69
Lir, Maxi, Bona, and the lynx emerged in one of the grand halls of Dore Castle—an enormous chamber lined with polished red brick, gilded pillars, and banners bearing the silver stag of Dore fluttering gently with the indoor breeze.
People filled the wide corridor—half-humans, half-elves, and pure-blooded elves moving in clusters. Apprentices wore loose tunics buttoned tightly at the chest, belts cinched around their waists, and fitted pants tucked neatly into high boots. Some carried swords, some rapiers, others bows and daggers.
Parents lingered behind them, whispering prayers or advice.
Dore Castle towered above all structures in the region, located northeast of the city. Streets outside were wide and orderly, lined with three-floor homes built of warm red brick and sky-colored roofs. The castle itself was square, guarded by spired towers at all four corners and a jade-green dome rising in the center. Beyond the east-side buildings stretched the river wall, fortified with circular towers spaced at intervals—each crowned with the statue of a long-dead king.
At the foot of the castle’s fifty stone steps stood a majestic sculpture of the ancient ethereal stag, believed to have roamed the lands over a millennium ago.
Below it, fountains danced across the courtyard, a cooling mist drifting across the stone.
Inside the hall, Bona carried her gift carefully—a beautifully crafted small sword, light enough for her grandniece: blue hilt, precision gem embedded at the guard, and subtle lines running down the center of the blade.
Her eyes sparkled.
“There she is…” Bona whispered.
Her grandniece, Anna Winsel, stood by a column, chatting animatedly with another apprentice—a tall, slender girl with pointed ears, long ponytail, and the unmistakable poise of elven royalty.
Bona stepped forward.
Anna turned, her eyes widening with joy.
“Granny!”
She rushed forward, taking Bona’s hands and placing them atop her head—a sign of respect in Dore, a silent request for blessing. Bona smiled warmly and placed her palm gently on Anna’s hair.
“You came!” Anna beamed.
“And I brought something for you,” Bona said, handing her the small sword.
Anna gasped softly. “Granny… it’s beautiful.”
“This is my friend,” Anna said, stepping aside to introduce her companion. “Aelya Sundervine… daughter of the king.”
Lir bowed politely. The lynx lowered its head too.
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Maxi was not listening.
He had turned to look elsewhere, distracted—until he looked back at Anna and froze.
Aelya’s eyes widened at the same time.
“You?!” Maxi barked.
“You?!” Aelya echoed, equally offended. “What is a kiddo doing inside this castle?”
Maxi stomped forward. “I am taller than you! And stop calling me kiddo—I’m circumcised!”
Aelya choked.
Then burst into laughter so hard she had to clutch her stomach.
Bona blinked twice.
Lir covered her face.
Anna looked like she wanted to melt into the floor.
“W-wait—why would you announce that?!” Aelya said through laughter.
“Because you’re making me sound like a child!” Maxi snapped, ears red.
Aelya wiped a tear from her eye.
“I said kiddo, not baby! What kind of comeback is that?!”
“Both can be insulting!” Maxi barked. “Especially from someone who shoved my hand away and slapped me!”
“You kissed me!” Aelya shot back.
“You fell on me and—”
“I DID NOT FALL! You pulled me!”
“You grabbed the candle!”
Anna and Bona exchanged a defeated look.
Lir stepped forward, grabbing Maxi’s ear.
“Ow—ow—Lir! Stop—!”
“Both of you, stop it,” Lir hissed. “Spirits, people are staring.”
Aelya folded her arms, refusing to admit she started enjoying the argument.
Bona cleared her throat.
“Maxi, explain. Properly.”
Maxi rubbed his ear and sighed.
“…Fine.”
He turned to Aelya, eyes softer now.
“I only wanted that candle… because my brother is hurt,” he said quietly. “Still unconscious. That candle helps people feel better. I wanted it for him.”
Aelya blinked.
For the first time, the sharpness in her eyes softened.
“He’s… hurt?” she asked.
Maxi nodded.
“He’s still not waking up.”
Silence settled.
Aelya shifted awkwardly, her earlier fire dimming.
“I… didn’t know.”
“Well yeah, how could you?” Maxi muttered.
Aelya looked at the ground, then at Maxi’s hand where he clutched his own candle—the last piece from the shop, the one he managed to buy.
“…Is that why you were so angry?” she asked softly.
“Yes!” Maxi exploded. “You snatched the other one like an impatient squirrel!”
Aelya’s lips twitched—not offended this time, but amused.
“You snatched me like a crazed raccoon!”
“You slapped me!”
“You kissed me!”
“It was an accident!”
“It was terrifying!”
Both paused.
Then Aelya laughed again—but quieter, gentler.
Maxi groaned, but didn’t look away.
Anna whispered to Bona, “Aelya never acts like this with anyone.”
Bona murmured back, “Even spirits enjoy chaos.”
Aelya composed herself and stepped closer—not hostile this time.
“…Sorry,” she said quietly. “About the slap.”
Maxi blinked.
He wasn’t expecting that.
“And…” Aelya added, voice softer, “I hope your brother wakes up soon.”
Maxi felt something tighten in his chest.
“…Thanks,” he managed.
Before the moment could grow warm enough to embarrass either of them, a guard in silver armor struck his spear on the marble floor.
“Apprentices! Prepare for induction! Families, please proceed to the outer hall!”
Aelya straightened immediately, royal poise returning.
But before leaving, she glanced at Maxi—subtle, but unmistakable.
“Try not to start fights,” she said.
“You either,” Maxi answered, narrowing his eyes.
Aelya smirked.
Then walked toward the line of apprentices, ponytail swaying like a banner of challenge.
Maxi watched her go.
Lir nudged him. “You like her.”
Maxi went bright red. “W-WHAT—NO—STOP SAYING THAT—!!”
The lynx flicked its tail smugly.
Anna leaned toward Bona.
“They’re going to destroy each other.”
“Or grow from it,” Bona whispered.
Outside, the bells of Dore Castle rang—deep, ceremonial, echoing across the region as apprentices prepared to take their first steps into knighthood.
And amidst all the grandeur, two young hearts had begun a rivalry unlike any other.
