“You're back early. Your meeting with Rufus is not until a few hours,” Estelle exclaimed as she saw me returning back hours before the given time.
“I found the book, so I returned early,” I replied.
I then went inside my chambers. I felt so silly acting like a kid there. Why was I even jealous? It's not like something was or would happen between me and Ruki. I was so scared. Did Ruki notice that I was jealous?
“No, that would never happen,” I consoled myself.
I looked outside the window. The sun was at its peak. There were no clouds. If I hadn't acted so childish, maybe Ruki and I would be having some light beverages and talking the afternoon away.
As I lay on my back, I thought about how different Alveria was from Oreland. It must be raining cats and dogs there, while it's still full summer here.
It has been over a month since my arrival here. I made new friends and acquaintances, but it still felt hollow. It must be because I hadn't communicated with my family since I came here.
They hadn't sent a letter in over a month, and I had too much pride to write them after our big fight.
I should have gotten used to it by now. Used to not being cared for.
On the warfront, where every day I would lose my warriors and put my life at risk, the only hope keeping me alive was the wellbeing of my family. When I didn't receive letters, I consoled myself by thinking that their letters must have gotten lost on the way to me.
But now I don't know what to feel or expect. I steadied my breath to not allow the tears to fall. I was not going to allow myself to cry. I'm not weak enough to cry. I calmed myself and went to take a bath. It wasn't clear whether it was to clean my body or my mind of these negative thoughts.
I got ready for the lesson and descended to the training area of the palace. Normally, this place was reserved for Prince Ford, but upon Rufus’ request, he had been granted the area to train.
“Greetings, Rufus,” I said. “Did you practice like I instructed you to?”
“Yes, I completed it, teacher,” Rufus replied with a respectful nod.
“You don't need to be so formal. You can just call me by my name,” I suggested.
“No, I insist. It is dishonorable for a royal member to not respect their teacher,” he said. “Please, just when we train, allow me to call you 'teacher.'”
“Alright,” I smiled, appreciating his determination.“Let's start with warming up then.”
Rufus wasn't an extraordinary student. He learned things slowly and took time to process them, but it was his willingness that made him better than anyone else. Maybe it was because he had been wanting to learn combat for so long or if it was just his nature, it really surprised me that he was willing to train with any regime I gave him without questioning or complaining.
It was rare to find someone like him, and I considered myself lucky to be able to teach him.
YOU ARE READING
"Eclipse"
Romansa"𝐋𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐚𝐧 𝐞𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐨𝐛𝐬𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞, 𝐛𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐦𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮'𝐯𝐞 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐧." In a kingdom where 𝐚𝐥...
