Lyria's POV
"Come on, Princess… raise your sword. We're almost done. Don't give up now."
Raven's voice was calm… steady… but firm.
I tried.
Gods, I really tried.
My fingers tightened around the wooden sword, but my arms—my arms felt like they didn't belong to me anymore.
Heavy.
Unbearably heavy As if I were trying to lift an entire mountain instead of a training blade.
I forced my muscles to move Just a little more—
Just—
Raven suddenly moved fast too fast Her sword came straight toward my face.
I panicked.
I tried to raise mine to block—but I was too slow So I closed my eyes And waited for the impact.
Nothing came silence, I slowly opened my eyes her sword was right there, stopped just inches from my face .
Then—tap.
She lightly hit my head with the wooden sword and smiled. "Let's stop here for today. You're all exhausted… and you did well. We'll continue tomorrow."
Relief washed over me. I lowered my sword, my arms trembling, and walked toward the bench, I sat down beside Kara and Evanna, my breathing uneven.
"I feel like… I'm not improving at all…" The words slipped out before I could stop them. "At the end of every training… I can barely stand."
Raven stepped in front of me Her expression softened slightly. "Do you really think you're not improving?"
I looked down at my hands.
"I don't know…"
My voice felt smaller than I wanted it to be.
"I still can't feel my arms after training… I've been doing this for a while now, and I still feel this exhausted every time."
I clenched my fingers slightly. "I should've improved… at least a little."
Raven didn't answer immediately Instead, she turned toward Kara. "What do you think, Kara? Do you also believe she isn't improving?"
Kara crossed her arms, thinking, Then she shook her head.
"No. I think she's improving every day. She's getting stronger… I can see it in her movements… in the way she handles her sword."
Raven smiled faintly.
"You're right."
Then she looked back at me. "You are improving. All of you are."
I frowned slightly.
"Then why don't I feel it?"
Raven took a small sip of water before answering. "Because you're not noticing it."
I blinked.
"…What do you mean?"
She leaned slightly against the wooden post, her tone calm—almost teacher-like.
"Let me explain it simply." She raised one finger. "Let's say Yesterday, I trained you using about five percent of my strength."
Another finger. "Today, I used six percent."
A third.
"And Tomorrow will be seven." She continued, "I increase my strength little by little every day."
Then she looked directly at me. "And the good part? You adapt." Her voice softened. "You keep up with me… without even realizing it."
"You're improving… every single day." A small smile appeared on her lips. "You just don't see it yet."
Something inside my chest tightened, warm soft.
"…You'll see the results of your effort very soon."
I opened my mouth to respond—But a voice interrupted.
"I hope I'm not interrupting your training."
We all turned. A man walked into the training yard with elegant steps.
Well-dressed.
Composed.
Smiling.
But there was something… wrong about that smile, Something that made my skin uneasy.
He stopped beside Raven and bowed slightly.
"It's a pleasure to see you again, Princess Lyria, Lady Kara… and I assume this is Princess Evanna."
Then he turned to Raven.
His smile widened—just a little too much. "Oh… Raven Nightthron. What a delightful coincidence. We meet again."
Raven's expression changed instantly.
Gone was her calm.
Gone was her warmth. Her face became… cold, Sharp, unfamiliar.
"What are you doing here?" she asked flatly.
No honorifics, no politeness,nothing.
The man chuckled softly. "I came to meet the King. I heard you were training here, so I thought I'd greet the Princess… and have a little conversation with you."
Raven's eyes narrowed slightly. "I thought I made myself clear. Stay away from me."
I exchanged a glance with Kara.
Confusion.
What… was going on? I had never seen Raven like this before.
Seraphiel, the High Mage—only smiled wider. "Please, calm down. I'm not here to cause trouble."
He tilted his head slightly.
"What do you say we become friends? It seems we'll be seeing each other quite often in the coming days."
My brows furrowed. "What do you mean by that?"
He turned to me politely. "I have business with the King, so I'll be staying at the palace for a while."
Then his eyes flicked toward Raven.
"And since you train the Princess here every day… it seems we'll meet often, Raven Nightthron."
A strange tension filled the air, Still, I smiled politely. "It is an honor to have you at the palace."
He bowed his head slightly. "The honor is mine, Princess."
Then Raven spoke. "Princess."
I looked at her.
She was smiling, but something felt off that smile il didn't reach her eyes.
"You said you were going to the city, right?" Her tone was light—but her gaze was not. "Why don't you go get ready? I'll wait for you here."
I hesitated for a moment Something wasn't right She wanted to be alone with him That much was clear. "…Alright." I stood up. "I won't be long."
She nodded. "Take your time."
We left the training yard—me, Kara, and Evanna. But I could still feel it That tension, That unease Like something dangerous had just stepped into our world.
