Chapter 2

That morning, Leela rose early to attend her private training with Prince Jing. It was an exclusive and secret practice, shared only between them, so only Master Lee was supposed to know—or rather, he was the only one who should have known. However, Ulysses also knew about these meetings and had promised his friend that he would keep the information hidden.

Jing trained her once a week in a concealed dojo nestled high in the mountains. For her, this training was an immense challenge—not just because of the intensity of the sessions, but because she would spend two hours alone with her unattainable love, enduring all the unavoidable touches their practice required.

As usual, Leela wore black lycra pants and a loose white blouse that hung just below her hips. Her hair was tied up in a bun, with a few stray locks falling freely around her face. She also wore simple, comfortable fabric shoes, perfect for the occasion.

She entered the dojo hesitantly and found the prince kneeling in the center of the room. A quiet, disguised sigh escaped her lips when her gaze fell on his bare chest. The absence of his top gave her an unguarded view of his impressive physique, his sculpted chest a sight that made her heart race.

She was used to seeing men’s bare torsos as a warrior, but gazing at the prince unsettled her deeply.

She chose to focus her attention on the cozy cabin instead, trying to avoid being caught while her eyes devoured him.

The dojo was built of fine, sturdy wood, perched atop a mountain so high that the clouds seemed within reach. Peace and beauty defined the place, despite its unusual decor and lack of furniture. The only adornments were the white curtains draped over the wide, open windows, swaying gently with the breeze.

Suddenly, he opened his eyes. Without warning, Jing hurled a dagger toward her and leaped off the wooden floor. With a swift 360-degree spin mid-air, he landed gracefully on his feet.

Thanks to her sharp reflexes, Leela caught the weapon with one hand, her body still and poised. In response, he smiled in satisfaction, clearly enjoying the display of her skill.

"Today’s lesson will be a little different from our usual routine," he announced, his tone steady and composed. "Though you’ve already proven your cunning with traps like this, a little extra practice won’t hurt, tough girl. Today’s class will focus on… flirting."

He spoke with such ease that it unraveled her completely. How could he say such words with such calm, when they sent her entire being into turmoil?

"F-Flirting?" she stammered.

"Of course. Why are you looking at me like that? You're a spy, remember? Your beautiful face should serve a purpose," he said with a mischievous smile, stepping closer to her. Tilting her chin up, he added, "Because, tough girl, you’re the most beautiful warrior in all of Sapphire." His honey-colored eyes bore into hers with a penetrating gaze that sent shivers through her.

"Well, that’s an exaggeration," she retorted, an unusual gleam in her gray eyes. "You’ve seen better," she added, her tone laced with malice.

He released her chin, visibly flustered. It was clear she had overheard him talking to the guys that one time—about her appearance.

"Leela, I..."

"Prince, don’t break character, or I might end up teaching you how to wield the weapons of flirtation," she interrupted deliberately, steering the conversation away from how humiliating it had been to hear him say he’d seen more beautiful women. She already knew it was true, especially since the prince was infamous for his active love life with women handpicked just for him.

"You’re right," he said, grinning. "You shut down my move with just one line. I think you know a lot about this subject."

"Prince, every woman is an expert in the art of seduction. Therefore, we can skip this lesson and focus on the fight."

"You love fighting!"

“No, I enjoy learning,” she corrected, stepping closer to him with subtle grace. Then, she let the tip of her index finger trail along his cheek.

At such proximity, she could admire his chiseled face in detail, preserving the image perfectly for her private fantasies.

Suddenly, she drew the dagger he’d given her and launched an attack. Jing countered instantly, twisting her wrist to halt the strike, but she spun out of his grip, freeing herself in one fluid motion.

As soon as she gained enough distance to move freely, Leela struck with a series of kicks aimed at the prince, who dodged her blows with practiced ease.

In mere seconds, the two were spinning across the floor, their movements flowing like a dangerous yet sensual dance. Each step, each strike was laced with flirtation, their subtle exchanges elevating the tension between them.

But soon, the playful edge faded, giving way to a real battle. Punches and kicks flew between them as they dodged, countered, and attempted to overpower one another. Their movements were graceful yet fierce, and the fight quickly shifted off the ground. With their ability to defy gravity, they floated through the air, delivering martial techniques with effortless precision.

