Chapter 09: Fate hates him
Present day
Northern Castle
It was undeniably an annoying day for him, one that seemed to stretch on endlessly. His beloved princess, in a fit of playful mischief, had thrown a few books at him for reasons that were completely beyond his understanding. To make matters worse, he found himself in a situation where he wasn’t allowed to do anything at all... just like always. Despite the frustration, he loved his princess dearly, yet he couldn’t help but feel a twinge of resentment over how she constantly picked on him, especially since books, as innocent as they may seem, could really hurt when they hit you.
Ryan often felt like he had the worst luck of anyone around. He had known Lyra since they were both young children, and he had fallen in love with her at first sight. However, he had never found the courage to confess his feelings to her. Unfortunately, ever since she had met him, she had taken to teasing him relentlessly. What began as innocent jabs had escalated into something much weirder, but the half-breed had grown accustomed to it over time.
Feeling overwhelmed by the chaos of the day, the half-breed decided to step outside for a moment of respite. He let out a soft sigh, appreciating the peaceful air that surrounded him, a stark contrast to the turmoil he felt indoors. He made his way to his favorite training spot, located east of the front entrance, where he could focus on honing his skills. With his sword in hand, he began to practice, channeling his frustrations into each swing, hoping that one day he would find the strength to confront his feelings for Lyra and perhaps change the dynamic of their relationship.
Northern lands
It was a beautifully peaceful day, the kind that seemed to stretch on forever, filled with the gentle sounds of nature and the laughter of children. Max was diligently helping his friend Ryan hold up a wooden sword, demonstrating the proper way to wield it while also imparting some basic techniques on how to use it effectively. The sun shone brightly overhead, casting a warm glow on the scene. Meanwhile, Rain, the wise mage of the tower, sat comfortably on the steps leading up to her abode, engrossed in a book. A few other books lay scattered around her, evidence of her insatiable thirst for knowledge. Unbeknownst to this small, tight-knit family, however, was the secretive plan that the young princess, Lyra, was concocting, as well as the mysterious actions of Lyne, who had her own agenda.
Suddenly, out of the blue, the young princess, who was destined to be the future ruler of the northern lands, dashed up to Rain with an air of excitement. She placed her small hands firmly on the page of the book that the mage was reading, interrupting her concentration.
Rain blinked a few times in surprise before turning her gaze to the young girl. “Hello, Lyra. May I help you with something?” she asked, her voice gentle and inviting.
Lyra beamed at her, a cute smile lighting up her face. “Play with me!” she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm.
The mage let out a soft sigh, which caught Max's attention, prompting him to look over from his training session with Ryan. “I’m sorry, but I’m currently busy with something important. Why don’t you go play with Max instead?” Rain suggested, hoping to redirect the princess's energy.
Hearing that made Max twitch slightly, a mix of surprise and concern crossing his face.
Lira walked over with a soft sigh, her shoulders drooping slightly. “I’m really sorry, Rain. My sister was busy, so I thought I’d come and watch you for a while,” she explained, her voice tinged with disappointment.
Rain looked up at her, her expression softening. “It’s perfectly fine, dear,” she reassured the young princess. She then moved her book aside and gently lifted Lyra, placing the young child on her lap. “Now, tell me, Lyra, what’s your favorite element?” she inquired, genuinely curious.
Lira smiled softly, her expression warm and inviting, then gracefully walked over to the mage and settled down beside him. She watched how the mage was with her niece.
After a moment of contemplation, the young girl replied, “Water. It’s pwetty,” her voice filled with childlike awe.
Rain’s face broke into a warm smile, as water was indeed her main element. “Then you’ll really like this,” she said, her hands moving gracefully between them. With a flick of her wrist, she conjured small orbs of water that floated delicately into the air, stopping right in front of Lyra’s face.
Lyra’s eyes widened in amazement as she gazed at the shimmering water orbs. “So pwetty!” she exclaimed, her voice bubbling with happiness.
“Would you like to touch one?”
The young girl blinked in surprise and looked down at Ryan, who was watching the scene unfold with curiosity. “Who you?” she asked innocently, her attention shifting.
