Two Worlds Apart

PROLOUGE

The sun hung low over the arena, casting long shadows on the sand as Brielle stood poised with her sword in hand. The weight of her father’s gaze bore down on her from the royal box above, colder than the autumn wind that whipped through the stadium. High King Etheria watched with the same indifference he always did. To him, she was still unworthy of the throne, forever overshadowed by her older brother. This was her chance to prove him wrong.

Across from her stood Theon, an infuriating smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. He was too relaxed, too amused by the spectacle. He always treated the Trials like a game, while Brielle fought with every ounce of strength she had, desperate to show her worth. But Theon—he just liked to see her struggle.

“Not too late to back down, princess,” Theon called, twirling his sword lazily. His tone was light, teasing, but his eyes flickered with something deeper. Something Brielle couldn’t quite understand.

She bristled at his words. "I’ll never back down." She couldn’t. She wouldn’t.

Their swords clashed, and Brielle’s heart raced, not just from the fight, but from something else. Something unspoken. Every time they fought, there was a strange spark between them, one that ignited with every strike and glance. But it didn’t make sense—they were enemies. Yet she couldn’t deny the strange pull she felt, the way her chest tightened when their eyes met.

What she didn’t know was that Theon felt it too, though he would never admit it. Not to her, not even to himself. The feelings he had for her—the ones he hated—complicated everything. And she didn’t even know his true identity. Falling in love wasn’t an option for either of them.

But there had been a time, long ago, when things were different. When they were more than just rivals, more than just pawns in their fathers’ games. Only Theon remembered the bond they once shared, the childhood they lost to the fog of her forgotten past.

But here they were now, facing each other in the Trials. Both fighting for their fathers’ approval. Both fighting for something neither of them could name.

As their blades met again, the spark between them crackled in the air. They were enemies, yes. But something lingered beneath the surface—something that neither of them could afford to acknowledge.