In a flash, Jing caught her right wrist, twisting it behind her back to subdue her. Yet, she twirled in midair, evading his hold with ease. Leela’s mastery of gravity allowed her to move as though the air were her natural domain, like a bird born to soar.

With startling speed, she placed her hands on his shoulders for leverage, lifting her legs upward and wrapping them firmly around his waist in one seamless motion. Securing her position, she encircled his neck with her arms, bringing their faces so close their breaths became one. Their gazes locked, an unspoken connection igniting between them.

Caught in the heat of the moment, she closed the gap between their noses, her eyes teasingly inviting seduction.

“Prince, have you ever kissed anyone?” she asked with a sly smile, her tone dripping with mischief.

“What man my age hasn’t kissed someone, darling?” he replied, equally playful.

“What might your lips taste like?” she murmured, tracing the curve of his mouth with her fingertip.

“Why don’t you find out for yourself?” he replied with a provocative grin.

"I'm sorry, but I’ll pass for now," she declined.

In an instant, she released Jing and vaulted over his head. Before he could turn to face her, Leela dropped behind him, wrapping her legs around his waist once more. This time, however, she had him trapped from behind. With one arm, she secured his neck, while her free hand held the dagger, its sharp tip brushing against the sensitive skin beneath his chin.

"Do you have me in your grasp?" Jing asked with a hint of irony, a half-smile forming on his lips.

Suddenly, his arms broke free of her hold with astonishing speed and skill. In one swift motion, he struck her stomach, leaving her breathless for a few seconds.

Without wasting a moment, his powerful fist shot toward her face, but she intercepted it with both arms. Spinning gracefully, Leela lifted her legs into the air, aiming a kick at Jing’s face while still holding his arm. Yet, he deliberately threw himself backward, slamming them both to the ground, leaving her pinned atop him.

Before she could react, Jing grabbed both her wrists and pulled her closer to his face in one fluid movement.

"Still don’t want to try them?" he teased again, his voice low and inviting.

She smirked mischievously. "I’d like to keep my beautiful lips intact, so I’ll pass."

Jing spat out a tiny blade he had hidden in his mouth, the sharp edge embedding itself into the wooden wall.

"Is your offer still on the table?" she asked with a playful smile, but he shook his head.

"You missed your chance, darling." With that, Jing grabbed her by the waist and hurled her against the wall with no hesitation or mercy. He then leapt to his feet with a fluid motion. "You still have much to learn before I name you an official spy," he declared, his tone cold and serious.

Leela nodded silently, her disappointment unmistakable. She found it incredible how quickly he shifted his demeanor—from flirtatious, smiling, and playful to cold and indifferent, as though their earlier connection had never existed. Or perhaps she had taken his performance too seriously.

Biting her lower lip, she felt foolish.

Why did she allow herself to create fantasies in her mind, only to end up feeling so empty? That was how their practices always unfolded: brimming with tension, sensuality, and flirtation, only for him to end them the same way—distant, cold, and indifferent.

***

"Leela... Leela... Leeeeeela!"

"What?!" she growled as Ulises snapped her out of her daydream.

"You're more distracted than usual today," her friend said, snapping his fingers in front of her face. "Wake up, tough girl."

"Ulises..." she murmured thoughtfully, letting out a sigh of sorrow. "How do you stop loving someone?"

"By 'stop loving,' do you mean letting go of your obsession with the prince?"

"It's not an obsession," she shot him a glare. "I genuinely like him."

"You need to forget about that," he warned. "He's a prince, and you..." He scratched his nose. "You're... you."

"Why should I have to forget about him just because he's a prince? I don't understand why social divisions are so important that they become discrimination. I can't even stand the distinction between 'royal warriors' and 'non-royal warriors.' All of us give our lives on the battlefield for this kingdom.

"As for social differences, does it really make sense to assign someone's worth based on their economic status or lineage? We're all living beings who feel and suffer, who go to the bathroom and... deposit waste, and we all have the same body parts. So why does a relationship between the prince and me have to be impossible?"

