XXXI ※ Baths, Daggers, and Bipolar Boys: A Guide to Surviving the Royal Circus

There wasn't any maid to help me with my bath, and for once, I was actually grateful for that. It wasn't a common occurrence, but today, I found it oddly satisfying to take care of myself. I didn't have to worry about anyone else's hands on me, especially considering that my maid-in-waiting, Emilia, would probably try to kill me if given the chance.

I knew, deep down, it wasn't her personally who would eventually be responsible for my death, but the mere idea that someone might be plotting against me, actively hoping for my downfall, left a bitter taste in my mouth. It was something that never sat well with me. In fact, I avoided it at all costs. I much preferred to be left alone in my own thoughts, without the looming presence of someone who might have dark intentions. So, the absence of a maid in this particular instance was more of a relief than a burden. It gave me space to breathe.

I sank into the steaming water, the hot, relaxing liquid enveloping me, and felt the warmth melt away the tension in my muscles. I closed my eyes for a moment and tried to shut off the noise in my head, trying not to dwell on the fact that I was using Avy's bathroom, and worse yet, laying on Avy's bed. It felt weird. Uncomfortable, even. There was no denying the strange unease that came with it, but there was no turning back now. I had to accept the situation, whether I liked it or not.

The sooner I got these thoughts out of my head, the better. So, I focused on the soothing sensation of the water surrounding me, the rhythm of my steady breathing, and the slow, deliberate way the heat seemed to erase the built-up tension in my shoulders. The discomfort faded, and I allowed myself a few moments of peace, something I didn't often get.

When I was done, I slowly stepped out of the bath, the warmth leaving my skin and the air cool against my damp body. I dressed quickly in one of my training outfits, the loose clothing designed for movement without restriction. I didn't care if it was considered improper for a Princess. At this point, I was far beyond worrying about what was deemed acceptable. I had bigger concerns, and appearances just didn't make the cut.

The outfit was simple, easy to move in, and that was all that mattered. My long hair, which I usually wore loose, was pulled back into root braids. It was a simple hairstyle, but it kept my hair out of my face, which was ideal when I needed to focus. I couldn't afford distractions while I was training, and this style kept everything in check. Practicality over appearance was becoming a regular theme these days.

With everything sorted, I left Avy's chambers and made my way to the private training grounds. It was a part of the castle I knew well, almost as well as my own home. The familiar layout made navigation easy, and I walked with purpose, eager to get some time to myself. The air outside was crisp, a refreshing contrast to the warmth of the bath I'd just taken. To my satisfaction, no one was there. I had the entire space to myself. Perfect. It was exactly what I needed. I wasted no time, slipping easily into my training routine, pushing myself harder than usual to release the pent-up frustration and exhaustion from my day. The physical exertion felt good, a distraction from the myriad of thoughts clouding my mind. For a while, it was just me, the training grounds, and the rhythm of my own movements.

It wasn't until I had run around the grounds for the tenth time, my body aching from the intense exertion, that I finally noticed someone had appeared. Rai. I didn't hear him approach, and he stood at the far left side of the sitting area, watching me intently. His red hawk eyes fixed on me, his gaze unwavering. He was holding a bottle of smoothie, his posture slightly stiff as though he didn't quite know how to act in this unexpected situation. I couldn't help but feel suspicious. How had he even gotten here? I hadn't heard a sound, no footfalls on the gravel or the soft rustle of clothing. Yet there he was, standing silently, staring at me as if I were a puzzle he couldn't quite solve.

I stopped abruptly, my breath coming in heavy gasps as I turned to face him. There was no real reason to be polite at this point. "Are you disappointed that I'm still alive?" I asked, my voice sharp and carrying a bite I didn't try to hide.

He didn't respond right away. Instead, he simply handed me the bottle, his movements slow and deliberate. I eyed it with growing suspicion. What was this? What did he want with me now?

"What's this?" I asked, my voice tinged with curiosity but laced with wariness. I didn't try to hide my skepticism. Something about this didn't sit right with me.

