The city was finally quiet.
For the first time in two days, life seemed to return to the streets after the chaos of the coup attempt. Merchants reopened their stalls, children played in the alleys, and the heavy tension that had hung in the air had begun to melt away.
I arrived at the orphanage with Kaira beside me, carrying several bags filled with toys and sweets for the children.
Mother Mary greeted us at the door with a warm smile.
And the moment the children noticed the colorful bags in my hands, they ran toward us—tiny footsteps pattering across the floor—eyes sparkling with innocent curiosity.
Child:
"Princess, what's in the bags?"
I laughed softly.
Lyria:
"They're gifts. And sweets. All for you."
The children gasped and bounced with excitement, but before they could grab anything, mother Mary clapped her hands lightly.
Mother Mary:
"Now, now. What do we say to the Princess?"
Immediately, the children lined up in a straight row, bowed together, and chorused:
Children:
"Thank you!"
My heart melted completely.
Mother Mary:
"All right, take the bags inside. Carefully!"
They ran off happily, leaving me, Kara, and Sister Mary alone at the entrance.
I hesitated for a moment, then asked softly—far softer than I intended, my cheeks warming just from saying her name:
Lyria:
"Where… is Riven? I don't see her around."
Mother Mary sighed with a mixture of fondness and frustration.
Mother Mary:
"That girl never rests. She woke up at dawn, ate breakfast in two minutes, then dragged Rin and Lira to the backyard to train. And it has been… five hours now. They still haven't stopped."
Five hours?
I felt a jolt of concern.
Mother Mary grabbed her basket. and said " if you wish to see her , go ahead, I need to head to the market for a while."
Lyria:
"That's fine—please go. We'll be alright."
She left, and Kara and I made our way toward the back of the orphanage.
With each step, the sound of wooden swords clashing grew louder—sharp cracks echoing through the air.
When we reached the backyard, the scene unfolded before me:
Children sat under the shade of a large tree, watching silently.
In the center of the training ground stood Rin and Lira, side by side, clutching wooden swords. Their bodies were covered in bruises, sweat dripping down their foreheads. Exhaustion clung to them like a shadow.
And in front of them…
Riven.
She stood firm and sharp, like a blade forged in war.
Black trousers, a loose sleeveless shirt revealing lean, toned muscles.
Golden eyes glinting fiercely in the sunlight.
Her short black hair was pushed back, though a few rebellious strands fell over her face.
She held a wooden sword casually in one hand—yet even like this, she radiated power.
I felt my heart leap into my throat.
Heat crept up my face.
No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't look away from her.
Kara called my name once. Twice. Three times.
She finally nudged me—hard—on the shoulder.
Lyria:
"Ow—why did you do that?"
Kara:
"I've been calling you! You didn't hear a thing."
My face flushed even deeper.
Lyria:
"I was just… watching them train."
Kara (teasing):
"Oh, you were watching, alright."
I had no answer.
In the training yard, Riven's voice cut sharply through the air:
Riven:
"Is that all you've got?
If you want to get stronger, push your bodies to the limit!"
Rin groaned helplessly.
Rin:
"Please, Riven… have mercy.
We've been training since sunrise—with only half an hour of rest."
Lira:
"I'm going to faint. We need a break…"
Riven exhaled.
Riven:
"Fine. Rest for one hour. Then we continue."
She turned—her golden eyes landing on me and Kara.
A smile tugged gently at her lips.
Riven:
"Princess. You came."
I froze.
My face burned.
My mind blanked.
She walked closer, concern slipping into her expression.
Riven:
"Are you okay? Why are you so quiet?"
Kara pinched the back of my dress.
I jolted slightly and finally managed to speak—barely.
Lyria (softly):
"Yes—yes, I'm fine.
What… are you doing?"
Riven lifted her wooden sword.
Riven:
"Rin and Lira asked for training. So I'm teaching them."
From behind her, Lira shouted:
Lira:
"We said train us—not kill us!"
I couldn't help laughing.
Kara stepped forward, hands on her hips, a competitive spark in her eyes.
Kara:
"Riven, how about a sparring match?
I've seen your magic, but not your swordsmanship. Let's test it."
Riven:
"I'm not interested."
Kara:
"Pleaseee. Just once. One little match."
Rin and Lira immediately jumped in:
Rin:
"That sounds amazing!"
Lira:
"I've never seen Riven fight seriously!"
I sighed.
Lyria:
"She won't stop asking until you agree."
Riven closed her eyes for a moment, exasperated.
Riven:
"Fine.
But I won't hold back even if this is a friendly match."
Kara (grinning):
"Try not to cry when you lose."
They moved to the center.
Kara unsheathed her sword.
Riven retrieved her black blade—the one her master had gifted her.
Riven lifted her sword lazily with one hand, her other hand resting behind her back. Her stance was relaxed—almost bored—while Kara stood sharp and ready.
Kara attacked first—fast, fierce.
Riven didn't dodge.
She blocked the blow with one hand, effortlessly, as if swatting away a leaf.
They fought for a long time.
Kara was undeniably strong—quick, aggressive, relentless.
She struck from every angle, her footwork sharp, her blade flashing.
But Riven…
Riven was on a completely different level.
She moved with effortless grace.
Every block was precise.
Every counterstrike smooth.
She never even looked strained—because compared to the monsters she had faced in past, this duel was nothing.
Fifteen minutes passed.
Kara was panting heavily, sweat dripping from her chin, her movements slowing.
Riven remained steady.
Calm.
Breathing evenly—almost bored.
Finally, Riven decided to end it.
With one final strike—clean, swift—she knocked Kara's sword away.
Kara fell to her knees, gasping, and Riven's blade rested gently against her neck.
The match was over.
Riven extended her hand.
Kara took it, pulling herself up.
She wiped sweat from her forehead and laughed breathlessly.
Kara:
"You're insanely strong.
Were you… holding back?
It didn't even look like you were trying.
Was I really that weak?"
Riven:
"You're a strong opponent.
But I've fought creatures far stronger than you."
Kara grinned.
Kaira:
"Next time we fight, I'll be stronger.
I'll make you fight seriously."
Riven didn't reply—but her faint smirk said enough.
Everyone watching was stunned… even me.
Her movements had been beautiful—sharp, clean, and impossibly fast.
I had never seen strength like hers.
⸻
After the training, we all returned inside and spent the rest of the day with the children.
When it was time to leave, I turned to Riven.
Lyria:
"The King has summoned you to the palace tomorrow."
Riven nodded, her golden eyes soft for a moment.
And then I left.
Though my heart… stayed behind.