A remarkable young lady
1145 Words
Malory's POV
Caspian didn't immediately offer an answer, nor did he flatly refuse.
Aldrich remained entirely silent, his piercing gaze locked onto the young commander. Lost in the heavy silence, I couldn't do anything but shift my eyes nervously between the two men.
Caspian looked like a completely different person now. Just moments prior, he had been a lively, smooth-talking rogue trying to charm me. Now, his lips were pressed into a rigid line, and he held my father's intimidating gaze without a single hint of fear. In that instant, he finally carried himself like a true, battle-tested warrior.
My father was equally terrifying. His aura radiated an ancient majesty, a stark solemnity, and a commanding weight that I couldn't fully find the words to describe. Even though he was usually incredibly warm and loved to trade jokes with me, I couldn't bring myself to look him in the eye at this moment. I simply lacked the courage.
Just when I thought the suffocating tension had reached an absolute standstill, Caspian took a deliberate step back.
"The honor is entirely mine, Your Majesty."
He wore a striking but hollow smile that didn't quite reach his silver-gray eyes. I had no idea what had prompted such a drastic shift in his demeanor, but he had transformed into a completely different person. I found myself wondering which version was the real Caspian.
Despite the fact that I was officially about to become his student, he didn't bother turning his head to acknowledge me. He didn't grant me even a fraction of his attention. It was incredibly frustrating, especially considering he had been clumsily trying to charm me into a date just a heartbeat ago.
Offering Aldrich an impeccable, elegant bow, he said, "Please allow me to take my leave."
Aldrich offered a silent nod, granting him permission to depart. With Caspian's exit, the crushing atmosphere in the courtyard finally began to lift.
Before he turned away completely, he cast one final look in my direction. There was a calculating, judgmental sharpness in his eyes as he quietly evaluated me.
"It is a pleasure to meet you, sir," I spoke up, carefully managing my expression to ensure I didn't let my annoyance show. Perhaps my father and Caspian weren't the only ones who knew how to put on a mask of stoic seriousness. I figured mastering this poker face was likely the very first step toward becoming a proper heir to the throne.
He clearly hadn't expected me to speak up so boldly. Forcing his face into a straight, professional mask, he replied, "The pleasure is entirely mine. I look forward to a thoroughly productive training session with you tomorrow."
I couldn't explain why, but every formal word that came out of his stern face made me want to roll my eyes. That irritation reached an absolute peak when, right before vanishing around the corridor, he threw me a sharp, incredibly playful wink.
"Father, do you think it's possible for me to request a different instructor?"
Aldrich didn't respond immediately, eventually turning his dark eyes toward me.
"Why, darling?" Elara asked gently, her soothing tone making me feel a little better. I held onto the fleeting hope that I might still escape having to learn from this insufferable flirt.
"He's just not very..."
"Do you find him to be too frivolous?" Elara interrupted with a faint, knowing smile. "My sweet girl, you must learn to look past the surface of things. Caspian is the most lethal warrior in our territory. When you begin your education, the caliber of your starting point is absolutely vital. I want you receiving guidance from the absolute best."
Look past the surface? On the surface, he was a shameless flirt who was ready to drop pick-up lines at a moment's notice.
"I am completely serious!" I protested. "Aren't you even a little worried that he's going to spend our entire training block trying to take me out on dates?"
Aldrich finally caught on to the root of my anxiety. He threw his head back, letting out a booming laugh as if I had just told the most hilarious joke in the world.
"Sweetheart, you are a grown woman now. If you want to go out and date him, you are entirely free to do so. You are every bit as breathtaking as your mother, so start carrying yourself with a bit more confidence."
That was absolutely it. I fought the overwhelming urge to facepalm. It seemed all the men in this world were equally infuriating, whether they happened to be the supreme monarch or not.
"Oh, Aldrich, you are still just as charming as the day we met," Elara murmured, instantly melting against my father's broad chest.
Seeing that they were about to shamelessly lock lips right in front of me, I threw my hands over my face and sprinted away.
They had absolutely no boundaries! I was standing right there! Did they not care about traumatizing their newly recovered daughter? Why were people in this palace so completely unbothered?
Aldrich and Elara's shared laughter echoed down the stone hallway behind me, treating me as if I were a dramatic three-year-old child throwing a tantrum.
I rushed back into the safety of my bedchamber. A few minutes later, my parents walked in, still holding hands and looking disgustingly clingy.
"Hey, sweet girl, are you mentally prepared for your curriculum tomorrow?" Elara asked, pushing the door open to find me sitting on the edge of the mattress, lost in a daze.
"Maybe..." I pouted, crossing my arms.
"Good girl. Promise me you will give him a fair chance," Elara said softly, patting my head. "He is an extraordinary warrior, far beyond anyone you have ever crossed paths with before. He will make you strong very quickly."
"Fine, but if I'm completely miserable, do I have the right to switch tutors?" I pushed, trying to negotiate a way out.
"If you truly find that your dynamics are incompatible..." Elara conceded gently. "But you must ensure you aren't letting your initial prejudices cloud your judgment."
"But he's so irritating. He's incredibly slick with his words, and I can't shake the feeling that he has ulterior motives toward me."
Elara smiled, tiny, warm crinkles appearing at the corners of her green eyes.
"You are a striking, remarkable young lady, Malory. Any man with eyes is going to be drawn to you. If he asks about your background, simply tell him you are a distant relative of the bloodline. That will provide a clean cover story for the undeniable physical resemblances we share. I am so sorry, darling... for forcing you to hide like this."
I leaned forward, wrapping my arms tightly around my mother.
"It's alright, Elara. I know everything you and Aldrich do is out of love. I'm just too weak to protect myself right now."
- Writer
