Rest
Whoosh. Whoosh. Slash.
My fist tore through the air toward Dagur. He just managed to raise his arms in time to block, but the force still sent him flying backwards, skidding across the dirt. I barely had time to exhale before Alvin charged in from behind, aiming for a sneak attack. I sidestepped, fluid and calm, then spun into a horizontal kick that slammed into his ribs and sent him tumbling across the field.
I frowned, lowering my stance. "Get up."
Groaning, the two men looked at each other and slowly climbed to their feet. They were bruised, breathing heavily, and clearly running on fumes. We'd been at it since early morning, and though I didn't say it aloud, I was proud of how long they'd lasted.
I hadn't chosen them by accident. While Viggo and Nala were brilliant strategists, they didn't offer the kind of physical challenge I needed right now. I was training not to unleash more power—but to contain it. Ever since my strength began to evolve, controlling it had become more important than flaunting it. One wrong move and someone could die.
As I steadied myself for another round, footsteps echoed behind me. I turned instinctively.
"Erik, what's going on?" Rapunzel asked, walking toward the training grounds with Nala at her side. The morning sun caught in her golden hair, still braided from the day before.
I nodded to Nala in silent greeting, then looked to Rapunzel. "Sparring," I said evenly.
"Sparring?" she echoed, tilting her head. "Is it fun?"
"It has its moments," I replied, the corners of my lips twitching into a faint smile. "Would you like to join?"
Dagur choked on his breath. Alvin blinked at me like I'd grown a second head. Even Nala raised a questioning brow.
"Really?" Rapunzel beamed. "I'd love to!"
I smirked, amused by her enthusiasm. "Nala, find her something a bit more suitable. Less… colorful."
Rapunzel looked down at her flowing pink dress, then back up with a pout. "Huh? Why?"
Before she could protest further, Nala had her by the wrist. "Come on, Princess. Trust me—you'll thank me later."
As they disappeared into the castle, I turned back to Dagur and Alvin. "You two—rest. That's enough for now."
They slumped like collapsing tents, sighs of relief escaping them as they trudged toward the shade near the edge of the training grounds.
Dagur flopped onto his back. "Finally."
Alvin leaned against a barrel, wiping the sweat from his brow. "I thought you said this was sparring, not surviving."
I didn't respond. My eyes were on the horizon, where the morning haze still lingered over the trees.
Ten Minutes Later
"Erik, I'm back!" Rapunzel called out as she skipped onto the training grounds, now dressed in more practical attire—simple tunic and trousers, her long hair braided tightly behind her.
I turned to face her. "Get ready to spar," I said plainly.
"Okay! But…" She tilted her head. "Um… how does sparring work?"
A vein throbbed in my temple.
Behind me, Dagur and Alvin burst into quiet snickers. Nala sighed and stepped in with a patient smile, beginning to explain the basics of stance, movement, and awareness to the eager—but clearly clueless—princess.
A few minutes passed. Rapunzel's expression shifted from excitement to uncertainty. Finally, she raised her hand.
"Erik," she said, voice quiet. "I… I don't want to spar anymore."
My brow furrowed. "What?"
She shrank back. "W-well, I'm not really strong. And I don't have any training. I'll just get in the way…"
I stared at her in silence for a long moment, then softened my expression. "Come forward," I said gently. "You'll learn along the way."
"I-I… I don't want to," she stammered, and then her eyes welled with tears. "I'm sorry…"
I clenched my fists, forcing down the frustration rising in my chest. No. Calm down. She doesn't know. She's not a soldier. She's never had to fight.
I let out a quiet breath. "Fine," I said, voice calm.
She blinked at me, surprised. "Really? Are you sure?"
I gave her a dry look. "Yes. I'm sure."
There was a beat of silence. Then she brightened slightly and asked, "T-then… can I have some more honey?"
I stopped mid-step, my blood pressure immediately spiking. "What happened to the jar I gave you yesterday?"
"Oh, I… I ate it all," she admitted, wringing her fingers guiltily.
My eyes narrowed. "That jar was supposed to last three weeks."
