyes. Then she straightened.
"Alright," she said. "I'll be back soon."
And with that, she left the room.
Leaving my heart pounding far louder than it had any right to.
Ayla turned her attention back to me, a sharp, mocking smile curving her lips.
"Are you really alright, Princess?" she asked lightly. "For a moment there, I thought you were choking."
That smile again.
I hated that smile.
I returned one of my own—polite, controlled, hollow.
"Thank you for your concern," I said evenly. "I'm perfectly fine now."
Ayla's eyes sparkled with something unreadable.
"That's good," she said. "You seem quite close to Raven. I see you with her often."
My smile never wavered, though it failed to reach my eyes.
"Yes," I replied calmly. "We are very close. We meet almost every day."
"Is that so?" Ayla tilted her head. "I've known Raven since she was thirteen. She never liked mingling with nobles—especially not the royal family. She always avoided guild events or city celebrations whenever nobles or royalty were present."
My jaw tightened.
I forced my teeth apart and maintained my composure.
"Then you must be mistaken," I said softly. "She doesn't dislike spending time with us—or at the palace. Her relationship with the King is quite good, actually. It seems you may not know her as well as you think."
For a moment, the air grew tense.
Sister Mary and Kara exchanged worried glances, their eyes moving between us. Finally, Kara stepped in, her voice firm but light.
"Well then, Ayla," she said, "you were about to tell us about the red gate on the eastern border. How did you manage to close it? Surely it was filled with powerful monsters."
Ayla turned to Kara with an easy smile.
"We closed the eastern red gate yesterday," she said. "And today, we closed another red gate north of the city."
Kara's eyes widened with excitement.
"You closed two red dungeons? Only top-ranked hunters can manage that. How did you do it?"
Ayla laughed softly.
"I wasn't alone. There were five of us at first. Captain Sam asked Raven to join, so we became six."
Kara frowned slightly.
"Why ask Raven? There are many strong hunters in the guild."
Ayla exhaled slowly.
"They were afraid. Many guilds tried to close those gates before us—and every attempt ended in failure and death. Eventually, everyone gave up. The guild leader asked Captain Sam to gather exceptionally strong individuals—heroes from another world, ideally—but none were available. So Captain Sam turned to Raven."
"And she agreed to something that dangerous?" Kara asked.
"She refused at first," Ayla admitted. "But Captain Sam convinced her."
Kara nodded in admiration.
"Your team must be incredibly strong to close red gates."
Ayla hesitated.
"I don't quite know how to explain it," she said slowly. "But… strange things started happening inside those dungeons."
Strange things?
My heart tightened. What do you mean, strange things?
Kara leaned forward, curiosity written all over her face.
"What kind of things?"
"The dungeon we closed yesterday," Ayla began, "was normal at first. Everything felt ordinary—until the boss appeared. It stood before us in silence. It didn't attack."
She paused.
"Then it struck the cave wall with tremendous force. The ceiling collapsed, and we were separated from Raven. She was ahead of us—too far."
I listened to them in silence .
"We were trapped behind the rubble," Ayla continued. "And Raven… she ended up alone in the same chamber as the boss. We were terrified for her. We tried desperately to break through the debris. It took time, but eventually we managed."
"When we finally reached the chamber," Ayla said quietly, "we were stunned. The boss was on its knees—its body covered in wounds. It had no strength left to fight. It could barely stand."
Kara's eyes shone.
"Did Raven defeat the boss by herself?"
"That's what we thought," Ayla admitted. "At first. We searched for her, but she wasn't there. Then, a minute later… Raven emerged from the very tunnel we had been trapped in earlier."
"And when we asked her?" Ayla said.
"She said she wasn't the one who defeated it," Ayla replied. "She said that during the collapse, she was thrown into another chamber entirely. She wandered alone until she found us. After that, we finished off the already defeated boss and escaped the dungeon."
Kara blinked.
"Then who defeated the boss?"
Ayla shook her head slowly.
"I don't know."
Kara whispered, almost to herself,
"That's… strange."
I said nothing, But my heart pounded violently in my chest, my heart pounded violently in my chest.
Ayla wasn't finished. "There's more," she said quietly.
Kara leaned forward at once, curiosity sharpening her features.
"Something else happened?"
Ayla nodded.
"Yes. In the dungeon we closed today, something strange occurred as well. It was another red gate, so we expected monsters as powerful as the ones from yesterday."
She paused, choosing her words.
