𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝𝐬 𝐀𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐂𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞

14. Strict Reeta

That night, Arielle lay in bed, tossing and turning, unable to shake off the events of the day. Thoughts of Aiore danced through her mind, but they were not enough to lull her into sleep. Instead, she found herself staring at the ceiling, frustration mounting as the hours ticked by.

When the morning sun finally broke through her window, it found her still wide awake. With a groggy start, she scrambled to get ready, but her delay resulted in her waking up late. As she rushed to the study hall, the sound of her footsteps echoed in the empty corridors, a stark reminder of her impending doom.

Madam Reeta was already waiting for her, arms crossed and a scowl etched on her face. "You're late, Lady Arielle!" she barked, her voice slicing through the air like a whip. "How do you expect to be a future queen if you can't even manage your time? A queen must be punctual and composed, unlike a commoner!"

Arielle felt the heat of humiliation rise in her cheeks. She kept her gaze firmly fixed on the floor, trying to hide the shame that burned within her. The other instructors and helpers in the room looked on, their eyes filled with a mixture of pity and amusement.

It was in the midst of this drama that Aiore happened to pass by the open door. He paused at the threshold, taking in the scene with a calm, cool demeanor that contrasted sharply with the chaos around him. "Madam Reeta," he said, his voice steady and unwavering, "you will respect my fiancée. She is the future queen of our kingdom, and your behavior is unacceptable."

Arielle's heart raced at his words. It was the first time she had heard Aiore speak so much in one breath. While it wasn't an overwhelming amount of dialogue, for someone who usually spoke only a few words, it felt like a monumental declaration. The room fell silent, all eyes turning to Aiore, who stood tall and imposing.

Reeta opened her mouth to protest, but Aiore silenced her with a sharp glare. "Dismissed," he commanded, and the instructors quickly shuffled out, leaving just the two of them in the study hall.

Arielle felt the weight of his gaze on her as the door closed behind the last instructor. "Look up at me," Aiore commanded softly, and she hesitated, feeling the sting of shame and embarrassment. Finally, he reached out, gently grabbing her chin and tilting her head up so that she had no choice but to meet his intense gaze.

His expression was conflicted, as if he had a lot to say. Arielle's heart raced, anticipation building in the charged silence between them. But then, after a long moment of contemplation, he shook his head and released her chin. "You should stand tall," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "You are more than this."

And with that, he turned and walked away, leaving Arielle standing there, her heart racing and her mind reeling.

That night, after the lessons and the emotional rollercoaster of the day, Arielle found herself feeling lonely and unsure. She missed Aiore's presence and the unexpected kindness he had shown her earlier. But she could not shake off the heaviness in her heart.

Later that evening, she found herself sitting at the dining table, where Aldith joined her. As they ate, Arielle couldn't help but share her experience with Aiore and Madam Reeta. "He stood up for me," she said, her voice filled with disbelief. "I've never heard him speak so much before."

Aldith frowned, his brows knitting together in concern. "I can't believe Reeta treated you like that. She's supposed to be your instructor. It's unacceptable," he said, his anger evident. "I'll speak to mom about changing her. She should not be teaching you."

Arielle felt a knot of anxiety tighten in her stomach. "No, Aldith, it's okay. I can handle it," she said quickly, not wanting to create further tension.

But Aldith was undeterred. "She's not the right fit for you, Arielle," he insisted. "You deserve better guidance. It's time someone stood up to her."

Before she could respond, Queen Ezra entered the dining hall, her presence instantly commanding attention. Aldith quickly changed the subject, but Arielle could see the tension in his body as the queen settled into her seat.

After a moment of silence, Aldith turned to her. "Mom," he began cautiously, "I believe it's time to consider finding a new instructor for Arielle. Madam Reeta has not been kind to her."

Queen Ezra raised an eyebrow, her expression one of amusement mixed with disdain. "Reeta is the perfect instructor for a future queen," she said dismissively. "She is strict because she wants to prepare Arielle for her role. If she can't handle the pressure, how can she expect to lead?"

Aldith clenched his hands into fists, anger radiating off him, but he said nothing further. Arielle felt her appetite fade away, replaced by a heavy heart. She pushed her food around her plate, her mind consumed with thoughts of Aiore, the encounter with Reeta, and the looming shadow of Queen Ezra's expectations.

After dinner, she returned to her room, feeling as though the walls were closing in around her. The weight of the day pressed heavily on her shoulders, and she knew she needed to find a way to navigate the complexities of her new life. She missed Aiore, but more importantly, she missed the carefree spirit that had once defined her.

As she lay in bed that night, her thoughts drifted to Aiore once again. What was he thinking? Why had he acted so differently today? She longed for answers, but all she had was the silence of her room and the distant echoes of a future she was still trying to understand.

Arielle closed her eyes, willing herself to find peace in sleep, but the uncertainties lingered, leaving her restless once more.