The sun was slowly rising overhead, and a light heat filled the air. Its sharp rays fell on the open ground like fire.
Near the royal palace, in a large open field under strict guard, dozens of young men were standing in long lines. Armed soldiers were posted everywhere, their eyes sharp like hawks.
In one of those lines stood Riyan and Sunny, shoulder to shoulder. Both had come to join the army, but the reasons hidden in their hearts were completely different.
One by one, the candidates were being called forward. A harsh voice echoed—
"Come forward!"
Every test was cruel.
Even a small mistake could throw someone out immediately.
In the middle of the field lay a pile of heavy stones.
The orders were clear—
first, lift the heavy stones into the carriage,
then take them down,
and immediately after that—
fight each other with swords to show strength and skill.
When iron swords clashed, loud sounds echoed across the field. Sweat, dust, and exhaustion mixed together in the air.
This was the moment of decision—
who was worthy of the Everila Empire's army,
and who would return home with only a broken dream.
Riyan stood calmly,
as if all of this was just a simple game for him.
Sunny, however, had both excitement and fear clearly visible in his eyes.
This was not just recruitment—
it was the first step on a path where a person's fate could be made… or destroyed in a single moment. Sunny's turn came. He stepped forward nervously. Even the commander's voice sounded frightening to him.
With shaking hands, he lifted the stone, placed it into the carriage, then took it down.
During sword fighting, he was a bit weak,
but he was not rejected.
The commander said coldly,
"You will learn good sword skills in the army."
And Sunny was allowed to go inside.
Now it was Riyan's turn. Riyan stepped forward. He lifted the stone as if it were a flower— And in a single moment threw it into the carriage, then slammed it onto the ground.
The soldiers were shocked.
"Great strength!"
"Unbreakable power!"
"True warrior!"
"Strength of an elephant!"
People began patting his back from all sides.
Just as Riyan picked up the sword,
a voice echoed from afar—
"The Queen is arriving!"
Riyan's eyes turned toward the huge gate.
At that very moment, he saw his chance.
With fast, precise, and controlled movements,
he swung the sword—
as if he was showing only a small part of his true power.
At the same time, Queen Elara entered on horseback. She saw the scene and said with a faint smile,
"Good skill."
Her praise silenced the entire field. Elara looked at the commander and said,
"He will be kept as my bodyguard."
Their eyes met.
It felt as if the wind had stopped. The world around them disappeared for a few seconds.
But the moment broke quickly.
Riyan was shaken from within.
For the first time… His heart had fallen for someone— And she was not an ordinary woman, but a queen.
He bowed his head and said,
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Elara gave her order,
"Prepare him. From tomorrow, he will work for me— As a bodyguard."
The commander nodded immediately.
Queen Elara had already left.
Riyan stood there, frozen.
Sunny shook his shoulder and said,
"Brother, the Queen has already gone.
Why are you standing like that?"
Riyan smiled lightly and said,
"Nothing…"
Then softly added,
"I've fallen in love."
Sunny was shocked.
"Love?! With whom?"
Riyan just smiled.
Sunny said nervously,
"Hey! She's the Queen!
Do you want to get me killed along with you?!"
Evening slowly began to fall.
Both of them returned home and ate dinner together with Enya at the same table.
Sunny praised the rice and said,
"You made the rice very tasty."
After that, Enya quietly stood up and left.
Sunny felt strange. He thought that maybe he had said something wrong.
He asked Riyan,
"Did I say something wrong?"
Riyan was chewing his food and simply shook his head to say "no."
Then he went to his room and closed the door.
Sunny understood that something was not right. He stood up and went into the room. Seeing Enya there, he started thinking—
"Ah… how did I forget? Riyan has closed his room. I was supposed to stay with him.
Now how am I going to handle this?"
Enya said in a firm voice,
"I won't sleep on the floor."
Sunny looked at the bed nearby and said,
"When did I say you should sleep on the floor?"
Poor Sunny began to spread his bedding on the floor for himself.
Just then, Enya spoke again,
"Will you sleep down on the floor?"
Hearing this, Sunny looked at Enya as if she was joking with him.