Chapter 15 : The First Lesson
807 Words
Morning came too quickly.
The palace of Aurelion Kingdom was unusually quiet, as if the entire royal court knew something dangerous was unfolding behind its golden walls.
Aria stood in the training courtyard, wrapped in a dark cloak to protect her from the cold morning wind. The stone ground beneath her feet was damp from last night’s storm.
She had never imagined waking up in a palace and being told she needed to learn how to fight.
But nothing about her life was normal anymore.
Across from her stood Adrian.
King Adrian removed his coat and handed it to a nearby guard. Beneath it, he wore simple black training clothes, his posture calm but commanding.
“You’re late,” he said.
Aria rolled her eyes slightly.
“I just found out yesterday that I’m apparently a princess being hunted by enemies. Forgive me if I didn’t sleep well.”
A faint smirk appeared on Adrian’s face.
“You’ll have to learn to sleep through worse things.”
He turned to a guard and gestured.
The guard stepped forward, holding a wooden training sword.
Aria stared at it.
“You’re serious?”
Adrian nodded.
“Completely.”
She took the sword slowly, weighing it in her hands.
“I’ve never done this before.”
“That’s why we’re starting today.”
The wind swept through the courtyard, carrying the faint sound of soldiers training in the distance.
Adrian picked up another wooden sword.
“Your enemies won’t care that you’re inexperienced.”
Aria lifted an eyebrow.
“Are you planning to attack me, Your Majesty?”
Adrian stepped closer, his expression suddenly serious.
“If I don’t teach you how to survive, someone else will try to kill you.”
Without warning—
He swung.
Aria gasped and barely managed to block the strike. The wooden swords collided with a sharp c***k.
“Hey!” she shouted.
Adrian didn’t stop.
“Lesson one,” he said calmly. “Never expect a warning.”
He attacked again.
Aria stumbled backward, barely blocking the second strike. Her arms already felt weak.
“This is insane!”
“Focus,” Adrian ordered.
Another strike.
Another block.
Her breathing grew heavier with every movement.
Finally, Adrian stopped and stepped back.
“You’re too slow.”
Aria glared at him.
“I’ve been training for five minutes!”
“You’re still too slow.”
She groaned in frustration.
“This is impossible.”
Adrian shook his head.
“No. You’re just afraid.”
The words made her pause.
“I’m not afraid.”
“Yes, you are,” he said quietly. “But fear can make you stronger if you control it.”
Aria tightened her grip on the sword.
“Fine.”
She lunged forward suddenly, swinging the sword toward him.
Adrian easily blocked it.
But this time, he smiled.
“Better.”
For the next hour, they trained in the courtyard.
Aria slipped. Fell. Missed strikes.
But she kept getting up.
And Adrian kept pushing her harder.
Finally, he lowered his sword.
“That’s enough for today.”
Aria collapsed onto the stone bench nearby, breathing heavily.
“I hate royal training.”
Adrian walked toward her.
“You survived your first lesson.”
“Barely.”
Before he could respond—
Footsteps rushed into the courtyard.
The same guard from the night before approached quickly.
“Your Majesty.”
Adrian turned immediately.
“What happened?”
The guard bowed slightly.
“The prisoner has spoken.”
Aria stood up instantly.
“What did he say?”
The guard hesitated.
“He revealed the name of the person who ordered him to spy on the princess.”
Adrian’s eyes darkened.
“Who?”
The guard swallowed.
“Lord Viktor.”
Aria frowned.
“Who is that?”
Adrian’s jaw tightened.
“Someone I once trusted.”
A cold silence fell between them.
Then the guard added something else.
“And there’s more.”
Adrian looked at him sharply.
“What now?”
“A man has arrived at the palace gates.”
Aria crossed her arms.
“So?”
The guard looked directly at her.
“He says he knows the truth about the princess.”
Adrian’s voice dropped.
“What truth?”
The guard took a deep breath.
“He claims…”
His eyes moved to Aria.
“…that he is her father.”
The courtyard fell completely silent.
Aria’s heart stopped.
“That’s impossible,” she whispered.
But deep inside…
Something told her this was only the beginning of a much bigger secret.
If you'd like, I can continue with Chapter 16, where:
The mysterious man enters the palace and proves he might really be Aria’s father 👑
Lord Viktor begins a dangerous rebellion against the throne ⚔️
And Aria discovers a hidden royal power connected to her bloodline.
- Writer
