Chapter 27 — Princess Watches Kaelen Closely

The evening sun cast a warm glow over the tournament arena, illuminating the dust and sweat of countless battles. Princess Lysandra stood atop the balcony, her hands clasped over the railing as she observed the ongoing matches.

Her eyes, however, were not solely on the fighters. Her gaze kept returning to a shadowed figure standing apart from the crowd—a masked man whose presence seemed to radiate calm control and quiet authority. Kaelen, the mysterious master training her brother, had captured her attention long before the tournament began.

She had seen him save villages from monsters, guide Prince Aric with patience, and display a skill that seemed almost supernatural. Tonight, in the bustling chaos of the arena, that same aura of mastery was impossible to ignore.

“Who is he, really?” Lysandra murmured to herself. “How can someone move like that… fight like that… and yet remain unseen by everyone?”

Her thoughts were interrupted by a clash of swords below. Aric had just entered his next match, facing a skilled opponent from the eastern provinces. Lysandra’s eyes narrowed as she watched, noting how Kaelen’s subtle gestures and distant presence seemed to guide her brother even from afar.

It wasn’t just skill—it was awareness, strategy, and instinct blended seamlessly. Kaelen didn’t need to intervene directly; his influence alone was enough to give Aric an edge.

As the match unfolded, Lysandra felt a strange mix of admiration and something deeper—an inexplicable pull toward the masked master. She could not explain it, but her heartbeat quickened every time he moved, every time his golden eyes flicked toward the arena, watching, assessing, protecting.

During a brief pause in the matches, she leaned forward, eyes scanning Kaelen intently. “Why does he hide behind that mask?” she whispered. “And why do I feel… like he’s more than just a teacher?”

In that moment, Kaelen’s gaze met hers, even from the distance. Though his face remained hidden, his eyes conveyed calm, reassurance, and a faint warmth. Lysandra’s cheeks flushed, and she quickly looked away, pretending to watch the fighters below, though her mind remained fixated on the masked master.

Little did she know, Kaelen had already noticed her curiosity. He said nothing, letting her observe, let her draw her own conclusions. Patience was a lesson in itself—one he had learned over years of combat and would teach those he guided in due time.

The crowd erupted in cheers as Aric won his match, but Lysandra barely heard it. Her focus remained on Kaelen—the man who moved like a shadow, who fought like a legend, and whose presence stirred feelings she could not yet name.

As the sun dipped below the horizon and the arena emptied, Lysandra made a silent vow. She would learn more about this mysterious master. She would understand him, and perhaps, in the process, understand the strange connection growing in her heart.

For Kaelen, the Mirrorblade, the princess’s attention was noted, but he remained unchanged—silent, observant, patient, and ever-watchful. The battles of the tournament were just beginning, and so too were the battles of the heart, intrigue, and destiny.