Adele ducked.

The blade cut through the air where her throat had been a second ago. She dropped low, rolling across the dirt in one smooth motion. Her shoulder grazed the ground as she twisted and drove her sword forward.

Steel met the flesh above her, and a sharp, wet sound followed.

Her opponent staggered back with a choked gasps. His eyes widened as Adele’s blade sank just beneath his shoulder.

Blood followed immediately.

A cough tore out of him, thick and rough as he bent slightly, spitting blood to the side.

Adele was already on her feet before he could take in a second breath. Her breathing wasn’t ragged, not even close.

Being a Blackfen came with his own privileges as she had known the field, and been a war princess since birth.

Her grip on the sword didn’t shake as she pulled it back with a clean motion, stepping away just as the man dropped to one knee.

"You’re distracted," she said flatly.

The man wiped his mouth, glaring up at her through the pain. "You fight like a beast."

Adele tilted her head slightly. "Then stop treating me like a woman. I’m a Blackfen." She flashed him a ghost smile.

Around them, the training ground had gone quieter than before.

It always did when Adele fought, even if she rarely did. She didn’t fight like the other women.

She didn’t hesitate or soften her strikes. Also, she definitely didn’t lose.

A strand of her dark hair clung to the side of her face, damp with sweat. She pushed it back absently, as her eyes already scanned for the next opponent.

No one stepped forward immediately.

Adele exhaled slowly, lowering her sword just slightly, but not enough to signal she was done.

Her body was still coiled. She was ready, and waiting, because if she stopped moving, she would think.

And she refused to do that. Atleast not today, and not after last night.

Adele’s jaw tightened slightly. The memory pressed in anyway. She would never forget that sight from last night.

Torak leaning back like he always did, relaxed, and untouchable with one woman at his side, another leaning too close, and the third laughing at something he said.

And him... he didn’t push them away.

Adele’s grip on her sword tightened. The leather around the hilt creaked faintly as she tried to calm herself.

"Again," she said. 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

Her opponent looked like he wanted to refuse. However, he didn’t. He pushed himself up with effort, blood still staining the corner of his mouth.

"Fine," he muttered.

This time, he didn’t hold back. He lunged first, and fast

For anyone else, it would have been impressive.

However, for Adele, that was slow. With her father gone, she can finally train properly and quit being just a brat.

She pivoted on her heel, letting his blade pass her side before slamming the flat of her sword against his wrist.

The crack echoed, and hiis grip loosened at the impact.

Adele stepped in.

Her blade came up again, stopping just a breath away from his throat. He froze, and lifted his hands in the air, surrendering.

Adele stared at him for a second longer... then stepped back.

"Enough." She breathed out. Her voice had lost interest.

The fight was over the moment she realized he couldn’t keep up.

The man exhaled shakily, lowering his weapon completely this time.

Adele turned away from him without another word.

The training ground felt too small suddenly.

She needed water, or space.

The wooden bucket sat near the edge of the field.

Adele grabbed the ladle without ceremony, dipping it in and bringing it to her lips.

The water was cool, and grounding. She swallowed once... twice... then lowered it slightly.

She lifted her face, then saw Michelle. The maid stood a little further off, half in shadow. Her eyes were already on Adele.

Adele didn’t react immediately.

She took another slow sip before setting the ladle aside.

Michelle lifted her hand slightly. She signalled Adele to come closer.

Adele’s gaze narrowed just a fraction, then she walked over. She really hate sharing spaces with maids and this maid might have her head off if she walked over for nothing

She stopped just close enough to hear, but not close enough to be familiar.

"What?" Adele asked.

Michelle’s lips curved faintly. "Good morning to you too."

Adele didn’t return the smile.

Michelle’s eyes flickered over her, taking in the sweat, the tension, and the faint smear of blood on her sleeve.

"Rough morning?" she asked lightly. "Sometimes, I wished I wa a Blackfen."

Adele’s expression didn’t change. "Say what you came to say."

Michelle’s smile didn’t drop. If anything, it sharpened just slightly. "I was wondering..." she began, her voice lowering just enough, "if there’s anything you’d like done."

Adele’s brows pulled together faintly. "Done?"

Michelle tilted her head. "About the Luna."

Adele looked at her, wondering what she did for thos maid to get this familiar. Familiar enough to be stupid.

Adele’s eyes hardened just a fraction.

"I don’t understand you," she said.

Michelle’s gaze didn’t waver. "I think you do." her eyes hardened. "Everyone knows she doesn’t belong here."

Adele’s jaw tightened.

Michelle took a small step closer. "Some people just... need a little push," she added softly.

Adele’s grip curled slightly at her side.

Suspicion settled in her chest. She didn’t like the way Michelle was looking at her like she expected agreement.

Adele said nothing.

Michelle’s smile faded just a fraction. She adjusted to Adele’s vibe, and bowed deeply.

Before Adele could say more, footsteps approached them.

Adele’s head turned instinctively, and then, her breath left her harshly as her heart dropped into her stomach.

Xanden walked ahead. His presence was as commanding as ever. Adele bowed politely as he walked past.

Beside him, Torak walked along.

He was speaking.

"...two more were caught near the northern woods last night," Torak was saying, his tone steady, professional. "They weren’t armed, but they were mapping the area."

Xanden’s gaze shifted slightly. "Humans are getting bolder."

Torak nodded once. "Yes."

And then, his eyes lifted, and met hers.

Everything stilled for a second. A single, suspended second.

Adele felt it. She felt that sharp, quiet pull in her chest. That annoying, unwanted, and unavoidable pull.

Torak’s gaze didn’t soften. A recognition he couldn’t quite hide flashed through his face. He reached for his collar, and pulled it.

He loosened it, visibly unable to breathe.

Adele looked away first.

Her fingers tightened slightly around the ladle as she lifted it again, bringing it to her lips like nothing had happened.

The water tasted different now when it passed through her throat.

Torak’s chest tightened. However, it disappeared before it could show on his face.

He continued speaking. "...we’ll need to increase patrols along the eastern ridge as well," he added, his voice as controlled as ever.

Xanden nodded. "See to it."

"Yes, Alpha."

They passed through the training ground, and just like that, Torak was gone.

Adele lowered the ladle slowly. Her expression hadn’t changed, not visibly but her grip on the wood tightened just slightly.

Behind her, Michelle watched everything.

Her lips curved again.

Adele exhaled slowly, then she set the ladle down. "Get back to your duties," she said without looking at Michelle.

Michelle didn’t move immediately.

"Think about it," she murmured.

Adele’s gaze flicked to her. Her gaze was sharp and warning.

Michelle only smiled.

Then she turned, walking away confidently. She felt a strange amount of power running through her after see what happened between Torak and Adele.

Adele stood there for a moment longer.