As we walked back toward the palace, Evanna spoke quietly,
"That man… is scary."
I glanced at her.
"Evanna, you shouldn't talk about people like that. It's not polite."
She frowned slightly. "Then why is he like that?"
I gently patted her head.
"He's… sick."
She seemed to accept that answer, though not fully convinced.
Kara then spoke, "Do you think Raven and Seraphiel met before? After the Black Gate incident?"
I exhaled slowly.
"I think so."
Her tone back there…That wasn't the way you speak to someone you just met.
"But why is he here?" I continued quietly. "Why meet Father?"
A thought struck me, sharp unsettling "… what if he came because of Raven?"
Kara looked at me. "You mean her absorption ability?"
I nodded slowly. " If the council finds out.." I clenched my hand slightly. "No… I need to speak with father."
Kara sighed.
"You can't right now. Raven is waiting for us."
I looked ahead toward the palace gates. "…Then I'll speak to him when I return."
But even as I said it—My thoughts weren't on the King, they weren't on the city, they weren't even on seraphiel, they were on Raven on that cold voice on that smile that didn't reachher eyes.
I didn't take long to change.
My hands moved quickly, almost mechanically, as I removed my formal dress and replaced it with something simpler—something that would allow me to walk among my people without being seen as their princess. Yet my thoughts were far from steady. They lingered… on her.
By the time Kara and I returned to the training yard, she was there—sitting alone on a wooden bench, her posture relaxed, but her presence… distant. There was something about the way she stared ahead, as if she wasn't truly seeing the courtyard, but something far beyond it.
"Kara called her first, but Raven didn't respond.
A strange unease settled in my chest, I stepped closer and gently placed my hand on her shoulder. "Raven… can you hear me?"
For a brief moment, she didn't move.
Then, slowly, she lifted her head and looked at us. Her eyes were quiet—too quiet—and then, just like that, a small smile appeared on her lips.
"You're here," she said. "Are you ready to go?"
As if nothing had happened, As if that distant look had never existed.
I nodded. "Yes."
I wanted to ask her.
About the High Mage. About that tension in her voice. About the way her expression had changed so sharply when she saw him.
But something stopped me, She didn't want to talk about it… and I couldn't bring myself to push her.
So instead, we left.
We rode in silence until the city came into view.
Before we reached the crowded streets, I asked the driver to stop at a distance. It wouldn't do for people to recognize a royal carriage—today, I wanted to see the truth, not a performance.
We continued on foot.
I walked between them—Raven on my right, Kara on my left. The city was alive around us: voices overlapping, merchants shouting, children laughing as they ran through narrow streets.
"Raven spoke first. "So… what exactly are you planning to do?"
"Nothing specific," I replied. "I just want to observe the city and I see if it needs any repairs and check on the people . Check the markets, see if there's corruption, unfair pricing… maybe visit the medical district as well."
She tilted her head slightly. "Then why disguise yourself? Why not come as a princess?"
Before I could answer, Kara spoke with a grin.
"Because she wants people to treat her normally, not like royalty. She wants respect earned—not given."
I nodded, my voice steady. "I want Aurelia to be a place where everyone can live with dignity. Peace. Fairness. That's the future I want to build."
Raven didn't answer.
When I glanced at her, she was already looking at me—but her expression… it wasn't judgment.
It was something deeper, Something I couldn't quite understand.
My gaze dropped unconsciously… to her hand It was close, So close to mine that if I just—
I exhaled softly.
What am I doing…?
Before I could get lost in that thought, Raven spoke again.
Her voice was calm, serious. "What about the children?"
I blinked, startled. "The children?"
She kept her eyes forward as we walked. "Don't they deserve a future too? Don't they deserve to live like the children of noble and wealthy families?.
Something in her tone made my chest tighten.
"I… of course they do. but What do you mean?"
She stopped.
I stopped with her.
Then she turned—and looked at me directly. "You say you care about your people. That you want the best for them. But there isn't a single school they can go to."
My brows furrowed. "That's not true. There are two schools in the city."
"For nobles," she said. "For the rich."
Her gaze didn't waver.
"Do you know how much it costs to enroll a child there?"
I couldn't answer, Because I didn't know.
"Look around you, Princess."
I did.
Children ran past us, laughing, playing with things that could barely be called toys. Their clothes were old , their faces bright despite it.
"Do you think any of them could afford those schools?"
My chest tightened.
No.
They couldn't.
And I… I had never even thought about it.
How…?
How did I miss something like this? I stopped walking completely.
The world around me blurred.
Raven spread her arms slightly, gesturing to the people, to the children, to everything around us.
"This is the future of Aurelia," she said quietly.
"Not the nobles. Not the wealthy who care about nothing but positions and money.."
