Kezia Tisdor, a huntress from a small village, does her best to fit in the world prestigious Ryhar Academy with the scholarships she gets. But when a serial killer targets her in the academy, she is forced to accept the help of the Royals, something...
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Sweat rolled down his spine as he breathed heavily. His opponent was in a worse state, but that was the way they both trained each day. Mercilessly.
"You are going to kill him, Adrian," Nysa, Rafe's cousin said as she popped a piece of cheese in her mouth. "And I need my cousin alive."
Rafe coughed as he stood up. "Are you becoming a monster, Adrian? Where did you pull that move from?"
Adrian just smirked as he offered his friend his hand. "Get up."
Though he knew Rafe could get up on his own, his friend took his hand and stood up on his feet.
The sun swiftly left the sky behind a veil of thick curtains. The moon rose to its heights soon, but it was not enough. The clouds were heavy and pigmented, announcing boldly to everyone what a mighty shower it would bring tonight.
"I say," an eerily familiar voice drawled behind him. "If I were to challenge you again, Adrian, would I win?"
Rafe bowed to the female who stood at the resting area where Nysa and Alanza were seated. But he could never bring himself to bow to her.
"We should see that." He turned to face the High Princess. "Should we not, Faven?"
Alanza simply smirked. "I am down. I am betting on Faven."
As an Astra, who else could she bet on?
Nysa whistled and raised her eyebrows at Rafe, who just patted his shoulder and said. "As a friend, I would have to bet on Adrian."
Nysa rolled her eyes. "Stop it. If you both fight, all the fourteen Royal families would come here. I am not ready to face that."
Rafe smiled. "They won't fight. Princess Faven won just two years ago. She still has eight more years to go. By then, I am sure their kids would be the one to fight."
At this, both of them glared at the Prince of Eringir. Where did Rafe sell his brain? Usually, Varis or Kia would do that job diligently.
Adrian walked over and carefully placed his Shamshir on the rack and turned to the High Princess. "What brings you here?"
He ranked second in the ten-year tournament. Astras and Zorans were a competitive race. They could never live side-by-side peacefully. The urge to lead and to be led by the strongest ran in their blood.
Faven ranked first and her kingdom became the ruling kingdom. He knew she ranked above him, but his blood would not submit to her. It simply would not. It was not just a matter of pride that day when he lost to her. It was something else.
"Research," she said and then saw Alanza. "And Alanza's letter."
It would be a surprise if Faven did not come after that letter.
