"Ragnar… Ragnar… wake up."
Queen Elara's voice flowed gently into the dim room.
Ragnar shifted under the blankets, hair a mess, eyes half-open, brain still booting up.
"…It's so early…" he mumbled, not even checking who he was talking to.
The Queen stepped further inside and sat carefully at the corner of his bed, her long dress pooling around her like soft fabric waves. She smiled warm, motherly.
"It's time to wake up, Ragnar."
Ragnar blinked twice… then froze.
"Good morning, Mrs. Queen. Uh… did I do something? Am I in trouble?"
She chuckled softly, amused. "No, no. I just wanted to talk. My husband is in a meeting, the nobles are boring, and you're the only lively person awake at this hour."
Ragnar rubbed his eyes. "I'm honored, I think... but wait I wasn't awake."
She laughed again, gently nudging his shoulder. "Come now. Won't you like to talk to me before you have to start training Aurora."
"…Yeah," Ragnar admitted under his breath. "But couldn't you have chosen a different time?"
Elara brightened. "Then let's talk about something fun. Fashion? Books? My garden?"
Ragnar sat up, suddenly awake. "The garden! Yeah! Wait you read books too? Like what kind?"
Her eyes twinkled. "Historical romances, travel records, magical botany, and" she leaned in like she was telling a secret, "fashion portfolios."
Ragnar almost gasped. "Fashion?? For real?"
Ragnar didn't like to admit it but he was into fashion and romance novels but he never says it outload because Vincent and Merlin once made fun of him for it.
"For real," she grinned.
"Mrs.Queen, theres not a lot of people I can tell that I like fashion because of reasons... but I'm really happy that your also into fashion"
"Oh, absolutely," she said dramatically. "Yesterday my husband mixed gold embroidery with silver. I almost fainted."
Ragnar put a hand to his chest. "That's a crime."
"It is a crime," Elara agreed, poking his forehead. "At least someone in this kingdom appreciates color theory."
"Hey, I try!" Ragnar said With a soft smile.
They both giggled like old friends.
"And books…" Elara continued. "You always look so focused when you read. What do you like?"
Ragnar's face lit up. "Adventure and romance novels. Magic diaries. And… uh… gardening books. I like learning about new plants... actually I like learning about anything new in general."
"Ahh, a boy after my own heart," she teased. "Come. Let's walk before the sun climbs too high."
---
The two walked side by side through the dew-lit courtyard. Birds sang. Leaves shimmered. The castle felt miles away.
"So," Elara said. "Which flowers do you want to ask about? You were practically vibrating earlier."
Ragnar pointed instantly.
"Those ones. The blue and white roses."
Elara approached them with a soft laugh. "Of course you'd be drawn to these."
Ragnar tilted his head. "Why? What does that mean?"
She touched one of the petals, smile growing sentimental.
"I received these from your mother. The day you were born."
Ragnar froze.
"You… knew my mom?"
"Yes," Elara said with a sigh of nostalgia. "She was extraordinary. You have her eyes, you know. And her kindness."
He swallowed hard.
Elara continued gently, "When you all moved away, I thought you'd return sooner… but when you came back four years ago, I was told both your parents had passed."
'Calm down Ragnar there not here.' Ragnar thought to himself.
---
Ragnar's breath hitched. Hard.
He tried to speak. Tried to answer. Tried to stay normal.
But the world had already tilted sideways.
His chest tightened sharply like invisible hands squeezing his lungs. His throat closed. His fingers trembled uncontrollably.
'No. No, no, no, not now. Not here. Breathe. Breathe—' Ragnar's thoughts spiraled out of control.
But the harder he tried, the faster everything spiraled.
Elara turned and saw it immediately Ragnar shaking, eyes wide, breathing fast and shallow.
"Ragnar?" she whispered.
She reached for his shoulder.
"Ragnar, look at me."
He didn't respond he just backed away, clutching his shirt over his heart like he was trying to hold himself together.
'They can't hurt you anymore your stronger your safe... then why do I fell so...' Ragnar thoughts keep spiraling.
"I—I'm fine" he stammered, but his voice broke in half.
"Ragnar," Elara said firmly but softly, stepping closer. "Sweetheart, breathe. You're having a panic attack."
He shook his head violently, tears starting to spill.
"No— I just— I'm not—"
His knees buckled. His breathing turned sharp and fast, like he was choking on air.
His eyes weren't even looking at her anymore they were looking at something behind her, something she couldn't see.
