“You’re really beaten by your aunt, aren’t you?”

  It’s been almost two days since Ellina woke up. Ellina is one of the few people I can talk to here. Baz is already gone, off to find his master. Sharon, Benica, and Mop are also gone. They are basically off the map. The only people I still have are Felicia and her weird lover, Dominic, who can’t engage with me in conversations besides business. The nuisance, Ovivica, is still haunting the pace like a ghost, pacing around like she owns the pce.

  Goddess, I hate her. Can you take her away?

  But Ellina is right. I’m losing here.

  Damn it.

  To be fair, if my team fails to find me a way out, it’s better if they just never come back again. Dominic can help Felicia out. If it really ever comes to this, I should be the only one paying for this.

  “So, I guess these following days will be your st few days of freedom, Grant.”

  “I don’t need you to remind me.”

  Goddess Bless, how can she recover from yesterday’s mood so fast?

  She hadn’t left the bed since she woke up. If I were her, that would kill me.

  But she looks calm and cheery.

  Ellina shrugs, completely unbothered by my irritation. “Just saying. You might as well enjoy it while it sts.”

  “Like it was so easy for you to say. Your family never locked you away. Your mother even allows you to decide whether to go back, you’re so much freer than me.”

  The word is out before I can stop it. Free. A word that, after everything, sounds like an insult to her now.

  Her leg.

  I try to catch a glimpse of her expression.

  She heard it. I know she did.

  The slice of sorrow on her face is undeniable.

  Her lips are trembling but smiling.

  “…Yeah, what do I know? Right? See where freedom leads me to.”

  Pointing at her leg, she chuckles to cover the tension.

  She continues, “You should spend more time with your friend who just recovered. It’s Sharon, right?”

  “She’s not here. You are.”

  “Please, don’t ftter me. We barely meet each other more than four or five times. I can’t believe you are so bored that you need to find a stranger to chat with.”

  “If you’re a stranger, then why did you block the attack for me? Are we not friends?”

  She doesn’t counter back, looking around like she lost something.

  “W-Well, it’s—you know. You won the duel, sooo… uh, you’re the leader. And… uh… uhh… my family principle—uh, leave no one behind! That’s it! Yep. Totally it.”

  She pys with a strand of her silver-blond hair. This is the first time I have noticed that. Her hair has a metallic gre. Maybe that’s why people keep saying she is ethereal.

  “Well, if you want… I can try to be your friend.” Her face turns away without looking at me.

  “I’m not that lonely, though. I still have Felicia and the other guy,” I say.

  “The other guy?”

  “Yeah, Felicia’s secret lover.”

  “So you don’t know your maid is dating?”

  “Well, she is always the mysterious one. You know, she never talks.”

  “You must be jealous.” She grins.

  “Why would I be? She is like my sister.”

  This is an unexpected turn.

  “Oh, I always thought you have some tension there.”

  I frown at her. “Wait—what? Tension? No way.”

  Ellina grins. “Oh, come on. You must have noticed. She is always looking at you.”

  I scoff. “She just looks at me like I’m a walking trouble. That’s her maid instinct.”

  “Whatever you say.”

  “It’s true. But she did act differently since my father passed away. I wonder why… But that doesn’t matter.”

  “Come on, Grant, you didn’t notice how many people around you look at you with extra attention.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “I’ve seen Sharon and Baz secretly staring at you a few times when we were talking.”

  “They are my friends. Of course, they care more. I’m not the one who always makes the best scene, you should know.”

  Ellina raises an eyebrow. “Well, I’m your ‘friend’ too. You don’t see me staring at you like some lovesick fools.”

  I scowl. “That’s because—”

  Ellina presses a hand over my mouth, cutting me off with a smug grin.

  “Calm down, I’m just teasing you.”

  I settle my emotions down. There’s something I must know.

  “So… are you going back soon?”

  “What, already tired of me?” She ughs cheerfully.

  “No, that’s not what I mean.”

  “Well, since this might be your st time out…”

  She hesitates, just for a second. Then she grins again.

  “I want to stay until the st minute.”

  She continues, “We almost died together. At least let me see the st of you.”

  I open my mouth to say something but stop myself.

  She’s not joking—not entirely.

  Instead of pressing, I just nod.

  She stretches, leaning back, acting like she didn’t just say something heavy.

  I should say something, too.

  But I don’t.