"Them."
Her voice softened. "These are the ones who will carry your kingdom forward."
Then she exhaled, her shoulders relaxing just a little. "…Sorry. I spoke too much."
I shook my head immediately. "No." My voice came out weaker than I expected. "You're right."
Completely right.
"How did I not see this…?" I whispered. "How could I call myself a future queen and overlook something so basic…?"
A painful realization struck me. "The children at the orphanage… they're all of school age."
My hands clenched.
"And yet none of them have ever stepped into a classroom." Because of us. Because we never made it possible.
I stepped closer to her, my voice quieter now.
"I'm sorry…"
Raven looked at me, her expression calm. "There's nothing for you to apologize for," she said. "That responsibility belongs to the king."
Then she turned away slightly.
"Now… let's finish what you came here to do."
But I couldn't focus. Not truly.
We walked, we observed, we spoke to people—but everything felt distant. Her words echoed in my mind again and again.
This is the future of Aurelia.
By the time Kara said, "Lyria, we're done. Are we heading back?" I felt like hours had passed in silence. "Yes," I said. "I need to speak with Father."
There were too many questions now, Too many things that needed to change.
Raven spoke quietly, "Then let's go."
I looked at her… then shook my head. "There's no need. Kara and I will be fine. The carriage is waiting outside the city."
She studied me for a moment.
Then nodded. "If that's what you want."
I forced a small smile. "Thank you… for coming with us."
She lowered her head slightly. "No need to thank me." Then, after a brief pause— "I'll see you tomorrow."
And just like that…She turned and walked away.
I stood there, watching her retreating figure. Step by step… until she disappeared into the crowd, Raven's absence lingered even after she was gone.
I didn't realize how still I had become until Kara nudged my shoulder. "Lyria… she's already out of sight."
I blinked, as if waking from a dream. The crowded street returned to me all at once—the voices, the movement, the laughter of children running past. Yet somehow, everything felt quieter than before.
"…I know," I murmured.
But my eyes remained fixed on the place where she had disappeared.
We walked in silence for a while, heading toward the edge of the city where our carriage awaited. Kara didn't speak immediately, which in itself was unusual. She kept glancing at me, as if weighing whether to say something.
Eventually, she sighed. "You're thinking about what she said, aren't you?"
I didn't answer right away, Because it wasn't just what Raven said… it was how she said it.
The certainty in her voice.
The way her eyes had sharpened—not with anger, but with something deeper… something that felt like pain.
"I…" I hesitated, then exhaled slowly. "She's right."
Kara raised an eyebrow but didn't interrupt.
"I've been so focused on laws, borders, diplomacy…" I clenched my hand slightly. "I thought I was doing enough. I thought I understood my people."
A child ran past us, laughing, My gaze followed him until he disappeared into the crowd. "…but I don't even know how many of them can read."
The words felt heavy as they left my mouth.
Kara crossed her arms, her expression softer now. "You couldn't have known everything, Lyria. No one can."
"But I should have known this." My voice tightened. "It's not some distant political issue. It's right here—in front of me. And I didn't see it."
Or perhaps…
I chose not to see it.
We reached the quieter outskirts of the city, where our carriage waited. The guards straightened when they saw us, but I barely acknowledged them as I stepped inside.
As soon as the door closed, the noise of the city faded.
Silence filled the space.
I sat by the window, resting my forehead lightly against the glass as the carriage began to move.
Raven's words echoed again. "This is the future of Aurelia." My reflection stared back at me—calm, composed… a princess, But for the first time in a long while, that title felt… undeserved.
I looked away trying to steady myself, But it was pointless My chest tightened in a way I couldn't ignore.
"…She sees things I don't," I said quietly.
Kara didn't joke this time. "Yeah. She does."
I swallowed. "And I want to understand her." That was the truth, More than anything else.
By the time we reached the palace, the sky had begun to darken, painted in shades of gold and deep blue. I stepped out of the carriage with renewed purpose.
"Where are you going?" Kara asked.
I didn't slow my steps.
"To see the King."
The palace halls felt colder than usual, Servants bowed as I passed, guards stepped aside—but I barely noticed any of it. My mind was already racing ahead, forming questions, arguments… solutions.
When I reached the chamber doors, the guards opened them without question.
My father stood by the large window, hands clasped behind his back, watching the fading light. "…You're back early," he said without turning.
"I need to speak with you." My voice was firm.
That alone made him glance over his shoulder.
"…That serious, hm?"
"Yes."
He turned fully now, studying me, For a moment, neither of us spoke.
Then he gestured slightly.
"Go on."
I stepped forward, my heart steady despite the storm inside me. "There are no public schools for commoners in Aurelia."
Silence.
Heavy, immediate silence.
