Snow White with the Red Hair: The Valkyrie

Training

A few more days passed, and she'd finally healed. All that was left from the battle were the scars, reminding her to never forget. And she wouldn't.

She noticed how everyone in the castle treated her with more kindness; offering her the warmth of their hearts. They no longer looked at her as though she were a monster. It was... nice.

At this point in time, Zen summoned her to the training hall. She wasn't sure why, but she went either way. Arriving, she found the Second Prince of Clarines training by himself. His aides were no where in sight. Her expression was unchanging, but she was rather bewildered.

"You wanted to see me, Your Highness?" She made her presence known.

"Huh?" He turned his head; his body coming to a halt from his training. "Oh, Akari. Perfect timing. No need for formalities, by the way. Just call me Zen." He wiped the sweat from his brow. "Come join me." He smiled.

"Me?" She pointed to herself; an eyebrow being raised.

"Well there's no one else here."

"Do you not fear that I may injure you and, or cause you to bleed out profusely?"

"Uh... no. If you wanted that to happen, you would've made it happen by now. You've had many chances. Catch."

He tossed her his wooden training sword before turning to take another one from the rack. She caught it effortlessly, taking a couple steps onto the square outlines of the sparring mats.

"I do not understand why you wish for me to train with you when it is you who said that I shall bear no weapon." She spoke this while only gazing down at the practice sword in her hands.

"Well... yeah. But it was unless I said so."

"I suppose..."

"Come on. It'll be refreshing for you. Obi tells me it's hard for you to sit still."

"Obi?" Nanami's eyes widened upon this. "Why would he tell you that?"

"Probably because he's worried about you and wants to make sure you're okay."

"I do not need someone else's concern. I am able to care for myself. Whenever I was injured, I learned to patch up my own injuries and continued on as though nothing had changed. This 'lying in bed and resting' ordeal has made me feel weak. It is a luxury. One that I do not need." She gazed away from the prince, staring at a blank white column.

"They have made me forget what it is like to be myself." The Castanic thought. "I cannot even recall who I was before I had come here. I was fine living a solemn life of darkness. But now... these people... have shown me a different way to live. Now, I cannot help but want to live just like them. Why? Why is everything suddenly different? I do not understand." Her mind beheld desperation. She would do anything to get these horrid questions to stop torturing her for days on end.

"I know you're not used to people looking after you." The prince's serious words made her turn her head back towards him. This time... he was the one who was looking away. "But know that Obi has good intentions. We all do. You saved every last one of us. Shirayuki is still praising you for showing up when you did. Your timing is impeccable." The mentioning of Shirayuki's name made Nanami's heart skip a beat. "You're used to doing things solo, and that's okay. But just know that you don't have to anymore. You've made such an effort to fit in with us, and yet we know nothing of you and your culture; why you're the way you are. We misjudged you before and don't want to make that same mistake again."

Their eyes caught each other when he turned back to look at her; a smile written across his lips. She felt a tingling and a tugging at the corner of her own lips. She saw his features grow in excitement.

"Are you smiling?" He chuckled. "Did I actually make you smile?"

Realizing that she was, in fact, smiling, Nanami's eyes widened before she sucked her lips in, wiping the smile off her face.

"No." Her expression was dull once more. "I do not know what you are talking about. I was simply... twitching."

"You were so smiling." He smirked. "But I won't hold it against you. So, about my training offer..."

"I must accept it now. You have to pay for making fun of me." She smirked.

"Bring it on, Akari."

"Nanami."

"Huh?"

"My real name is Nanami. I found this out a little bit ago..."

"Okay then, Nanami. Show me what you've got."

"You will regret requesting that of me."

♡

It was a hard battle fought, but Zen refused to give up no matter how many times he lost. Nanami's speed, agility, and strength were superior to his. She'd broken almost all of his wooden practice swords. Eventually, knowing that he would play this game until he won, she held back on her abilities, allowing him to knock the wooden sword from her hands.

"See! I knew you would tire out eventually."

"Yes, you are right. Your determination versus my lack of has proven you victor of this battle."

He was breathing hard; sweat excessively dripping down his face. She, however, hardly had trouble breathing; her face clear of sweat.

"Oh, shut up. I know you let me have that."

"Perhaps."

"How did you learn to move like that?"

"I have trained myself since I was a small girl. But it is the natural way of the Castanic. Our speed, strength, and agility are far more advanced than any human's. Some say that we were built and created for war. One Castanic can kill hundreds of soldiers before they even come close to killing them."

"Really? That's... wow. You should teach me how to fight like you one of these days."

"If you believe you are up for it."

"I am."

A smile curved onto her lips, and it made him feel warm and fuzzy inside. He couldn't help smiling back at her.

"You know, Nanami... you should smile more often." Her eyes widened and her mouth dropped open.

"Why is that?"

"You look very pretty when you smile."

"Well, I...." She regained composure, smiling once again. "Thank you."

"You're welcome. Let's get something to eat now. All that training made me really hungry."

"I believe it was because you were on the verge of death sparring with me."

"Yeah... let's not mention that to the others."