- I have to go back, it will be dawn soon. - Snuggled against your chest, I feel like staying in the warmth of your arms forever.
- I wish I never had to leave. - he says, upset.
- I know, Hero, I know, love. One day, I am sure, everything will be different. - I try to console him.
I place a kiss on his lips and get up to get dressed.
- I'm tired, Olivia. - I freeze with the dress on top of my head. - I'm tired of hiding, of having to control myself around you. How much longer do we have to live like this?
- Hero, please, I understand what you are telling me, don't think that I don't. However, I can't tell you about us now, I...
- I know, you need to think about your parents, about their reign, don't you? - he says, without patience.
- I thought you understood, Hero.
- I understand, Oliva, I really do. But I also get tired.
- If you tire so easily, it's because you don't love me as I love you.
I finish putting on my dress and go out into the forest, blinded by tears. I feel my heart breaking, will he really give up on me? Just like that? I start to run, barely seeing the path ahead of me. Along the way, I trip over the skirt of my dress, and end up on the floor. For a while, I allow myself to lie there on the leaf-covered ground while warm tears bathe my face.
...
I can't tell you how long I lay there, but when the tears stopped and my eyes were finally dry, I returned home. I walked up the stairs in silence and was startled when I entered my room to find my brother sitting on my bed.
- What are you doing here, Oliver? - I asked.
- I was worried. Why did it take you so long to come home today? - Oliver got up and came over to me. - What happened? Why are your eyes red, sister?
- It was nothing, nothing happened. - I said, turning my face away in an attempt to hide it, but Oliver was smart and held my face in his hands.
- Have you been crying? What did he do to you? - he asked angrily.
- He didn't do anything, Oli. We had a fight, that's all. You know how your sister is, a crybaby. - I say with a nervous laugh.
- Are you sure about this? - you suspect.
- Yes, I'm sure. Now go, I need to change for class.
- Okay, I'll get ready too. - Oliver lays a kiss on my forehead before leaving.
My brother is very protective, if I told him what Hero had told me, he would be very capable of going after him now, and there is no way I would allow such a thing. I put on my training clothes and went downstairs to have breakfast with my family.
- What do you have class for today? - my mother asked, fixing her hairdo on top of her head.
- I have sword practice today with Mariah. - I say.
- What about you, Oliver? - asks our father.
- I'm wrestling with Remo. - he replies.
In our kingdom, we have three instructor soldiers, who are: Hero, who teaches archery class; Mariah, instructor of fencing class and Remo, who teaches wrestling class. Everyone, absolutely everyone, regardless of their power, needs to take these three classes, as it makes us stronger to face a possible attack from the enemy kingdom.
After breakfast, we headed to the training center. Liana, who saw us arrive, ran to meet us. Beside me, I noticed Oliver becoming a little tense.
- You look nervous, brother. - I asked in a low voice.
- It's just your impression. - he answered quickly.
- Hello! How are you, Oliver? - Liana greets my brother shyly.
- I'm fine. See you later. - Oliver practically runs away from us.
- Did I say something wrong? - asks Liana, not amused.
- No, don't worry. It's none of your business, Oliver must have woken up in a bad mood today. - I console her, even though I know that my brother was running away from the feelings he feels for my friend.
Together we went on to the fencing class. Mariah was in a corner talking animatedly with Hero, for a second my gaze crosses his and I quickly turn away, feeling a lump in my throat.
- Put on your clothes and let's get started. - orders Mariah with energy.
Out of the corner of my eye, I see Hero walking away, he didn't even smile at me. No matter, I won't allow myself to be sad for him.
- Let's go! - calls Mariah.
I double up with Liana in training, but I can't concentrate, my head is far away, my thoughts are on Hero. What is this soldier doing to me? I get distracted and let Liana hit me.
- Touché!
- Olivia, focus! You are very soft today. - Mariah scolds me.
I roll my eyes at her, who notices and gets angry, coming over to me and holding my arm tightly.
- Don't mock me, you spoiled little princess.
- I order you to let go of me immediately. - I say through gritted teeth.
- You what? - Mariah increases the pressure on my fist.
- Let her go, Mariah! - Hero asks, who I didn't realize had approached me.
- But, she...
- I'm asking you to let her go. You don't want to get in trouble with the king and queen, do you? - So he's only worried about his friend? It was naïve of me to think that he was defending me.
Mariah finally lets go of my arm, I walk away quickly, after casting a glance towards Hero, who looks at me with pity.