His expression didn't change—but I saw it, That brief flicker of surprise. "…Continue," he said.
I did, I told him everything.
About the streets.
About the children.
About what Raven said.
And with every word, my voice grew stronger.
"We speak of the future of this kingdom," I finished, "but we are neglecting the very people who are that future."
The room fell quiet again.
This time, my father didn't respond immediately, He walked slowly past me, his steps measured, thoughtful. "…And this realization," he said at last, "came from her?"
I hesitated.
"…Yes."
A long pause followed.
Then—
"…Interesting."
I turned slightly, surprised by his tone.
But before I could ask, he spoke again. "There is much you still don't understand about ruling, Lyria."
My grip tightened slightly.
"I know."
"Yet," he continued, "for the first time… you're asking the right questions."
My breath caught.
He turned back toward the window. "…We will discuss this further tomorrow. Prepare your proposal."
Proposal?
I blinked.
Then slowly… a small, determined smile formed on my lips. "Yes, Father."
That night, as I stood alone on my balcony, the city lights flickering below like distant stars…My thoughts drifted back to her again.
"…You've changed something," I whispered softly into the night.
Not just in the kingdom.
But in me.
I placed a hand over my chest, feeling the steady rhythm of my heart. "…Tomorrow," I murmured, "I'll take the first step."
And maybe…
Just maybe—
I'll take a step toward you too.
I did not sleep that night, Not even for a moment.
The mana stones beside my desk lighting , its light flickering as if it, too, struggled to stay awake—but I refused to let exhaustion claim me. Ink stained my fingers, parchment covered every inch of the table, and still… I kept writing.
Raven's voice would not leave me.
"This is the future of Aurelia."
Every time I closed my eyes, I saw them again—children in the streets, laughing without knowing what they were being denied.
And I, who dreamed of becoming a just queen… had never even thought to give them a chance.
My chest tightened. "No… that ends now," I whispered to myself, I dipped my quill into ink again.
I wrote about funding.
About teachers.
About locations About systems, structure, schedules—about things I had never concerned myself with before, yet now felt more important than anything else in the world.
At some point, my hand began to ache.
At some point, my vision blurred.
But I didn't stop Because if I stopped—I might lose this resolve.
By the time the first light of dawn slipped through my window, I had finished I stared at the pages in front of me.
Dozens of them.
A plan.
A beginning.
Without wasting another moment, I stood, straightened my posture, and rang for a servant.
"Summon the king… and all members of the council," I said, my voice firm despite the fatigue weighing on my body. "There will be an urgent meeting this morning."
The council chamber felt colder than usual.
Or perhaps it was just the tension.
I stood before them—all of them seated in a semicircle, their gazes sharp, calculating. My father sat at the center, silent, watching, Waiting.
I took a deep breath And began.
I spoke of the children, Of the imbalance in our kingdom, I presented my proposal in full—education for commoners, access to knowledge, opportunity beyond survival.
At first… there was silence.
Then—
Disagreement.
"Unnecessary," one council member said flatly. "Children of the common class are better suited as laborers or hunters. Why waste resources educating them?"
Another nodded. "The city needs defenders, not scholars."
My hands clenched slightly at my sides, I stepped forward. "They can be both," I said firmly.
A murmur spread across the room.
"They are not tools," I continued. "They are citizens. If we invest in them, we strengthen Aurelia—not weaken it."
Some looked unconvinced, Others… thoughtful, A few even nodded, But the room was divided, Arguments rose, Voices overlapped.
Time passed—far more than I realized. By the time the sun reached its peak in the sky, the meeting had stretched into hours.
Still, I stood my ground. Even when my legs ached. Even when doubt tried to creep in.
But every time I faltered—I remembered her voice. And I refused to be the princess who turned away again.
"Very well."
The final decision came like a shift in the air.
"Two schools will be established," one of the senior council members declared. "For children of the common class."
A pause.
"But they will remain separate from noble institutions."
The words settled heavily.
Separate.
A part of me wanted to argue again.
To push further To demand more, But I stopped myself, This… was already more than what existed before.
A first step. And sometimes, change didn't come all at once.
Slowly, I nodded.
"I understand."
The meeting ended shortly after.
Exhaustion finally caught up to me as I stepped out of the chamber—but beneath it… there was something else.
Relief. I had done it, not perfectly not completely but it was a beginning.
"Lyria."
I turned at the sound of my father's voice.
The king approached me, his expression softer than it had been during the meeting.
For a moment, neither of us spoke. Then he placed a hand on my shoulder. "I am proud of you."
My breath caught.
"You stood your ground. You argued not for power—but for people."
His gaze held mine. "You will become a great queen one day."
Something inside me trembled. Not from doubt this time—But from something warmer Something stronger.
