Heartless | A Powerless Fanfiction Novella

Chapter 25: Kitt

What happened last night never leaves my mind even for a moment as I watch her in the training yard below me. The softness of her lips is now so at odds with this side of her, and yet they might also have never fit more perfectly. Situated on the balcony of the first floor it gives me a flawless view of the marvel that she is unravelling herself upon her opponents, taking them one by one at the edge of her sword until they give in and tap out. She's a skilled fighter with the Enforcer having taken to her personal training since day one, the similarities are clear to someone who's been victim of Kai's many wins.

My brother is currently completing his second trial and from what I heard Plummet Mountain is as perilous as is the task they have been given. In only twelve hours he will return - hopefully unscathed - and the celebrations of the last ball will commence. Wondering what it would have been like if I were there with him right now is hopeless, the crown actively risking his life is only a show of weakness and idiocy on my father's side rather than mine. Even so, watching this girl cue her movements so gracefully yet lethal makes it seem worth ignoring the matter.

It's not long before she spots me just as she holds yet another guard at the mercy of her blade. I almost feel envious it's not me, and it looks like her thoughts land along the same lines when a sly smile graces her features and she shoves the man forward to let him go. I lean on the edge of the balcony and try to focus on the book I had brought, but the words make no sense and before I realise what the problem is someone beats me to it:

"It's upside down, your highness." Corrine's voice is quiet below me, and I look over the edge to see her now closer having broken away from the training.

I slam the book shut and set it on the edge, taking a peek at it beside me with its title clearly the wrong way round. Plagues now I truly look like the fool I am for her. Brilliant.

"You're distracting, Lowes."

"You miss my dagger don't you, prince?"

"How much of a difference is there between missing and craving something?"

"Not much,"

"How about desiring?"

She glances behind her before she says, "Very different, so careful at your words. One is more dangerous than the other. Desiring implies a want, craving implies a need."

I chuckle teasingly, "The latter over the former then, Corrine."

"Careful,"

I don't wish to be careful around her. It's what makes this so enticing, why my heart is not willing to slow its beat for the sake of hiding.

"Kitt," The queen's voice comes from behind me, "May I speak with you for a moment?"

When I glance back to Corrine she has already returned to her training like she was never here, and so I face my stepmother.

"How can I help you, Myla?"

She directs me to move further inside the palace before continuing, "I think I should offer my help this time, your highness."

"Oh?"

She lowers her voice, a knowing soft smile lightening her words, "Do not forget your duty, Kitt."

"I was not planning to."

"Maybe you were not, but it doesn't mean it isn't happening behind your back. I need you to be careful."

Plagues she's seen me with Lowes hasn't she.

"This doesn't concern you, Myla."

"When it is about matters of the crown it does. And you, Kitt, are the crown." A faint hint of sadness, "Sometimes loyalty and duty are not meant to intertwine. Not even when it feels like they would fit so perfectly together. Do not confuse duty to Ilya with loyalty to your heart."

"Right," I can't think of anything else to say without confirming her suspicions, I can't fully give myself away in broad daylight, "Well thank you for the lesson, Myla. I must get going," I turn to leave with one look back, "Duty calls and I must answer."

"Kitt I know I'm not your mother but I-"

"That's right, you're not my mother. Let's just leave it at that shall we?" And with that I leave her to head to my father's study.

She's wrong about that little detail: loyalty and duty can intertwine; only when the same person is both your kingdom and your heart.

'And so I bind myself to your promise.' ... All it takes is an oath to seal them both.