Chapter 14: The Beginning of Training »
Thelma Zane’s POV**
I sat quietly, studying my mother’s face as she spoke. It struck me how much we looked alike- so much so that it felt like gazing into a mirror reflecting my future. Her grace and elegance, however, were qualities I doubted I could ever fully emulate. While I might share her features, 1 lacked her calm, gentle demeanor.
My mother chatted with me for a while longer, as she often did since I’d been found. It was her way of making up for lost time, I suppose. I didn’t mind. On the contrary, I cherished these moments, the warmth of her voice and her presence filling a void I hadn’t realized was so
vast.
Eventually, she stood and placed a hand on my shoulder. “Alright, darling, it’s time for bed. You need your rest if you’re going to face tomorrow with energy.
I nodded, suppressing a yawn–my twelfth, apparently. Sleep seemed like a good idea, a temporary escape from the reality I’d face in the morning.
Thanks to a new medicine I’d been taking, I slept deeply that night, undisturbed by dreams. When I woke early the next morning, I felt refreshed, though the dread of the day ahead lingered in the back of my mind.
I washed up, tied my hair high, and dressed in sports gear: a snug black tank, loose athletic pants, and a dark jacket to ward off the morning chill. If my training partner hadn’t been Sir Aldrich, I might’ve felt excited about the day.
My mother was already seated at the breakfast table when I arrived. We shared a lavish meal, though my father was absent, occupied with pressing matters. Afterward, with two hours still to spare, my mother suggested a walk through the garden.
The sun bathed the garden in a warm glow, and we found a bench where we could sit and enjoy the moment. She reached for my hand, her touch soft and reassuring.
“You’ve grown so much, my darling,” she said wistfully. “It’s time for your training to begin.”
I squeezed her hand, sensing her reluctance. “Mom…” I trailed off, unsure how to express my feelings. For months now, we’d spent nearly every day together. Though I was ready to begin training, I knew she would miss me just as much as I’d miss her.
She smiled, brushing a strand of hair from my face. “It’s alright, my love. You’ll this is a part of that. Are you ready for today?”
grow up,
and
I scowled, the image of Aldrich flashing in my mind. “I doubt I’ll ever be ready for his class.”
Her laugh was soft and musical. “Don’t be so hard on him. He’s our bravest warrior. I think you’ll find there’s much to admire about him.”
“Admire?” I scoffed, crossing my arms. “You didn’t see him yesterday, flirting shamelessly with me!”
She chuckled, her expression one of indulgent amusement. “Oh, sweetheart, you’re a beautiful young woman. It’s only natural someone would take notice. Besides, it shows he has excellent
taste.”
My jaw dropped in disbelief. “Mother!”
Her laughter only deepened. “Alright, alright, I’m teasing. But you must admit he’s handsome, isn’t he?”
I turned away, refusing to dignify her question with a response.
“Don’t be so resistant,” she said, squeezing my hand. “You’re grown now, and someday you’ll need to find a mate. Why not start with someone like him?”
Before I could protest further, she stood, taking my hand in hers. “Come on, let’s get you to the training grounds.”
The training grounds were already bustling with activity when we arrived. My father stood in the center, deep in discussion with Sir Aldrich. Both men were serious, their tones low and their expressions focused.
As my father approached us, his face softened. He enveloped me in a warm hug, holding me tightly. “I’m so proud of you, sweetheart. I’ve told him this is your first day, so he knows to take it easy on you.”
My mother sighed, her gaze lingering on me. “I didn’t expect to feel so heavy–hearted about this. Of course, I’ll see you often, but it feels like the beginning of something new, and I can’t help but feel emotional.”
My father took her hand, murmuring something softly to her. Recognizing the tender look in their eyes, I quickly excused myself, not wanting to witness another of their romantic
moments.
“Miss Zane, you look energetic today,” Sir Aldrich greeted me as I approached the sprawling training ground. His expression was neutral, but his eyes glimmered with amusement.
I rolled my eyes. “If you’d stop pretending to be serious, I might actually feel energetic.”
He chuckled, his mask slipping momentarily. “You’re as charming as ever. My offer from yesterday still stands, you know.”
Ignoring him, I glanced back toward my parents, only to see their retreating forms as they left, hand in hand.
Chapter 14 The beginning of framing
Aldrich seemed to read my mind. “The King and Queen have important matters to attend to They won’t be here to watch over you.”
“I wasn’t looking for them!” I snapped.
He grinned, clearly enjoying my frustration. “Of course not. You’re a strong, independent young lady. Let’s see how that independence holds up in training, shall we?”
With that, he led me to the center of the vast training ground. It was far larger than I’d imagined, with rows of pristine equipment and a beautifully maintained running track.
“Alright, let’s begin with something simple,” he said. “We’ll start with a run. Or do you need me to teach you how to do that as well?”
I shot him a glare and took off, determined to prove that I didn’t need his guidance for something as basic as running.
As my feet pounded against the track, I realized this was only the beginning. The journey ahead wouldn’t be easy, but I was determined to face it head–on. Whether I liked it or not, Sir Aldrich was part of that journey, and perhaps, in time, I might learn to tolerate him–or even respect him.
