Starting The Training (Part 2)

ONE YEAR LATER

The ache they had been carrying for a while was gradually being subdued as all of them focused entirely on becoming better.

The point they were before, it was not enough.

And after training for a whole year, the prideful Prince was testing out his powers, throwing his best man away.

"...and Zephyr won again," 

Frowning at the declaration, he glanced over his shoulders towards the blond man, around his age, who was smirking at him

"How many times do I have to tell you to address me as Young Lord, Delvin?" 

Zephyr hissed, pointing his sword at him but he pointed back at him with his spear, pissing him off.

"I will, when I will see you ruling the place which belongs to you," 

"Watch, one day, I will, for sure."

Delvin couldn't help but to chuckle at how it enraged him whenever he addressed him so informally and he did it to tease him.

To shift his mind from the stress he must be carrying.

After the glare, Zephyr sighed, knowing it was futile to talk to him.

"So, how was it, Yor?"

Zephyr turned back to Yor again who was holding his side, feeling it broke a bone probably.

"You are putting too much force in your attacks, Young Lord, this is effective but will drain you faster." 

"Really?"

"Yes," 

Yor groaned, laughing a little, gesturing to him to go easy on his weak bones.

"Try to keep them balanced. Don't let your anger take over,"

"I see. I will watch for it next time," Zephyr hummed, holding his chin before withdrawing his sword.

He turned to Delvin with a smirk who was about to leave for his post.

"Are you leaving for your post already?"

"Yes. I have a duty to fulfill,"

"I am coming with you then. I want to look at the city," Zephyr ordered, wanting to look around the city to imagine he would look the same too.

He wanted to scan but Delvin knew going there would hurt his feelings so he made up an excuse.

"Ah, you can't. We are going to catch a criminal today. Plus, I heard your lady is covered in bruises, why don't you check up on her?" 

He spoke before walking away and the mention of it hurt Zephyr.

The slight glow on his face vanished. 

To think his lady was hurting, working too hard and he couldn't do anything to prevent it. 

Sighing in disappointment, Zephyr nonetheless went to check up on Azura hastily. Reaching her chambers, he took a deep breath and knocked.

For the past few weeks, he maintained distance with her. 

"Who is it?"

"Azura," 

"Zephyr," An instant shine came to her when she saw him with her after two weeks.

Standing there stoic as usual but concern was visible, scanning her to find a few bruises that made him frown.

"Come in,"

Humming, he sat on the bed with her. Forming her lips in a thin line, she found it warming when he was near. 

"Training hard I see." He breathed out, turning his head to her.

"When you are doing it then why shouldn't I?" She chuckled nervously.

Not used to showing compassion nor knowing how to, he merely took her hand, brushing his finger on her hurt arm slightly with discontent.

"Z-Zephyr?" 

She blushed, blinking when he held her without a warning making her heart race but he placed her hand over his heart.

"We were supposed to get married this year but unfortunately look, here I am, training, and you, hurt," He sighed in disappointment.

The rage on himself for being unable to halt anything was frustrating him. 

His jaw clenched, gradually leaving her hand and turned to her, almost hopelessly.

"Do you want to quit?" He wanted her to.

"No, I want to help,"

"You are displeased with my decision, aren't you? Isn't that why you are avoiding me for the past year?" She frowned, looking down sadly.

"Do you think I prefer watching My Lady covered in bruises? Am I not enough for your protection?" He expressed his distress to which she placed her both hands over his reassuringly.

"If you will protect me then who will protect Delphia? Your land needs you more." 

"But-"

"Okay, I promise that I will leave fighting once you will make me your bride," 

She smiled beautifully, vanishing all his worries instantly. 

He furrowed his brow, "Promise?"

"I promise,"

"Good," 

Returning a feeble smile, he held her hands firmly in his before rising from his seat to leave for his training again.

But, she stopped him by holding his wrist.

"Are you leaving already? Can't you sit two minutes with me?"

His mouth gaped. For someone who was too engrossed in becoming a king, he didn't think too much about affection.

And her mere request made him anxious. Forming his lips in a thin line, he averted his gaze and was about to sit back but fortunately for him.

Her door knocked and Lady Red came. 

"Azura- Young Lord? Sorry for interruption, I should-"

"No, no, it's alright. I was leaving anyways," 

Clearing his throat to not make things awkward, he walked away. 

Later that night, he was lost in his thoughts until Lady Red checked up on her nephew who was unable to express his feelings.

Carrying the weight on his chest for the past year.

"Young Lord,"

"I am worried about Delphia. It's been a year already." He whispered, holding his hands behind his back, staring at the sky. 

"Lord knows how he must be controlling things, how miserable my land would be," He breathed out, curling his hand in a fist.

"Worry not, Young Lord, we will get our Delphia back," Yor smiled, standing behind him to let him know that he was not alone.

His people were with him.

"We will and for that, we have to dive deep into this matter," Zephyr added sternly, curling his hand in a fist. 

"What do you mean?" 

"We have trained and stayed behind enough. It is time we depart," He ordered.

"But, where?"

They asked in perplexity as he turned to them, a resolve creeping on his features. 

"To find the writer of the book which summoned Zirkos,"