Rain sighed softly, realizing that she needed to introduce them properly. “Lyra, this is my son, Ryan,” she explained. After a moment of thought, she added, “But he did ask a good question.”
Lyra turned her gaze back to the mesmerizing orbs. “Touch them…? Would me get wet?” she asked, her brow furrowing in concern.
“Touch and see,” Ryan chimed in with a cute smile. “Mom’s orbs are not like normal water orbs. They won’t make you wet.”
After a moment of hesitation, Lyra reached up and lightly poked the closest orb. To her delight, the orb merely shifted slightly, creating a gentle wave-like motion inside it. Her eyes widened even further as she watched the orb dance in the air. “Wowie…” she breathed, utterly captivated.
Rain smiled lightly, pleased to see the princess so enchanted. “So, Lyra, dear, what do you think of my water orbs?” she asked, eager for the young girl’s reaction.
Lyra looked up at the mage, her face glowing with joy. “Me wove them!” she declared, giggling with delight.
In a moment of affection, the mage leaned over and placed a gentle kiss on Lyra’s forehead. “Then I’ll teach Ryan how to create them too,” she said, her voice filled with warmth.
Both children blinked in surprise and exchanged glances, their expressions a mix of curiosity and uncertainty. “Why mom?” Ryan asked, his voice laced with genuine confusion before Lyra could respond. Although they enjoyed playing together, both children sensed that something was amiss in the air.
Lira hummed softly to herself, a gentle melody escaping her lips. "Just because, right, Rain?"
“….Yeah…” Rain replied, her voice trailing off as she moved Lyra back to the ground. She stood up, feeling a strange sensation wash over her, a sense of foreboding that she couldn’t quite shake. With a furrowed brow, she turned and walked into her tower, seeking solace in the familiar surroundings.
Lira blinked a few times, processing the moment, then let out a soft sigh. "Lyra, let's go play in the castle," she suggested with a hint of excitement in her voice.
"Okay!" the young girl exclaimed enthusiastically. Without hesitation, she grabbed Ryan's hand and began to pull him along with her as she dashed toward the grand castle that loomed in the distance.
Ryan, on the other hand, was momentarily taken aback. He blinked in surprise as he found himself being tugged along, feeling a mix of confusion and amusement. Although he had no say in the matter, it seemed that no one was inclined to stop the spontaneous adventure from unfolding.
Meanwhile, Max and Lira exchanged glances, both waiting for the two children to return from their impromptu adventure.
“...Is he fated to be her guard…?” Max asked the princess, his voice low and contemplative.
Lira sighed softly, her expression turning serious. “I don’t know, but Lyne mentioned that his fate is linked to hers since they first played together,” she replied, her tone reflecting the weight of the words.
“Poor boy,” Max said, shaking his head slightly, a hint of sympathy in his voice.
“Indeed,” Lira agreed, both of them sharing a moment of understanding as they sighed together, their thoughts lingering on the implications of such a bond.
Just then, they turned their attention to Rain, who was walking out of her tower, her expression thoughtful and slightly troubled.
“Max…” Rain began, her voice carrying a sense of urgency
Library
Lyra sat contentedly at a small table, deeply engrossed in coloring away in a vibrant coloring book that Kai had thoughtfully given her. The pages were filled with whimsical designs, and she was determined to bring them to life with her colorful imagination. Next to her, Kai was seated, his focus directed toward his studies. He was buried in his textbooks, trying to absorb as much information as possible. However, he couldn’t shake the curiosity about why the young princess had rushed to him earlier, pulling Ryan along with her. It was a bit of a mystery, but he knew that the panther demon had played a crucial role in calming the young half-breed down, which was no small feat.
Ryan, feeling a bit defeated, sighed heavily as he laid his head against the table, his frustration evident. “I wanna go back and learn…” he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper.
Lyra, still happily coloring, looked up and replied with a cheerful, “Nopie. Ryan stays nearby.”
Ryan turned his head to glare at her, propping his chin on his hand. “….Why?” he asked, his tone laced with annoyance.
“Me do not know,” she replied innocently, her focus returning to her artwork.
“Then let me go,” he pleaded, hoping to convince her.
“No,” she insisted, her resolve firm.
