Between Duty and Desire: The Weight of Secrets

  Arvanya's POV:

  The cool night air wrapped around me as I stood on my balcony, my fingers gripping the railing. The sky stretched vast and endless, dotted with stars, their faint glimmer doing little to ease the restlessness brewing inside me. A soft breeze carried the distant sounds of the academy—the rustling of leaves, the occasional chirp of nocturnal creatures—but my focus was elsewhere.

  Behind me, bursts of laughter and excited chatter filled my room. Esme, Calen, Lila, Sofia, Dante, Nico, and Kai were sprawled across the space, animatedly discussing the upcoming competition. Their energy was contagious, but I couldn’t bring myself to join them. My mind was already tangled in a different concern.

  I pulled out my phone, my thumb hovering over the call button for a moment before I pressed it. The dial tone rang, each second stretching unbearably until a familiar voice finally answered.

  “Arvi, princess! How’s everything going?” My Dad’s voice, warm and steady, washed over me like an embrace.

  A breath I hadn’t realized I was holding escaped. “Hi, Dad. Everything’s fine.” I hesitated, shifting my weight. “Our academy is hosting a competition. Master Orin said royal families from other kingdoms have been invited, so I assumed you got an invitation too. Are you coming tomorrow?”

  There was a brief pause before his voice softened with a smile. “Of course, sweetheart. We got the invitation, and we wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

  My Mom’s voice chimed in, full of warmth and excitement. “Yes, darling! This is our chance to see you. We’ve been waiting for this.”

  A lump formed in my throat. I wanted to share their joy, but reality loomed heavy over me. My grip tightened on the phone. “But… I can’t meet you in front of everyone. You know that. No one can know who I really am.”

  Silence stretched between us before my Dad spoke again, his tone gentle. “We know, sweetheart. But at least we’ll see you. And if we find a way, we’ll meet you too.”

  A mix of relief and longing swirled inside me. Just knowing they would be there was enough, even if I couldn’t run into their arms like I wanted to. I exhaled slowly, letting the thought settle. “I miss you,” I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper.

  “We miss you too, Arvi,” my Mom said softly. “More than you know.”

  I swallowed the ache rising in my chest and forced a small smile. “What about Adrian, Thiago, and Luca? Are they coming too?”

  A brief shuffle on the other end, and then a familiar voice broke through, tinged with playful mischief. “Arvi!”

  A genuine grin tugged at my lips. “Luca?”

  “Yep. Dad passed me the phone. What’s up, little sis? Missing us already?”

  I rolled my eyes. “Obviously. So, are you guys coming?”

  The teasing edge in his voice faded, replaced by hesitation. “We want to, but we can’t.”

  My stomach twisted. “Why not?”

  Luca sighed. “Final year’s hitting us hard. Exams, projects, responsibilities—if we leave now, we’ll fall behind. We don’t have a choice.”

  I stared at the horizon, the distant glow of dormitory lights flickering in the dark. “You won’t just miss a day, Luca. You’ll miss at least five. You’re really not coming at all?”

  Silence. Then, his voice softened. “Arvi… we hate this as much as you do. But sometimes, duty has to come first. You understand, right?”

  A part of me wanted to argue, to beg them to make time. But deep down, I knew he was right. They weren’t just my brothers—they were princes with expectations weighing on them just as heavily as my own burdens. I closed my eyes, letting the frustration ebb into reluctant acceptance.

  “Yeah,” I murmured. “I understand.”

  Luca caught the edge in my tone. “We’ll make it up to you. Promise. And we’ll call when Mom and Dad get there.”

  A small smile ghosted my lips. “Alright. Take care, Luca.”

  “You too, little sis. And try not to cause too much chaos, okay?”

  I let out a soft laugh. “No promises.”

  Just as the call was about to end, my Dad’s voice returned, this time serious. “Arvi… about those elementals. Have you found anything?”

  My posture straightened. My heart pounded a little faster. “We got a lead,” I said, determination tightening my grip on the phone. “My friends and I—we’re close to figuring out how to save them.”

  A heavy sigh came from the other end. “Be careful, Arvi. This isn’t just about bravery. It’s dangerous.”

  “I know,” I said firmly. “But we won’t let them suffer any longer.”

  Silence stretched between us again, but this time, it was filled with unspoken understanding. Then, my Dad’s voice softened. “We’ll see you tomorrow, sweetheart.”

  Warmth settled in my chest. “See you tomorrow, Dad.”

  As the call ended, I stared out at the night, the weight of duty and longing pressing against my ribs. Tomorrow, they would be here. Even if I couldn’t embrace them, even if I had to keep my distance, knowing they were close was enough.

  For now.

  Suddenly, the door to the balcony creaked open, and I turned to see Kai stepping outside. He glanced at me for a moment, his eyes narrowing slightly, before speaking.

