Aurein's POV
I woke on my own before dawn, the world still wrapped in silence. It took me a moment to realize I was lying in my bed—my actual bed—and not in the chair where I distinctly remembered falling asleep.
What startled me more was the weight draped over my body.
General Voltaire's coat.
It clung to me like a warm blanket, smelling faintly of steel, smoke, and something unmistakably his. I found myself smiling despite the early hour. I lifted the fabric closer, brushing it against my cheek, breathing in the lingering warmth trapped inside its folds.
It was embarrassingly comforting.
Too comforting.
Just as I felt myself melting a little deeper into the softness—
"Perfect. You're awake," General Voltaire said, his voice slicing through the silence like a blade. "It's time for training."
I jolted upright, heart leaping in panic, and immediately tore his coat off me as if it had burned my skin. It slipped from my fingers and fell onto the floor.
"If you want to embrace me," he said dryly, "you can just say so. No need to hug my coat because you're too shy."
He picked it up, shook off the wrinkles, and laid it neatly at the edge of my bed.
I glared at him. He was standing beside me with his arms crossed, eyebrows drawn together, clearly unimpressed.
"You know," I muttered irritably, "the sun hasn't even risen, but somehow you've already ruined my day."
He only smirked before handing me something wrapped in cloth.
"King Lucen gave this to me while you were still asleep. Your new training gear," he said, letting out a long, tired sigh.
"Oh thank goodness I don't have to wear that female training gear anymore!" I said, relieved. Then my eyes narrowed. "Wait. How did I end up in my bed? I fell asleep on the chair, didn't I?"
"You don't remember what happened last night?" General Voltaire asked.
"No. And even if I did, I wouldn't believe anything you say," I replied.
He merely smiled and said nothing.
Which instantly made my curiosity ignite.
"What happened last night? Tell me!" I demanded.
"I thought you wouldn't believe me if I said it?" he teased as he started walking away. "Get dressed. Training begins soon. My warriors are waiting."
"General Voltaire! Tell me!" I snapped.
"No need to think about it. You wouldn't believe me anyway," he said, heading out the door. "Be quick. I'll wait for you outside the palace."
"General!" I called after him.
The door closed.
"Ugh! What happened? Why don't I remember anything?" I grumbled to myself as I dressed in my training gear. "Is he messing with me again? He probably is!"
* * *
He was already scowling when I arrived.
"I've been waiting," he said with mild irritation. "Did you spend your time putting on makeup? Why are you so slow?"
"What are you talking about? I don't wear makeup!" I shot back.
"Then why are your cheeks and lips so pink?" he asked, looking genuinely puzzled.
"Really?" I said, touching my lips before looking away. "I didn't put anything on my face. Only women do that. I'm just naturally... rosy."
"Is that so? I've only noticed now," he said. "Anyway, come. We should've started long ago."
I followed him down the stone steps, adjusting my new gear.
"This fits perfectly. Much better," I said, admiring the fabric.
"The female training gear still suits you better," he said flatly.
"I am NOT wearing that," I argued. "Father said it was too enticing—someone might try to kill me again. This one is safer. Normal. Appropriate."
"Mm," he said.
"Whose was it, anyway? Why was there only one?" I asked.
"My former lover's," he answered.
"Oh..." I said, nodding slowly. "A lover..."
Something tightened quietly inside my chest. I pretended not to feel it.
"Where is she now?" I asked.
"She chose a simple, quiet life. She's married. With a child," he said.
"Probably because you were tormenting her like you torment me," I muttered.
"Perhaps I was too teasing," he said seriously.
"How many lovers have you had? I'm not prying! I just think you've hurt a lot of women. Seduced them, then left them," I said.
"I've lost count," he answered casually.
"I knew it. You're a womanizer!" I said, narrowing my eyes at him. "Can't you be serious even once? No one would last with someone like you. Even if I were a woman, I'd never stay with you!"
"That's not what you whispered to me," he said softly.
I stopped walking altogether.
My heart froze.
He kept moving forward as if he hadn't just detonated a bomb in front of me.
"W-wait! You HEARD what I whispered last night?" I shouted.
He didn't answer immediately. His shoulders rose slightly—almost amused.
"Yes. Everything," he said. "Did you really think I was asleep? Even in rest, my senses stay sharp. As a warrior and a general of Ardentia, I must always be prepared. I heard your words... crystal clear."
"General—did you mean that? Are you telling the truth?" I asked, hoping—praying—he wasn't.
He finally turned his head slightly, giving me a sleepy, unimpressed look...
And somehow, that expression alone made my stomach drop.
