Fifty Laps

Other than her father and Lothar, if Alora held any man, it was Wayn who was a young boy. Even Edvin and Brax never tried to get close to her. She was treated well by her paternal grandfather and Uncle too but they weren't much close.

Ignoring Arihan who had carried her a few times when she was unconscious, Alora has to let Agost hold her voluntarily. It was a bit uncomfortable to think but looking at Freya indifferently position herself, Alora focused on the practice.

However, her body turned stiff and breath stuck in her throat as soon Agost shifted her one hand on his shoulder in an elegant move and moved a bit closer to wrap his arm around her.

Agost could easily sense her uneasiness, thus he barely placed his hand on her back. He let her adapt to the position and waited without moving.

Alora knew she didn't have to be so paranoid but it was just out of her control. Her eyes desperately looked at his expression and eyes, trying to find a hint that could alert her. But all she got to see was his calmness, a soothing smile, and the gaze that relaxed her body.

Although Agost got to know just a bit about her, the rumors that were created to reach his ears were known to him. 'A Witch!?' After hearing Cyrus how Alora's red hair and red eyes were compared to a witch, he guessed she grew up in isolation.

Taking the mindset of the royals and people of Anka, he also analyzed that the palace wasn't safe for Alora. Probably Anka itself wasn't safe for her. He didn't know if he should pity her situation or praise her courage to live in the palace.

When she started breathing and her body relaxed a bit, he asked first, "Shall we start, My Princess?" His voice garnered a dirty glare from Freya and he ignored her.

Alora's lips curled faintly as she nodded in acknowledgment, "Yes." Her soft voice barely reached his ears.

Initially, they moved on to the instructions of Helena. When Helena found their basic smooth and graceful, she added twirls, and complex movements and asked them to repeat to practice.

Two hours passed, and Freya was irritated as she wasn't interested in dancing. While Alora focused on the dance and fighting the thoughts of Agost being the little boy from childhood.

When Helena stopped her instruction and watched over their moves, the hall fell into silence. Even the steps of the four weren't audible. So without music and dancing in silence, it felt monotonous and uninteresting.

Agost watched Alora comfortably move in his arms. Since they have to look at each other while dancing it was becoming a bit awkward for her and her cheeks were turning to a rich pinkness as her eyes wandered on his brows or behind him

He wasn't sure if he was doing it for him or her, he spoke in a low voice, "My Princess, don't you find it dull to dance without music?"

Alora gave it a thought, it was indeed boring but it's just a practice. Being alone, reading in her free time, and training with Arihan, she was used to the silence.

However, she considered the question for him, "Do you have any suggestions, Prince Agost?" Unawarely her tone lowered as he spoke in a low voice.

Agost was pleased that she didn't give him a word reply. Nevertheless, he appeared calm and composed without looking excited. "I do have." He responded and added, "Let's add a bit of fun."

Seeing how careful she was with everyone, Agost didn't want to scare her so he was taking a long route to slowly open her up to him. He continued looking at her expectant gaze, "Since you are so graceful and smooth in the dance moves…" That she made no mistake," Whoever makes a mistake should do something?"

His intention was just to create a chance to meet her again and spend time with her. It would be strange and difficult if he keeps trying to meet her or see her without a reason.

Alora wouldn't dare to agree to something she was unaware of. "Huh?" So a confused hum slipped her lips. It was also a new experience for her to do something like this.

Agost twirled her, when she returned to position, he continued, "If you make a mistake, honor me a meal with you." They could spend quality time over the meal.

Alora neither found his idea interesting nor strange with his proposition. He was a guest at the palace and Prince of Crisal, there would be one or the other one to join him for meals. So she waited for him to complete his part.

Agost was a bit disappointed seeing her impassive reaction. He continued hoping for some reaction, "If I make a mistake… How about I get you a rare spring flower?" He wouldn't mind going a bit extra length for her.

His eyes caught her lips that turned up but she forced her smile down and her eyes twinkled at his words. His brows raised and the corner of his lips lifted seeing her suppressing her delightedness, "I see the eagerness." For the flowers.

Alora hid her grin. In the academy, the students were getting her flowers on their accord and she was loving it. She didn't know if it was appropriate to agree with the prince. However, the flowers were her weakness. It was an attractive offer especially after she didn't get the chance to go out.

Since it wasn't her who proposed the idea, a playful smile appeared on her dainty face. Giving in to the weakness, she agreed by asking, "Should I be careful? Or should I hope for you to make a mistake?" She was more excited for him to lose than to make a mistake.

Pleased to hear her lighthearted tone, Agost hummed and looked at her as if scrutinizing her, "I see, my princess is a mischief." But he found her more innocent than a little lamb. Being a princess, she was fancying flowers over dresses or jewels.

Alora: "…"

'My Princess,' It felt like she belonged to him whenever he said it so smoothly. She wasn't sure if that made her feel good or awkward.

Without knowing her face was glowing, she responded without refusing his words, "One would be a fool to decline an attractive offer."

Seeing her excitement just by the thought of flowers, Agost took a step in the wrong direction purposefully. "My bad." He pretended like it was a mistake.

Alora grinned widely but forgot the dance move. She turned in the opposite direction and stepped on his feet. Both looked at each other and Alora chuckled at her stupidity.

Agost's lips curled watching her candid smile without a hint of pretense. Her melodious chuckle lit up his face while he ignored the pair of eyes piercing through him.

His hand reached out to hold the hair lock that fell on her face but suddenly, a cold voice interrupted them, "Princess Alora."

Alora almost choked on her spit and looked at the door in a jerk. Arihan was grimly standing there as though she had stolen his wealth.

Agost narrowed his eyes at Arihan who disrupted such a sweet moment and frightened Alora. He had to control his urge to speak for her.

She quickly snapped out realizing she was late. Stepping away from Agost, she curtsied to him to show her gratitude. She informed Helena and Freya before running behind Arihan, Hell master.

.....

By the time she changed into a training outfit and reached the river by running in a breath, Hell master's face was dark as stormy clouds. She was very late so she wanted to apologize but his unemotional voice pierced through the air.

"Fifty laps." It was a punishment for coming late.

Alora's eyes widened, and the anticipation she had to receive the rare spring flower disappeared in a second. She didn't have her food. But looking at his stoic face she knew she couldn't negotiate with the heartless man.

Since she was in the wrong, she accepted the punishment, "Yes, Hell master." She started running when the sun was the hottest in the sky.

–––––––

At the sunset, Alora staggered when her legs were giving up. She had to hold the tree to balance herself. She was completely breathless, her empty stomach lurched kicking in sharp pain.

She would have given up a long time ago but somehow Edur's voice repeated in her mind 'Don't give up.' Her blurry gaze of exhaustion could barely focus on Arihan when she uttered, "F-fifty."

She tried to relax after completing the punishment but a cold ran down her spine feeling a gaze that crawled under her skin. Uneasily she turned right, her eyes widened in dread looking at the obsidian eyes staring at her.

She had thought it was all a nightmare or her imagination, why was it coming again?

"A-Ar-Arih…" Suddenly her vision went dark, her body gave up, and she fainted.

Arihan who was reading a book teleported to her and caught her in time. He had waited for more than an hour for her. Thus he used the same disciplinary action on Alora that was given to the soldiers. Looking at her pale, part of him almost regretted it but he turned his heart to a stone.

Carrying her to her chambers, he laid her on the bed and tried to straighten his back but her fingers were clutching his shirt. He tried to pull away but she frowned, and stubbornly kept her hold on him.