  Instead, I just sit beside her, pretending this is normal.

  “Fine, but at least don’t make my st days annoying.”

  She grins. “No promises.”

  We stopped talking afterward.

  I have a meal with her here at noon. We barely exchanged anything besides talking about the food.

  Obelius comes to check on her once.

  I just don’t want to leave.

  She’s right, these might be my st few moments.

  It’s already afternoon. It’s getting a bit chilly.

  Something has been troubling me the entire day.

  My talk with her mother, Empress de Nova, really keeps coming back to me.

  Is she really just a bargain chip for me?

  She can be. I know.

  But do I still want her to be?

  Am I just feeling guilty for what Camity did to her?

  If I had been working harder on Shin mastery, would anything have been different?

  I stiffen my posture.

  “Ellina, can I talk to you about something?”

  “What?” She smiles, but I can see she is nervous.

  “Your mother gave me permission to ask you out.”

  Ellina blinks for a few seconds.

  “What?”

  “So… what do you think? Do you want to go out with me?”

  She narrows her eyes. “Wait. Is this an invitation? Or what? Do you want to? Or… you just want me to get you out of this mess?”

  “Yes, I am in a mess right now, so I don’t want to reach the end of this mess and realize I missed my chance. Not because of politics. Not because of strategy. Just because… I wanted to.”

  Ellina studies me carefully, her emerald eyes sharp. She doesn’t speak right away. Instead, she tilts her head slightly.

  “I don’t want you to ask me out because you think you need to. And also, I’m really not in the condition to go out, if you didn’t notice.”

  She points to her left leg.

  I know that. Of course, I know that. But hearing her say it—seeing her say it—it makes something twist in my gut.

  She’s already given up. Before I can say anything, before I can even prove I mean it, she’s already telling me why it won’t work.

  That shouldn’t make me mad, but it does.

  I sh out.

  “You don’t want me to treat you like a flower? Then stop treating yourself like one. I know you are more than that.”

  I don’t like to be challenged. My first instinct is always shing out. And I think I hurt her again.

  I feel it immediately—the shift in her posture, the air between us cooling.

  My gut twists. Why do I always do this?

  I should say something. Fix it. Apologize. Anything.

  But my throat locks up before I can.

  Her fingers tighten slightly around the bnket, her jaw tensing.

  “Right,” she murmurs.

  She forces a breath, but I can tell she’s holding something back.

  I don’t like the way that feels.

  I should say something.

  “Get out.”

  I need to…

  “GET OUT!”

  I take a step back. Then another.

  I reach the doorway—but I can’t leave.

  I gnce over my shoulder.

  Her head is locked onto her leg. She’s sobbing.

  My throat tightens again.

  I should say something.

  I should—

  No. I’ve done enough damage.

  I leave.

  ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

  I barely sleep. Every time I close my eyes, I see her crying.

  Then, morning comes. A knock at my door.

  A sheathed sword flies into my hand.

  Ellina stands there, using a crutch.

  “Let’s go. You said you’re sorry, right?”

  She stares at me fiercely.

  “Then show me. No Honor Duel for you this time.”

  We go to the garden. It’s a wider space in the pace.

  We stand across each other. She drops the crutch, relying only on her right leg. Immediately, her body sways—just slightly. She clenches her fists, forcing herself still. Her breath is steady, but I see the tension in her shoulders.

  She swings the sword toward me.

  “Prince Grant, I hereby challenge you to a duel. If you win, you get your prize—a date with me.”

  “And if I lose?”

  Her smirk turns sharp. “Then I’ll leave Bareniss immediately, and I hope you rot in the dungeon of Omenmia.”

  A cold weight settles in my stomach. She’s not joking.

  “I’m not going to fight you in this condition.”

  “Because you’re going to lose. Even without my leg, I still have Shin.”

  I exhale sharply. I should walk away. This is stupid. It’s reckless. It’s—

  Ellina is staring at me like she already knows I won’t. Like she’s daring me to back down.

  Damn it.

  I roll up the sword, dashing towards her.

  No word can stop this now.

  Our swords csh.

  I thrust, aiming for her side. She deflects effortlessly, barely shifting her weight.

  I pivot, bringing the sword down from above—blocked. I twist for a low sweep—blocked again.

  I force my attacks on her, but she isn’t even counterattacking. She’s watching. Waiting. Letting me exhaust myself.