"Thank you… Father," I said quietly.
But even as I spoke I knew this wasn't the end It was only the beginning.
And somewhere in the city…There was a girl with golden eyes—Who had opened mine to a truth I could never unsee.
I lowered my gaze slightly, a faint smile touching my lips, When I see her I would tell her What we had started.
The moment the council chamber emptied… reality struck me.
I was late.
Again.
My eyes widened slightly as I glanced toward the tall windows—sunlight had already shifted far past where it should have been.
"…No." My heart skipped. "I'm an hour late." An entire hour.
I gathered my papers quickly, barely noticing the ache in my body as I rushed out of the chamber, my steps echoing through the long palace halls.
Not again…
Why was it always like this with her?
I changed into my training clothes as quickly as I could, barely fastening the last strap before I was already moving again.
By the time I reached the training yard—The sound of clashing wood rang through the air Sharp. Fast. Relentless.
I slowed.
Raven was there.
Of course she was.
She stood in the center of the yard, her movements precise, controlled… overwhelming. Kara was in front of her, breathing heavily, struggling to keep up.
"Come on," Raven said calmly, her voice steady. "Fight with everything you have. Don't hold back."
Kara barely blocked the next strike, her arms trembling. "I am fighting with everything… I'm trying!"
Raven didn't raise her voice. "Then try harder."
Their swords collided again The force of it made Kara stumble back.
I stepped forward.
"I'm sorry for interrupting—"
Both of them turned.
"And… I'm really sorry for being late. Again."
Kara immediately dropped her stance, exhaling in relief.
"Thank goodness you're here," she said, half-laughing. "Raven, can I take a break please ?"
Raven didn't even hesitate.
"Of course."
Kara practically escaped, walking away with exhausted steps.
And then—
Raven looked at me Really looked at me Her gaze softened slightly. "You look tired, Princess," she said. "Are you okay?"
I smiled, though I could feel the weight of the sleepless night in my bones. "I'm fine… just a little exhausted."
I hesitated.
"…And late. Again. I'm sorry."
For a moment, she didn't respond.
Then—
Unexpectedly—
She lowered her head slightly. "…I'm sorry about what I said yesterday."
"I didn't mean to offend you. Or disrespect you… or the king," she continued quietly. "I was just speaking my mind."
For a second, I simply stared at her.
Then I laughed softly. "Hey… look at me."
She didn't move.
"Raven."
Slowly, she lifted her head.
"There's no need for you to apologize," I said gently. "If anything… I should be thanking you."
A faint confusion flickered across her expression.
"You reminded me of something important," I continued. "Something I should have seen on my own… but didn't."
I took a small step closer.
"After I returned to the palace yesterday… I went straight to my father."
Her eyes sharpened slightly. I could tell she was listening carefully now.
"I spent the entire night preparing a proposal," I said. "For schools. For children of the common class."
For the first time—
I saw surprise in her eyes.
"I called for a council meeting this morning," I continued, my voice steady despite the emotions rising in my chest. "Some of them opposed it… they said children should become hunters, defenders—not students."
A faint tension appeared in her posture.
"But I didn't back down," I held her gaze. "We argued for hours And in the end… we reached a decision."
A small smile formed on my lips.
"They agreed, Two schools will be built—for common children."
Silence.
Just for a moment.
"…They won't be allowed to mix with noble schools yet," I added quietly. "I didn't like that part… but—"
"It's a start," Raven said.
I blinked She was smiling, not widely not openly but it was there and she said. "It's a good decision," she continued. "One that will actually help Aurelia."
Relief washed over me.
"I'm glad you think so."
She looked at me for a moment longer… then spoke again, her voice quieter now.
"And… thank you."
I tilted my head slightly. "For what?"
"For not getting upset yesterday," she said. "For listening… instead of ignoring it."
Something in her tone made my chest tighten.
I shook my head gently. "You didn't just speak," I said softly. "You made me see."
For a moment Neither of us spoke , The air between us felt… different, warmer heavier more real.
I became aware—again—of how close we were standing.
How easy it would be to just—
I stepped back just slightly breaking the moment.
"So…" I said, clearing my throat softly. "Shall we continue training?"
Raven's expression shifted back to its usual calm.
"As you wish, Princess."
We had barely begun.
Five minutes—perhaps less—and already my arms felt heavy again.
The wooden sword in my hand trembled slightly as I raised it, forcing my body to move, to respond, to keep up. I refused to fall behind.
Not in front of her.
Not again.
The sound of our blades clashing echoed once—twice—
Then suddenly—
Silence.
I blinked.
Raven had lowered her sword.
"Princess," she said calmly, studying me with those sharp golden eyes, "you don't look well. Why don't you rest today?"
