I find myself frozen in a state of disbelief, unable to conceal my shock. "Are you certain that is a wise decision, Your Grace?"
Caspian meets my question with unwavering resolve. "Why wouldn't it be?" he retorts. "You revealed that the Vienna family would ascend to the throne and kill the Astralites. Why should I allow that to happen?"
My mind races, grappling with the weight of his words. "By doing so, you would be altering the course of history," I caution. Technically, we have no proof of that but still.
"To ensure the longevity of my family's reign? Yes," Caspian affirms with determination.
Damn it. I can sense in his unwavering gaze that he had already made up his mind. Whether I approve or not, we are inevitably heading toward a war with my ancestors. My bloodline.
"I understand your uneasiness, Kyla," Celestia empathizes. "But my brother speaks the truth. We must save our friends before they become targets, just as you have foretold."
"You are right," I say with a sigh. History be damned, I cannot let all the Astralites be slaughtered.
"Once the first signs of Spring appear, we shall depart," Caspian announces boldly. "Kyla, I advise you to undergo as much training as possible."
"Yes, Your Grace," I reply confidently.
"Greta and I will impart all our knowledge to her before the end of winter," Celestia adds, and I offer her a grateful smile.
"Excellent," Caspian acknowledges. "I have preparations to make for the battle. You may both take your leave."
We bow respectfully and exit the throne room, linked arm in arm.
"Trust me, you will be prepared," Celestia reassures me as we make our way to the training arena.
"I know," I affirm with a slight nod, avoiding her gaze.
She stops abruptly, gripping my shoulders. "Something else is troubling you. Though we've only known each other for a short time, I can sense it. You would never hesitate to save the Astralites."
"I'm sorry, Cel, but I can't discuss it," I respond, feeling uneasy.
"You can confide in me," she insists, her mismatched eyes peering into my soul with intensity. I realize she is right; she is my closest and only friend here.
I grab her arm and lead her into a secluded tunnel outside the palace. "You must promise not to tell this to anyone, not even your brother."
She nods, her curiosity piqued.
I sigh deeply. "I am not truly a lady-in-waiting. My name is Kyla Vienna, and I was a princess before I arrived here."
Shock fills her wide eyes. "What? And you never told me?"
"I didn't want you to judge me based on my family's actions. I have no control over what they did. They manipulated history and deceived everyone," I confess.
"I understand. Your secret is safe with me. Besides, you do a terrible job at pretending to be a lady," she teases, and I can't help but roll my eyes.
For the rest of the evening, we navigate through various obstacles in the training arena tirelessly. We endure falls from great heights, cuts from sharp blades, and heavy blows from the machinery, yet we persevere. That night, I slept more soundly than I had in months, dreaming of Rowan's love before tragedy struck us.
The days that follow fall into a familiar routine. Celestia and I dedicate ourselves to endless training sessions, pushing each other to new limits. Gradually, I find myself matching her immense speed and strength. Greta, on the other hand, delves deeper into unlocking the mysteries of my magic.
YOU ARE READING
A Traveler's Curse
FantasyI don't want her blood staining my conscience, Caspian!" I yell at the king, my voice trembling with a mix of fury and sorrow. "It's not on your hands, Kyla! It's on mine! When I discovered she had poisoned you, I could have personally beheaded her...
