Sincerely, Marlena

22

Sincerely, Marlena

The sun was blazing overhead as I led the troops through a grueling high-stakes training exercise. Today, it wasn't just about improving skills—it was about preparing for the real battle against East Ridge. We were pushing ourselves to the limit, testing our endurance, and honing our strategies.

I called for a break, wiping sweat from my brow. The soldiers collapsed in exhausted heaps, murmuring among themselves. I watched them, feeling a mix of pride and exhaustion. They had come a long way since I first arrived, and their progress was palpable. But the looming threat of East Ridge hung heavy over us, adding urgency to our every movement.

Lucien approached, his eyes scanning the scene with a mixture of approval and concern. He had been more supportive lately, pushing the men harder and openly backing my methods. It was a shift that hadn't gone unnoticed, and it had sparked a fair amount of tension between him and Nolan. Nolan had been more reserved, questioning Lucien's decisions and watching me with a wary eye.

As I walked over to Lucien, I caught sight of Nolan, who was standing off to the side with a furrowed brow. His gaze was fixed on me, and there was a hint of skepticism in his eyes. It seemed like he was still struggling to accept me as more than just a prisoner.

"Good session today," Lucien said, coming up beside me. His voice was low, just loud enough for me to hear over the noise of the soldiers. "The men are getting better."

"Thanks," I replied, trying to keep my voice steady. "But we still have a long way to go. If we're going to face East Ridge, we need to be ready for anything."

"I know," Lucien said, his gaze lingering on me. There was something in his eyes that I couldn't quite place—something that made me feel both seen and scrutinized. "We're making progress. I just hope it's enough."

Before I could respond, one of the soldiers called out, his voice tinged with alarm. "Marlena, watch out!"

I turned just in time to see a training dummy on the edge of the field—one that had been rigged to simulate an unexpected attack—being set loose. It was coming straight at me, swinging a makeshift weapon with surprising speed. I barely had time to react.

The dummy's weapon struck with a thud against my side, sending me sprawling to the ground. Pain flared through my ribs, and I winced, trying to push myself up. The soldiers around me immediately sprang into action, rushing over to help.

Lucien's face appeared above me, his expression a mix of worry and frustration. "Are you alright?" he demanded, his voice sharper than usual.

"I'm fine," I said, forcing myself to sit up. "Just caught off guard."

Lucien's gaze softened slightly, but I could still see the concern in his eyes. He helped me to my feet, his hands surprisingly gentle. "You need to be more careful. This isn't a game."

I nodded, though my ribs ached with every movement. As I glanced around, I noticed that my new friends—Alistair, Louis, and a few others—were watching with similar concern. Alistair had a worried frown on his face, and Louis was already moving to check the rigging of the training dummy.

"You alright, Marlena?" Louis asked, his voice filled with genuine concern.

"Just a bit bruised," I said, forcing a smile. "I'll be fine."

Alistair gave me a nod of approval. "You're tough. That's why we're pushing so hard."

As the soldiers gathered around, I couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt for worrying them. They had become more than just allies—they were friends, and seeing their concern made me realize how much I had grown to care for them too.

"Don't overdo it," Lucien said, his voice softer now. "We still have a mission to prepare for. I don't want you injured before it even begins."

I met his gaze, feeling a flicker of something in his eyes that I couldn't quite decipher. It was a mix of relief and frustration, and for a moment, it made me wonder how much he truly cared about my well-being.

As the training resumed, I pushed aside my thoughts about leaving and the looming threat of East Ridge. I focused on the task at hand, determined to prove my worth and support the camp, even as I weighed my options and the possibility of returning to my brothers.

But as Lucien and I continued to work together, a new layer of complexity began to unfold. The boundaries between prisoner and ally were blurring, and I found myself questioning my place in this camp—and in Lucien's world.