"But this dungeon was different. Its danger didn't lie in a single overwhelming boss—it was in the sheer number of monsters. There were countless of them. They weren't weak… but they attacked in enormous waves."
My fingers tightened around the porcelain cup in my hands.
"When we entered the dungeon and advanced for a while," Ayla continued, "nearly a hundred monsters appeared at once and charged."
She lifted her gaze, her expression darkening.
"But something was wrong. They didn't attack us."
"They went straight past us," she said. "As if we didn't exist. No matter how hard we tried to cut them down, to intercept them—they wouldn't even look at us. Their eyes were fixed on one person."
Her voice dropped." Raven."
The room felt colder.
Kara stared at her in disbelief.
"This is the first time I've ever heard of monsters ignoring humans."
"We thought the same," Ayla replied. "At first, we assumed Raven was targeted because she was at the front. Maybe it was a tactic—separating us, killing us one by one."
"So we changed formation. We moved Raven to the back."
Ayla's lips pressed into a thin line.
"But when the next wave came… the same thing happened. Every single monster ignored us again. They charged only at Raven."
I listened in silence,
Why her? Why only her?
Kara spoke again, her voice tense.
"How did Raven survive such an attack without serious injuries?"
Ayla smiled faintly.
"She's truly grown strong. Stronger than you can imagine. She saved us more than once."
Her smile softened with admiration.
"In today's dungeon, she alone killed nearly all of the monsters."
Sister Mary's expression darkened with worry—and anger.
"That girl is far too reckless," she said sharply. "No matter how many times I tell her to be careful, she never listens. One day, she'll get herself killed."
My heart clenched at the thought.
Ayla shook her head.
"Raven is a good person. She always puts others' safety before her own. Even in this mission… she agreed to join us for that very reason."
Kara frowned.
"What do you mean?"
Ayla exhaled slowly.
"If we hadn't closed those dungeons today, the monsters would have spilled out. And because the gates were so close to the city, the first thing they would have attacked… was the city itself."
"So Raven joined us," Ayla continued, "because she said she has a large family she wants to protect."
A large family.
I looked down, my reflection wavering in the surface of my untouched tea.
Not glory.
Not duty.
Not pride.
She fought because she loved.
Because she protected those she considered family—even if it meant standing alone against a hundred monsters that seemed to exist only to hunt her.
At that moment, the sound of a door opening cut through the room.
I lifted my head instinctively.
Raven stepped inside.
For a heartbeat, everything else faded.
She looked calm—far too calm for someone who had just returned from a deadly battle. There was no trace of exhaustion on her face, no shadow of fear, as if death itself had never brushed past her.
She wore loose black trousers and a wide, long-sleeved black blouse that hung comfortably on her frame. Her black hair was still wet, strands clinging to her neck and cheeks, droplets of water falling softly from the short ends. She raised a hand and pushed her hair back, though a few rebellious strands slipped free and framed her face again.
I couldn't look away.
My eyes followed every movement she made, every breath, every subtle gesture.
She's beautiful, I thought, the realization settling quietly yet deeply in my chest.
Raven moved toward the sofa and spoke to Ayla with an easy tone.
"You can take a shower now."
Ayla smiled.
"Thank you, but I should head home. Get some good rest. We'll meet tomorrow at the same time—it'll be another long day."
Tomorrow, My heart tightened.
I frowned slightly.
"What will you be doing tomorrow?"
"There's another dungeon we need to close," Ayla replied casually.
Another one?
Kara spoke before I could.
"Another dungeon?"
"Yes," Ayla nodded. "And there are only two days left. If we fail to close it tomorrow, all the monsters inside will pour out. It's very close to the city."
My chest felt heavy.
"That sounds dangerous," Kara said, then glanced at me. "Does the King know about this?"
"Yes," I answered quietly. "His plan was to leave these dungeons to the heroes from the other world, but they haven't returned to the city for five months. So the guilds were hired instead."
My gaze drifted back to Raven.
"Will you be okay?" I asked softly, unable to hide the worry in my voice. "I've heard these dungeons are extremely dangerous."
Raven smiled at me—the kind of smile meant to reassure.
"I'll be fine. I won't be alone."
That didn't ease my heart at all.
"When do you think you'll be finished?" I asked.
"I'm not sure," she replied. "Maybe around this time."
My voice dropped to a whisper.
"Can I come here again tomorrow… just to check on you?"
Before Raven could answer, Ayla spoke, a smirk curling on her lips.