I tightened my grip and raised my sword again.
"I'm fine," I insisted. "Let's continue."
Before I could take another step—She closed the distance between us.
Too fast.
Too close.
Her hand reached mine—And gently, but firmly, she took the sword from my grasp.
For a brief moment—
Our fingers touched.
A spark.
No—more like a quiet, sudden shiver that ran through my entire body, freezing me in place.
"…You said you stayed up all night writing your proposal," she said, her voice softer now. "Did you even sleep?"
I looked at her.
At how close she was.
"I'll rest after training," I replied, trying to sound steady.
Her gaze didn't waver. "I feel like you might collapse at any moment," she said. "Why don't you sit down for a while?"
I exhaled, finally surrendering. "…Fine. I'll do what you say… Master."
Her eyebrow lifted slightly.
"Master?" she repeated. "Who?"
I smiled faintly.
"Who else?"
She let out a quiet laugh—light, almost amused.
"Just call me Raven."
I turned away, walking toward the bench where Kara and Evanna were sitting. "No promises, Master."
Behind me, I heard her sigh, But I could feel it That she was smiling.
I sat down beside them, my body instantly grateful for the rest.
Across the yard, Raven spoke again. "Since the Princess is tired, we'll end training here for today."
Kara groaned in relief.
"Finally…"
Then Raven's gaze shifted back to me.
"I won't be able to come tomorrow," she said. "I'll be busy preparing the new house."
I nodded.
"Of course, that's fine," I said. "Is everything going well with the new place?"
"Yes," she replied. "Everything is going smoothly. We'll finish preparations tomorrow… and move in the day after."
Something about that made me smile.
"I'm glad."
She turned away then, heading toward the weapon rack to return the wooden swords.
And in that brief moment—An idea crossed my mind, I leaned slightly toward Kara and whispered. "…Ask her if we can visit tomorrow."
Kara turned to me slowly a smirk forming. "Miss her already?" she whispered back.
I hit her lightly on the shoulder.
"Just ask."
She chuckled under her breath.
Raven returned, carrying her sword. "I'll leave you to rest," she said. "I'll see you later."
Before she could walk away—
Kara spoke.
"Hey, Raven—if you're not too busy tomorrow… can Lyria and I visit your new place? We'd like to see it."
Raven paused Then smiled. "Of course. You're welcome anytime."
Before I could respond, she turned toward Evanna, crouching slightly to meet her at eye level.
"Hey, little princess," she said gently. "There will be a small celebration at the orphanage in two days—for the move. Would you like to come with Lyria and Kara?"
Evanna's eyes lit up instantly She looked at me—almost pleading.
I smiled and nodded.
"We can go together," I said. "If you want to."
"I do!" she said excitedly.
Raven smiled, reaching out to gently pat her head. "Good. I think you'll like it." She stood again, stepping back slightly. "I'll see you later, then." She bowed her head lightly and turned to leave .
I watched her as she walked away.
Halfway across the training yard—She stopped and turned "Hey, Princess," she called. "Make sure you get some rest." and then she left.
"…What is that silly smile on your face?" Kara's voice broke through my thoughts.
I blinked.
"What smile?"
"That one," she said, pointing at me. "That ridiculous one."
I turned away quickly. "I'm just tired," I said. "I'm going to sleep for a while." I stood up before she could say anything else.
And walked away Back in my room, The moment I lay down on my bed Everything caught up to me.
The exhaustion, The thoughts her voice her touch.
My eyes closed slowly, And just before sleep took me—
A quiet thought slipped through my mind. Tomorrow… I'll see her again. And for some reason—That was enough to make my heart feel lighter.
When I opened my eyes, the room was dim.
For a moment, I didn't move.
The golden light that once filled my chamber was gone—replaced by the soft blue of evening.
"…I slept that long?"
I pushed myself up slowly, my body still heavy but far more rested than before. It seemed exhaustion had claimed me completely—I hadn't even dreamed.
But there was no time to linger, Responsibility returned the moment I stood I walked straight to my desk, If I was going to push for the construction of new schools, I couldn't afford to slow down now.
Paper after paper, Plans. Budgets. Locations. Logistics, I worked until the silence of the night deepened, until even the palace seemed to sleep around me.
Only then did I finally allow myself to rest again.
The next morning—
Or rather… late morning—
I woke up to the sound of a familiar voice. "Good morning, sunshine. Finally, you're awake."
I groaned softly, pulling the blanket slightly over my head before peeking out.
Kara stood there, arms crossed, a teasing smile on her face. "I was going to wake you earlier," she continued, "but it looked like you worked late. I didn't want to disturb you."
She tilted her head slightly.
"But I'm guessing… you're starving."
I sat up immediately.
"Yes. Very."
