After Kael finished his meal, a hearty stew that Amara had carefully spiced and served steaming hot. He leaned back in his chair, savoring the warmth that spread through his body. "Thank you, Mother," he said softly, "You always know how to make everything better."
Amara smiled as she cleared his plate. "Rest, Kael. Your body and your mind need it."
Kael nodded and made his way to his small room. The wooden door creaked slightly as he closed it behind him. He fell onto his bed, his long limbs sprawling across the mattress as he stared at the ceiling. His room was modest, lined with a few shelves of books and scraps of notes from his studies. On his desk lay a dismantled mechanical device he'd been tinkering with for weeks, a testament to his curious mind.
But tonight, his thoughts were far from his inventions. His mind drifted back to the girl he had seen today. She was unlike anyone else in the institution. The princess.
She had arrived that morning, stepping into their lecture hall with an air of quiet determination that seemed to hush the entire room. Her outfit, though regal, was practical—a fitted tunic with metallic trims, accompanied by soft leather boots. Her hair, a striking auburn, was tied back in a loose braid, and her sharp hazel eyes carried both curiosity and defiance.
Kael remembered how the other scholars had murmured among themselves, some sneering at the idea of royalty mingling with them in a science class. After all, the institution wasn't a place for frivolity or status. It was for the brightest minds in the kingdom. And yet, the girl had stood tall, unfazed by their whispers.
She hadn't spoken much during the lecture, but Kael had noticed her taking notes diligently, her pen moving across the parchment with precision. There was a fire in her that intrigued him, a determination to prove herself despite being in an environment that didn't suit her status.
Her presence had caused a stir, and Kael had tried to keep his distance. Yet, when their eyes briefly met across the room, he felt a strange spark. A deep admiration for her courage and composure. She didn't belong in the institution, not because she wasn't capable, but because the others would never let her forget who she was. And yet, there she was, trying anyway.
Kael turned onto his side, a small smile playing on his lips. "She's brave," he thought to himself. "Far braver than I am."
He closed his eyes, her image lingering in his mind. For the first time in weeks, the bruises on his body didn't seem to hurt as much. There was something about her, that made him feel like perhaps he wasn't so alone in the struggle to prove himself.
Next morning, Kael wake up. It was so cold and freezing. The morning came with a biting chill that seeped into every corner of their modest home. The wind howled softly outside, carrying with it the promise of an even colder day ahead. Amara, ever the vigilant mother, stood by the hearth, wrapping a thick, woolen cloak around Kael's shoulders.
"You'll need this," she said, her voice firm yet gentle. She fussed over him, adjusting the cloak to ensure no part of his neck or chest was exposed. "And this." She grabbed another layer, a longer coat lined with fur, and draped it over his frame. Kael was already tall and broad for his age, but now he looked like a walking bundle of fabric.
"Mother," Kael groaned, shifting uncomfortably under the weight of the layers. "I'll barely be able to move in all of this."
"You'll thank me later," Amara replied, giving him a stern look. "The cold out there is unforgiving. It creeps into your bones if you're not careful."
Kael smiled at her fussing. "You always worry too much."
"Of course I do," Amara retorted, pulling a woolen scarf from a nearby hook and wrapping it snugly around his neck. "I didn't raise you for eighteen years just for you to freeze to death because you were too stubborn to wear a proper coat."
Kael laughed softly, adjusting the scarf. "I'll keep it all on, I promise."
Amara wasn't convinced. She stepped back and gave him a once-over, her eyes scanning every detail. Satisfied that he was sufficiently bundled, she sighed. "Listen to me, Kael. No matter what happens, stay warm. Don't let the cold get to you. If you need to, step inside somewhere and wait for the wind to pass. Your health is more important than anything else."
"I know, Mother," Kael replied, his voice filled with warmth. "You don't have to keep worrying."
But Amara couldn't help herself. She reached out and cupped his face, her hands gentle over his cheeks ."You're all I have, Kael. You hear me? All I have. So don't you dare come back shivering, or worse."
Kael nodded, his dark eyes softening as he looked at her. "I hear you. I'll take care of myself."
Amara stepped back, letting out a small sigh. She knew he was no longer the little boy who used to cling to her skirts on cold mornings, but in her heart, he would always be her child.
"Now, go," she said, her voice softer now. "And don't forget to eat something warm when you get the chance."
Kael adjusted his cloak one last time and gave her a small smile before stepping out into the icy morning air. The wind hit him immediately, but he barely noticed. His heart was warm with the knowledge that, no matter what, he always had someone waiting for him at home.T
The cold morning air crept through the halls of the institution, wrapping around Kael as he walked into class. He could feel the eyes of the boys who had bruised him the previous day, their gazes heavy with malice.
They whispered and snickered amongst themselves, watching his every step. Kael ignored them, his fists clenched in his pockets. One day, he thought, " I'll be strong enough to make them regret it."
The classroom was lively with chatter, the subject of gossip being the princess.
"A princess coming to school on a morning like this?" one boy mocked, leaning back in his chair. "She's probably sitting in her chambers, enjoying a feast of warm bread and hot tea."
"Or maybe wrapped in silks by the fire," another chimed in, laughing.
Kael didn't join in their laughter. He didn't see the humor in their words. Suddenly, the door burst open, and a hush fell over the room. There she was—the princess.
Her auburn hair was windswept, and her cheeks flushed red from the cold. She was panting, her breath visible in the icy air. She had no cloak, no coat, nothing to shield her from the harsh weather. The room was silent as she walked to her seat, her steps hurried as if she was late for the class.
Kael couldn't help but stare. His dark eyes softened with surprise and sadness as she approached. To his shock, the princess sat down right beside him. He glanced at her but didn't know what to say.
Her presence, so unexpected, left him speechless. He looked down at his desk, unsure of how to act.
Time passed, and Kael noticed her shivering. Her hands trembled as she gripped the edges of her book, her breath shallow and quick.
She was clearly struggling with the cold. Kael hesitated but finally made a decision. He pulled off one of his cloaks and the scarf his mother had wrapped around him that morning.
Without a word, he handed them to her. She looked at him with wide, grateful eyes.
"Thank you," she whispered, wrapping the scarf tightly around her neck. Her auburn hair spilled over her shoulders, framing her flushed face.
Kael only nodded, his cheeks warm with shyness. He couldn't bring himself to speak, not until the lesson was over.
When the bell rang for break time, Kael packed his things slowly, glancing at the princess as she stood. To his surprise, she turned to him and said, "Let me buy you a hot meal to thank you."
They made their way to the food court, but by the time they arrived, the meals were lukewarm. Kael hesitated, remembering Amara's words that morning: "Don't eat anything cold."
But the princess took a bite first, smiling as she assured him, "It's still good. I wouldn't want to see you starve in this weather."
Her warm smile made Kael feel at ease, and despite his mother's warning, he took a cautious bite. Before he knew it, he had eaten everything on his plate.
When it was time to pay, the princess searched her pockets, her face turning red with embarrassment. "Oh no," she muttered. "I forgot… I didn't bring any money with me."
Kael chuckled, pulling out a few coins to cover their meal. "So let me get this straight," he teased, his tone light. "You convinced me to eat cold food and made me pay for it? Brilliant strategy, Your Highness."
The princess laughed, a light and musical sound that seemed to chase away the cold. "I promise I'll pay you back," she said, her eyes sparkling with amusement.
Kael shrugged, his shy smile returning. "It's fine," he said softly. "I'll hold you to it, though."
As they left the food court, walking side by side, Kael couldn't help but feel a warmth spread through him, one that had nothing to do with the food or the scarf he had given away.
It's something with the princess.