Chapter Text
“GoWon~ it’s time to wake up, my lady!”
GoWon’s eyes fluttered open before being shut again tightly in defiance of the bright sunlight filtering in through her bedchamber windows. Though her handmaiden, Chuu’s, musical voice was welcome any other time, it didn’t make waking up any easier.
“GoWon, you must get ready, your parents are requesting you be brought down to the throne room,” Chuu continued, sitting on the edge of the bed.
That was enough to make GoWon slowly sit up. Why would her parents be requesting her so early in the morning? Usually things in the Gold-Sand Coast were much more informal.
“Did they mention why?” GoWon inquired, her voice a bit gravely with sleep.
Chuu just shook her head, looking pensive. After a moment, she broke into her signature bright smile, warming GoWon’s heart. Chuu wasn’t just her handmaiden, no. She was a dear friend. Her smile was comforting, and GoWon felt ready to take on whatever strange circumstances would unfold soon.
“Alright,” GoWon said, stretching and running her hands through her golden hair, “Let’s get on with it, then.”
~ ~ ~
Olivia winced as she felt the butt of Yves’ sword slam into her chest. The wind was knocked out of her for a moment, but she still managed to slide out of the way as Yves took another jab at the younger girl.
“You’re unfocused,” Yves said, “stop playing defense.”
Olivia sprung back to her feet even though she could practically feel the bruises on her limbs already forming.
She took a swipe at Yves, but unsurprisingly, the knight ducked, throwing Olivia off balance from the momentum.
Yves took the opening to once again strike Olivia with the dull sword, sending her flying backward onto the mat.
Olivia could see stars as she gasped. The two had been training for about an hour, but she was doing worse than usual. Normally, Olivia Hyeborn could hold her own against the castle’s head knight. Princess or not, she was expected to be strong.
When her senses came back to her, she saw Yves outstretched hand. With a sigh of defeat, the young girl took it and Yves helped her to her feet.
“You can’t let distractions get the better of you,” Yves said, her voice firm but gentle at the same time. She was an excellent teacher, but she was also like an older sister to the younger girl.
“I know, I know. I just-“ Olivia started but broke off. Yves piqued an eyebrow in questioning, and Olivia hesitated before continuing. “I can tell they’re plotting something. I’m at the same age Hyunjin was when she married Lady Heejin. I don’t think I’m ready for that sort of thing.”
Yves bit her lip as she put the training swords away.
“Well, Hyunjin is quite happy with the arrangement, no?” she said, untying the padded armor around her chest.
“Just because she is doesn’t mean I will be,” Olivia muttered looking out the window. It was snowing outside, and the frosty air found its way in through cracks in the stone. She was used to the biting, frigid air, though. It was all she had ever known.
“Look, you don’t even know if that’s what they’re planning, alright? Don’t get too in your head about it before anything has been confirmed,” Yves replied, placing a comforting hand on Olivia’s shoulder.
Olivia sighed and nodded before taking off her padding as well, carefully trying to avoid her minor injuries.
The two girls parted ways and Olivia left to get cleaned up and ready for bed. Her mind was still overactive, however, as she bathed and brushed her hair and put on her nightgown- she couldn’t stop thinking about the possibilities.
It was torture. Sometimes, she wished her parents would just tell her what was going on. But all the same, she dreaded the day they did.