"I heard everything," he said calmly. "But even if you say those things, we both know the truth. You are a man—and a prince. Your life will always be tied to this kingdom. And I..." He paused, eyes drifting forward as he resumed walking. "I will always be bound to my role as General. My duty is to this kingdom as well. Even if you were a woman—a princess—we still could not be together. Royalty can only wed royalty. Such attachments are forbidden."
His footsteps echoed ahead of me, steady and unbothered.
For a heartbeat, something inside my chest twisted.
Just a moment—small, sharp, humiliating.
But I had to accept it.
He was right.
Of course he was right.
At least now I knew where he stood.
He didn't care.
Not about what I felt.
Not about the stupid things I whispered in the dark.
Good.
Better to know early than to cling to some hopeless fantasy.
"I know!" I snapped, my voice higher than intended. "I said that last night, but I'm taking it back!" I added with a stubborn huff. "Hmph."
He said nothing. Not a word.
But despite my best efforts—despite all the pride I wrapped around myself like armor—I was bothered. Deeply.
I should have whispered in my mind.
Not out loud.
Not near him.
At least now I knew how he reacted—He didn't care.
As usual.
Why would he?
He was so patriotic he practically bled loyalty. He watched over me only because my father commanded it—not because he wanted to.
Fine.
I understood.
He didn't like me—not even a little.
And I... I had to stop being delusional.
* * *
We soon reached the training fortress where the other warriors stood waiting. They straightened immediately, chiseled like statues in their positions when we approached.
I took my place at the front, flanked by Dante and Asper, with Ton-Ton right behind me.
"That new training gear suits you perfectly, Prince Aurein," Ton-Ton whispered.
"Thank you!" I said with a smile.
"It's... less blinding," Dante added.
"What is THAT supposed to mean?" I asked, narrowing my eyes.
"Your outfit yesterday was a bit too alluring," Dante murmured.
"Agreed. This one is better, Prince Aurein," Asper whispered.
"Did I give any of you permission to talk?" General Voltaire barked.
All of us froze and snapped to attention. The shift in his demeanor was so sudden it made the hair on my arms stand. Gone was the teasing, slightly annoying Voltaire. This was the actual General—strict, cold, immovable.
"Before we begin," he said, "for our morning routine, all of you will run ten laps around the lake."
"Ten? But that lake is enormous!" I protested. "One lap already drains us!"
"Twenty laps," he added without blinking, "as punishment for your complaining and chatter."
"Twenty? That's unreasonable, General Voltaire!" I exclaimed. "Ten was already too much!"
"Do you want me to increase it again?" he said sternly.
Everyone immediately started running.
Everyone... except me.
He turned toward me with irritation. "Why are you still standing here?"
"I refuse," I said with my arms crossed. "This is unfair. Hmph."
"Thirty laps for you," he said.
"What?! Why thirty?! That's cruel!"
"If you fail to complete them, the entire unit will not eat today. That burden will be on your conscience," he said.
My jaw dropped.
"You manipulative—! You're using them against me!"
He raised a brow as if challenging me.
I had no choice.
Fine.
FINE.
I sprinted toward the lake, cursing under my breath. If I didn't do this, everyone would starve.
But thirty laps?!
That was torture.
What on earth was wrong with General Voltaire today?
Why was he acting like an angry storm waiting to strike?
Ugh! He was insufferable!
* * *
I found myself running side-by-side with Asper and Ton-Ton, our footsteps pounding against the dirt as the morning air stung our lungs.
"Sorry, everyone... I really was the one who started the conversation. General Voltaire wouldn't have made us run this much if I just kept my mouth shut," Ton-Ton said, already panting like he'd sprinted across three kingdoms.
"This is good for you," Asper joked. "Think of it as exercise to finally make you lose weight."
"W-wait—hold up! Wait for me!" Dante shouted from the very back, even though the three of us were already trailing behind and the rest of the warriors had gone far ahead.
"That General Voltaire is seriously annoying," I said irritably. "He added ten more laps for me—ten! So now I have to finish thirty. And if I fail, none of you get to eat."
"What? No! After this, we'll all be starving. I might faint." Ton-Ton said dramatically, clutching his side.
"Let's just tell him you already finished thirty laps," Asper said, slowing down a little. "General Voltaire won't kno—"
A voice cut him off.
"I am watching all of you, so do not assume I don't know exactly how many laps you've run," General Voltaire said.
We all snapped forward, eyes wide, realizing Dante wasn't behind us—General Voltaire was.
We sped up instantly, as if death itself were chasing us.
I groaned and raked my fingers through my hair in frustration.
"What is your problem? You're infuriating," I whispered under my breath.
Minutes passed. Eleven laps. Eleven.
My lungs ached, my legs trembled, and the sun began to rise—its gold slicing between the trees and glinting across the lake nearby. The beauty would've been breathtaking... if I wasn't dying.
