Chapter Text
The training ground bustles with grunts and air swings. Soldiers trains under the beaming hot sun high up the clear sky. Amongst all of them were Asline Monbeir. The sole heir of the Monbeir clan.
"Stay focused, Asline." The words echoes through the training ground as her father can be seen leaning oh a nearby stone wall. His face looks like someone who barely cares about faces.
Asline could only bit her tongue as she swing her wooden sword at the funny Infront of her. She was sixteen and yet she has trained everyday since she was a kid, day until night, dawn until dusk. Yet she never once seen her father being satisfied.
Even after beating a grown soldier that has almost double her body weight. Asline tightened her grip on the sword, swinging as hard as she could.
CRACK—!
Unfortunately for her, it was too hard. Breaking the wooden sword in half with a crunchy crack. Asline gasped in disbelief, more terrified than shocked. Frozen in place she glanced at her father,
Yet all she got was a cold, disappointed stare. Asline lowered her head, looking at the ground, "How could this has happened...? I was so careful with my swings..." She thought to herself.
Her heart sank deeper as she see her father leaving at the corner of her eyes. Asline frowned, throwing the broken half to the ground.
Asline grunted, stomping her foot to the ground before deciding to sit down at the nearest stone bench. Crossing her arms, her brows furrowed unconsciously biting her nails as she thinks about what has just happened.
"Was my grip too tight perhaps? Did I use too much force?" She thinks to herself, looking at the wooden sword laying nearby she get annoyed at how she could break such things.
"Ine—?"
"How could I make such mistakes? I don't do mistakes!"
"Line—!"
"How could I let my emotions get the best of me—"
"Asline!" The sound snapped her attention, startled she looked up finding that the sound belong to her friend, Callie Aralise. Third best of the defense position.
"C-Callie...? How long have you been there?" Asline asked only to be met with Callie's pout "What do you mean? I've been calling out your name but you didn't respond!" She huffed, sitting down next to the startled girl.
Callie sighed, her face softening as she turned around to look as her friend "What're you thinking about anyway?" Asline grumbles lowly, looking down at the ground beneath her. "It's about your father isn't it...?" Callie's voice soften.
Met with Asline nod Callie sighed loudly "Who cares anyway?!" She raised her voice, Asline flinched looking up to Callie with wide eyes "Cal—"
"No! I've seen you take down three grown ups by yourself and you're strong Asline, and if your father still thinks it's not enough, I'll—ugh!" Callie groaned, stopping her sentences. Her brows furrowed deeply.
Callie clenched her hand tightly, turning white in a short time, closing her eyes and inhaling from her nose sharply as she tried to calm down. After all, if any loyal dogs here overheared what she just said she would get reported for being disrespectful to her employer.
"Haaa..." Callie exhaled, loosening her grip where her palms quickly regain it's color, her nails leaving crescent like marks. "Callie..." Asline speak in a concerned voice, placing her hand over Callie's.
"I'm... Fine. I'm sorry, I shouldn't let my emotion get the best of me. Apologies." She opened her eyes, looking at the dark violet color one's in Asline
"You don't have to apologize... I understand, I just... Wanted to make him proud..." Asline replied, her earlier annoyance drifting off like dust particles in the sun replaced by comfort. "I am also annoyed. I just... Wanted to be a daughter in his eyes. Bonding like any other family."
"But you know I can't just abandoned my duties as the clan heir." Asline sighed, her eyes dropping to look down. Callie's shoulder relaxed after hearing that, turning her hand around to hold Asline's, gripping it gently
"I'm glad you can tell me that... At least I know even you can see it."
Asline hesitate, raising her eyes back to Callie's own honey-colored eyes. "Yes, I guess so. Sixteen years of living I was bound to noticed it sooner than later." Asline nodded, smiling slightly after being able to say part of what she wish she could.
Silence filled the air, the only sound that can be heared was the nearby training soldier. Callie sighed, standing up from the stone bench. She smiled, stretching her hand out to Asline
"I heared there's a Bazaar happening today at Central Primrose, how about we take a walk around and buy something? My treat." Callie waited for the girls response.
Asline hesitated, she wanted to go but her duties—Callie grabbed her hand suddenly, making Asline yelped out. "C'mon, it'll be fun!" Faced with the sudden encouragement Asline grumbled brudgingly, "alright alright..." Asline sighed standing up before being instantly dragged by Callie.
