CHAPTER 118: A GOOD START
The following days fell into a routine of training sessions. I didn’t want it to end. Every day, I would be at the training session before anyone else. Stroking my sword into the air and punching heavy sand-filled bags so my fists would be firm. I heard the big door creak and a strange-looking man walked in. He seemed dressed for a training session.
“Good morning,” he said as he got in.
“Where is Kieran?” I asked.
“Kieran wouldn’t be coming in today. I would be your tutor,” he said.
I nodded without further asking setting my position. He was strong and swift and like a robot that never got tried. Just then, I knew that Kieran had been merciful the whole time.
On a sunny afternoon, after a particularly intense session, I found myself lagging as Kieran went to retrieve water. I felt frustrated as usual. It was like no matter how hard I trained, a nagging feeling still resurfaced. I still doubted if I was doing enough.
“Hey,” I jolted hearing his voice from behind me.
“How long have you been standing there?” I asked.
“Long enough to know that you are not okay. So don’t lie to me.”
“Wow, that’s pretty long. So, you’ve been staring.”
“Don’t change the topic.”
He placed the water bottle down and came to stand beside me.
“What’s wrong, Clara?” he asked in a gentle tone. I almost felt at ease.NôvelDrama.Org is the owner.
I hesitated. Unsure of how to begin but I knew that I would have to talk to him anyway.
“Why do you stand by me, Kieran? Even after everything… even when the people…” My voice trailed off, choked with emotions I couldn’t quite name.
He didn’t answer immediately, he looked ahead and settled well beside me.
“I mean, I know that you care for me as one of your people. But whenever I think about that day, I still can’t place my head around it. You could lose your people’s love and respect just because of me. I really do not want that. I still don’t want that.”
“Clara, you are more than your abilities. You are brave, compassionate, and stronger than you think.”
His words struck a chord within me. I had not expected Kieran to say such kind words to me. I mean he has always been supportive but that was it.
He continued, his gaze meeting mine. He had a warm flicker in his eyes.
“And for what it’s worth, they don’t deserve you. They are afraid of what they don’t understand. You are amazing. I never thought I’d say this but you have made me a better person. Everything we have been through has shown me a lot about life. I cannot let you go even if the world turns against me,” he said firmly.
I fixed my gaze on the wall. His words were like a balm to my wounded spirit. Kieran was sweet and loving. I had never seen him be any more sincere. And he had called my name not that of his ex. He has chosen me instead of the wishes of his people.
A blush crept up my cheeks, a warmth blossoming in my chest. This wasn’t just respect or admiration I saw in his eyes it was something deeper, something that sent a thrill through me.
“So, you’re saying…” I started, my voice barely a whisper.
“I’m saying,” he interrupted, “that they’ll learn. And when they do, they’ll be grateful to have you on their side.”
I wouldn’t deny the fact that I had read a different meaning to his words. Like a double meaning, a promise of a future where the people would not only accept me but also value me. Although, it also hinted at a future where we would face those challenges together. A future that, until now, I hadn’t dared to dream of.
But all the same, I smiled and nodded in agreement.
We continued training a bit longer and I felt different. Knowing that he had my back. I was determined to have his.
Days turned to weeks and the talk of war grew louder. Although the people were still very dear to their King, I was the only problem. My training intensified, pushing me to the limits of my abilities. Kieran drilled me into reaching my full energy. He was ever so supportive. The more I trained, the more confident I became in myself and in the powers that I possessed. Although the uncertainty surrounding the people remained.
On a quiet evening, after a particularly tiring training session, I found Kieran in the palace library. He scanned an ancient scroll. He looked up as I entered. And smiled as he saw me.
“Done with training? he asked.
I nodded, sinking into a chair across from him.
“Do you think I have prepared enough?” I asked.
Kieran leaned back in his chair; his gaze thoughtful.
“We’ve done everything we can,” he said finally. “The rest depends on fate… and perhaps a little bit of luck.”
His words offered little comfort, but his presence did. We sat in silence for a while, the only sound the crackling fire in the hearth. I looked at him as he went through the scroll again. I left my gaze on him watching as his hair fell on his face. How could he be so much all at once? After we had been intimate, I had promised not to look at him in that way. But here I was lost in thoughts over him. At that point, I felt like I could tell him anything. Not too long ago, he had been like a pain in my ass. But now, he was different. I wondered if he still thought about his ex-girlfriend the way that I thought about him.
He shifted his gaze from the scroll to me and I quickly moved my eyes away. I could have sworn that I saw him smile but he faced the scroll again. I adjusted on the chair.
“Kieran,” I called out and he faced me again.
“About the people…”
He raised an eyebrow.
“Do you… do you ever wonder what it would be like…” I trailed off, unsure of how to bring out the yearning in my heart.
He leaned forward, his gaze meeting mine. “What it would be like?” he prompted.
“To… to be loved by the people, not feared,” blurted out.
Kieran chuckled.
“Loved by the people, huh?” he repeated, his smile widening.
“Well, sometimes respect is all you can ask for. But trust me, Clara,” he leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a whisper, “earning their respect is a good start.”