The sun had already risen over the capital Grinrelis, and its streets were already bustling.

  The sun's rays bathed the palace roofs and royal gardens in a warm golden glow. The fountains sparkled in the sunlight, while the fresh air carried the clear echo of birdsong.

  In the east wing of the palace, the light footsteps of a small group of maids barely echoed across the marble floor. At their head walked a woman with a straight, dignified posture. Her brown hair was neatly tied back, and her confident yet gentle gaze naturally commanded respect: Maya, the head of the maids assigned to the second prince.

  Stopping before the large door of the prince's chamber, she knocked softly twice before entering.

  "It's time to get up, Your Highness," she said in a calm tone.

  Maya entered first, followed by the maids. The spacious room, with its white-and-gold walls adorned with paintings, still lay in dim light. Without hesitation, Maya strode to the heavy curtains and drew them open with a swift motion. Sunlight flooded the room, revealing the silhouette of a boy curled up beneath his sheets.

  "Hm... let me sleep a little more..." he muttered in a sleepy voice.

  A faint smile touched Maya's lips as she gently shook her head.

  "No, Your Highness. The day has already begun. You risk being late for your lessons."

  Two maids stepped forward and carefully pulled back the sheets. The young Prince Lucas, now six years old, slowly opened his eyes before straightening up. His tousled white hair fell over his forehead as he rubbed at his eyes.

  "Ahhh... it's okay, I'm awake," he said in a tired voice.

  He rose and made his way to his private bathroom, two maids following close behind.

  A few minutes later, the door opened. Lucas came out, his damp white hair falling in gleaming strands across his forehead. Droplets slid down his neck and slightly dampened the collar of his bathing tunic.

  Immediately, the maids stepped forward in practiced coordination. Two of them carried the carefully prepared garments. Maya, on the other hand, remained in the background, observing the scene with her usual calm.

  The maids dressed the prince in a white tunic trimmed with gold thread at the long sleeves, fitted white trousers, and soft boots made of leather. The design was simple, yet the fine fabric and precise detailing immediately betrayed his princely rank. Lucas didn't like overly complicated outfits, and Maya knew that well.

  When they had finished, Lucas turned his gaze to Maya.

  "By the way, Maya… do you know where my sister is?" He asked calmly.

  "Her Highness Layna is already training at the training grounds south of the palace. She has already started her session with Sir Kael," Maya replied.

  At these words, Lucas' eyes lit up immediately. A spark of curiosity shone in his eyes. He stepped closer to Maya and tugged lightly at the hem of her black dress.

  He slowly looked up at Maya, and putting on the look of a pitiful puppy, he said:

  "Can I go see her... please, Maya? "

  Caught off guard, the head maid flushed slightly at the sight.

  "But, Your Highness… you'll be late for your first lesson," she replied, her voice wavering slightly.

  "Come on, Maya... just a few moments," Lucas insisted, plunging his eyes into hers.

  Maya looked away, unable to withstand his pleading gaze.

  "Very well... You can go see His Highness Layna," she finally gave in, slightly embarrassed.

  "Ehh Ehh... I knew you would accept!" Lucas exclaimed happily.

  Seeing this, the maids behind them exchanged amused smiles. Maya, she, regained her seriousness.

  "Your Highness, please don't use this kind of expression against me anymore. I promise you it won't work anymore. "

  Lucas, already turned to the door, sketched an innocent smile and said:

  "Don't worry, Maya… this will be the last time."

  But inwardly, he thought mischievously: "Don't worry, Maya... I will use it as much as possible. "

  Maya, hearing him, let out a thin smile.

  "Perfect. I will delegate a servant to accompany you. "

  A few moments later, Lucas crossed the threshold of his room, followed by a young maid walking two steps behind him.

  They walked through the palace's long, majestic corridors, bathed in the light streaming through tall windows. Uniformed guards, stationed at each intersection, bowed respectfully as he passed. Lucas kept his gaze fixed ahead, his impatience growing with each step.

  Soon, they arrived outside. The air was soft, impregnated with the smell of blooming flowers. Lucas slowed down slightly and inhaled deeply, enjoying this breath of freshness.

  After crossing the gardens and several courtyards, a training arena appeared before them.

  The moment they stepped into the training field, Lucas froze in awe.

  Under the clear sky, stretched a vast paved courtyard, lined with wooden mannequins and stone stands.

  In the middle of the arena, a figure caught all the attention.

  It was Layna Lyx Ingriss, now ten years old.

  She wore a dark training outfit tailored to her frame, reinforced with light armor on her shoulders and forearms. Leather straps crossed her chest, securely fastening her belt, and she wore perfectly tight high boots. Her black hair, tied back in a ponytail, swayed behind her.

  In her hands, she firmly held two wooden swords.

  In front of her, a knight in light armor held a wooden sword in his left hand, his right hand folded behind his back.

  As Lucas watched intently, Layna suddenly lunged forward. Her two swords came down in a cross, as quick as lightning. The knight raised his own to deflect the assault.

  "Clac! Clac! "

  The sharp sound echoed across the arena. Without waiting, Layna pivoted on his left foot and chained a horizontal strike with his right hand, immediately followed by a backhand from the left.

  The knight para, then retaliated with a lively stoc. Layna narrowly dodged, bending down in a smooth movement.

  Lucas stood frozen, watching without even blinking. Every movement of his sister seemed both powerful and of a mesmerizing elegance.

  "…Magnificent…" he whispered, almost unconsciously.

  The duel intensified, the blows following one after another. Layna struck with dazzling precision, each his movement fluid and controlled. Her steps rang against the stone, her hair whipping through the air with each strike.