"W-wait... I think my body's giving up," Ton-Ton said before coming to a full stop.
We halted with him. He pressed a hand to his chest, sweat dripping down that round face, breathing like he was swallowing flames. Only a few warriors continued running.
"Five laps is actually my limit... I don't think I can go further," Ton-Ton said between ragged breaths. "I'm going to pass out. My vision is going dark."
I understood. Ton-Ton's body simply wasn't built for this—yet.
"I'm trying, okay?" he said desperately. "I really am. I want to improve... but food is just so good. No matter how much I run or train, I always get hungry afterward."
"You really can't continue? Are you dizzy?" I asked, steadying him by the arm.
"I can't run anymore. I don't even know if I can move my legs, Prince Aurein," Ton-Ton said weakly.
"Did I say you could rest?" General Voltaire asked as he appeared again, face sharp with disapproval.
The three warriors immediately hid behind me—even though I was the smallest of all of us. Only Asper fit behind me properly, being the thinnest.
"General Voltaire, Ton-Ton can't run anymore. He's dizzy. He could faint," I said.
"In war, you cannot have this mindset," he said. "If the enemy chases you without rest, will you simply surrender?"
"Point taken. But we're not at war right now, General. We're training. You need to at least be aware that not everyone can run endlessly," I said.
His jaw tightened.
"So you're proving to me that you are all unworthy to be warriors? That I made a mistake bringing you into my army?" he said.
"T-the General is right... I cannot give up," Ton-Ton said.
But when I looked at Ton-Ton's knees, they were shaking violently.
"Asper, Dante... can you two still run?" I whispered.
Both nodded.
"Then this is for Ton-Ton," I whispered to them, then raised my chin to face General Voltaire, matching his seriousness. "We've already run eleven laps. Ton-Ton can't push further. If you allow it, we'll divide the remaining laps among the three of us. He has nine laps left, so Asper, Dante, and I will take three each."
"Prince Aurein..." Ton-Ton said, eyes welling up.
General Voltaire frowned, brows furrowing deeply—until finally, he exhaled and shook his head.
"This is not surrender, General Voltaire," I said firmly. "Think of it as a tactical retreat. In war, soldiers rotate when one is injured or exhausted due to circumstances beyond their control."
He inhaled sharply.
"One lap for Asper. One for Dante. And seven for you," he said. "A total of thirty-seven laps, Prince Aurein."
"PRINCE AUREIN?!" the three shouted together in pure horror.
"Apologies, General, but we don't want—" Dante started, but I raised my hand slightly to stop him.
"I accept your offer," I said proudly—though I swallowed hard afterward. Hopefully he didn't notice.
I wasn't even trying to show off.
I just thought... maybe if I acted brave, he'd lessen the punishment.
I was wrong!
"Good. We understand each other," he said, turning sharply before walking away without another word.
"What?!" I hissed under my breath. "I didn't think he'd actually agree to that!"
"Sorry... truly," Ton-Ton said, guilt dripping from every syllable.
"It's fine, don't think too much about it," Dante said, patting his shoulder. "For me, this is just another kind of training—to strengthen my body."
"You didn't mean any harm, Ton-Ton. We all have different limits," Asper said. "And Prince Aurein is right. It is a tactical retreat. Also... do you know much about war, Prince Aurein? You made General Voltaire pause for a moment. You're the only one who can ever do that. I am not insulting you, but you look like the type of guy who's not interested with that kind of stuff."
"Let's just say I read a lot when I have nothing else to do," I said teasingly. "I think I've read almost every book in the palace library except all about weaponry. I wasn't interested about it. Maybe I should visit other libraries too. Anyway—let's run, or we'll never finish."
"Thank you. All of you... and especially you, Prince Aurein," Ton-Ton said, eyes glistening. "I won't forget this debt. Don't worry—when we eat later, I'll give you my share."
"You don't need to," I said, smiling at him. "Go rest by the tree."
Ton-Ton nodded and limped toward the shade of a large trunk, collapsing with relief.
"Asper, Dante—let's go," I said, and the three of us resumed our run.
"I'm honestly impressed by your knowledge, Prince Aurein," Asper said as he picked up his pace. "During endurance test yesterday, we really thought you crossed the river. If General Voltaire hadn't told us, we wouldn't have followed you."
"Oh, really? I just thought of it on the spot," I said, pleased with myself.
"Maybe you're already fit to be the next King of Ardentia," Dante said.
"Oh no, I still have a long way to go—and a lot more to learn. Besides, if you ask me... I don't want to be king," I said.
"What? Why not?" Asper asked, baffled.
"I'm not interested in politics, war, territorial disputes... all that conflict. I want to be free—to be a dancer," I said quietly.
