6 - Chapter

- Princess, doesn't your arm hurt when I press here? - The doctor asked, lightly pressing my wrist.

- No... - I replied, trying not to roll my eyes.

After the conversation I'd overheard, I began to drift off to sleep, and when I woke up, Dr. Astil was leaning over me. He'd been asking me these stupid questions for five hours.

- And if I press here? - He touched my palm gently, as if he wanted to test something important.

- Neither, – I replied reluctantly, fighting my irritation.

- Good, – he said, squinting thoughtfully. - Now raise your hand. Slowly.

- Dr. Astil, what is the point of all this? - I couldn't stand it anymore.

- To see if your condition is stable, Princess, – he said dryly, as if it were obvious.

Stable? Was there anything unstable? And more importantly, why didn't I get any answers to my questions?

The interesting thing is that this doctor is the same Astil whose voice I heard at dawn. Apparently he's asking me all these stupid questions for a reason. It must have something to do with the conversation I overheard. Isn't he checking if I have magic?

Although... Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe he's just a boring guy who doesn't know what else to do.

I watched him absently. His serious face and focused gaze gave the impression of a man who wasn't in the habit of joking around. But that only made me more annoyed.

- Dr. Astil, – I said, crossing my arms over my chest, – are you sure these questions are really necessary?

He raised an eyebrow, but didn't even try to hide a slight smile.

- Absolutely, Princess, – he said, as if that explained everything.

I rolled my eyes.

After hours of interrogation, I was finally released for breakfast. Finally! I'm free! Now I will enjoy sweets and pastries.

With these thoughts in my mind, I quickly made my way to the dining room. The doors of the dining room swung open, and I was already mentally deciding whether to start with scones or pastries. But suddenly I froze.

Sitting in one of the chairs was the same boy from the garden. As I walked in, he looked up at me. Sapphire eyes. I wasn't wrong. They really are so unusual.

But his look... It was cold. It was as if I didn't want to save him, but rather wanted to hurt him.

What's wrong with him?

Just because he's the son of an archduke doesn't give him the right to be rude.

Ungrateful.

- Princess, we have prepared a seat next to the young master. Please sit down," the maid said, pointing to the chair next to the boy.

I sat down slowly, tense. So he was the one they wanted to keep here until the Winter Ball? Then he really is the son of the Archduke Nocton. And the owner of the cold voice in this conversation is the Archduke.

If I'm not mistaken, his full name is Lucian Nocton. And if he is the future Archduke, how should I address him? Young Master? The future Archduke?

Well, what do we do now? My "dear" mother didn't bother with etiquette lessons, so I'll have to figure it out myself. Let it be as it is.

- Uh, uh. You're the.... – I hesitated, trying to collect my thoughts, and then I said, – Mr. Lucian, how are you feeling?

Oh, my God. That sounded so stupid.

He looked at me with his cold sapphire eyes.

- It's okay, – he said briefly and continued eating his porridge.

I frowned. Porridge? Why porridge? Only now did I notice that there were no sweets on the table. That's strange, because before there were always cakes, muffins, scones... ....

- Excuse me, where are all the sweets? - I asked the maid.

She looked at me with a slight smile, as if she had already expected this question.

- For the next few days, only healthy food will be served for breakfast, lunch and dinner, for your own good, Princess.

What the...? Why? I'm not sick! This is ridiculous!

I turned to Lucian and narrowed my eyes suspiciously. It's all his fault! Of course it's all his fault. If it wasn't for him, nothing would have changed.

"Petty tyrant," I mentally snorted, biting into a spoonful of porridge as if it were literally his fault.

I like porridge, but... I like candy more. It's not fair. Why should I suffer because of a boy?

I looked at Lucian, who seemed to be completely unaware of me. He was calmly eating his porridge as if nothing had happened.

- So you only like 'healthy food', huh? - I muttered under my breath, but loud enough for him to hear.

He looked up at me, his gaze as cold as before.

- Did you say something? - He asked with an indifferent tone.

- No, no, – I replied quickly, lowering my eyes back to my plate.