  With only one leg, I still cannot even force her to move. She just blocks all my attacks effortlessly.

  Is this really how far we are? Her Shin makes her unbeatable to me.

  After a few minutes, I grow tired.

  My attacks slow down.

  She lets me keep attacking. Block. Parry. Sidestep. Again and again.

  Is she… bored?

  “Is that all?” she asks, her voice almost… disappointed.

  She exhales sharply, her grip tightening around her sword. Something flickers in her eyes—anger? No, something deeper.

  And then, without warning—she moves.

  Suddenly, she flips her sword to the blunt side, knocking me right in the belly.

  The world is spinning around me.

  As soon as I drop to the floor, her sword is at my throat.

  The bde at my throat should scare me, but it doesn’t. Not really.

  Not when I see the way her fingers tighten. The way her breath shudders. The way she looks like she’s the one losing something.

  “Why you? Why you?”

  She is not asking me. It’s more like she is asking herself.

  She stops herself. Shakes her head, like she doesn’t want to hear the answer.

  She crashes down to the floor. We’re at the same level again.

  Seeing her break down so many times in such a short period troubles me. It’s breaking my impression of her.

  She was the strong one. The untouchable one. The one who fought without hesitation.

  But right now? Right now, she just looks… lost.

  She exhales sharply, pressing a hand against her face.

  When she looks at me again, her emerald eyes are cold. They are colder than I’ve ever seen them. Lifeless. Like a real gem.

  She studies my eyes. Her expression changes as if she is reading something. What did I show her?

  “I should’ve known better.”

  She turns on her heel, standing tall, regal, cold. “Fine, I’ll go.”

  I yell, “I know I cannot stop you, but can I ask you for one st thing?”

  “What?”

  “Can you teach me Shin?”

  “Why now? Why me?”

  “I don’t want to die a loser. And I don’t want you to see me as one.”

  I exhale sharply, running a hand through my hair. Everything is slipping through my fingers, and I don’t know how to stop it.

  “I’m losing everything. My father. My sister. My country.”

  I force myself to meet her eyes, and the words slip out before I can stop them.

  “And I’m losing you.”

  I swallow hard, my throat tight.

  “I can’t stop any of it. But if I have to lose everything, at least let me hold onto this. Let me hold onto how you see me.”

  My voice drops lower. That’s a disappointment to me. “Because I want to be someone worth standing next to you.”

  Ellina doesn’t speak right away.

  She just watches me. Her emerald eyes catch the sunlight, flickering.

  I don’t know if she’s thinking of cutting me down where I fall or walking away for good.

  But her spirit is back.

  Then, finally, she exhales.

  “Don’t regret what you ask for. I’m going to make your st few days miserable with this.”

  Her face is stiff, but warm.

  She shifts her weight, expression firming again. “Well? What are you standing around for? Go get my crutch.”

  ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

  The rest of the morning, we train our minds with meditation.

  It’s boring.

  My legs hurt from sitting. My back is stiff. The quiet is too loud.

  And worst of all?

  My thoughts won’t shut up.

  This is why I failed before. Why have I always avoided this part of Shin?

  I need this to—

  Knock.

  Ellina raps her knuckles against my forehead.

  “Stop thinking. Clear your mind.”

  She is meditating with me.

  I try to focus. Try to feel.

  But the more I try, the more my brain refuses to shut up.

  “Feel the energy around you. Don’t think. Feel.”

  Am I doing it right?

  What does energy even feel like?

  I should be feeling something by now, right?

  I shift, trying to ignore the ache in my legs. I hear a bird chirp outside the wall. Then a cart rolls past the pace.

  My thoughts spiral.

  “You’re failing.”

  I scowl at her. “I’m trying.”

  The whole three hours are finally over.

  I exhale, relieved.

  “Next lesson. Durability.”

  I’m forced to run in circles in the yard while she sits on a chair, watching.

  Felicia and Dominic show up to watch. Of course, they do.

  Ellina leans back, arms crossed.

  “Stop slowing down. Run.”

  I grit my teeth and push forward.

  “You’re not having lunch until you finish.”

  My stomach growls at the mention of food.

  Ellina clicks her tongue. “Is that all you got?”

  I barely stop myself from colpsing. Every muscle in my body is screaming.

  Then she smirks. “Since you don’t know the basics, same drill this afternoon.”

  The thought crushes me.

  I groan. “You’re joking.”