Elara acted instantly. She pulled him into her arms, holding him tight but gentle.
"Ragnar, listen to my voice. You're safe. You're safe with me."
He pressed his forehead against her shoulder, hands gripping her sleeves with desperation.
"I'm sorry— I'm sorry— I'm okay"
His words were broken. Not about parents. Not about death. Not about the past she thought she understood.
Elara stroked his hair slowly. "You don't have to apologize. Ever. You're allowed to feel. You're allowed to break. Just breathe with me, okay? In… and out. Slowly."
Ragnar tried. He failed. He tried again.
And she stayed with him every second.
Eventually the shaking slowed. His breaths grew steadier. He loosened his grip.
Elara spoke softly, not moving.
"We don't have to talk about anything painful. Not today. Not ever, unless you want to."
Ragnar wiped his eyes but didn't let go of her yet.
"No… it's not your fault," he whispered, voice small and exhausted. "I just… I just want to stop thinking about certain things."
"Then we won't go near those things," she said gently. "Not until you're ready."
'How much could a 14 year old boy have gone through' the Queen thought to herself.
He nodded, still trembling.
Elara kept a hand on his back, rubbing comforting circles.
For a moment, neither spoke. It wasn't awkward anymore. Just quiet. Safe at that moment Ragnar felt safe.
After a while, she smiled softly.
"…Would you like to sit? Maybe talk about something lighter? Fashion disasters, perhaps?"
Ragnar laughed barely.
'I guess I'm still running away from my problems, huh?' Ragnar thought to himself
"Yeah… that sounds nice."
Elara smiled, relieved.
"Good. I happen to have endless fashion complaints."
Ragnar sat beside her, still recovering but calmer leaning slightly into her shoulder. And Elara stayed with him, patient and protective.
'Look at me being protected like I'm a child I need to grow stronger so strong that I don't get affected by my past' Ragnar made an internal promise to himself.
The Queen looked of at a distance.
"Hey Ragnar do you know about magi-flowers?"
"Yes I've heard about them but I've never seen them in person. If I remember correctly their plants that have elemental properties, right?" Ragnar replied
The Queen laughed.
"Aren't you a smart boy but the only problem is that I can't grow them, maybe I could if you lived here"
"Oh yeah because they need to be exposed to a lot of mana constantly." Ragnar looked at the Queen. "More mana than anyone can produce constantly"
"Yeah but you are always leaking mana don't you ever run out?"
"No" Ragnar replied with a cheeky smile.
"You really are amazing Ragnar. You know at first I thought you were going to be cold to me like how you are with my husband" the Queen said.
Ragnar got serious.
"Well I don't hate you I just hate you husband is all"
The Queen smiled.
"As long as you don't hate me I'm fine with it"
As they were having this conversation the princess went outside ready for her next magic lesson.
Aurora's voice echoed across the courtyard.
"Ragnar! Where are you?"
Ragnar dusted off his clothes, turning to Queen Elara with an apologetic smile.
"Well, it's been nice talking to you. But I think your daughter's about to tear down the castle looking for me."
Elara laughed lightly, covering her mouth in that elegant queenly way.
"I suppose I should leave you to the chaos, then. Try not to let her break anything."
As Ragnar stepped out of the garden, Aurora stood there with her arms crossed, tapping her foot like she'd been waiting an hour.
Her eyes narrowed.
"What were you doing with my mother?"
Ragnar blinked. "Why does it sound like you're accusing me?"
"Because you look guilty."
"I look tired." Ragnar corrected. "And for your information, we were just talking about flowers and fashion. Your mom's a fashion menace like, in a good way."
Aurora clicked her tongue.
"Rude. But okay."
Before Ragnar could reply, she grabbed his wrist hard and dragged him toward the open field behind the castle.
"I was thinking," she said, looking ridiculously excited, "today we fight. So can we? Please?"
'Plus I want to shut Ragnar up for good. I'm tired of that annoying smug smile. So please accept my proposal' she thought secretly.
Ragnar sighed like he'd just accepted his fate.
"Princess… have you ever actually been in a fight? A real one?"
Aurora puffed her chest out. "No. But how hard can it be? You just throw magic around and look cool."
"…You know what? Let's do it." Ragnar smirked. "But don't cry when you lose."
'Well I've been itching to punch her in the face' Ragnar thought to himself
Aurora stomped forward. "Oh please. You better not cry when I win."
Aurora hopped back, spreading her fingers as mana gathered around them bright, golden, radiant. The air trembled.
