Return from Trial
814 Words
The golden glow of early evening bathed the obsidian towers of the Seventh Queen’s castle as Prince Kenneth Valdros descended the grand steps of the training arena. His body ached from the day's grueling session, and the metallic tang of sweat and blood still lingered in his nostrils, but his mind was clear. The training had been intense—Aurelius’ brute force, Lucien’s unpredictable finesse, and Darien’s cold precision—but Kenneth had endured it all, every strike and movement slowly tuning his instincts sharper.
He stepped into the open-air landing platform just outside the arena. His royal vehicle—a sleek, black carriage-like transport with hovering charmstones—awaited, its metallic surface gleaming under the light.
“Prince Valdros,” the chauffeur bowed. Kenneth gave a small nod and was about to enter when a figure down the path caught his attention.
There she was.
Seraphine Morrigale.
Clad in her full knight regalia, the silver trim of her armor glinting under the sunlight, she was directing a group of fellow female knights. Her hair was tied back tightly, but a few strands escaped, brushing her cheek. Kenneth’s gaze lingered on her.
“Stop,” Kenneth said suddenly.
The chauffeur blinked, confused. “My prince?”
“Stop the vehicle. I want to speak with her.”
He stepped out without waiting for an answer, boots hitting the polished stone. His presence, tall and commanding, turned heads immediately. Seraphine noticed the shift in the atmosphere before she saw him. Then—
“Seraphine.”
Her violet eyes widened slightly. “Kenneth?”
The other knights quieted. Some exchanged glances. Then, as if realizing they stood before the most desired royal in the kingdom, they adjusted themselves—subtly brushing hair behind ears, straightening postures, softening gazes.
“Ladies,” Kenneth greeted with a slight smile, his voice deep and calm.
A couple of them giggled, one boldly stepping forward. “We weren’t expecting to see *you*, Your Highness.”
He chuckled. “I wasn’t expecting to run into a whole battalion of beauty either.”
Seraphine rolled her eyes, shifting her weight with visible annoyance. The flirtatious tones around her stung more than she expected.
Another knight leaned toward Kenneth, biting her lip slightly. “If you ever need a personal sparring partner—”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” Kenneth said smoothly, before turning back to Seraphine.
“I’m heading back to the castle. Come with me.”
Her eyes widened. “Back to—your mother’s castle?”
He raised a brow. “Of course, or do you have somewhere in mind?”
“…No,” she muttered with cheeks flushed red.
“Get in,” he said, already moving to the vehicle.
Seraphine hesitated briefly under the quiet stares of her fellow knights, then followed.
The interior of the vehicle was lavish but minimalist—onyx seats, enchanted lighting, windows that dimmed at a command. As the doors slid shut and the vehicle rose, silence filled the space. Seraphine sat across from him, arms crossed.
“You’ve changed,” she said finally.
Kenneth glanced at her, brow raised. “You’ve said that before.”
“Because it’s true.”
He didn’t answer right away. The hum of the vehicle’s arcane engine surrounded them.
“I’m stronger,” he said at last. “I have to be.. no I need to be.”
She nodded. “I know. It’s just… different seeing it.”
He gave a short nod. “You’re different too. You’re a knight now.”
Seraphine smirked faintly. “You sound surprised.”
“I’m not. Just… proud.”
That made her pause.
He looked out the window. The silhouette of the Seventh Queen’s castle came into view in the distance, warm and tall against the darkening sky.
“How long will you be training?" she asked.
“I don’t know. As long as the king allows.”
Her lips tightened. “And how intense is it?”
“Relentless,” he said with a dry chuckle. “But it helps. Keeps me from thinking too much.”
She looked at him, her gaze softer now. “You don’t have to pretend around me, you know.”
He turned back to her. “I’m not pretending.”
“…You still see me as your best friend?”
He blinked. “Of course.”
She looked away, biting her lip, a flicker of emotion dancing across her face.
“Then I’ll stay by your side,” she said quietly.
He smiled faintly. “You never really left.”
The vehicle descended smoothly into the courtyard of the Seventh Queen’s castle. Servants began approaching as the doors prepared to open.
Kenneth stood, extending a hand to her.
“Come on.”
She hesitated only for a heartbeat before taking it.
They then arrive at the castle of Seventh Queen.
- Writer