"Well…" She looked away. "This morning there was toast. And, I don't know… I just had to have the honey with it. But once I started, I couldn't stop…"
I closed my eyes and pinched the bridge of my nose. "Eating too much honey isn't good for you," I said sternly.
That was a lie. The honey I created was no ordinary sweetener—it was crafted from thousands of exotic, enchanted flowers, each selected for its restorative and nourishing properties. It would never harm her. But I wasn't about to encourage her gluttony.
She deflated, visibly shrinking with guilt, her lower lip trembling.
I sighed again and turned away. "I'll be heading out—around the kingdom and into the mainland. Do as you please. Nala, stay behind."
The others nodded and dispersed. Only Nala and Rapunzel remained behind me.
I glanced back at Nala. "Will she be useful?" I asked under my breath.
Nala smiled faintly. "Yes. Her healing abilities are rare—and powerful."
I nodded once. "You may go."
She gave a small bow and left.
"Rapunzel," I called without turning.
She perked up slightly. "Yes?"
"I'm going to explore the kingdom and the lands beyond. You can do whatever you want."
And with that, I walked away. My boots crunched against the dirt path, steady and unhurried.
After a moment, I heard the unmistakable sound of footsteps behind me. I stopped.
"…What are you doing?" I asked, still not looking back.
"You said I could do anything," she said cheerfully, "so I'm following you."
I was quiet for a moment. Then, without a word, I resumed walking.
And, of course, she followed.
Two Hours Later
"Hey Erik, that looks fun—let's go over there!" Rapunzel said, pointing toward a lively part of the town square, her eyes practically sparkling with excitement.
"No," I replied flatly, my tone calm but firm. "I need to inspect the entire kingdom today."
She darted in front of me, forcing me to stop mid-step.
"Please?" she pleaded, staring up at me with wide, exaggerated puppy eyes.
I stared at her for a long second, jaw tight.
She's wasting time, I thought. But…
I exhaled sharply. "Fine. But keep it short."
"Yay!" she grinned, grabbing my hand briefly before skipping ahead. "I promise it won't take long."
I followed as she led me through winding alleys and down a sunlit path until we reached a small open square. There, a group of children were laughing and chasing one another—the same group she'd played with the day before.
"Hey guys! I'm back!" she called out. "Let's play something fun!"
The kids cheered and ran over, surrounding her with joy. She was immediately swept into their game, laughter echoing across the square.
I stood back, arms crossed. Five minutes passed. Then ten. Then twenty.
My fingers twitched with impatience. I could feel the minutes bleeding away, my itinerary slipping further out of reach.
I turned on my heel without a word and started walking toward the kingdom's gates.
Step. Step. Step.
"Erik!" came Rapunzel's voice, followed by hurried footsteps. She ran after me, breathless, and jumped in front of me again, pouting. "Why did you leave?"
"I have responsibilities," I said, not bothering to hide my irritation. "I don't have time to babysit children—or childish adults."
Her pout deepened into a glare. "I'm not childish. I just know how to enjoy life. You might want to try it sometime."
I didn't respond. I blurred past her in a burst of speed, leaving a gust of wind in my wake. Her voice faded behind me as she tried to chase after me.
"Ah—!"
I stopped instantly.
I turned to find her on the ground, cradling her foot, eyes glassy with pain.
I sighed deeply and walked back.
"What is it this time?"
"My feet hurt," she whimpered, trying not to cry. "I think I reopened my wounds…"
Of course. I should've expected that. I summoned the Rumblehorn mentally and knelt beside her, gently lifting her into my arms.
The dragon landed with a deep thud, its nostrils flaring as it waited for instruction.
I moved to place her on its back, but she squirmed.
"No!"
I paused. "What do you mean 'no'?"
"The dragon scales are too hard… It hurts my butt," she muttered with a stubborn pout.
I stared at her, mouth twitching slightly. Was she serious?
I exhaled a long, resigned breath. "Fine."
I gave the Rumblehorn a treat and gestured for it to return to its post. The great beast snorted softly before lifting off again.
With Rapunzel still in my arms, I turned and began the walk back to the castle.
She rested her head lightly against my shoulder, her voice quieter now. "Sorry…"
I glanced down at her. "For what?"
"For slowing you down. And… for the honey."
I almost smiled—but didn't.