JUSTIN'S POINT OF VIEW
"Hey! Rah assigned us a task," Dylan called out, his voice breaking through my thoughts. He wasn't with Tyler this time. Instead, he lounged casually on the branch of a nearby tree, as though he had been waiting for me. "My assumption was right. You came here," he said, pointing out the obvious.
I am still furious with him. He knew the rules—inside the palace, no one is allowed to use mnarill except in designated training areas. Out here was different, yes, but that didn't excuse him.
Fueled by annoyance, I hurled one dark energy ball after another. He was fast—too fast—and managed to dodge every strike. The tree behind him wasn't so lucky. Its bark blackened, its leaves shriveled, and within seconds, the life bled out of it.
He hopped to another branch, laughing. "Whoa. Justin, relax! You don't want to die early from hypertension, do you?"
"What do you expect?" My fists clenched so tightly my knuckles burned. "It was supposed to be a dare. Nowhere in the deal did it say you could prank me. Out of all the stupid things you could've done, you had to drag frogs into it. You crossed the line. Should I clap for you?"
"Don't get mad." He was still smiling—infuriatingly smug. "You're still afraid of frogs. I thought you weren't anymore. Let's put it this way... that prank was a test for you."
"You already knew frogs were tied to my past, and you still went through with it." My voice cracked with restrained rage. "Not afraid anymore? Do you really think a few years is enough to heal something like that? How foolish. It's no different from trying to forget your past. You know that!"
"I know," he admitted, but the grin didn't leave his face.
I smirked, then laughed bitterly. His reaction reminded me of what had happened earlier in the underground library. Honestly, I still couldn't believe it—the way he had responded then was beyond anything I had imagined.
"Ah, I get it now," I said, clapping slowly, my laughter sharpening with every sound. "You pulled that stunt to see if I could fake being fine whenever something from my past came up." I laughed louder, crueler this time. Then, just before I teleported back to the palace, I left him with words that wiped the grin clean off his face.
"Pretending to be fine is one thing—it helps put people at ease. But pretending you don't know your own past? That just makes people worry about you more, Dylan."
RHEIN'S POINT OF VIEW
It was already four in the afternoon when I woke up.
The first thing I searched for was Forelody. I laughed when I spotted her sprawled across the side table, right beside a brown paper bag. She had actually brought me food. Small but terrible, that one. For such a tiny bird, she is unbelievably strong, carrying something heavier than herself. Then again, she isn't just any bird.
My stomach grumbled, reminding me how long I had gone without eating. I reached for the bag and devoured what she had left me. Judging by her satisfied little snores, she had already feasted earlier—most likely on apples, as usual. Honestly, her name should be Apple.
I had just finished tidying up when a knock came at the door. I shoved the empty containers back into the paper bag and opened it.
"Why—" I froze mid-word. Standing outside was Brother Dylan, with his pracien perched on his shoulder. "What is it, Brother Dylan?"
They both bowed slightly before he smiled. "Good afternoon, Princess Rhein. By order of Rah, your capabilities will be tested today. Starting tomorrow, you'll undergo a series of trainings for a week. Since Princess Rona can't oversee it, Justin and I, along with the Great Elemental Generals, will be your trainers."
"H-ha?" I scratched my cheek, my brain scrambling. No—that wasn't it. I understood perfectly, but confusion still clouded my thoughts. Is this part of being a princess... or part of being a warrior? "Wait. For what purpose? Are you planning to throw me into a war?"
He laughed, shaking his head, as if I had just said the most ridiculous thing. "No. But who knows, someday? We can never tell when danger will come."
"Better to be prepared," his pracien added. "As a royal and one of the strongest of the mnarillazas, you will inevitably be drawn into battles."
I nodded. They were right. I couldn't allow myself to be someone who needed protection. "I understand. Wait a moment."
I slipped back inside and changed into training clothes—just a plain gray shirt, black jogging pants, and white rubber shoes. I tied my hair into a ponytail, readying myself.
The outfit made me think of Grandfather Lembo. This was always how I dressed during our trainings. Even at his age, he was still incredible. His kicks and punches could've been mistaken for those of an action star.
Forelody was fast asleep, curled up on my pillow. I couldn't bring myself to disturb her, so I carefully moved her there before stepping out.
Brother Dylan went first, so I followed silently behind him.
Honestly, it was easier to look at his back than his smile. Guilt still gnawed at me for what I had done earlier. Now, I understood why Sister had forbidden me from asking about his past. His reaction had said it all.
The sound of our footsteps echoed faintly through the hallway, mixing with my deep breathing and the quickening thump of my heart. The heaviness I felt wasn't from the upcoming test. Facing him is harder than I'd thought.
I glanced at Tyler. 'Leave us for a moment, please. I need to talk to Brother Dylan.'
He turned his head just slightly and gave a discreet nod. "Dylan, I'll grab some bread from the kitchen. I'm starving," he said aloud.
"Go ahead. Just catch up with us later."
"Thanks!" Tyler replied before flying off.
I was just about to call out to Dylan, still gathering the courage to start, when he suddenly stopped and turned to face me. His smile was sharp, almost knowing. I had the distinct feeling he realized I'd asked his pracien to leave.
"So," he said lightly, "what is it you wanted to talk about, Rhein?"