"Raven won't be coming home early tomorrow. Whether we succeed or fail, we'll be at a tavern—celebrating or planning our next move."
Kara frowned.
"Then how will we know Raven is safe?"
Raven turned to me, her voice gentle.
"I'll be fine. You don't need to worry."
I felt a sting behind my eyes.
She must have noticed, because her expression softened.
"But… if you really want to come, you can join us at the tavern."
Ayla raised an eyebrow.
"Do you really think a princess—future queen, no less—would step into the poor lower districts?"
I clenched my fists.
I truly hate this girl.
I smiled anyway.
"And why do you think that?"
"Because nobles are all the same," Ayla replied with a mocking smile. "They don't like mixing with people like us—those without wealth, titles, or status."
I met her gaze calmly.
"Then you have a mistaken idea of nobles. I won't deny that some only care about power and wealth—but not all of them are like that. And I am not."
Raven stepped forward, her voice firm.
"Princess Lyria is not like that. She doesn't care about ranks or titles. She's kind, she loves her people, and she never hesitates to help others."
My heart skipped violently.
She defended me.
Warmth spread through my chest, overwhelming and sweet. I looked at her in silence, unable to say a word.
Sister Mary nodded.
"Princess Lyria is a good girl. She has a big heart and always comes to visit the children."
My cheeks burned.
"Thank you," I whispered.
Kara patted my shoulder teasingly.
"You're blushing."
She then turned to Raven.
"Which tavern will you be at tomorrow?"
"Maris's Tavern," Raven replied.
Kara smiled.
"Then we'll see you there. The princess will disguise herself, so no one will recognize her."
Raven looked at me with concern.
"Are you sure you want to come? I don't want you to force yourself."
I smiled softly.
"I'm not forcing myself. I want to come."
Ayla stood up.
"Well then, I should leave."
She walked behind the sofa where Raven sitting . Her hand landed on Raven's arm and slowly slid upward until it rested on her shoulder.
She looked straight at me—with that infuriating smirk.
Leaning closer, she whispered into Raven's ear,
"Get some rest. I'll see you tomorrow."
My nails dug into my palms.
She's doing this on purpose. I'm sure of it.
Ayla turned toward the door, then paused.
"Thank you for the tea, Sister Mary. It was lovely."
And with that, she left.
After Ayla left, the atmosphere in the room slowly softened.
We talked for a while longer, drifting from one topic to another, though Kara—true to herself—kept circling back to the same thing, asking Raven again and again how they had managed to close a red dungeon. Raven answered calmly, never exaggerating, never boasting, as if what she had done was nothing extraordinary.
Then, suddenly, Raven turned her attention to me.
"So," she asked gently, "how are you feeling after our last training session?"
I smiled.
"I felt some pain yesterday, but I'm fine now."
Her expression brightened.
"I'm glad to hear that."
Before I could enjoy that moment, Kara leaned closer with a wicked grin.
"Oh really? Who was it this morning complaining that all her bones felt broken and that she couldn't even stand properly?"
Heat rushed to my face.
"Kara!" I exclaimed, striking her shoulder lightly. "I was just a little tired, that's all. I'm fine now."
Raven laughed softly.
"It's normal to feel sore and exhausted at the beginning. Just make sure you rest well before we start training again."
I nodded obediently.
"I will."
Eventually, I realized how late it had gotten.
"It's time for us to leave."
Kara and I stood up, and I turned to Raven.
"You should rest well too."
We said our goodbyes to Sister Mary, then stepped outside. Raven walked with us all the way to the orphanage gate, the cool evening air wrapping around us.
"I'll walk you back to the palace," Raven offered.
I smiled at her, shaking my head gently.
"You should rest. You look tired too, and you have a long day ahead of you tomorrow. We'll be fine on our own."
Raven hesitated for a moment, then nodded.
"Alright. But be careful."
"I will," I replied softly.
We walked a short distance before I stopped. Turning back toward the orphanage, I saw Raven still standing there, watching us.
I raised my voice slightly so she could hear me.
"Raven! You be careful tomorrow too—and don't do anything reckless."
She smiled, lifting her voice in return since the distance had grown between us.
"I'll be careful ."
I held her gaze for a few seconds longer before turning away.
Even as we continued walking, her smile lingered in my mind—
a quiet promise I hoped with all my heart she would keep.
Kara laughed softly beside me.
"You look like a teenager who just fell in love for the first time in her life."
I smiled, my voice gentle but honest.
"But it is my first time falling in love."
She raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised.
"Have you never loved anyone before? Or at least had feelings for someone?"
I answered immediately.
"No, I've never loved anyone."
Then I paused, thinking.
"But I have admired many people."
Kara glanced at me with curiosity.
"Really? Who did you admire?"
I began counting quietly in my mind.
"You," I said first. "I admire your strength and your cheerful personality. And Elyra Voss—I admire how powerful her presence is, how strong she is without being arrogant or cruel. And my father… I admire his kindness."
Kara stopped walking abruptly.
"Wait—stop. That's not what I meant."
I laughed and lightly hit her shoulder.
"Oh, you meant that kind of admiration?"
She nodded.
"No," I admitted softly. "I've never felt that way toward anyone before."
Then, almost shyly, I added,
"Raven is the first person I've ever loved."
Kara stared at me for a second before smiling warmly.
"I truly wish you happiness."
We walked in silence for a while, the sound of our footsteps echoing faintly along the stone path.
Then Kara spoke again, casually—but I knew better.
"I almost forgot to ask… what was that back at the orphanage between you and Ayla?"
I let out a long breath.
"Please don't even mention her name. That girl is going to drive me insane. Just thinking about what happened there makes me angry."
Kara laughed.
"Did you see Raven's face when Ayla leaned in and whispered into her ear from behind? She frowned—completely shocked—but tried to stay calm."
I clenched my hands.
"She did that on purpose."
Kara frowned slightly.
"What do you mean?"
"Every time she got close to Raven," I said quietly, "she looked at me with that mocking smile. As if she wanted me to see it. It drove me crazy."
Kara placed a comforting hand on my shoulder.
"Calm down. It's natural for them to be close—they've been friends for a long time. And Ayla is a good person. I've known her for years."
I shook my head slowly.
"No. Those looks… that smile… there was nothing natural about it."
Kara burst into laughter.
"You are truly hopeless."
I didn't deny it.
Because every time I thought of Raven—
my heart beat faster,
and no amount of logic could calm it.
That night, the palace felt unusually quiet.
Too quiet.
I lay on my bed, staring at the canopy above me, the soft curtains barely moving with the night breeze. The room was dimly lit by a single lantern, its golden glow casting long shadows along the walls—but no matter how warm the light was, it couldn't calm the unease in my chest.
I turned to my side.
And then to the other.
Sleep refused to come.
My thoughts betrayed me, returning again and again to the same person.
Raven.
Her calm voice.
The tired smile she tried to hide.
The way she stood between danger and everyone else, as if her own life weighed less than theirs.
And then—
that image I hated most.
Ayla leaning in close.
Her hand on Raven's arm.
That smile. That knowing smile.
I clenched the sheets beneath my fingers.
She did it on purpose.
I knew it.
The way Ayla looked at me, as if she was testing something. As if she was challenging me.
As if she already knew what I felt—and enjoyed watching me struggle with it.
My chest tightened.
They've known each other for years, I reminded myself.
They fight together. Trust each other. Share dangers I can't even imagine.
The thought hurt more than I wanted to admit.
I pushed myself up and sat on the edge of the bed, pressing a hand over my heart.
Why did it feel like this?
This sharp ache.
This restless longing.
This fear that crept into my thoughts when I least expected it.
What if she gets hurt tomorrow?
The image of Raven, covered in blood, flashed through my mind again. My breath caught.
What if the dungeon was worse than they expected?
What if she pushed herself too far—again?
What if, one day, she didn't come back at all?
I hugged my knees to my chest.
She said she'd be fine.
Raven always said that.
And yet… she was always the one standing closest to danger.
My gaze drifted toward the window. Beyond it, the city lights shimmered faintly under the moonlight. Somewhere out there, Raven was resting—preparing herself for another deadly mission.
While I was here.
Safe. Useless.
"I hate this," I whispered into the empty room.
I hated being powerless.
I hated not being able to protect her.
I hated that all I could do was wait.
And more than anything…
I hated the fear that whispered in the back of my mind.
What if I'm too late?
My fingers curled slowly against the fabric of my nightgown.
Tomorrow, I would see her again.
At the tavern.
In the city below.
In a world far removed from royal halls and Duties , and expectations.
I closed my eyes and let out a shaky breath.
Please…
Come back safely.
Whether she ever returned my feelings or not—
whether I ever found the courage to confess—
I just wanted Raven to live.
The light flickered softly.
And in the silence of the palace night, I whispered her name one last time.
"Raven…"