Kai, observing the playful banter between the two, sighed softly. “Princess, just color. Ryan, why don’t you read up on the history of swordsmanship?” he suggested, trying to redirect their energies.
Lyra nodded enthusiastically, her smile brightening the room.
Ryan, feeling a mix of resignation and determination, sighed again and moved away from the table. He walked over to the bookshelf, searching for some books to occupy his time. It was going to be a long day, but perhaps he could find something interesting to dive into.
Lira stood near the doorway alongside her friend Rain, both of them feeling a sense of relief that Kai had chosen to spend his time studying rather than getting into mischief. They both knew that the demon had a unique way of connecting with the young princess, and it was a comfort to see him focused on his studies.
Just then, Lira felt a pair of arms wrap around her body unexpectedly, causing her to jump slightly in surprise. “So what’s going on here?” a familiar voice asked playfully.
Lira leaned back into the embrace and looked up, blinking in surprise. “Takumi, what are you doing here?” she asked, her voice a mix of curiosity and delight.
The panther demon smiled softly at her, his red eyes sparkling with mischief. “I was just checking in on Kai and his studying. What about you two lovely ladies?” he inquired, glancing between Lira and Rain.
Rain, ever the observant one, looked over and pointed at Lyra with a teasing grin. “Kira has Lira babysitting today,” she said, her tone light and playful.
Takumi looked over at Lira and sighed softly, a knowing smile creeping onto his face. “And that’s why I find two beautiful females standing here. Is the young one causing any trouble?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.
Lira shook her head, a smile forming on her lips. “No, not at all. Kai has her coloring, so she’s occupied.”
“And he even got Ryan to practice swordsmanship since Lyra won’t let him leave the room…” Takumi added, his voice trailing off as he pondered the situation.
“Odd… Does she have some strange power over him?” he mused aloud, his curiosity piqued.
Lira and Rain exchanged glances, both blinking in surprise at the thought before Rain finally spoke up. “No… But it is a bit strange,” she admitted, her brow furrowing in thought.
Takumi leaned his chin against Lira’s head, contemplating the dynamics at play. “What if our young princess actually enjoys having young Ryan around?” he suggested, a hint of mischief in his tone.
“...” Lira remained silent, considering his words.
“He’s right, Rain. We had the two play together when they were just learning to walk. Maybe Lyra has grown accustomed to having him around, even if Ryan doesn’t fully realize it yet,” Lira said thoughtfully.
“Maybe…” Rain replied, her voice trailing off as she pondered the implications of their conversation
Northern Castle
Ryan flinched slightly as he felt arms wrap around his body unexpectedly, causing him to drop his blade in surprise. He looked down, and his dark blue eyes widened in shock when he realized just who was hugging him. “P-princess?” he stammered, his heart racing.
Lyra giggled softly, a sound that was both light and playful. “Sorry for hitting you with that book earlier. I was actually trying to hit Kaorun this time,” she explained, her voice gentle and apologetic.
He let out a soft sigh as he carefully removed her arms from around him and turned to face her fully. “Princess, you always seem to throw things at me,” he remarked, a hint of exasperation in his tone.
She blinked in surprise, looking up at him with wide eyes. “I do?” she asked, genuinely puzzled.
“Yes, you do! And you often order me to do dangerous things or insist that I stay close to you,” he replied, his expression softening as he spoke.
Lyra fell silent, unable to respond. Deep down, she didn’t quite understand why she felt compelled to act that way. “I’m sorry...” she finally managed to say, her voice barely above a whisper.
Ryan sighed again, this time with a hint of understanding, and pulled her into a warm hug. “Princess, you really need to focus on staying calm. If you feel the need to throw things at me, go ahead. I’m used to it by now,” he reassured her, trying to ease her worries.
As she stood there in his embrace, Lyra felt her cheeks flush softly, a warmth spreading through her. She blinked, momentarily lost in the moment. When she finally looked up at him again, her blush began to fade, but something else was stirring within her. “Okay...” she replied, her voice barely above a whisper. It was at that very moment that she became acutely aware of her feelings for the boy standing before her, feelings that were deeper and more complex than she had ever realized.