Two golden birds formed behind her smaller, purer, sharper than before.
[Summon (9th Grade)]
They circled her body, dissolving into streams of light.
One wrapped around her arm and condensed into a sword. The other split in two. one half becoming glowing gauntlets,
the other forming boots of light beneath her legs. Her whole body lit up with golden veins of mana.
She looked like a hero ripped from some legend. And she settled into a sword stance so clean, so professional, Ragnar's eyes widened.
[Sword Saint's blessing (7th Grade)]
'Seriously? A blessing? Already? Give me a break… not ven Alys has that' Ragnar thought.
Aurora lunged. Her sword came down like a falling star.
Ragnar summoned his own blade a flame katana blooming into existence in his hand.
[Flame blade (10th Grade)]
The blades clashed. The shockwave sent Ragnar skidding across the field.
"Damn—" he muttered, stopping himself.
Aurora didn't let up. She vanished or rather she moved so fast Ragnar barely caught the blur.
He spun too slow. Her fist slammed into his jaw.
He flew, tumbling, and stabbed his katana into the dirt to stop himself.
Aurora smirked, hair glowing like sunlight.
"Come on, Ragnar! For someone who talks so much, you're weak!"
Ragnar wiped blood from his lip.
"I'll admit it. You're talented. But your mouth is still annoying."
'She's strong… but I'm stronger.'
He steadied himself.
'Still… for a first fight, this is insane. If given more time she can even surpass Alys.'
Aurora charged again, winding up another punch a portal opened right in front of her fist.
Her punch disappeared then reappeared from a portal at her left side, hitting her in the ribs.
"WHAT—?!" Aurora yelped, stumbling.
Ragnar dashed in, kicking her square in the stomach. She flew back, landing hard.
She got up quickly, teeth gritted. "That stupid portal—!"
She tried punching Ragnar again.
He opened another portal.She punched herself again.
Ragnar flicked his wrist. A fireball ignited in his palm.
[Fire ball (10th Grade)]
He grabbed the flame and punched her with it.
Golden light clashed with fiery red as Aurora was blasted backward, rolling across the grass and skidding to a halt.
The fight was over.
Ragnar stretched lazily.
"For someone new to all this, you did great. And you got a blessing too. Pretty impressive."
Aurora pushed herself up, sniffling.
"If it wasn't for your stupid portals— I would've won!"
Ragnar stared at her blankly.
'If I didn't use portals… I'd be holding back… meaning she'd win…? That doesn't make sense, Princess.'
He shrugged.
"Even without portals, I was going to win that fight."
Aurora stood up again, wiping her tears quickly.
"Let's go again. One last time."
"Nope." Ragnar brushed dirt off his clothes. "I've got stuff to do. And besides your blessing ate half your mana. You're exhausted."
Aurora pouted.
"…Fine."
Ragnar pointed at her. "Listen up. This is important I'm going to explain how magic grades and blessing work, so don't forget."
"Magic grades go from 10th grade the weakest all the way down to Null grade the strongest."
Aurora blinked. "But why lower numbers?"
"Because lower means deeper control. More condensed mana. Stronger spells."
He continued
"Each grade has three stages low, mid and high, think of them like progress bars."
He pointed to her chest lightly.
"You're at low 10th grade."
"And you?" Aurora asked.
"I'm at high 10th grade."
Aurora raised her hand again. "So what about Alys and Magna?"
Ragnar answered calmly:
"Magna's at mid 9th grade.
Alys is at low 8th grade."
'So Ragnar is weaker than both of them but it doesn't feel like it.' Aurora thought to herself.
Aurora frowned.
"So how do I get stronger?"
"Training. Refining your spells. When you hit high in a grade, you'll feel it. It clicks. Then you pray to a god who has dominion over your magic affinity to advance."
Aurora nodded slowly.
"Okay… then what about blessings?"
Ragnar scratched the back of his head.
"That… I actually don't know much about."
Aurora deadpanned.
"What do you mean you don't know!? Aren't you supposed to know?!"
"They haven't covered it in school yet!" Ragnar defended himself. "All I know is blessings are divine gifts. Rare. Powerful. And completely unpredictable."
Aurora groaned dramatically.
"Fine. I'll ask a mage. You're useless for this part."
Ragnar threw his hands up.
"Hey! I bodied you in that fight!"
"And I still almost won!" she argued.
Ragnar snorted.
"You punched yourself twice."
Aurora's face turned red.
"SHUT UP!"
Ragnar laughed as they walked back toward the castle.