Cursed By Fate

loyalty

Chapter 24: The Price of Loyalty

The next morning, Aria awoke before dawn, the cool air of her chamber swirling around her like a shroud. She had barely slept, her mind a tumultuous sea of thoughts and doubts about her new role as Ryker’s royal guard. The weight of responsibility hung heavy on her shoulders, and she knew she had to prove herself today.

After dressing in her guard’s uniform—a fitted black tunic with silver accents that clung to her frame—she inspected herself in the mirror. The fabric was luxurious yet practical, designed for movement but adorned with details that spoke to her station. She couldn’t deny that it made her feel powerful, but the reality of her situation dampened her spirits. She was tasked with serving a prince known for his ruthlessness.

As she stepped into the hall, the castle was still quiet, the echo of her footsteps reverberating off the marble floors. She made her way to the training yard, her heart pounding with a mix of excitement and anxiety. The thought of facing Ryker, of proving her worth, set her nerves on edge.

When she arrived, she found Ryker already waiting for her. He stood at the edge of the training yard, his arms crossed and his expression unreadable. The early morning sun cast a golden glow around him, but there was an unmistakable chill in the air as he turned to face her.

“Good. You’re early,” he remarked, his voice flat. “But being early doesn’t mean much if you’re not prepared.”

“I am prepared,” Aria replied, determination flooding her veins.

“Prove it,” he challenged, stepping aside to reveal a series of practice dummies lined up in the yard. “Attack them. Show me what you can do.”

Aria nodded, stepping forward and gripping her sword tightly. She focused on the first dummy, channeling all her training and frustration into the strike. She swung her blade with precision, the steel slicing through the air, landing a clean hit that sent the dummy toppling over.

“Not bad,” Ryker commented, his voice carrying an edge of skepticism. “But don’t just rely on brute force. Think strategically.”

She nodded again, shifting her approach as she moved to the next dummy. With a more calculated stance, she began to engage it with a series of calculated strikes, incorporating footwork and positioning. Sweat began to bead on her forehead, but she pushed through the fatigue, her mind sharpening with every blow.

As she struck the final dummy, she felt a sense of satisfaction wash over her, but it was short-lived. Ryker approached, his eyes narrowing. “You’re quick, but you’re still too predictable. A guard must be adaptable and ready for anything.”

Aria felt a flash of frustration. “I’m doing my best!”

“And your best is not enough. If you want to serve me, you need to be better,” he snapped, his tone sharp as steel.

Taking a deep breath to steady herself, Aria lowered her sword. “I understand. I’ll improve.”

“Good,” Ryker replied, stepping back to give her space. “Let’s see how well you can handle pressure.”

He picked up a training sword from a nearby rack, a wicked smile crossing his face. “You’re going to fight me. Show me what you’ve got.”

Aria’s heart raced at the challenge, the weight of his words sinking in. Fighting the prince was not only an opportunity to prove herself but also a risk. He was known for his combat skills, and she had seen how he could take down opponents without breaking a sweat.

“Are you ready, Little Shadow?” Ryker taunted, raising his sword as he took a combat stance.

With her heart pounding in her chest, Aria mirrored his position. “Ready.”