CHAPTER - 158

  Narrator: Dav gently pushed Selene’s head deeper against his chest, almost as if he wanted to smother her playfully, after hearing her innocently whispered words:

  "But that's why I adore you."

  Selene, with a funny and victorious face, enjoyed that moment without the slightest embarrassment, snuggling against him like a cuddly kitten.

  Her eyes half-closed, her smile slightly mischievous, she seemed to challenge him to make her say something else.

  Several minutes passed in silence.

  Dav, with a relaxed expression, resumed speaking, calmly discussing the thin line between right and wrong, between honor and compromise.

  His tone became lower and lower, punctuated by long yawns.

  Fatigue was slowly dragging him toward sleep.

  Sighing, he pulled the covers up and tucked Selene in better, shielding her from the cool night air that barely filtered through the slightly open windows.

  "Anyway, there were many others after them..."

  he mumbled, his gaze lost among memories.

  "Other stories, other troubles. If you want, I’ll tell you another one, heh heh heh..."

  A brief silence followed.

  Dav tilted his head toward her, trying to catch her reaction.

  He brought his ear closer to her dark hair and heard only the faint sound of little sighs, the deep breathing of someone sleeping peacefully.

  Selene had already slipped into the world of dreams, cradled by his warmth.

  Dav lifted the corner of his mouth into a tired, affectionate half-smile.

  "It’ll be for another time, Sele..."

  He didn't fall asleep right away.

  He stayed awake for hours, eyes fixed on the ceiling with only the moonlight around him, his thoughts wandering between past and future.

  The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.

  From time to time, he lowered his gaze to her, observing the flow of her aura slowly recharging, like a phone plugged into a charger, her body recovering strength

  under his protection.

  Only much later did he close his eyes too, but his sleep was light, ready to wake up at the slightest danger.

  The next morning, the sun was already high, clear and warm.

  In the dusty arena, Dav stood, training the students as he did every day, calling out commands and correcting postures without sparing anyone.

  The tournament was approaching, and there was no room for distractions.

  Beside him, Eldrin and Kael watched the youths in action, speaking in low voices.

  Kael, still electrified by the events of the previous day, burst out:

  Kael: (Happy) I was speechless yesterday!

  (eyes sparkling) I still can't believe how strong Selene has become in such a short time!

  Eldrin: (curious, glancing at Dav) She was the one you had in mind for that sword, right?

  It’s really a beautiful sword...

  you don’t see something like that every day.

  [Dav, with deep dark circles under his eyes and the look of someone who had slept far too little, nodded.]

  Dav: (Tired): Yeah... it's a beautiful sword.

  (hoarse voice, then seriously) But it’s not complete yet.

  I had to imbue it with many important things.

  I need a real blacksmith... someone who can finish it.

  [Eldrin nodded, the mild breeze gently moving his hair.]

  Eldrin: (Smiling) I hope you’ll find one, boy.

  [Kael grew serious, crossing his arms.]

  Kael: (Serious) You do realize, right, that in a few days, maybe even less, when the King and Queen find out about your duel and her new rank, it’s going to cause an

  enormous fuss?

  [Dav shrugged lazily, throwing Kael an ironic look.]

  Dav: (Eyes dull) I know nothing.

  I haven’t fought in ten years...

  you must have mistaken me for someone else.

  [Kael shook his head, still serious.]

  Kael: (Laughing) Joke all you want, but you won’t be able to avoid it.

  Even Azrael will be impacted...

  you two are good friends, right?

  Dav: (Sighing slightly) What a pain... as if the tournament weren’t enough already.

  (smirked) Anyway, you’ll have to work hard too.

  Selene and I won’t be able to attend your tournament.

  Eldrin: (with a hearty laugh) I don’t know, I’m getting a bit old, ahahah!

  Maybe I’ll sit this one out!

  [Dav looked at him respectfully.]

  Dav: Master Eldrin, you’re strong.

  I’m sure when the time comes, you’ll make the right decision.

  [Eldrin smiled, touched by the boy’s trust.]

  Eldrin: Who knows, boy... who knows.

  Narrator: Meanwhile, in her room, Selene was slowly waking up.

  The sun’s rays filtered softly through the curtains, drawing golden stripes on the floor.

  With one eye half-open, she saw Myrrhya, her sword, resting against the wall near the bed.

  "Good morning, little Myry..."

  Selene murmured, her voice still thick with sleep.

  Myrrhya, waking at the sound of her mother’s voice, vibrated slightly, almost alive, and answered sweetly:

  "Good morning, Mama!"

  Selene stretched slightly, then, with a tender smile, listened to her daughter’s concern:

  "How are you, Mama? Are you feeling better now?"

  Selene closed her eyes for a moment, smiling again, feeling all the affection of that faithful and irreplaceable presence.

  It was a new day, and a new journey to undertake.

  END OF CHAPTER - 158