“Can I really go?” Elena asked again, her voice barely a whisper.
“I’m telling you, it’s fine,” Cura replied, her smile radiating reassurance.
Elena’s doubt lingered as they approached the training grounds. Her steps faltered, weighed down by apprehension. Cura, ever the sprite, turned and grinned, her freckles dancing mischievously. “Elena, you’re really…” she teased, cutting off the sentence with a chuckle.
Reaching out, Cura took Elena’s hand, pulling her forward. As they drew closer, the roar of the training grounds intensified. The clash of steel and the shouts of knights filled the air. The wooden fence, taller than Elena had imagined, seemed to loom over them. She craned her neck, straining to see the pointed tip. Beyond, the tower she had glimpsed from the study emerged and vanished among the leaves. Its imposing presence, with its barred windows, captivated her more than the grandeur of the castle itself.
“We’re here,” Cura announced, her voice echoing the excitement.
They reached the massive iron gate, and Cura leaned her shoulder against it, pushing with all her might.
The rusty gate creaked open, a jarring sound that echoed through the training grounds. Elena, following Cura inside, froze. A sea of eyes, ranging from curious to hostile, met hers. The knights, locked in fierce combat, had stilled, their bodies glistening with sweat, their faces etched with concentration. Some, their forms shifting, had transformed into wolves.
“Surprised to see us all of a sudden?” Cura laughed, her voice a playful counterpoint to the tense atmosphere. She strode towards the knights.
Elena, however, remained rooted in place, her mind reeling. The intensity of the stares, the overwhelming mix of sweat and pheromones, and the heavy breathing of the knights combined to create a sensory overload. She inhaled deeply, trying to steady her racing heart. Only after several moments did her vision clear and her breathing return to normal.
Two knights burst through the gate, panting heavily. Elena, startled at first, recognized their scent as that of her shadow guards. After regaining their breath, they bowed silently to her.
“Cura,” one knight chided, “you told us to take a break since you’d stay with her.” He playfully smacked her on the head.
Cura winced and rubbed her head, but her defiance remained. “I am with her, aren’t I?” she retorted, her hands planted firmly on her hips.
“That’s not what we meant,” the other knight said, his voice laced with exasperation.
Cura burst into laughter, her spirits seemingly unaffected. “I’m telling you to stay alert,” she insisted.
“You little…” the knight began, but the elder knight intervened, his voice carrying a note of authority. “Cura, what’s going on?”
“We came to watch your training. Is that okay?” Cura asked, her voice filled with excitement.
“Well, it’s fine, but…” the knight hesitated, glancing at Elena. “We don’t mind, but His Grace might not approve.”
“His Grace hasn’t returned yet. He probably won’t be back until late tonight, right?” Cura countered, her eyes scanning the training grounds.
“And by the way, could you show us your transformation?” she added, her voice brimming with curiosity.
The knight, who had been observing Elena, stared at Cura in astonishment. “What did you say?”
“I’m asking if you could show us your transformation. Lady Elena seems curious,” Cura replied, her eyes sparkling.
The knights exchanged confused glances, their murmurs echoing through the air. Elena, feeling a surge of embarrassment, wished she could vanish. Although she knew Cura was trying to help, she regretted her impulsive request.
“I’m sorry. We’ll just leave. Please pretend you didn’t hear anything and continue your training,” Elena apologized, her face burning with embarrassment.
“Oh, no, no,” the knights replied, their voices filled with urgency. “It’s not that hard to show you. We were just wondering if it’s okay for Lady Elena to be here.”
Elena felt a wave of embarrassment wash over her. The knights’ formal and respectful demeanor made her uncomfortable.
“See?” Cura said, taking Elena’s hand and leading her to a secluded area.
Elena had no choice but to follow. Cura wiped a wooden bench with a handkerchief and gestured for Elena to sit. As Elena carefully arranged her dress, she felt the knights’ eyes still watching her. Swallowing her nerves, she tried to appear composed.
Despite the lingering attention, Elena began to take in her surroundings more clearly.
