The next day, I resud my archery training just like before.
The sun had risen high by the ti my final arrows flew.
Thunk. Thunk.
Each one struck the straw target, though not all landed at the center just yet. Still, my form had co a long way since the day before. My arms ached faintly, but it was the good kind of ache, the kind that ca with real progress.
Alessio crossed his arms and gave a small, approving nod. "That’s enough for today."
I let out a breath, lowering the bow. "Perfect timing. My arms are just starting to feel it."
He walked over, collecting a few stray arrows along the way.
"We’ll continue tomorrow. It will be our final archery session before we begin advanced dagger training that includes throwing, feinting, and disarm tactics."
He continued, "You’ve already nailed the basics, and judging from how you handled those thugs before, you’ve got close-quarters combat down too. So we can move on to the next step."
I blinked. "So tomorrow’s the last."
He nodded. "That was the plan."
I gave a small nod. "Got it."
On the way back to the inn, we were joined by Emir and Amira, both of whom had just finished their own training nearby.
They used to simply sit and watch while I practiced each morning, clapping from the sidelines like loyal fans. But everything changed after the kidnapping incident.
At first, Emir hesitated to speak up, but eventually, he gathered the courage to ask if he could learn to defend himself. Even gentle, still-recovering Amira followed his lead and asked if she could begin training too. They both insisted they wanted to be helpful.
Today was their first day. Amira started slowly, building stamina with light runs under Alessio’s supervision and picking up the basics through his calm and patient explanations. It wasn’t much yet, but there was a quiet determination in her eyes already.
"You looked serious back there, Miss Sonia," Emir said teasingly. "Are we in the presence of a future archery champion?"
I chuckled, wiping my brow. "Maybe just one step above ’can finally hit the target’."
Amira leaned in with a grin. "That’s already impressive. Yesterday, while Miss Sonia was focused on training, I tried the hand crossbow after Mister Alessio gave permission. I almost hit my brother in the foot."
"You did hit my foot," Emir said dryly.
As we made our way back from the yard, I glanced around. "...Hey, where’ve Mateo and Caleb been? I haven’t seen them around lately."
Alessio, walking just a step ahead, glanced over his shoulder. "They had to take care of sothing. Don’t worry, they’ll be back soon."
Emir piped up, "Maybe sothing important? Like... official stuff?"
"Or secret stuff," Amira whispered, eyes wide with curiosity.
Alessio gave her a mild look, and she quickly pressed her lips together.
The four of us chuckled as we reached the inn, the warm midday light filtering through the overhead vines.
By the ti we reached the hallway upstairs, Emir and Amira excused themselves to their room, still chatting softly. That left just Alessio and standing there.
As we turned toward our rooms, I slowed my pace slightly.
"Hey, Alessio."
He turned to . "Yes?"
"I know we agreed on returning to the empire soon... but I feel like there’s another reason behind the rush. Sothing you haven’t told yet."
He stopped walking. For a mont, he didn’t say anything. His gaze dropped to the floor, brows tightening slightly. Then he looked away, avoiding my eyes altogether.
That silence was louder than words.
"...So I was right."
He seed to hesitate, lost in thought for a mont.
After a brief pause, we started walking again. A few steps later, he finally said, "Get changed first. Co to my room after. I’ll tell you everything."
I stood outside his door a few minutes later, hand hovering before I knocked. When I finally did, his voice responded imdiately.
"You can co in."
I entered to find Alessio already seated, waiting as if he’d been bracing himself for this mont. The room was dim, with sunlight streaking faintly through the curtains. He didn’t et my eyes at first.
Then he quietly explained what had happened in the empire, including everything involving Marius.
When he finished, he looked at and said softly, "That’s why."
My eyes widened. "So you’re saying Marius was actually planning to co to Yelvanti to find ? And the diplomacy and eting the sultan were just a cover?!"
