Light from the Shadow

Chapter 4

"Who are you?" Ayna asked when she found a stranger sitting in her study room. "Where is Qwentine?"

Rishi smiled at her. "Please sit down, Your Highness."

Ayna was cautious but took her seat anyway. They were now sitting facing each other – separated only by the study table. She eyed him suspiciously. If the guards let him walk around the palace on his own, he might not be someone dangerous, she thought.

"My name is Rishi. I am Qwentine's son. Starting today, I will be your instructor." Ayna looked like she wanted to protest but Rishi shut her. "I have received the order from His Majesty himself."

"Father?"

Rishi nodded. "It's embarrassing to see someone doing so badly at the test. Let's start the lesson." He shoved the paper to Ayna. She bit her lower lip.

"I... I don't care about this test. This is stupid." Ayna looked away. She wanted to escape from the room but she could not move her legs. It was as if something was holding her down. Rishi watched her silently.

"I don't care about you and your selfish tantrum too. I just want you to stop wasting my father's time"

Ayna turned to him. Lost for words. She could feel Rishi's sharp gaze from behind his glasses, piercing into her. "What the hell..."

Rishi smiled again. "But what can I do? My father has a sense of responsibility that is too much for his own good. He is concerned about your future. I told him he is wasting his precious time for a spoiled princess like you..."

A book flew into Rishi's face, making a low blunt sound. His face grew dark. He caught her wrist in a swift.

"What do you think you are doing?" His grip tightened. Ayna winced.

"Let go! How dare you touch me??" Ayna tried to pull her hand but Rishi would not let go. "Let go or I'll call the guards!"

Rishi let go of her hand. He picked up the book from the floor and cleaned it up carefully. He took his books with him and walked towards the door.

What is he doing? She watched him perplexedly.

"What... what are you doing? Where are you going?" Ayna asked. What? He just left like that?

Rishi stopped in front of the door. "I'm not going to waste my time with someone like you. Find me when you are ready to study." He walked out and closed the door.

Ayna was left alone in the room, trying to make sense of what had just happened.

1 day. 3 days. 7 days passed by. The new instructor had not shown up since then. Ayna panicked. What should she do? What if her father asked about the new teacher? She could not hide this for long. The guards. The maids would talk. Jyaga was out for a mission but when he came back, he too would soon find out. She bit her fingernails. She knew her father was disappointed with her academic progress but he would be enraged if he found out she assaulted his subjects without reason.

But that's because he ridiculed me... Ayna shook her head. She had to find a way!

Rishi was working in his office in the Grand Library when somebody knocked at his door. He looked up and saw his dad walking in.

"Dad? Surprise to see you here." Rishi stopped his work and walked to his dad.

"Umm... are you busy?" Qwentine asked apologetically.

Rishi tilted his head to the side. "What is it?"

"You see..."

After Qwentine explained his purpose for visiting him, Rishi politely told his father to not interfere with his job.