Royal Guard's Embrace [𝐙𝐄𝐄𝐍𝐔𝐍𝐄𝐖 FF]

𝐬𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧

I found myself standing in the training yard, gripping my fencing foil, but something felt off. The balance of the foil, usually second nature to me, seemed unfamiliar. I lunged forward, attempting a strike, but my movements were sluggish, lacking their usual precision and speed.

Jackson, my trainer, noticed immediately and called for a pause.

"Nhu, what're you doing?" he asked, his voice firm but concerned.

"What do you mean?" I stopped mid-lunge, pushing up my mask and wiping the sweat from my brow.

"You're not in it today. We've been training for over an hour, and you're not nearly as sharp as usual. Is your mind clouded? You seem distracted, like your thoughts are somewhere else," he observed, arms crossed as he gave me a knowing look.

"I'm not sure..." I sighed, unsure of how to explain what was on my mind.

He walked over to me, his demeanor softening. "How about we take a break?"

I nodded in agreement, pulling off my fencing mask completely and sitting down on a bench nearby.

Jackson was more than just a trainer to me. He was a close friend, someone I didn't insist on being formal with. We had known each other for years. I'd started training with him when I was 11 and he was 18, and over time, he had become a figure I trusted. Even though I once told Poppy not to speak to me formally, he still refused, but Jackson never cared for titles or formalities.

"What's on your mind?" Jackson asked as he sat beside me.

"Nothing, really. I'm fine," I replied, though my tone wasn't convincing.

He shook his head, not buying my excuse for a second. "Well, that's just not true."

I hesitated, looking down. I fidgeted with my foil, dragging the tip across the ground, creating patterns in the dirt.

"Jack... have you ever... had strange thoughts... about a man?" The words felt awkward as they left my mouth.

"What do you mean?" Jackson raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. 

"Nothing, never mind." I shifted uncomfortably, realizing how exposed I felt.

"No, I'm listening. Go on," he insisted, his voice gentle but firm, pushing me to continue.

"It's just... there's a new guard I have, and he's... umm... he's nice." I stumbled over my words.

"Okay?" Jackson's expression didn't change. 

"And... and I think he's attractive..."

"Okay."

I blinked, surprised by how nonchalant he was about it. 

"Okay?" I repeated, unsure if he fully understood.

"Yeah, okay. So you like a man. What about it?"

"Shhh! I don't like a man!" I whispered harshly waving my hands.

"Sounds like you like a man." Jackson grinned, clearly amused. 

"I do not like a man!" I retorted.

"I think you're full of shit." He chuckled, shaking his head. 

"Jackson Wang!" I shot back, more out of frustration than anger.

"Is this what's been messing with your head today? You're scared because you think you might like a man?" he asked, his tone softening again.

"I do not like men. I like women..." 

Jackson raised an eyebrow. "Well, seeing as you mumbled through that last part, I'm gonna assume you don't fully believe that. Look, are you scared of judgment? Because I'll tell you right now, I couldn't care less."