The Bravery Soul

Chapter 8 The Bravery Soul

Princess sat quietly, her heart strangely calm yet restless at the same time.

How can life feel this peaceful? she thought. I’ve never felt this safe before.

This place felt like home — not just a house, but the kind of home she had always dreamed of, the kind she never had growing up.

Her eyes wandered to the boy on the veranda, his voice soft as he spoke to someone on the phone. She didn’t know why, but just seeing him there made her chest tighten.

Is this what my future looks like? she wondered, almost smiling at the thought.

Then she caught herself. No, stop it, Princess! You’re being silly. We’re too young for that…

But deep down, she couldn’t shake the feeling. He was turning eighteen soon, she would turn seventeen — and yet it felt like their lives were already being written together by fate.

She had so many dreams, so many things she wanted to become. But every time she tried to reach for them, life pulled her back. Her family’s troubles were heavy, far too heavy for her young shoulders.

The thought of going back to that reality made her feel like she couldn’t breathe.

She closed her eyes, her heart whispering a desperate prayer.

“Lord… take me away from that place where I feel trapped. Give me a place like this — a place where I can breathe, where I can be me — forever.”

And in that quiet moment, with the boy still standing on the veranda and the sky turning gold, she wished with all her heart that her prayer would be heard.

“Hey, are you okay there?”

Phoenix’s voice cut through the silence, gentle but full of concern. He had just ended a call with his grandpa, who had reminded him in a serious tone: Never touch this girl until you’re married.

Phoenix smiled faintly at the memory. Grandpa was worried — maybe too worried — but he couldn’t blame him. Princess wasn’t just any girl. She was different.

“Yeah, I’m fine,” Princess replied softly. “I was just wondering where I’m going to sleep. You know… I already invaded your grandpa’s space. I don’t want to just go upstairs, open a room, and act like I belong here.”

Her voice wavered, and Phoenix could see the pain behind her eyes.

“I only came here because I was desperate,” she confessed. “I just needed to run away from the life I hate.”

Phoenix’s chest tightened. She ran here… to me. She trusts me enough to come here when she has nowhere else to go.

“You can use my room,” he said gently. “The same one where I let you sleep earlier — where I carried you.”

He gave a small smile. “I felt bad seeing you curled up on the sofa when there are four empty rooms upstairs. Don’t worry, I’ll stay in the master bedroom.”

Princess tilted her head. “Why should I use your room if there’s a master bedroom?”

“I don’t mind,” Phoenix replied. But inside, he was thinking, Because I want you to feel safe. Because it feels right having you close.

Princess sighed. “Fine. But just so you know, I’ll only stay here for now. Soon, I’ll find a place where I can live alone. I don’t want to bother you and your grandpa anymore. I’m sorry for intruding like this — it won’t happen again.”

Her voice was soft, almost apologetic, and something about it made Phoenix’s heart ache.

“You’re planning to move out?” he asked, his tone sharper than he intended. “To live far from your family? Alone?”

His Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed, fighting back the anger and fear rising inside him. How can she think about living alone? She’s too young. Too vulnerable. What if something happens to her?

“It’s too dangerous, Princess,” he said firmly, trying to hide the frustration in his voice.

But Princess only nodded. “Yes. I’m planning to live on my own. I don’t want to depend on my mom anymore. I just want to find where my peace is…”

She lowered her gaze. “My inner peace.”

Phoenix’s fists clenched at his sides. She has no idea how much I want to protect her. If I could, I’d build her a world where she’d never feel this pain again.

Your inner peace?” Phoenix stepped closer, his voice low but filled with emotion. “The inner peace you’re looking for… it’s with me!”

Princess froze, startled by the sudden intensity in his tone.

“Don’t run away from me,” Phoenix continued, his eyes locked on hers. “Because you already ruined my inner peace the moment you invaded my life.”

His chest rose and fell heavily as the words poured out. “I can protect you from anyone who tries to hurt you. I will protect you.”

Princess’s lips trembled, but she forced herself to speak. “Don’t protect me.”

Phoenix blinked, caught off guard.

“I can fight my own battles,” she said, her voice sharp with pain. “I’ve been doing it alone since the world began — since I was old enough to understand what pain was.”

She took a step back, her eyes glistening. “So don’t you dare ask me to let you protect me. Because you can’t do it forever, Phoenix. You can’t always be there.”

Her words hung in the air like a knife between them.

Before Phoenix could say another word, Princess turned and walked upstairs without looking back, leaving him standing there, fists clenched, heart pounding.

Phoenix stared after her, his jaw tight. She doesn’t get it, he thought bitterly. I’m not asking for forever. I’m just asking for now — for her to let me stay by her side, even for a little while.