The walk to the Central was quiet and comfortable, though sometimes they have to hide from Asline's father loyal dogs That might patrol nearby and snitch them off. And both of them are not ready to face the clan leader just yet.
Sounds of people walking and talking filled the air as the both of them arrived at the Central Primrose. Food vendors lined up along the sides, the sound of horses hooves dancing with the ground as they lead a carriage behind them.
The smell of food was hypnotizing, Callie grinned beside Asline "ah! I can't wait to try out some new food variants!" She squealed, turning to look as Asline with a glint on her eyes. "C'mon, let's not waste time!"
Callie quickly stride off first, Asline chuckled as she followed close behind. Looking at the vendors, the food truly was hypnotizing, everything looks so good... For once, Asline thought that maybe, she can have a real fun without being seen as the Monbeir clan's heir.
The both of them walked down the street, looking at different kind of foods on the vendors. A glazed chewy Colorful dough, slices of cake, you name it. Callie squealed seeing the different kind of foods and snacks.
She quickly pulled Asline to one of the vendors. Asline didn't pay any attention, looking around to find her own kind of food. The overly sweet food. Well for other it might be, for Asline, it's just the perfect level. A pure Bliss of happiness.
Asline bit her lips unconsciously, just thinking about the sweetness that'll spread on her taste bud later bring a huge giddy smile to her face. It wasn't until Callie has to shook her shoulder that she snapped back to reality and realized the face she makes.
Her eyes looking back at Callie's as her smile dropped awkwardly, "oh... Hehe... Sorry, I zoned out..." Asline apologized. "How embarrassing... To think I make such expression in public..." She thinks to herself. Only to be met with Callie chuckling "it's fine... Now let's go! I can't wait to buy a whole lot more!" Callie said excitedly
Asline can only shook her head "are you sure you won't be over eating later? With what you're buying right now I just know you're going to stay awake all night..." She scoffed, glancing at the slice of coffee cake on Callie's hand.
Callie rolled her eyes "whatever, let's just go!" She said taking Asline hand once again. Time passed quickly as the two bought a lot of foods, the sky were getting dark and Asline grew worried.
"Nerine!" Callie shouted, waving her food filled hand. Asline turned around, looking at the direction her friend waved at. Seeing one of the young vendor already packing up. He was eighteen at the least. Average looking.
Nerine Crevan, one of Callie's old friend, she talks about him to Asline sometimes. She followed Callie as they both start to walk towards the young man. "Callie! It's been long. How were your training?" He asked the excited girl, chuckling at her food filled arms
"It is! And it's been great, I've improved my stance and posture by a lot." Callie giggled, "oh, also, meet Asline. The boss daughter." Callie introduced Asline, glancing at her
Nerine averted his gaze to the girl beside Callie, his posture straightening slightly "And—oh. Miss Monbeir a pleasure to meet you." He greeted, placing a hand over his chest, his tone more respectful.
Asline jaw tensed slightly, that title... She would be happy being called that, only if the scene wasn't like this... "The pleasure is mine. I've heard a lot about you from Callie." Asline replied, her tone the same from the one when she talks with her father's friend.
"Is that so?" Nerine chuckled, glancing at Callie. "I trust it's something good?" He asked, now intrigued by what the food loving girl has been saying about him "the infamous food supplier." Asline replied, met with Nerine snorting, and chuckling in amusement.
"Hey..!" Callie called out, annoyed of being exposed. "She's... Not wrong, but either way! Nerinee! Do you still have those sweet white cake?" Callie asked, tilting her head innocently, hoping there's some left.
"You mean the Snow Myrtle? Of course, save it just for you." Nerine nodded, turning around to grab two from the near cabinet. Callie squealed "Yes! Thank you so much!" She laughed as Nerine hand her a slice of cake, giving the other one to Asline.
Callie immediately take the cake, "oh.. thank you." Asline replied, taking the cake, nodding in appreciate "it's a no problem." Asline nod once more, smiling softly. "Yes, another sweet thing!" Asline thinks excitedly.
"Oh! We should head back soon, Callie..." Asline suddenly remembered, glancing at the sky. "Yeah..." Callie responded, disappointed and annoyed. "Well, we would take our leave now, Nerine. And thank you again for saving the cakes!"
Nerine simply nodded as he watched the two walked away with bunch of foods and a smile on their face. Man... He was saving the last slice for himself. But, it's not like he can't bake another. More for himself then.
