He looked at me in bewilderment. Maybe he hadn’t anticipated such a reaction from me. I wasn’t done yet.

"Who do you think you are to dictate my life choices? When my family has no issues with my falling in love with the person of my choice, then who gave you that right?" I was so angry right now that I wanted to punch his perfect face.

Instead of apologising or saying anything he just stood there staring at me. I had enough of his nonsense for the day. So I decided to leave him there and head back to the castle.

"Where are you going? We haven’t finished today’s training." He called from behind.

"l don’t want to do any training today," I shouted at him. He picked up the pace and joined me, I moved further away. His existence was suffocating me right now. Any more nonsense from him and I would break.

"I saw you read Sahala’s diary. She was also in love with a Folkel, you read how that ended. Didn’t you?" What was wrong with him? Why was he attempting to put doubts in my heart? Tears welled up in my eyes.

"Zeph gives me hope and what can you possibly know about love? When you haven’t even experienced it. So leave me alone." I looked at him with teary eyes. There was a slight expression on his face, was it concern or anguish?

"You are right. What can I possibly know about love? But I won’t advise you to walk a path that will only lead to heartbreak or mess with your training." He tried to wipe my tears but I jerked his hand away.

"I apologise I didn’t mean to make you cry. I am not good with emotions and sometimes I overstep. It’s just that I am brutally honest. Let’s sit for a while and relax. I won’t discuss anything further with you. We will only train." He pointed towards the bench.

I sat down and he sat beside me.

"Sometimes people don’t need honesty, they just need a bit of compassion. Try that, maybe it will melt your cold heart a bit and someone would actually fall in love with you too." I said and he stared at me again.

"You truly believe I care what others think about me? I don’t. And I never seek love, never have, never will." He was right about one thing, he didn’t care what others thought about him.

"Love makes you stronger, it’s important to have love in your life." I disagreed.

"Love is overrated and it only weakens your position and resolves." He had that same monotonous tone.

"You are so wrong, if there was no love in this world we wouldn’t be able to survive. Why do you protect us, if you don’t feel a certain amount of love for us?"

"I protect because it’s my duty, that’s the one thing I have trained for my whole life, to protect, especially you. Because you are going to be our future Queen and I want you to be bold and fearless. Not shackled by anyone when it will come down to making difficult choices because believe me you will have to." I was baffled at his conclusions. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

"So you want me to have a loveless life so I can be a better Queen? Being miserable is being stronger in your books. I don’t want such a life." I told him in a flat tone.

"What will you do if the enemy captures your boyfriend and threatens to kill him, until and unless you fulfill their demands which will put the whole world at risk? Will you save him or save the world?" I was dumbfounded by his question. Something clutched at my heart thinking about Zeph in peril.

"I will find a way," I replied meekly.

"What if there is no way? A war is coming and you won’t be able to save everyone, especially with the powers and mindset you have right now. I want you to become stronger so you can face this world, no matter what it throws at you." His words held some truth, I wasn’t even ready for what was coming. When I didn’t speak for a long time he spoke again.

"In Folkshel Realm you said I was like an elder brother to you? Do those words still hold any meaning for you?" Although he was an ass, he saved my life and I knew he had my best interests at heart and he cared for me in his twisted way. I simply nodded.

"Then take my advice as your elder brother. You and I, can’t afford love in our lives. It will only drag us down. I know how sensitive you are and you won’t be able to let people you love just go. But don’t wear your heart on your sleeve. Be discreet and try to be less emotional. And above all let me train you." Tears started flowing again from my eyes, his words had ripped my heart but could I blame him for speaking the truth?

He wiped my tears with his hand and this time I didn’t stop him. "I will try," that’s all I could say right now.

"Don’t let others see your tears. Get some rest. We will train again in the evening." I nodded my head.

After resting for a while we resumed training in the evening. Kilamin asked me to sit on the grass in a half-lotus position.

"Free your mind of every thought and take deep breaths. If you can free your mind then you can achieve almost anything and it will help you against any foreign power from invading your mind." I tried but it was easier said than done.

"Serene, close your eyes and focus." I did as he said.

"Bring up your shield, when you are strong enough not only will your shield protect you from physical attacks, but it will also protect you from mental invasion." I covered myself with my shield and began to practice.

"Keep your eyes closed, I am going to launch a surprise attack on you. Anticipate which area I am going to target. Upheld your shield."

I felt my shield being pierced from the left side so I concentrated on the left side but then I felt the same force on the right side and front and back. He was attacking me from all sides at once.

I focused my aura on all sides, but his attack was too strong and it was draining me quickly. No, I can’t give up, I pushed myself, my eyes still closed. I could feel his attack closing in, trying to bring my shield down.

I cleared my mind of all thoughts and concentrated on nullifying his attack. I expanded my shield with every ounce of power in my body and I could feel the stronghold loosen around me. Another push and I heard something snap.

I quickly opened my eyes to see what had happened.