Dinner had become the only time I got to see my father these days. He was either stuck in meetings or off-traveling to the other villages to check on his armies.
“So, Zara, I heard you have been joining the guards in their training in the morning.” My father looked at me with one eyebrow raised.
“So, what if I have?” I raised an eyebrow back. He chuckled as we both took a sip from our wine glasses. “It has been years since I last trained. I needed the exercise.” I shrugged, swirling the wine nervously in my glass. He wouldn’t disapprove of my training, but I was doing it early in the morning with the guard recruits—aka non-princess-approved men.
“It's not a bad thing,” he said, setting down his glass. “I just wished you would have told me so that I could get you a suitable trainer.”
He glanced at Winnie, who was talking to the head healer, Spencer, to her right. His greasy, slick black hair and pointed, rat-like face made him look more sinister than necessary. He was grinning at my mother and talking in hushed whispers, and my father seemed to frown at them.
“So, as you aren’t scolding me, I take it I can continue to train?” I mused, hopefully.
His pale blue eyes searched my face, and then he looked down the table for someone. I eyed him suspiciously, my gut twisting. “Captain! Come join us on this end for a moment,” King Helion bellowed into the room.
My stomach dropped. “Father,” I snapped.
He glanced at me, amused. “Don't be nervous. Jeremy was the one who told me about your early morning training.”
My face got hot. He what? I began to object, “I'm not—”
“Ah, Jeremy, sorry for pulling you away from your dinner.”
The new captain strode toward the end of our table. He was clad in dark, fitted trousers that melded seamlessly into his sturdy, black leather boots. His tunic was a crisp, white fabric tucked neatly beneath a richly crimson-red jacket draped elegantly over his shoulders. Intricate gold embroidery adorned the jacket, shimmering in the light as it twisted across the fabric in ornate patterns. Unlike the standard issue for the guards, his jacket bore the sigil of the letter “C” embroidered prominently on the front of his left breast.
The captain’s golden eyes flicked briefly toward me before shifting their focus to my father. His footsteps seemed to resonate through the room, cutting through the hum of conversation at the table.
He wasn’t unattractive; in fact, he was quite striking. A black ribbon secured his slicked-back, shoulder-length blonde hair at the base of his neck. His tanned, lean muscles were visible beneath his tight shirt, and it was clear why there had been so much chatter among the other ladies.
“It is no bother at all, Your Majesty; how can I be of assistance?” Jeremy said, giving a low bow. He now stood next to me on my left, and I had the urge to look up at him, but kept my gaze on my father.
“I’m not sure if you two have been officially introduced yet, but this is my daughter Zara,” my father said, gesturing toward me. “And Zara, this is our new captain, Jeremy.”
I had no choice but to turn and face the new captain. His golden eyes locked onto mine so intensely that warmth instantly spread through me.
“Captain,” I greeted curtly, finishing the wine in my glass.
“Lovely to make your acquaintance, Princess,” Jeremy replied, offering a courteous bow. I nodded in response, then turned back to my father with a sense of unease.
“Zara was just telling me how she wishes to continue training with the guard recruits in the mornings,” my father said, leaning back in his chair. “I don’t think it’s suitable for her to be around so many—” he paused, trying to find the right word. “—untrained men, if you will. I was wondering if you would take over her training? I know you have been busy getting acquainted, but maybe in the evenings after your rotations?”
Jeremy went to reply, but I cut him off, flexing my fingers under the table. “That won’t be necessary, Father. I’m quite content with my routine as it is. I’m sure the captain has more pressing matters to attend to than training me,” I said, offering a polite but strained smile.
My father raised an eyebrow and turned his gaze to Jeremy.
“Of course, Your Majesty. If morning is her preferred time, I can rearrange my schedule to accommodate it,” Jeremy replied, and my father beamed.
It was as if I hadn’t spoken. My blood began to boil.
“Wonderful, then it's settled.” My father’s blue eyes found mine, letting me know it was not up for discussion.
I held my strained smile and turned to the captain, meeting his gaze again. “Thank you, Captain, that’s very kind of you,” I said through half-clenched teeth.
“I’ve seen you train with Vincent; you’re a natural fighter,” the captain said, a hint of amusement in his tone, and his comment only made my father grin further.
“I’ll see you in the morning then, Captain. Your dinner must be getting cold,” I said, trying to restrain my anger.
Something sparked in his eyes at my dismissal, and Jeremy smirked at me before turning back to my parents. “Your Majesties.” He took one last bow before stalking back down the table to his seat.
I shot my father a withering look, but he was already glaring back. “Don’t even start, Zara. It’s for your safety.”
