Eclipsed monarch

She expected pain. She expected cruelty.

But Kael was different. He didn't beat her. He didn't torture her.

Instead, he gave her a simple choice.

"Survive, or remain weak. It's up to you."

She didn't understand at first. No master had ever spoken to her like that.

He gave her food, clothes, shelter. But he was not kind.

There were no words of comfort. No warmth.

Only cold, calculated expectations.

The fire crackled softly in the dimly lit room. Kael sat across from her, watching as she silently ate the meal he had given her. She was always quiet, always obedient. But something about her still intrigued him.

He leaned back, resting his dagger on the table. "You weren't always a slave," he said, his voice calm but firm. "What happened to you?"

She hesitated, her fingers tightening around the spoon. For a moment, Kael thought she wouldn't answer.

Then, without looking up, she spoke.

"I was a knight."

Kael raised an eyebrow but said nothing, letting her continue.

"My loyalty was to the Divine Order," she said, her voice steady despite the weight of her words. "One day, I was given an order—to execute a man."

She finally looked up at him, and in her eyes, Kael saw something raw.

"He was just a scholar," she whispered. "Unarmed. Defenseless. His crime was asking questions. I refused."

The room fell silent.

Kael understood immediately. The Divine Order did not tolerate disobedience.

"They branded me a traitor," she said. "Stripped me of my title, my honor. The knights I once fought beside turned against me. I was shackled, beaten… then sold."

She let out a breath, her hands trembling slightly before she clenched them into fists. "I lost everything."

Kael studied her carefully. There was no self-pity in her voice, only quiet rage.

"Would you do it differently if given another chance?" he asked.

Her eyes met his, and for the first time, there wasShe blinked, momentarily surprised by his words.

Kael leaned forward, his expression unreadable. "They betrayed you because you refused to be their weapon. But now, you have a choice. Will you stay broken, or will you take back control?"

She didn't answer right away. Her hands curled into fists, her nails pressing into her palms.

"I don't want to be weak," she finally said.

Kael nodded. "Then prove it."

For the first time, he saw something shift in her—something beyond mere obedience. A spark of determination, faint but growing.

He stood up, tossing a wooden training dagger onto the table in front of her. "Eat, rest. Training starts tomorrow."

She picked up the dagger, running her fingers along its surface. It wasn't a weapon yet, but it could be.

And so could she.

The dim candlelight flickered, casting long shadows against the cold stone walls. She sat there, still gripping the wooden dagger as if it were a lifeline. Kael watched her for a moment before turning away, his mind drifting into the past—into memories he had long buried.

He had been like her once.

Betrayed.

Beaten.

Left to rot.

Kael's fingers absentmindedly traced the faint scar on his wrist—the mark of his own shackles from years ago. He remembered the cold dungeon, the taste of blood in his mouth, and the moment he realized he had been nothing more than a tool to them.

Just like her.

His grip tightened. He had sworn that day never to let anyone control him again.

Now, he looked at her and saw a reflection of himself—not in strength, but in the quiet rage that simmered beneath her silence.

"You should rest," he said, pushing aside his memories. "Tomorrow will be different."

She glanced up at him, uncertainty flickering in her gaze.

Kael smirked. "You wanted to survive, didn't you?"

She hesitated for only a second before nodding.

"Then sleep while you still can," he said, turning away. "Because once training starts, I won't let you stop."

She didn't respond, but as he walked away, he caught the faintest glimmer in her eyes.

Not fear.

Not doubt.

But something dangerous.

Determination.