“You’re no longer needed,” Jeremy ordered, his voice sharp. The young guard didn’t hesitate, slipping back into the tavern without a word. I turned away, storming into the village square.
“And where do you think you’re going?” Jeremy’s voice cut through the noise behind me.
“Away from you,” I shouted, not bothering to slow my pace.
I weaved through the crowded streets, my gaze flicking between familiar faces, offering polite nods to those who knew me while sidestepping the occasional stranger who didn't. The marketplace was alive with the chaotic hum of voices. Vendorscalled out in rhythmic chants, each vying for attention. The smell of freshly baked bread mixed with the tang of cured meats hanging from makeshift racks. Fine silks shimmered in the sunlight, catching the eye of potential buyers, while vibrant tapestries and paintings flanked the stalls like bursts of color against the dull stone structures.
I pushed forward, the sounds of the marketplace fading as I took the turn onto quieter streets. The cobblestones here were worn smooth, the air thinner, carrying the scent of damp earth and wood from nearby homes. The crowds had thinned, and with every step, the noise became a distant murmur. That’s when I heard it—footsteps. Steady. Persistent. Too familiar.
My frustration reached its breaking point, and I spun around, my feet almost tripping over the cobblestones as I came face-to-face with Jeremy, barely an inch from colliding with his chest. His hands shot out, instinctively grabbing my shoulders to steady me, but before I could speak, his voice cut through the air, sharp and edged with irritation.
“What is your problem?” Jeremy demanded, his voice sharp with frustration. “Why do you dislike me so much? You don’t even know me.” His eyes darkened, and my cheeks flushed at our nearness.
With a sharp, “Just leave me alone,” I yanked my shoulders from his grasp and resumed my determined walk toward the castle.
Jeremy’s voice followed me, laced with a dangerous edge. “Do you want me to tell your father that you’d prefer that Duke escort you to the ball instead?”
I didn’t reply and instead took off at a run, wanting to create distance between us. When I thought I was far enough away, I slowed, but Jeremy immediately stepped into my path before me, making me shriek with surprise.
“You’ll have to start trusting me at some point, Zara. I’m not your enemy,” Jeremy said, his voice steady. He wasn’t even the slightest out of breath. His blonde hair flowed freely in the breeze, and I begrudgingly noted how attractive he looked.
“Why should I trust you? You’ve given me no reason—”
“Believe it or not, Princess,” Jeremy cut in, his tone sharp yet sincere, “I don’t wake up looking for ways to make your life miserable. I’m just doing my job. I know you can take care of yourself, but back there, I was genuinely just trying to help.”
As I studied him, I heard the truth in his words. I took a step back, and he watched me carefully, his muscles tensing as if he anticipated me running away from him again.
“Fine,” I drawled. “We’ll go to the ball together.” His shoulders sagged, the tension easing from his muscles. “But I’m still not training with you,” I added defiantly, lifting my chin.
“You should.” He retorted, his golden eyes roaming over my face. “You shouldn’t be so out of breath from that run.” He arched his brow, turned, and walked away from me up the path.
“I am not out of shape…” I grumbled, and Jeremy grinned wickedly over his shoulder at me.
“Prove it,” he challenged, then took off running. I don’t know what possessed me, but I sprinted after him, determined to catch up.
Despite my best efforts, I couldn’t close the gap, and by the time we reached the castle gate, I was dripping with sweat. I collapsed onto the ground the moment I hit the entrance, gasping for breath.
Jeremy stood there, silent, not even out of breath, as he waited for me to recover. I rolled onto my stomach and shot him a withering glare. He just stared down at me, an amused glint in his eye.
“Fine,” I relented…again, and he smirked down at me with satisfaction.
“I’ll be seeing you in the morning then, Princess.”
Chapter 8
Zara
I trained with Jeremy every day since that awful day in the village, and it was becoming increasingly difficult to maintain my dislike for him. Despite his arrogance, he proved to be an exceptional teacher—arguably even better than Vincent, though I’d never admit that to him.
Every morning at dawn, we met in the training yard, and Jeremy would kick off our training sessions by taking off on a run around the grounds. I hated him for it at first—running had never been my favorite—but as the days passed, I secretly began to enjoy the routine.
On the sparring mat, he showed me no mercy. Jeremy pushed me to my limits, unlike Vincent, who had clearly been holding back. New muscles ached daily, and I found myself reluctantly beginning to trust his judgment. He treated me as an equal, not someone who needed protection.
I couldn’t deny my attraction to him. Something in my corereacted to his presence, and despite my best efforts to push it aside, I couldn’t help but feel drawn to him.
The night of the ball had arrived, and I paced nervously in front of my window, my emerald gown swishing around my feet. The clanging of my diamond-studded heels against the stone floor echoed through the room, and I anxiously glanced at the small clock on my mantlepiece.
A sudden knock jolted me from my thoughts, and I took a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves as I made my way to the door.