He nodded slowly, guilt shadowing his expression. "I didn’t want to burden you with it. I thought I’d handle it on my own."
"..."
I stared at him for a long mont, then crossed my arms. "I’ve been in contact with Clara too, you know. But she didn’t even hint at this."
He winced. "...Sorry. I told her not to tell you."
I puffed my cheeks and let out a soft huff. "Hmph. Fine! But make sure to keep in the loop next ti. I’m not so weak anymore that I’ll fall apart just from hearing Marius’s na!"
It was true. There was a ti when even hearing his na had sent shivers down my spine, but not anymore.
’I guess it’s true what they say. A strong body really does help build a strong mind.’
"Then what about that ’Sonia,’ the decoy you planted to bait Marius’s scouts? Is he still searching for her?"
"He didn’t find her, of course. But Marius isn’t the type to give up. He’s still ordering his scouts to search, and they’re now expanding the operation throughout the area where one of them spotted the decoy. And..."
"And?"
Alessio leaned forward slightly. "We’ve already leaked Count Belmont’s cris to papers across the empire. There’s no solid proof linking Marius directly to the black market, but since Belmont’s one of his vassals, the scandal still puts a dent in his reputation. It’s not enough to bring him down, but it’s enough to keep him busy back ho."
’Wow... this guy... he’s a scary enemy to have.’
Alessio noticed the look I was giving him. "What?"
"N-No, I was just thinking you’re... really thorough," I said, scratching the back of my head sheepishly. "Honestly, ever since you helped escape, I can’t help but wonder if you’d planned all of this from the beginning."
I laughed, a bit awkwardly. Silence fell between us.
Then, after a pause, Alessio finally spoke again, his voice soft.
"I... did plan it all from the start."
"Huh?" My eyes widened in surprise.
He clenched his hands tightly. "Yes. Everything I said about you being a key witness was true. And I ant it when I said you deserved the chance to choose your own path. But I also needed you for the Descent ceremony, to rise as the publicly declared heir to the crown."
His voice sounded pained. His expression, riddled with guilt.
"So?" I tilted my head, my expression making it clear that it didn’t really bother .
"What? I used you!" he said, frustration flashing across his face.
"But didn’t I use you too?" I replied calmly. "I an, I knew sothing was up from the beginning, but I still chose to take your hand and run. I didn’t have anyone else on my side in that house except you and Clara. So I was... genuinely grateful."
I smiled gently, reassuringly.
He looked into my eyes, his face twitching slightly, as if sothing had quietly struck a chord. The tips of his ears reddened as he pressed his lips together.
"After Clara told you’d lost your mory... I hesitated to carry out the plan I’d prepared. But since I’d already planned for every possible outco, I decided to follow through. Still..."
He fell silent once more, his gaze growing distant, as if the mory had taken hold of him.
"...When I saw you shackled to that bedpost in your room, trembling ever so slightly even as you tried to act strong... It tore apart. I couldn’t treat it like just another part of the plan anymore. So I made a different choice."
I listened closely, eyes fixed on him. I didn’t look away.
"I’ve sincerely wanted to protect you ever since."
Those words... they hit harder than I expected.
No one had ever cared for like this, neither in my past life nor since waking in this one.
I felt a surge of emotion welling up inside , too powerful to hold back. My hands clenched softly at my sides.
"S-Sonia?" Alessio’s voice shook a little.
"Huh? What did I... are these... my tears? Why am I crying?" I stamred, stunned as the tears started to fall, uncontrollable. It was as if soone had possessed my body, like all the pain buried deep inside had suddenly burst to the surface.
I just kept dabbing at my face, confused and overwheld.
Alessio stood up and ca around the table, then pulled into a tight embrace. I stiffened at first, caught off guard, but my arms moved on their own, wrapping around him. I pressed my face against his chest, clutching the fabric of his shirt tightly.
And then... I cried.
Cried until it felt like the ache in my heart had finally found its voice.
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