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━━━━━━ ◦ ❖ ◦ ━━━━━━
sᴇʀᴇɴᴀ |
It had been a month since Lucian went to war, and though the messenger knights brought word of progress, the updates left me anxious. The news that Lucian was once again taking the lead filled me with pride and dread all at once. Every day, I wished for his safety, praying silently as I practiced my sword by the garden tree, my only way to distract myself from the worries that constantly gnawed at me.
The sword in my hands felt almost comforting—a reminder of Lucian's patience in teaching me every move. With each strike and parry, I imagined his steady gaze, his whispered corrections. I miss him so much that every swing felt like reaching for him, hoping he’d feel my longing from across the battlefield.
The tension in the palace was palpable. Father seemed more anxious than I had ever seen, and that alone filled me with fear. I’d watch him with the general in the war room, strategizing tirelessly. And despite his calm assurances, I could see it—the slight tremor in his hands, the glances he thought no one noticed. It made me worry even more, especially for Lucian. I wished more than anything that he would return soon.
Mira’s voice broke my thoughts as she approached, her familiar warmth bringing me back to the present. "It’s time for lunch, Your Highness." "Yes… I'll be there soon," I said, lowering my sword. With Mira’s help, I changed into a simple princess dress seemed to confine my worry as much as my body. As we sat down to dinner, my thoughts drifted once more. Had Lucian eaten today? What was he doing right now?
Father cleared his throat, snapping me back to reality. He looked at me intently, his eyes heavy. "Serena, if anything goes wrong in this war... make sure you run far from the palace. Don’t trust anyone but yourself." I stared at him, my heart pounding. "Father, why would you say such a thing?"
Mother placed a reassuring hand on his arm. "Nothing will happen, Kyler. Have faith." He shook his head, worry still etched in his face. "We have fewer chances of winning this war. It’s been a month, and though we’ve managed to subdue the East, the North remains unyielding. Lucian... he crafted a bold plan, but it’s still uncertain."
My breath caught. "We defeated the East?" He nodded solemnly. "Yes. Lucian led our knights in infiltrating the eastern palace. They fought hard… but it was his strategy that made the difference."
I remembered Lucian’s dark humor, how he once scoffed about Prince Aldric and muttered that he’d "kill him" someday. But now, I couldn’t even bring myself to laugh at the memory. All I wanted was for him to return safely. My father’s advice echoed in my mind—keep a sword by my side at all times. I forced myself to nod, swallowing the lump in my throat.
Later, as I returned to my room, my father’s ominous words echoing in my mind, stirring an uneasy feeling that clung to me. It was as though a storm was brewing, a dark, unrelenting force hovering just beyond sight. I tried to shake it off, to focus on the quiet of my room, the familiar comfort of my sword resting nearby. But as I attempted to calm my racing thoughts, a sudden knock at the door jolted me back to reality.