Why is he so cold? Not even a thank you for saving me, and now you've robbed me of my joy!

- You know, I was expecting a thank you, – I blurted out before I could think.

Lucian looked at me again. His eyes sparkled, but his expression remained impassive.

- Gratitude? - He asked with a small smile, but there was a slight mockery in his voice.

Is that why I said it? As always, my tongue was working faster than my head. But it was too late to back out, so I lifted my chin and said,

– Yes. It's not every day that someone agrees to freeze to death for another person.

He tilted his head slightly, as if pondering my words, and replied,

– I didn't ask you to do that.

My cheeks flushed.

- Well, I'm sorry I showed you kindness, – I grumbled, jamming my spoon into the porridge as hard as I could, as if it was the porridge that was to blame, not his cold answer.

My eyes watered. I wanted to cry. But why? I'm not weak. He's just a stupid boy with a cold look and a cold heart. He doesn't even know what I went through for him.

It's because of my childish body, and that's why my character is a bit childish.

I gripped the spoon so tightly that my fingers turned white, and I stared down at my plate. The tears came, but I didn't want to show that I was hurt.

- If you want to cry, cry, – he said softly, but there was no pity or mockery in his voice.

I looked up at him in surprise. His face was still emotionless, but there was something in his eyes that I couldn't quite make out.

- I'm not going to cry, – I muttered, trying to keep the tremor out of my voice. - Especially not for someone like you.

Lucian didn't say anything. He just went back to his porridge as if it didn't matter. And I continued to fight the tears.

- It's okay, you're just a kid, – he said suddenly.

I froze, not believing my ears. His voice sounded calm, but the words he said stabbed me.

- What? – I squeezed out, staring at him wide-eyed.

- I'm saying it's okay for a baby to cry if they want to. You're just a baby, Princess, – he said, not looking up from his plate.

- You know that! - I felt anger rise up inside me and push out the urge to cry. - I'm not that little!

He lifted his head slightly and looked at me with the same icy stare.

- Nine years old is still a child, – he added calmly.

- And you're an adult? Eleven years old is a big wise man, isn't it? - I snorted, trying not to show that his words had hurt me more than I'd expected.

- twelve, – he corrected

He didn't say anything, just shrugged his shoulders.

- Wow! - I muttered to myself as I stared at him. - A little guy messing with me.

I was seething inside. Dude, you have no idea who you're talking to! I was 28 years old in a previous life! And I know how to deal with arrogant guys like you!

- Is something wrong, Princess? - He asked without looking at me, but there was a hint of sarcasm in his voice.

- Nothing is wrong, – I said, crossing my arms over my chest and glaring at him defiantly. - It just amazes me how an twelve year old can be so... arrogant.

- Arrogant? - he looked directly at me this time, his sapphire eyes glittering. - That's an interesting accusation, especially coming from someone who thinks he's an adult at nine.

I can't believe how much he pisses me off.

I ate my porridge quickly, even though it felt strange. Was it good? Unpalatable? I don't know. This must be the "healthy food" the maid was talking about.

But if breakfast is porridge, what's for lunch? Chickpea soup? Bean soup? The thought made me shudder.

I sighed and glanced furtively at Lucian. He looked perfectly content, as if this was what he ate every day. Well, I'll just have to get used to it. Inwardly, I began to think of a plan to save my candy.

A servant, a tall and neatly dressed man, entered the dining room. He stopped at the door, bowed his head and greeted us:

- Good morning, young master. - Then his eyes fell on me. - Good morning, Princess Emilia. My name is Denis and I am young master Lucian's personal servant.

I nodded, not having time to answer as my mouth was full of porridge.

- What's next on the agenda? - Lucian asked calmly, pushing the empty plate away.

- You have a fencing lesson, young master, – Denis said.

Fencing? Really? He almost died yesterday!

- Excuse me, but shouldn't he be resting? I mean, he's been unconscious for a while now! - I blurted out, frowning.

Denis suddenly looked at me, slightly surprised, and said

– Princess, it happened a week ago.