Her friend scoffed at the way she concluded her speech.

"You're really analytical today. But the matter with the prince is different," he replied. "It's not just about being of royal blood."

"Oh, really?"

"You're the prince's special spy, and you don't know something so basic?"

"Stop lecturing me, Angelito."

"And you stop calling me that."

"You call me 'tough girl.'"

"Everyone calls you that, and you like it. But I'm a man, and I don't appreciate being called diminutives," he grumbled, annoyed, as she laughed.

"Sorry, Angelito."

Ulises crossed his arms in defeat. "Getting back to the point," he continued, "do you remember the crown prince's wedding?" She nodded. "Well, he married a woman from another kingdom because she was his chosen one—his complement."

Leela’s eyes widened. "Why didn’t I know about this?"

"Because you're always lost in your 'prince sighing' world."

"So, you're saying that princes can only marry their chosen one?" He nodded. "And how do they know who it is?"

"Have you noticed the choker that Prince Jing always wears? It’s made of two jewels joined together to appear as one. When the prince meets the woman who becomes his complement and genuine love, the choker will split in two.

"At that moment, he will place one part of the jewel on her, and if the two glow together, it will mean she’s the chosen one. From then on, whenever they’re near each other, the chokers will emit a faint glow that’s barely noticeable. However, if they’re apart for too long or reunite after a separation, the chokers will release an intense light as a reminder of their bond. That’s about all that’s been revealed regarding the sacred jewel, and only those close to the royal family know its mystery."

"Wow... I'd love to wear that choker," she sighed.

"You're not of royal blood," Ulises countered with a mischievous smile. "Only someone with royal blood can be the prince's complement."

Leela looked down at the ground, her spirits crushed.

"And here we are again with the social divisions!"

"It's better for you to forget about the prince. Besides, you're a warrior—you wouldn’t make an ideal wife for any man."

Leela nodded, sadness clouding her gray eyes. She wished she had been born under different circumstances—or that the world could simply be different.

***

The alarm woke her up, as it did every day, and she sat up suddenly in bed. Once again, her body was covered in cold sweat, and the emptiness that depressed her settled back into her chest. Two tears ran down her face, caused by the helplessness those dreams provoked. She hated feeling that sadness upon waking as if something or someone was missing.

She got out of bed slowly, unwillingly, but she had to prepare to go to work. As the head of editing at a journalism agency, she had to arrive on time to deal with the people under her charge and all the work they sent her for approval. Lately, the work had piled up, thanks to the emotional lows she was going through again.

After getting dressed, she barely touched her breakfast and fed the cat she found hungry on the street, one she hadn’t found a home for yet.

“Goodbye, Angelito!” She didn’t know why she called him that, but it suited him. She grabbed her keys and headed to work.

At noon, she decided to take a break and have lunch outside the office.

"Finally, you left your hideout!" Her co-worker and friend surprised her. "I’ve had to eat alone all week because you’ve been disappearing."

"I’ve had so much work piled up. Also, I’ve been feeling out of place lately; maybe it’s the stress?" She replied absentmindedly.

Her friend looked at her suspiciously but didn’t respond.

Soon, they arrived at a restaurant near the agency, the one they usually went to for lunch.

"Still dreaming of the never-never?" She suddenly picked up the previous topic after the waiter took their menus.

"It’s such a real dream that I cry when I wake up. Do you think I should make an appointment with a therapist?" She answered casually, as they had talked about this issue many times before.

"What you need is a man to relieve all that stress from lack of sex."

"You and your ideas..." She shook her head with an amused smile, and her cheeks blushed.

"Think about it, Nora; you dream of a prince who is really handsome and with whom you go into battle." She chuckled mischievously. "You need a man to fight the most pleasurable battle you’ve ever had in your saintly and shy life." They both laughed.

"My mind isn’t on a man right now. I... I need some answers, I can’t explain it." She regretted letting those words slip, knowing her friend wouldn’t understand. "Have you ever felt like you belong in another place and had another life?"

"Of course! The blonde nodded. "I should be a millionaire, living in Hollywood, and married to Brad Pitt." They both burst into laughter.