We went to the dining hall together, though it was already quiet, Father and Mother had eaten earlier and left for their duties, The meal felt… calmer than usual.
Quieter.
After eating, I went straight to Father's office to deliver the documents I had prepared, He approved them without hesitation, That alone filled me with a quiet sense of determination.
By the time I finished my duties and meetings It was already midday.
I turned to Kara. "I'm ready to go."
We left the palace and made our way toward the city.
Toward The new orphanage.
The moment we arrived—we stopped In a front garden. "…It's changed."
The place looked nothing like before.
To the right, small trees had been planted, surrounding a tall one with wide branches. From them hung two swings, gently moving with the breeze, Beneath the tree, a round table and several chairs rested in the shade.
To the left—
A small playground Simple, but full of life, It felt… warm,Alive.
"…She did all this?" I whispered.
We approached the door Kara knocked No answer, She pushed it slightly. " It's open."
We stepped inside.
Quiet.
Too quiet.
"There's no one here…" I said softly.
A crashing sound came from afar. Then—A voice echoed faintly from deeper inside. "Just give me a minute! I'll be right there!"
Kara crossed her arms, smirking. "What is she doing in there…?"Then she leaned closer to me, lowering her voice. "Wait… do you think someone's with her? Maybe a boyfriend—or girlfriend?"
My body froze instantly my heart skipped. "..what?"
Kara burst out laughing. "I'm joking!"
But I couldn't laugh.
What if—What if it wasn't a joke? "…What if you're right?" I whispered.
She smacked my shoulder lightly.
"I just told you I'm joking. What's wrong with you?"
I frowned slightly. "…Then why is she taking so long?" Before I could think further I heard a footsteps then she appeared.
I forgot how to breathe. Raven stood before us—Completely soaked.
From head to toe.
Her white shirt clung to her body, damp and nearly translucent, outlining the strength beneath—her shoulders, her arms, the lines of muscle across her abdomen.
Her dark hair was wet, strands falling over her face as droplets of water slid slowly down, She lifted a hand, brushing it back—Revealing those sharp golden eyes.
Bright.
Striking.
Alive.
Even the small details stood out—The black and silver earrings, The soft red of her lips.
The water tracing down her neck—
"…Raven, what happened to you?" Kara asked, laughing. "Why are you soaked? And where are your shoes?"
Raven sighed lightly.
"The shower needed fixing," she said, gesturing to herself. "It didn't go smoothly… but I fixed it."
I heard her words But I didn't process them, Because I was staring completely hopelessly staring.
For a brief moment Reality slipped I imagined myself stepping forward, closer towards Raven .
My hand reaching up—
Gently brushing those wet strands of hair away from her face.
Her head lowering slightly—
My breath catching as I stood on my toes—Our faces so close…
So close I could feel her breath And just as our lips were about to meet
A hand touched my shoulder. "Hey! Lyria?"
I blinked Reality snapped back.
Kara stood beside me, looking confused. "I've been calling you. Are you okay?"
Raven's voice followed, softer.
"Princess? Are you still tired?"
Heat rushed through me instantly, From my neck to my face, My heart pounded so loudly I was sure they could hear it.
What was that?!
Did I really just—
No… no, what is wrong with me…
I forced a smile. "I'm fine… I was just thinking about something."
Raven studied me for a second—Then smiled slightly. "Sit wherever you'd like. I'll go change first."
And just like that—
She left.
Silence.
Then—
Kara turned to me slowly, A smirk already forming. "Alright," she said. "Tell me."
I froze.
"…Tell you what?"
She leaned closer.
"That look on your face earlier," she said. "I think I know what you were thinking… but I want to hear it from you."
My cheeks burned instantly.
I said nothing.
Could say nothing.
Kara burst into laughter.
"Ooooh, Princess…" she teased. "You're more mischievous than I thought."
I covered my face slightly, mortified.
"I don't blame you," she added casually. "Raven is… very attractive."
I looked at her sharply.
"…Wait."
She blinked.
"Are you… interested in her too?"
Kara laughed again. "I admit she's attractive," she said. "But she's not my type."
Then she nudged me lightly.
"So relax."
I exhaled without realizing I had been holding my breath.
"Come on," she said, heading toward the living room. "Let's wait for her there."
I followed—But my thoughts stayed behind, stuck on her on that moment on how close I had imagined being .
And no matter how much I tried to calm myself—My heart refused to listen.
Raven returned not long after. This time, she was dry, Changed, Composed.
But somehow—
That only made things worse.
Because now I could see her clearly… without distraction, without water tracing down her skin—and yet my thoughts refused to calm.
She sat across from us on the couch, leaning back slightly. "Sorry for the wait," she said with a small smile.
Kara waved it off immediately.