  “I don’t joke about Shin.” She stretches her arms over her head, looking far too rexed for someone who just made me run until my legs felt like they were going to fall off.

  “Also.” She sniffs the air dramatically, then grimaces. “You stink. Go change. I don’t want to eat with you like that.”

  I scowl. “I don’t stink that bad.”

  Felicia, passing by, casually mutters and nods in agreement.

  Dominic just adds to that, “Yes, you do.”

  I gre at all of them.

  Still, I obey. I drag my aching body to my room, change into something fresh, and then trudge to the dining hall.

  Ellina, already seated, raises an eyebrow as I enter. She grins. “Better. Now we can eat.”

  Felicia and Dominic join us.

  We just put the incoming doom of my case aside, just enjoying the st few times together.

  ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

  After another hellish afternoon, I colpse onto the grass next to Ellina in the yard.

  I don’t even have the strength to gre at her. “Is that what you went through?”

  She exhales slowly, stretching her arms behind her head. “No.”

  I blink. “What?”

  She smirks. “I condensed my twenty years of training into one week for you.”

  I stare at her. “You—what?!”

  Ellina shrugs. “Figured I should push you harder. If I’m going to waste my time training you, might as well make it worth it.”

  I groan, rubbing my aching arms. “This is overkilling.”

  She side-eyes me. “Do you still want to be a loser to me or not?”

  Damn it. This woman.

  Before I can think of a comeback, she suddenly mutters, “Maybe when I get back to Uxiospea, I should just move underwater.”

  I blink. “Where did that come from?”

  She exhales, rubbing the side of her left leg absently. “Being a mermaid turns two legs into one. Maybe I don’t have to worry about my broken leg anymore.”

  I sit up straighter. “Wait—you can actually do that?”

  “Well, technically, yes.” She replies.

  “And you’re just mentioning this now?”

  She smirks. “Did you want to carry a mermaid princess through the sea like in the mythology? I’m not letting you experience that.”

  I roll my eyes. “Seriously though, how does it work?”

  “Undinians originated from half-Celesus like me. Their homend sank, so they adapted.”

  That catches my attention. I sit up. “So you’re saying you’re the same as them?”

  She shakes her head. “No. Not really. Most Celesus never go below. And most Undinian never come up. The ones who did were mostly royalties, like me.”

  There’s something in her voice. A hint of something deeper.

  She continues, quieter now, “It’s hard to adjust. I spent six months living underwater before I could even move properly.”

  I frown. “That sounds awful.”

  She shrugs. “It was… strange at first. But also freeing. No weight pressing down on you, no need to rely on your legs. Just movement. Everywhere. I feel myself.”

  Her fingers trace absently against the fabric of her pants, just over her injured leg.

  Then she smirks again, forcing the mood to lighten. “Besides, I’m more Undinian than you think. My grandfather is the king of Undinian.”

  I stare. “You’re joking.”

  She grins. “Nope. I’m basically royalty under the sea too. Try to keep up. My family sigil is a seahorse, remember?”

  I shake my head. “Your lineage is so confusing.”

  Ellina smirks. “Doesn’t matter. Even on nd, with one leg, I’m still better than you.”

  I groan. “You never let up, do you?”

  She tilts her head, mock-thoughtful. “Nope. Why would I?”

  I sigh, rubbing the back of my neck. I never realized just how many identities she carries—Uxiospean Princess, Half-Celesus, Undinian, Shin master. And those are just the ones I know about.

  Meanwhile, me? Just a prince without a throne.

  These make me realize how different we actually are.

  She leans in slightly, watching me with that same amused glint. “Still thinking about me as a mermaid?”

  “No?” I flinch, too quickly.

  She grins wider. I feel like I was totally exposed for no reason.

  Ellina flicks my forehead lightly. “Just pretend I never told you any of this. It’s our secret.”

  “Hmm.” The sudden demand strikes out of nowhere, so I just agree.

  I won’t hurt her feelings again.

  She looks into the sky deeply, like something is bothering her.

  She mutters, “Maybe if you ever make it to Uxiospea, I might consider.”

  “Consider what?”

  She’s already turning away, staring into the clouds. “You’ll find out—if you’re not rotting in a dungeon by then.”

  I scowl. “You could just give me a straight answer, you know.”

  She stretches zily, ignoring me. “Same time tomorrow?”

  I hesitate—then nod. “Same time tomorrow.”