"Then I shall take my leave, my lady."
Kael's voice broke the silence, though it was calm, measured—just like everything about him. His words didn't stir the air, but they left a weight in the room, a palpable heaviness that lingered long after he'd spoken. Aliana stood still, her gaze fixed on the window, the fading light of the evening sky painting the room in soft hues of orange and pink. She had no words to respond, just the echo of his presence still hanging in the air.
Why am I stuck here?
The thought lingered in her mind, but she pushed it away. She had to focus. The conversation with Kael had been… strange. He was a man she knew, and yet, she didn't know him. Not really. How could she? She'd been in a different life, a different time, and now she was here, feeling like an actor in a play whose script she didn't quite understand.
Kael, the Sword of the Empire's son, had offered to teach her how to fight, to train her in the arts of war. On one hand, it was exactly what she needed—exactly what she had been searching for. But on the other, there was something about him that made her heart beat faster, something that made her question whether she should trust him.
She heard his footsteps—heavy, deliberate—as he moved toward the door. And yet, despite the space between them, she felt his presence like an electric charge, undeniable and strong.
"Kael…" she said, turning slightly to glance at him. She wasn't sure what she wanted to say, but the words came out before she could stop herself.
what the hell is wrong with me
He paused, his hand on the door handle, and looked back at her. His gray eyes were unreadable, but there was a flicker in them, something that made her heart stop for a moment.
"Yeah?" His voice was low, almost gentle.
Aliana hesitated. Her thoughts were a jumbled mess, but one question fought its way to the surface. "Will you… be careful?"
His lips curved just slightly, a smile that didn't reach his eyes but held something teasing, something almost too casual for the weight of the moment. "Always, my lady."
And then, with a final glance, he was gone, his footsteps echoing down the hallway, leaving her alone in the room, her heart pounding in her chest.
Always?
Aliana sank onto the bed, her hands gripping the sides of the mattress as if it could anchor her to something solid. The silence felt too loud now, too heavy. It was strange, this feeling that had settled inside her chest, like a knot that wouldn't untangle. She had been so sure of her plan before, but now… now, she wasn't so sure of anything.
She closed her eyes for a moment, letting out a long breath, but the quiet wasn't enough to drown out the thoughts swirling in her head. What had Kael meant by "the last hope"? Why did it feel like there was more to his words than he was saying?
Before she could spiral further into her thoughts, the door creaked open, and Nini stepped inside, her gentle presence a welcome break from the overwhelming silence.
"My lady," Nini's voice was soft, concerned, "It's getting late. You should rest."
Aliana opened her eyes, meeting her gaze. Nini was still holding a candle, the flickering light casting shadows on her face, but there was something comforting in the way she stood there, a quiet reassurance that everything would be okay.
"Yeah… I guess I should." Aliana gave a small, tired smile, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. She didn't feel sleepy, not at all, but she knew there was nothing more to be done tonight.
Nini moved to the bed and began pulling the covers back, adjusting the pillows with a practiced hand. She never rushed, always taking her time, as if she knew exactly what Aliana needed, even when Aliana didn't.
As the bed was made, Nini turned back to her, her smile soft but filled with warmth. "Sleep tight, my lady."
Aliana let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding and finally let herself relax into the softness of the blankets. She closed her eyes and tried to push the thoughts of Kael, of her father, of the empire out of her mind. But even as the words echoed in her ears, she couldn't shake the feeling that tomorrow was going to bring something she wasn't ready for.
And yet… even in the darkness, a small part of her was strangely hopeful. Maybe this time, things would be different.
Maybe this time, she would be ready.