"A dancer? You want to be a Moon Dancer?" Dante asked.
"Yup. But—can't happen," I said. "Crown prince duties."
"Honestly, if you weren't a prince, I would've assumed you belonged with the Moon Dancers," Asper said thoughtfully. "Your build resembles them. I mean, I don't mean to insult you—I'm not saying you're soft or womanly—"
"Oh, I'm used to that insult," I joked. "General Voltaire has fed me that line enough times that it's lost its power."
"You know, Dante..." Asper said suddenly. "I noticed something about General Voltaire."
"What is it?" Dante asked.
"He seemed happy yesterday. But today... he looks irritated," Asper said.
"What could've upset him? Do you know, Prince Aurein? You were with him the entire night," Dante asked.
Now that they mentioned it—he was in a strangely good mood yesterday.
Almost too good.
"I mean... yesterday he was fine. Actually—too fine. He even lay down on my—" I stopped myself, snapping my mouth shut when I noticed both Asper and Dante staring, waiting.
Absolutely not. I couldn't tell them he'd lain on my bed.
"I mean—this morning when he woke me up, he was still in a good mood. Then he handed me my training gear, and after that... it changed. Suddenly he became irritable. Still teasing me, but not in the same way. There was annoyance in the way he spoke to me. That's all," I said.
"Maybe..." Asper murmured.
"What are you thinking?" Dante asked.
"It's nothing. If General Voltaire hears me, he might add to my laps," Asper said, embarrassed.
"No—tell me," I said, suddenly serious.
Asper swallowed, hesitating.
"Well... based on what you said... I think I know the reason General Voltaire is irritated," he said.
"Okay, go on," I said.
"I think... you are the reason, Prince Aurein," he said.
"Me? Excuse me?!" I exclaimed, nearly stumbling over my own feet.
"I mean... I think General Voltaire is irritated because he wanted you to wear the female training gear," Asper said, voice shrinking as if he wished someone else would say it for him.
"What?!" I exclaimed, nearly tripping mid-run.
"It makes sense!" Dante said. "Yesterday he was in a good mood. And—I didn't want to mention this earlier—but whenever I looked at him, he kept staring at your legs whenever you weren't paying attention. Like... whenever you turned your back, or shifted sideways, his eyes were glued to your skin, Prince Aurein."
"So you're saying General Voltaire is lusting after me? Huh!" I said, offended—and slightly horrified.
"That's what it looks like, Prince Aurein," Asper said. "Maybe he's irritated now because your body is all covered up and he can't admire your fair, smooth skin. That's the type he likes—or so we've heard. But as far as we know... he only likes women."
"Well... Prince Aurein would look like a woman if someone dressed him properly," Dante added, then immediately panicked when he remembered he was talking to a royalty like me. "N-not an insult! It was a compliment!"
"Unbelievable," I said—and then an idea sparked in my head. "Wait..."
We rounded another lap and passed Ton-Ton resting by the tree.
"Ton-Ton," I called. "Can you fetch the female training gear I wore yesterday? It's in the hut."
"It will be done, Prince Aurein," he said, immediately hurrying off.
"What are you planning, Prince Aurein?" Dante asked. "Why did you tell him to get the female gear?"
"To save us all..." I said with a grin. "Well... I hope it works."
"Don't tell me you're planning to seduce General Voltaire again?" Asper said, shocked.
I simply smirked.
By the time we finished another lap, Ton-Ton had returned, holding the female training gear. I went behind a large tree and changed, slipping into the delicate fabric—lightweight, revealing, annoyingly airy.
"Let's see if you really desire me, General Voltaire," I whispered, narrowing my eyes as I made sure to adjust the outfit in a way that looked... well—irresistible.
When I stepped out, all three warriors gawked.
"P-Prince Aurein, sorry... it's just... confusing..." Dante said, covering his eyes with his hands but peeking through the gaps.
"Let's see," I said proudly. "General Voltaire, come here. I'm looking for you."
My voice was casual, sweet—too sweet.
Like I was calling a child I'd prepared a surprise for.
"General Voltaire!" I called louder.
From behind the trees, he appeared—silent, swift, like a shadow that had taken human form. His brows were furrowed, expression unreadable, and I couldn't tell if he was furious or... something else entirely.
He stepped closer.
His gaze moved—slowly, intently.
From my face...
down to my shoulders...
to the curve of my waist...
to the skin exposed by the fabric...
and finally to my thighs, barely hidden by the thin cloth.
And then he lifted his eyes back to mine.
Is it working?
It should be.
This is the only way to save us from that insane punishment.
I must seduce him.
I will seduce him.
"Prince Aurein..." he said coldly. "What do you think you're doing?"
End of Chapter 10