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  Finally, after a last resounding shock, the knight raised a hand to mark the end of the exchange.

  Layna stopped, panting, her cheeks flushed from the effort. Wiping the sweat from her brow with the back of her hand, her swords still in hand.

  Silence returned little by little, troubled only by his irregular breath.

  It was then that she saw her brother at the edge of the field.

  A smile immediately lit up her face, and she rushed towards him.

  Without hesitation, she hugged him tightly, a wide smile on her lips.

  "You came to see me, little brother," she said happily.

  When she broke away a little, her red eyes plunged into Lucas's.

  "So? How did you find me?" She asked with an impatient smile.

  Lucas stared at her for a moment, silently, before answering in a low voice:

  "Well... you were beautiful when you wielded your swords. But... ?

  He lowered his head slightly, his gaze becoming pensive.

  "... I had the feeling that you were not really comfortable in your movements. As if all this was new to you. "

  Layna blinked at Lucas's remark, then gave a faint smile. But before she could answer, a deep voice rose behind her.

  "Oh? "

  The instructor, Sir Kael, approached. He had brown hair and brown eyes.

  His face was marked by rigor, but his gaze remained calm.

  He tilted his head slightly and, in a deep and respectful voice, declared:

  "I salute Your Highness Prince Lucas. I introduce myself: Sir Kael, knight of the Ingriss house and instructor of Her Highness Princess Layna. "

  Then he bent down and planted his serious gaze on Lucas's.

  "May I ask you, my Prince, what you noticed in the princess' sword handling? "

  Lucas stiffened slightly, but without looking away, he answered calmly and sincerely :

  "Although my sister was fast and powerful, I felt like an imbalance in her movements. Her arms didn't seem accustomed to it yet. It was as though she had only just begun training."

  A silence followed. Layna was slightly surprised, but a thin smile appeared on her lips.

  Sir Kael, on the other hand, remained frozen for a few moments, before a discreet smile appeared in his turn.

  "Impressive," he breathed.

  He straightened up, put a hand on Layna's shoulder and said in a calm tone:

  "You are remarkable, Your Highness... even without training, you have perceived what few young people would notice. "

  Then, he added:

  "As you may know, the princess has an undeniable talent. With the king's permission, I teach him the simultaneous handling of two blades. Her mastery of one sword alone is already solid, but if she manages to wield two weapons at the same time... then wielding only one will become child's play for her. Its power will be increased tenfold. "

  Lucas widened his eyes, stunned.

  "Really...? "

  Layna rubbed the back of her neck with a small smile.

  "That's right. Even if it's difficult, I agreed to train with two blades. My style isn't perfect yet, but with perseverance, I'll grow stronger. "

  She added in a calm tone:

  "And next month, I must go to the family domain. There, I will undergo my awakening ceremony and finally awaken the power of our blood."

  "And then, from next month, I have to go to the family domain. And there, I will spend my awakening ceremony, and I will finally awaken the power of our blood. "

  At those words, Sir Kael realized it was a private matter and gave a slight bow of his head.

  "I will have to leave your royal Highnesses. Enjoy this moment together," he said in a calm tone.

  He turned and walked away, the plates of his light armor clinking softly with each step. Leaving Lucas and Layna alone at the center of the courtyard.

  A gentle silence settled, broken at last by Lucas's calm voice.

  "By the way... that family domain... is that where my brother Dayvon went?" he asked in a hesitant voice.

  Layna blinked, surprised by her brother's tone, then nodded gently.

  "Exactly. Before joining the academy, he stayed at the family domain, where he also had his awakening ceremony."

  She smiles softly.

  "You know, when you were just a baby, he was so protective of you… I still remember the way his face lit up whenever you smiled at him. "

  Lucas turned his gaze aside, his hands clenching into fists.

  "You know… I heard people say Dayvon isn't really my brother… and I kind of believe it, because I've never actually seen him with my own eyes," he said in a hesitant tone.

  At those words, Layna reacted instantly and smacked him on the skull.

  "Hey… don't you ever say that again, Lucas," she said in a firm, almost stern tone.

  "Dayvon is your brother, and he always will be no matter what."

  Startled by her tone, Lucas looked up at her, and in Layna's eyes shone an unwavering certainty.

  Layna stared at Lucas for a moment, then gently squeezed his hands.

  "Listen to me… Dayvon is your brother. It doesn't matter what anyone else says."

  She drew a quiet breath before continuing :

  "It's true, he wasn't born from our mother, but she still raised and considers him as her son. By the way, his mother was once the first queen of Ingrissia. But... she betrayed Father and was exiled."

  Lucas's eyes widened again in shock, but Layna continued calmly:

  "Many wanted Dayvon cast out as well, but Father refused. He said is son should not pay for the sins of another. So Dayvon grew up here as a legitimate prince. "

  She sketched a tender smile.

  "And believe me, no one is more protective than he is. When you were a baby, he would spend hours watching over you as you slept, just to make sure you were safe. You can't imagine how much he loves you. "

  Lucas stood silent for a moment, mulling over his sister's words.

  But noticing the heavy atmosphere, Layna placed a hand on Lucas's shoulder and gave him a playful smile.

  "By the way, Lucas… want to see something interesting? "

  Lucas lifted his head, intrigued.

  "What are you talking about? "

  Layna leaned slightly to his ear and whispered:

  "The training of the royal guards."

  At those words, Lucas's heart leapt in his chest. His eyes lit up with excitement, but before he could answer, Sir Kael's deep voice rang out from the distance:

  "Princess Layna... Prince Lucas... you mustn't..."

  But before he could finish, Layna and Lucas were already running off hand in hand.

  As they ran, they smiled as though nothing in the world could frighten them.