"I was on my way to the kitchen when your doctor, Hov, stopped me," Rai explained, his voice low and neutral. "He told me to bring this to you. Said you'd be here. And he was very specific about one thing: you're supposed to drink all of it."

Hov. Of course, it was Hov. I sighed, a little irritated by the intrusion. Still, I took the bottle from his hands. I gave it a quick once-over, still unsure whether to trust it. But in the end, I unscrewed the cap and took a sip. The flavor immediately surprised me. It was rich and refreshing, a perfect blend of cold milk, strawberries, bananas, papaya, avocado, mint, apple, lemon, and a touch of orange juice. The combination was unexpectedly delicious, and I found myself enjoying it more than I'd expected.

I finished the last of it and licked my lips, a satisfied smile playing at the corners of my mouth as I handed the now-empty bottle back to him. "Thank you for bringing this to me," I said, my tone softening just a bit, grateful despite myself.

Rai rolled his eyes, clearly annoyed by the whole ordeal. "I only did what he told me to do," he muttered under his breath, clearly not thrilled by the situation.

"But you still did it," I pointed out with a teasing smirk, feeling a little playful now. "So, thank you. And thank you for not messing with the smoothie."

I turned to walk away, eager to continue my training, but before I could take more than a few steps, I felt Rai's hand reach out and grasp mine. I froze, looking down at his hand, then slowly up at him, my heart racing. What was he doing?

"What?" I asked, raising an eyebrow, trying to read his expression. "You're not planning to kill me right now, are you?"

He sighed heavily, the weight of the world seemingly resting on his shoulders. "No. Of course not, Nsomi," he replied, his voice dripping with exasperation. That name again. "I just… I…"

He trailed off, leaving the sentence hanging in the air, unfinished, and I could see a strange look in his eyes. I couldn't tell if it was frustration, confusion, or something else entirely.

"Are you alright?" I asked before I could stop myself. He didn't seem like his usual self, and I couldn't help but wonder if something was wrong with him. Had I missed something?

He shot me a sharp, almost accusing look. "Are YOU alright?" he snapped, his voice edgy. "Why the heck are you asking me that? That's not like you at all."

"You almost died, Nsomi," he said quietly, his voice dropping to a low, almost vulnerable tone.

I stared at him, my eyes narrowing. "I bet you were happy with that," I replied, my voice harsh with a hint of bitterness.

He closed his eyes in frustration, letting out a low growl of irritation before pulling his hand away, as though it was burning him. "Think whatever you want," he muttered, his voice bitter and filled with a strange bitterness I couldn't quite place. "It's not like I care!" And just like that, he turned and vanished, disappearing as quickly as he had arrived.

I stood there for a moment, my mind racing as I processed what had just happened. What the hell was that all about?

"Bipolar," I muttered under my breath, shaking my head in disbelief. I didn't have the energy to figure him out right now. Whatever had just transpired, I wasn't in the mood to unpack it. Instead, I felt Sohan and Adonis approaching in the distance. But, rather than engaging with them, I chose to ignore their presence for now. My mind was still reeling from the exchange with Rai.

Instead, I focused on my training, picking up a set of daggers and resuming my routine. I threw them one by one, each dagger landing in the target with perfect precision. There was no room for distraction, no time for weakness. I hit all five targets at least five times each, my movements controlled and sharp. I wasn't in the mood to mess around today. Every throw was deliberate, calculated, and focused.

"And I thought you were as skilled as a frog."

The voice came from behind me, and I turned to find Sohan standing there, that cocky grin on his face, clearly amused by something. Before I could think, I flicked my wrist and sent a dagger flying in his direction. It was a perfect throw, aimed to miss him entirely, but I made sure the blade grazed his left cheekbone just enough to leave a small cut.

The dagger embedded itself in the target behind him with a soft thud.

Sohan froze, his eyes wide in shock, and Adonis beside him stood motionless, equally stunned. I allowed myself a smirk as I watched their dumbfounded expressions. I walked toward them, not saying a word, just enjoying the moment.

I retrieved the dagger from the target and, with a nonchalant shrug, stepped back a few paces, giving them space to breathe. I could feel their confusion hanging in the air as I continued my training, completely uninterested in whatever they thought of me.