Nerine chuckled, turning around to pack his own things.
On the other side, the walk home was still joyous, though Asline could feel her heart beat faster as they get a step closer back to the Monbeir clan. "Father would've realized I was gone all day by now... And all these sweet food... Ugh..."
"Well, I better finish most of these before facing father..." Asline sighed as she suddenly stopped in place, making Callie raised her brow, turning around to face her. "Asline?" She asked
"I'm... Fine." Asline assured, smiling softly. "Hey... How about we go somewhere first to finish these foods before going back to the clan?"
"Ah... Right, let's go then." Callie didn't need a reason to know. Because if her father see all these vendors food... Both her and Asline will get into trouble. He isn't only strict to his daughter but the entire clan. It's almost tyrannic truly.
Asline nodded, leading Callie towards a worn down path nearby. It looks abandoned that's for sure, but the path was worn down because a lot of people used to come there, no?
After a while they both found a single stone bench nearby, thankfully the sky was still bright with soft oranges. Callie sighed as she throw herself into the bench, the food she was holding already took up half of the bench. Asline shook her head as she saw this. Sitting down at the other end of the bench.
Both of them didn't have to talk, quickly eating most of the food each bought, the hummed of joy from both girls filled the darkening sky. There's a reason Asline and Callie was friends. They both very much loves food.
Minutes passed by quickly, the sky were getting dark and it's best to get back. Luckily they managed to eat most of the foods. Leaving Callie with only five kinds of food, it's still a lot but she can hide it. Asline now only have two sweet foods, which for sweet toothed Asline... It's not enough.
Asline and Callie began to walk back to the main road. After a while they finally see the Monbeir clan's gate. "I'll see you later then..." Callie said. Though going to the same place, being the heir and a defense rank divide them by a lot. Asline nodded "Yes. See you later." Callie return the nod as the both walked through the gate.
Callie walked to the left, going to her post. While Asline walked forward, going to the Monbeir house. "Dad must've been waiting..." Asline thought to herself, her heart hammering against her chest.
Asline sighed, her hand tighten at the sweet good she was holding. "Calm down Asline... Calm down... All you need is to endure and the night would end up quickly..." Asline mumbled, reassuring herself.
It didn't take long until Asline reached the front step of the huge house, or, well, a siheyuan house. Asline hesitated a bit before opening the big door Infront of her, Stepping inside.
It didn't take long for her until she reached her father's chamber. Asline feel like her heart could explode any second, lifting her hand and putting it into a fist as she knocked steadily.
Silence greeted her, for a moment there she thought her father has gone to sleep and she might get away with this one, but unfortunately, fate has never been on her side as her father firm voice rang through from the inside. "Come in."
"Curse you Az isteni..." Asline cursed inside her thoughts. She braced herself as she opened the door. Asline flinched slightly as her father already faced her with that same angry calm face. Leaning into his desk. Oh, she's in for a looongg lecture...
"Father..." Asline greeted, placing her hands behind her back, as also a way to hide her sweet foods she was saving up to eat. Her father stayed silent, which only make Asline dreaded this moment even more.
"It's late. Pray tell, where have you been these past hours neglecting your duty?" He finally spoke. The older man voice cut sharp like a gong in a silent mountain. Asline couldn't answer because what did she even supposed to say? That she's out all day spending time and money with her friend at the Central?
Her father sighed as no response came. Closing his eyes for a few second before opening it back up again, crossing his arms he spoke again. "Do you realized how much time you could've poured into training instead of sneaking out to Central Primrose?!" He raised his voice. Ah, he knows. Ugh... Did one his loyal dogs snitched again?!
"And to think you even have the bravery to buy all those sweet things!" Her father sighed loudly, closing his eyes as he pinched the bridge of his nose.
"You can't afford to laze around, Asline. You're the sole heir of the Monbeir clan and I certainly can't have you weak in welding sword, Asline." His voice were calm, that was much worse. Asline lowered her head, biting her lips as to not talk back.
The older sighed again, clicking his tounge as he walked to the window. "Go to your room." Asline could felt her eyes sting as she turned around to walk away.
"Stay focused, Asline." Was all she could hear before being fully out of his room. Asline took a shaky breath, wiping her eyes. No, she can't cry like this. Not when servants are still watching. Without much to think Asline walked to her room.