"No problem," she said casually, glancing around. "Honestly, I really like what you've done with this place. It's… different. I've never seen anything like it, but it's actually really cool."
Raven's expression softened.
"Thank you, Kara."
Then—
She looked at me.
"What about you, Princess?" she asked. "You've been quiet today."
My heart skipped, I looked up at her—And immediately regretted it.
My gaze betrayed me. It drifted—just for a second—toward her lips.
And I forced myself to look down at my hands resting in my lap. "I… was just looking around," I said with a small smile. "I like it too."
"I'm glad you do," she replied.
Kara suddenly cleared her throat—once, then again.
Loudly.
"…Lyria," she said pointedly, "why don't you give Raven the basket we brought?"
Oh right,
The basket. I quickly placed the small basket on the table between us.
"It's not much," I said, my voice softer than I intended. "We brought some sandwiches… in case you were hungry. But you don't have to eat them if you don't want to."
Raven's eyes lit up instantly. "Wait—this is for me?"
She leaned forward, genuinely surprised. "Ooh… thank you. Honestly, I'm starving. I left early this morning and didn't have time for breakfast."
She looked at us, smiling more brightly now.
"You're lifesavers. Really—thank you."
A small warmth spread in my chest. "There's no need to thank us."
Kara leaned back slightly, glancing around again. "It's really hot outside," she said. "But… why does it feel so cool in here?"
I had noticed it too.
The air inside the house was refreshing—almost unnaturally so.
Raven pointed casually toward a glass sphere resting on a nearby shelf. Inside it, a glowing blue crystal pulsed faintly.
"That," she said.
Kara narrowed her eyes.
"What is that thing?"
Raven leaned back again.
"It's a monster core," she explained. "I recently fought an ice-type monster. After killing it, I took its core, split it into smaller pieces, and placed them around the house."
She gestured around us.
"It keeps the rooms cool during the summer. You can even control the temperature depending on how much mana you feed into it."
Kara blinked.
"…You split it?"
She leaned forward. "Do you even know how valuable something like that is? Why would you waste it like this instead of using it in combat?"
Raven smiled slightly.
"I don't need it."
There was something in her tone—Quiet. Certain.
Before either of us could respond, she reached out and placed her finger lightly on the glass of water in front of Kara.
In an instant—The water froze solid.
Kara's eyes widened. "…You can copy monster abilities too?!"
Raven looked at us both now, her expression more serious. "Please… can you keep that a secret?"
Kara nodded immediately.
"Of course."
I followed.
"I won't tell anyone."
Raven's shoulders relaxed slightly. "Thank you."
Time passed without us noticing. We talked about small things, Random things Nothing important—And yet, it felt like everything mattered.
Because she was there. Because I was with her. Because every time I spoke— she listened.
And every time she smiled—My heart reacted before I could stop it.
Eventually, I realized how late it had become.
"Kara…" I said softly. "We should go."
She nodded.
I turned to Raven.
"Sorry… we stayed for so long. We didn't mean to delay your work."
Raven shook her head immediately. "No, don't apologize. I enjoyed your company."
She smiled.
"And thank you again for the sandwiches."
Kara groaned dramatically.
"I don't want to leave," she said. "It's so cool here. Outside is unbearable—and even my room is warm, despite the wind mana stone."
Raven laughed softly.
"Wait a moment."She stood and left the room.
The moment she disappeared—
Kara leaned toward me, lowering her voice.
"You know… this is the perfect chance to confess."
I froze.
"…What?"
She smirked.
"Your feelings I will wait for you outside ."
I looked down, my fingers tightening slightly. "I… want to," I admitted quietly. "But I think it's too soon. I don't think Raven feels the same way…"
Before Kara could respond—
Raven returned. Holding a small box. She placed it on the table and opened it.
Inside—
Two small glass spheres. Each containing a glowing blue crystal. "You can take these," she said.
I stared at them, startled.
"We can't accept this," I said immediately. "Do you know how rare ice mana cores are? You could sell these for a fortune."
Raven smiled. "But I want to give them to you." She tilted her head slightly. "Think of it as a thank-you gift for the sandwiches."
I hesitated.
"…Are you sure?"
She nodded.
"Yes. I'm sure."
Slowly, I picked up the box.
"Thank you… truly."
Kara took it from my hands, grinning. "Yeah, thank you."
I looked at her. For a moment—I forgot everything else. "…Soon ,very soon ," I murmured without thinking.
She blinked.
"…What?"
I smiled quickly.
"I said—see you tomorrow."
She nodded.
And just like that We left. As we stepped outside The warm air of the city wrapped around us again.
But I barely noticed Because there was something else—A feeling.
Light.
Warm.
Lingering.
I smiled without realizing it. And for once—I didn't try to hide it.