I froze, the spoon almost fell out of my hand. What? A week ago?! I gripped the spoon tightly, trying to comprehend what I was hearing.

A week. I slept for a week?

My plans. My escape... I did a quick calculation in my head. The Winter Ball was only eleven days away! Eleven days!

«How could I have slept for so long!!!» Everything turned upside down inside me, and desperation began to set in. Time was slipping away, and I hadn't even started my plan!

«That's why it took that doctor so long to examine me...» - I thought as I watched Lucian slowly get up from his seat.

I looked at him quickly. I need him. After all, he knows the palace of Ian like the back of his hand. If I want to have even the slightest chance to escape, I'll have to stay close to him.

- Uh, that's... Mr. Lucian, can I come with you? - I asked hesitantly, feeling that my words sounded a bit silly.

Lucian opened his mouth to answer, but he didn't have time - his servant Denis had already spoken for him: - Of course, Princess.

I breathed a sigh of relief. Great.

Following them, I expected the training ground to be somewhere outside. But to my surprise, we were led into a warm and spacious room with high ceilings and large windows.

I also noticed a sign with an emblem - it was the Order of the Moon, one of the most prestigious knightly orders in the kingdom. As it turned out, their headquarters was literally a few steps away from the palace.

«I like fencing...» - I thought, looking around. «I liked it in my previous life.»

When I was a kid, the sword and the training had always seemed like something incredibly exciting. It wasn't just a sport, but an art where skill and concentration were so important.

A servant opened the heavy door in front of us and I entered the hall where several knights were already preparing for training. The air smelled of metal, leather, and the faint scent of fresh wood - obviously the training swords had just been polished.

«Also...» - I furtively looked around, unable to hold back a slight smile, «I like a man with a good figure.»

Yeah, I know that sounds a little perverse, but what can you do? All those muscles, those perfectly contoured abs... They're so cool, aren't they! Even the ones who are just warming up in their workout uniforms look amazing.

And the uniforms! A black turtleneck, a white shirt over it, pants or pants - it's just a work of art. Simple, but incredibly elegant. Even that has some charm to it.

I shifted my gaze to Lucian. Even though he's only 12, he's already pretty good at fencing. «Of course, he's the son of an Archduke,» I thought.

He's quite tall for his age, and his build is strong. Although, come to think of it... in the fantasy world, it seems like everyone always looks like a model from childhood.

Yes, I admit Lucian is handsome. Even with his eternal cold stare. «Damn, life isn't fair,» my mind flashed as I watched him confidently fend off his opponent's blows.

The knight who trained him was clearly trying to keep up with the boy, but Lucian moved so smoothly and precisely that it looked like he'd been doing it for decades.

«And he's not even a teenager yet...»- I sighed.

And then a spark went off in my head. an idea. Genius? No, more like stupid. But so exciting!

«Why don't I try to fight him?»

I imagined going onto the court, picking up my rapier and challenging Lucian to a duel. What drama! What intrigue!

- Princess, what are you thinking about? - Denis asked me, as if he had read my thoughts.

- Nothing... nothing, – I answered quickly, but my eyes were already glistening with anticipation.

So what? It's the perfect chance to show off. And I've been dreaming of learning fencing since I was a kid! What if I'm a natural talent?

I looked at Lucian, who was easily fending off blows. His movements were fast and precise, like a true professional. It knocked my ardor down a bit, but not for long.

«It doesn't matter. I'm strong, after all. At least...mentally.»

I got up from my seat, walked closer to the training ground and, gathering my courage, I spoke up:

- Mr. Lucian, may I ask you a favor?

He cast his cold gaze at me.

- What do you want?

- Fight me!

There was silence on the court. Even the knights practicing nearby froze and stared at me.

- Princess, are you serious? - Denis asked in surprise.

- Absolutely, – I answered confidently, though my heart began to pound as if I were already standing in a gladiatorial arena.

Lucian lowered his rapier silently and looked at me carefully.

- All right, – he said calmly. - But don't complain later if you lose.

«This is going to be interesting,» I thought, trying to hold back the trembling in my knees.