ibiangoyike

In the kingdom of Valderin, where strength defines one's worth, Elara dreams of becoming a knight—an honor forbidden to women. Determined to defy the odds, she disguises herself as a boy and enlists in the kingdom’s elite knight training.

But her path is anything but easy. Standing between her and her dream is Commander Damien, the kingdom’s strongest warrior and the leader of the knights. Ruthless, disciplined, and unyielding, he sees her as nothing more than a weakling unworthy of his approval. If she wants to survive the brutal trials and earn her place among the knights, she must prove him wrong.

As Elara rises through the ranks, pushing past limits she never imagined, Damien begins to notice something unsettling about this new recruit—an unwavering determination that sets "him" apart. The more they clash, the more the tension between them grows, sparking emotions neither of them can afford to feel.

But war is brewing, and secrets can only stay hidden for so long. When the truth comes to light, will Elara’s strength be enough to protect her dream—or will the betrayal cost her everything, including the man she never meant to fall for?

A Warrior's secret

Elara barely had time to recover before training intensified.

The recruits were pushed harder, their limits tested in ways that left them gasping for air by the end of each session. Bruises became a permanent part of their bodies, exhaustion a constant companion.

For Elara, the struggle was personal.

Each mistake she made, she memorized. Each failure, she analyzed.

Because Damien was watching.

Elara was beginning to notice something.

Damien wasn't just feared for his skill—he was admired.

The way the knights spoke about him, the way the recruits stiffened in his presence, the way even nobles took a second glance when he passed.

His presence, his demeanor, the way his cold blue eyes seemed to strip people down to their barest truths.

Even without his armor, he was commanding.

And then, of course—there were his admirers.

Elara hadn't paid attention to them before, but now?

The way noble ladies whispered behind their fans when he walked by.

The way even some female knights stole glances.

The way a certain princess seemed particularly interested in him.

A vision of regal beauty—golden hair, piercing green eyes, and a confidence that made her seem untouchable.

She was, without question, one of the most beautiful women Elara had ever seen.

And yet, it was Damien's expression that made her pause.

Because while Seraphina was watching Damien with clear interest…

More Than Meets the Eye

Elara tensed, snapping out of her thoughts.

Damien stood a few feet away, arms crossed, gaze unreadable.

Elara straightened immediately. "No, sir."

Damien's eyes lingered on her for a moment too long.

She followed without question.

He led her away from the training grounds, past the other recruits, until they reached a quieter section of the courtyard.

A single training dummy stood in the center.

"You rely too much on dodging," Damien said flatly. "You need to learn how to take a hit."

Elara stiffened. "I can take a hit."

Before she could respond—he moved.

A flash of movement—Elara barely had time to react before his wooden practice sword struck toward her side.

Pain flared as the blade tapped against her ribs—controlled, but firm enough to sting.

Elara tried to anticipate, to counter—but every time she moved, he was faster.

Sweat dripped down her brow as she adjusted her stance, remembering every lesson she had forced herself to learn.

When he struck next, she didn't try to avoid it completely.

And then—she struck back.

It wasn't enough to truly hit him.

But it was enough for him to pause.

For the first time, Damien's lips tugged into something dangerously close to a smirk.

Elara barely had time to process that before he attacked again.

Beneath the surface