Chapter 20 *the oportunity*

Todays song is Tomboy by Destiny Rogers

  ENJOY

Today's events felt surreal—I never thought I'd manage to beat a well-trained Cerberus soldier. Even as Ms. Adele's sharp scolding rang in my ears, I couldn't help the smug smile plastered on my face. It wasn't going anywhere anytime soon.

Does this woman ever run out of steam? I thought, sneaking a glance at Louise. He bore the brunt of her wrath, his confused, almost pleading expression nearly sending me into fits of laughter.

I shot him a playful "sorry" smile. His exaggerated look of betrayal only made it harder to hold back my giggles. A tiny laugh escaped, and Ms. Adele's sharp glare immediately pinned me in place.

"And you," she snapped, turning her full attention to me. (Oh, great.) "Don't think you're off the hook. Go help Obrovsky with his bandages. That boy is as stubborn as a mule and refuses to put them on himself. Go. Now."

Grateful for the escape, I stomped away with a muttered, "Pfft, who needs help with bandages? Such a baby."

As I neared the room where Obrovsky was supposed to be, I threw a fake punch at the air. "How about I beat you up again you fucking ogre? This time with my bare hands," I whispered under my breath.

But when I opened the door, the room was empty. "Huh, weird," I murmured, stepping inside cautiously.

"Looking for someone?"

"HOLY SHIT!" I yelped, spinning around so fast I nearly tripped. Obrovsky loomed in the doorway, his towering frame making him look even more intimidating.

"You scared me!" I accused, clutching my chest.

"Am I really that terrifying?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. "Or were you just guilty of something?"

His words hit a little too close to home. Did he hear me earlier? My stomach dropped.

"I don't know what you're talking about," I said quickly, my voice rising an octave.

Obrovsky smirked, leaning against the doorframe. "Not only a pain in the ass but a liar"

I huffed, brushing past him. "Anyway, I'm here to help you with those bandages, apparently. Not that you deserve it."

"You? Help me? Don't make me laugh," he retorted, moving to sit on the couch.

"I'm trying to be nice here ok" I said, crossing my arms. "It's not my fault you're too stubborn to do it yourself."

"Nice? Is that what you call being nice?" He chuckled, but there was no malice in his tone.

"Duh" i reply sarcasticly 

He stared at me for a moment, as if trying to figure me out. "Why are you really here?"

"Ms. Adele told me to," I said, rolling my eyes. "And maybe because you're bleeding all over the place."

"Fair enough," he said, finally relenting.

"so" i say waiting for approval

"Bandages are in the drawer by the door." Finally

I quickly grabbed the medical supplies and sat back down. "Alright so um this might sting."

He only rolls his eyes "yeah whatever"

The moment I dabbed alcohol on his wound, he winced, hissing through his teeth. "FUCK Careful!"

"Oh, please. You're tougher than this," I teased.

"Says the girl who almost screamed the castle down when I walked in."

I laughed despite myself. "Touché."

We worked in silence for a few moments before he spoke again. "Why did you do it?"

"Do what?"

"Challenge me. You could've backed out."

I hesitated, then shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe I just wanted to prove to myself that I could."

"Prove it to who, though? Yourself? Or someone else?"

"Does it matter?" I countered, focusing on the bandage.

"Maybe not," he admitted. "But you fought well. I'll give you that."

The compliment took me by surprise. "Thanks," I said softly.

He grunted in response, and I couldn't help but smile.

"There," I said, tying the bandage in a neat knot. "Good as new."

"Not bad," he said, inspecting my work. "For someone who hits with shovels."

I laughed. "I DIDNT KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO."

"Yeah ofcourse," he said, smirking again.

"Alright, now it's your turn," I said, sitting back. "You owe me answers."

"Ask away."he sights

"Why did Alex leave so suddenly?"

Obrovsky's expression hardened. "That's not something I can talk about."

"But you know, don't you?" I pressed.

He hesitated, then nodded. "Yeah, I know. But it's not my story to tell."

"Fine. What can you tell me?"

He sighed, leaning back against the couch. "Alex has… responsibilities. Things only he can handle."

"Like what?"

"Alchemy of souls," he said simply.

"Alchemy?" I repeated, frowning. "What does that even mean?"

"It's complicated. And dangerous, anyway why do you care?"

I mulled over his words, trying to piece together the puzzle that was Alex. "He's not what I expected," I said quietly.

"Most people aren't," Obrovsky replied.

I looked at him, surprised by the softness in his tone. "You're not as bad as you seem, you know."

"Don't let it go to your head," he said, but there was a hint of a smile on his face.

Obrovsky stood abruptly, brushing invisible dust off his pants as if the conversation had left a residue he couldn't wait to get rid of.

"Wait—where are you going?" I blurted, startled by the sudden shift.

"We're done here," he said, his tone clipped, like a door slamming shut.

I blinked, feeling the moment slipping through my fingers. "I did my part—we're done," he added, already turning toward the door.

"WAIT!" I called, louder than I intended.

He stopped, slowly turning his head to give me a look—half-curious, half-irritated.

This was the first time we'd had a real, human conversation. I couldn't let it end like this.

"I'd like to make a request," I said, stepping closer. My voice was firmer than I expected.

"A request?" He arched an eyebrow, his tone dripping with skepticism. "Why would I help you?"

"We can make a deal," I offered, hoping I didn't sound as desperate as I felt.

"Not interested," he said flatly and made a move toward the door.

"I want you to teach me how to fight—like a warrior," I blurted, the words tumbling out in a rush.

That made him pause. He turned back, his brow furrowing as if I'd just asked him to teach me how to fly. "Fight?" he repeated, the word heavy with disbelief.

"Yes," I said quickly, before he could dismiss me. "I've always wanted to learn, but being a princess meant that opportunity never came."

"And what makes you think I'd help you?" he asked, folding his arms across his chest, his expression a mixture of intrigue and amusement.

I squared my shoulders, meeting his gaze. "If you do, I'll obey all your orders. No backtalk. I'll stop being a pain in your ass," I added with a mischievous smile, hoping to soften his edges just enough.

His lips twitched—almost like he wanted to smirk—but he held steady, his eyes narrowing as he studied me.

"I wouldn't go easy on you," he said finally, his tone low and warning.

"I'm ready for whatever you throw at me," I replied, my voice steady, though my heart pounded in my chest.

For a moment, there was only silence as he considered me, his eyes searching my face. Then, finally—

"…Alright," he said, his voice like gravel. "I'll teach you. BUT," he added sharply, raising a finger, "be prepared, princess. This isn't a tea party."

My grin was unstoppable, and before I knew it, I was jumping up and throwing my arms around him. "YOU'RE THE BEST!"

He froze, his entire body stiffening like I'd just doused him in ice water. "Get off," he said, his voice low and dangerous.

I stepped back immediately, my face flaming. "Sorry," I muttered, staring at the floor.

"Never do that again," he said sternly, though there was a flicker of something softer in his expression before he turned away.

"Got it," I said quickly, my excitement bubbling over despite the awkward moment.

Game is on.