Blanchette's eyes fluttered open to darkness, only to find herself strapped to a cold iron chair, heavy chains wrapped around her wrists and ankles. Her arms throbbed from the tight iron shackles, and her body ached, though the pain was dulled slightly by layers of fresh bandages. Someone had treated her wounds.
Then she noticed a figure emerging from the shadowy corner of the room, stepping into the dim light. It was Alexander Kaizer, tall, broad-shouldered, and with a presence that made the very room feel heavier.
"Were you sent here to kill me?" he asked coldly, narrowing his sharp eyes. "Are you an assassin sent by my son...?"
"I have no time to waste," Blanchette cut in, her voice like steel. "I was told you could make me stronger. I'm not here to entertain your delusions."
Her left eye glowed bright blue, a crackling aura radiating from it despite the bandages covering her other eye. The raw intensity in her gaze made Alexander instinctively take a step back.
"You... you're my brother's granddaughter," he said, stunned. "You've got his eyes. Blanchette, wasn't it? You've grown into a fine young woman... But why this path? You're a princess. You don't need strength."
"There's someone I have to protect," she said, her voice trembling slightly with emotion. "He risks everything for others, his life, his sanity. I can't just stand by and watch him suffer anymore."
Alexander tilted his head. "Let me guess. A peasant? Like Lancelot? And you love him."
"No. He's a noble. A pure noble. And yes... I love him."
"Then why is he in harm's way if he's a pure human noble?"
"He's not human. He's a werewolf."
Alexander reeled. "Blanchette! You love the enemy?"
"Enemy?" she snarled, her voice like a flame. "Who decides that? I love him more than anything and I'll kill anyone who dares to harm him."
Her blue eye flared with renewed energy, blazing from beneath the bruises and bandages.
Alexander stared for a long moment, then burst into laughter. A deep, hearty laugh that echoed across the stone walls. Blanchette's eye dimmed, annoyed by the reaction.
"Hah... Alright, Blanchette. I get it now. You've got fire. But this path you've chosen, it's not easy. Not even my grandson Lancelot made it halfway. He nearly died trying. But if you want to surpass human and werewolf alike... if you want to become the strongest knight in the world..."
"I'll do whatever it takes," she said, unwavering.
Alexander smirked and walked over to a drawer, pulling out a pair of scissors. "First, we're getting rid of all that hair. It gets in the way during combat."
He stepped behind her, but Blanchette suddenly looked around frantically.
"What are you looking for?" he asked.
"My knuckle busters... Did I drop them while climbing?"
Alexander raised a brow, opened another drawer, and pulled them out. "These? Good craftsmanship. Why are they so important?"
"They were a gift. From Joshua."
His expression froze, the name hitting him like a gust of wind from the past.
(Joshua Xeno… the son of Scarlett. So, your son managed to win the heart of the princess, Scarlett. You'd be proud.)
Alexander burst into laughter again.
Blanchette scowled. "What's so funny? Is Joshua's gift that laughable?"
"No, no," Alexander said, waving off her glare as he walked behind her again, scissors in hand. "Now hold still. Say your goodbyes to your royal locks."
Blanchette didn't flinch, her expression unbothered as the scissors snipped through her hair.
(No reaction? Not even a pout? Tch... Lancelot gave me a better show. What happened to girls and their hair?) Alexander mused.
Meanwhile, back at the training grounds, Lancelot, Jack, and Raphael had just finished sparring.
Lancelot sneezed.
"Bless you," Raphael said.
"You know what that means," Jack chimed in with a goofy grin. "Someone's thinking about you. Maybe a secret admirer?"
"With Lancelot's luck," Raphael chuckled, "it's probably a mortal enemy."
They all laughed, until they spotted Joshua approaching on his crutches. His wounds had healed somewhat, but he was still fragile.
Joshua smiled at them, until he noticed their unusually solemn expressions.
"Hey guys, why the long faces? Did you see Blanchette?"
Lancelot stepped forward. "Joshua... You should go see my father. He has something for you. About Blanchette."
Joshua's smile vanished. "What do you mean? Did something happen to her?"
He hobbled off as fast as he could, determination in his eyes.
Jack sighed. "How do you think he'll take it?"
Raphael looked thoughtful. "Hard to say. But I know I'd be a wreck if Julia left."
Lancelot crossed his arms. "Don't worry. Joshua's tougher than he looks. And I'm sure Blanchette left something behind for him."
Joshua reached Captain Percival's door and knocked, his hands trembling. Sweat dripped down his brow as the door opened, revealing Percival's serious face. Without a word, the captain handed him a folded letter.
Joshua quickly opened it.
Joshua,
I killed Sawyl and got revenge for you.
But I realized something, how I am now, I can't protect you.
I can't stand watching you suffer while I'm powerless.
So I went to train with Alexander the Great.
I might be gone a while, but this is all for you.
Don't forget, I love you.
Your little red riding hood,
Blanchette
Joshua sank to the floor, the letter clutched in his trembling hands. He leaned against the wall and cried, struggling to wipe away the tears.
Percival watched him quietly, sadness in his eyes.
But then Joshua chuckled between sniffles.
"You guys made it sound like she died or something... but she just went off to train."
He wiped away his tears and smiled.
Percival's lips curled into a soft grin. "We thought it'd be a hard pill to swallow."
"Nah," Joshua said, standing with shaky resolve. "This just showed me... I'm still too weak. I keep getting hurt and making her worry. So I'll get stronger. Strong enough to stand beside her."
His eyes burned with determination.
And somewhere far above, on the peak of the Lion's Mountain, Blanchette endured the first brutal test of her training, her heart beating in rhythm with the one she left behind.