Chapter 10: A Strange Feeling
755 Words
After the conversation in Lucien's study, Amelia found herself thinking more and more about magic.
The empire held countless mysteries that the original novel had barely mentioned.
If she wanted to change her fate, she couldn't rely on the knowledge she had from the novel alone.
She needed to understand this world for herself.
Over the next two days, Amelia spent most of her time in the Royal Library.
She read books about the history of the empire, the origins of magic, the different magical attributes, and the noble families known for producing powerful mages.
According to the books, magic was inherited through bloodlines, though occasionally someone with no magical ancestry would awaken an unusual ability.
Some wielded fire.
Others controlled water, wind, earth, or lightning.
Healing magic was rare.
Light and shadow magic were even rarer, and little was written about them.
Amelia quietly absorbed every piece of information.
"The more I know... the better prepared I'll be."
---
During those two days, Amelia and Lucien met several times.
Sometimes in the library.
Sometimes in the palace gardens.
Other times while walking through the palace corridors.
Their conversations, once short and awkward, had become natural.
Lucien no longer answered with only a few cold words.
Instead, he patiently explained things she didn't understand and even asked about the books she was reading.
Neither of them noticed the change.
To Amelia, Lucien was simply becoming easier to talk to.
To Lucien...
Being around Amelia had quietly become the most peaceful part of his day.
Without realizing it, his heart was slowly beginning to fall for her.
---
That afternoon, Amelia borrowed several thick books from the Royal Library.
Balancing them carefully in her arms, she slowly made her way back to her room.
As she passed one of the palace balconies, loud shouts echoed from below.
"Hah!"
"Again!"
Curious, Amelia walked toward the stone railing and looked down.
The palace knights were training.
Swords clashed against one another as they sparred beneath the bright summer sun.
Their movements were swift and disciplined.
Amelia watched with admiration.
"They're incredible..."
Many of the knights had removed their outer training jackets because of the heat.
Years of training had given them strong, athletic physiques.
Amelia blinked in surprise.
"Wow..."
"Their training really shows."
Back in her previous life, she had seen athletes on television and online, but seeing elite royal knights training right before her eyes was entirely different.
She smiled to herself.
"No wonder they're the empire's finest knights."
Just then...
She felt someone standing behind her.
Almost instinctively, Amelia turned.
"Crown Prince?"
Lucien stood a short distance away.
For a brief moment, surprise flashed across his face.
He had approached so quietly that even the palace guards rarely noticed his footsteps.
Yet Amelia had sensed his presence immediately.
"She noticed me...?" he wondered.
Before he could ask about it, his gaze shifted toward the training grounds below.
Then back to Amelia.
"...Were you watching them?"
Amelia suddenly realized how it must have looked.
A faint blush spread across her cheeks.
"I-I was only watching their training."
She quickly looked away, embarrassed.
"I should return these books."
Without waiting for another word, she hurried away.
Lucien remained standing on the balcony.
His eyes drifted toward the training knights.
A strange feeling settled in his chest.
He frowned.
Why had he suddenly felt... bothered?
He couldn't explain it.
After standing there for another moment, he quietly walked downstairs toward the training grounds.
The knights immediately stopped and saluted.
"Your Highness!"
Lucien looked across the group before speaking.
"From now on, all training sessions will be conducted in full training uniforms."
The knights looked at one another in confusion.
"...Yes, Your Highness."
None of them dared question the order.
As Lucien turned to leave, one thought lingered in his mind.
"She doesn't need to be watching them."
He paused.
"Why did that thought even cross my mind?"
Later that evening, while sitting alone in his study, Lucien found himself unusually distracted.
His thoughts kept returning to the balcony.
To Amelia.
And to the knights.
A ridiculous question suddenly entered his mind.
"Would she have looked at me like that if I were training?"
His ears grew slightly warm.
He immediately shook his head.
"What am I thinking?"
Closing his book, he let out a quiet sigh.
He still didn't understand the unfamiliar emotions stirring inside him.
He only knew one thing.
Every day Amelia spent in the palace, she occupied his thoughts a little more than the day before.
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