  "So, from your expression, I can tell your brothers aren’t coming," he said, his voice calm but perceptive.

  I let out a long sigh, unable to mask my disappointment. "Yeah, they're not coming tomorrow."

  Kai leaned against the balcony railing, his posture relaxed but his gaze focused on me. "Well, at least your parents are coming, and you’ll see your brothers soon enough. But for now, we should focus on the competition. Winning that talisman is the priority, so we can free the elementals."

  I nodded, feeling the weight of his words. "You're right. I need to focus on that."

  Kai’s gaze softened as he studied me, and for a brief moment, I could see the concern in his eyes. "Hey, I know it’s hard, but try to improvise your mood a little. I can see how much you care about them, but there’s nothing you can do about it now. Focus on what’s in front of you. You’re strong, Arvi, and you’ve got this."

  His words were unexpected, and they warmed something deep inside me. It wasn’t just about the competition anymore; it was the genuine concern of a friend who understood my struggles.

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  I smiled weakly. "Thanks, Kai. I’ll try."

  He raised an eyebrow, his expression turning serious as he shifted the topic. "Did you tell them you’re participating in the competition?"

  I hesitated, guilt creeping in. "No, I forgot to mention it. But they’ll find out when they get here tomorrow."

  I nodded, trying to brush off the guilt, and forced a small smile. "Alright, let’s go inside and get some rest. We’ve got training in the morning with Zane, Ryker, and Lucian."

  Just as I started moving towards the door, Kai’s voice stopped me.

  "I need to ask you something."

  I froze. The intensity in his voice made my stomach flip, and I could already sense what was coming. I turned back, my breath catching in my throat as I met his eyes.

  "Are you still hiding something from us?" He asked quietly, his gaze searching mine for an answer.

  I feigned confusion, hoping to deflect. "What do you mean? I don’t know what you’re talking about."

  He raised an eyebrow, clearly not convinced by my response. "Do you really think I haven’t noticed? The way you act whenever Lucian is around. What’s going on between you two?"

  My heart skipped a beat. I quickly tried to hide the panic bubbling up inside me, my voice a little too casual. "There’s nothing between us. Whatever you saw... maybe you misinterpreted it."

  But he wasn’t buying it. "Oh, really? Then tell me this: why is Lucian always so protective of you? We all know he’s not exactly the kind of guy to care about anyone like that. And yet, he’s always looking out for you. Why do you act so differently around him? There’s definitely something more to this."

  I shifted uncomfortably, searching for a way out. "There’s nothing strange going on. He’s just… you know, one of the leaders. He has to look out for all of us, especially in training. I guess I just… react differently, that’s all."

  Kai didn’t seem convinced. He stepped closer, his voice lower now, more serious. "Alright, then explain this: why did you suddenly summon those gusts of wind earlier today when Lucian walked into the training area? He was looking around like he was searching for someone important. And you—" He paused, eyes narrowing as he watched me carefully. "You looked so nervous, like you were expecting something. Why was that?"

  I swallowed hard, my mind scrambling for an explanation. "It was just a coincidence. The wind... it was too much of a reaction to something, I guess. And Lucian just happened to show up right then."

  He crossed his arms, his eyes never leaving mine, but there was a soft sigh that escaped his lips. "Alright, I’ll take your word for it. But look... I hope it’s not what I’m thinking."

  My heart skipped again. "What do you mean?"

  Kai’s eyes darkened slightly, his voice lowering with caution. "If you’re hiding something about Lucian—and I mean something more than just friendship—then you’ve got to be careful. The day he finds out you’ve been keeping it from him? That’s when things are going to get messy. You know how he is."

  I flinched slightly, his words ringing louder than I expected. "Kai, there’s nothing like that. I swear."

  Kai seemed to study me for a moment longer, and then he shook his head, a hint of disbelief in his tone. "I hope you’re telling the truth, Arvanya. Because if it’s what I think it is... the day Lucian knows, everything’s going to change."

  I hesitated, feeling an uncomfortable knot form in my stomach. I didn’t know how to explain, or even if I should. Instead, I just nodded slowly, hoping my silence would be enough.

  "Just... be careful, alright?" He said after a long pause, his expression softening a little. "We’re all in this together, and I don’t want anything to tear us apart."

  I forced a smile, trying to ease the tension between us. "I’ll be careful, I promise."

  Kai gave me a small nod, but his gaze lingered on me a moment longer before he turned and headed back toward the door.

  I stood there for a moment, processing what he had said. His warning echoed in my mind. Lucian... and the secret I was trying so desperately to keep hidden. It was only a matter of time before everything came to light.

  The next morning, Esme and I hurried to get ready, eager to grab breakfast in the mess hall before training. Our friends would already be there, and we didn’t want to waste any time.

  As we entered the bustling mess hall, the air buzzed with anticipation. Whispers filled the space, overlapping in a chaotic mix of excitement and speculation. The competition started tomorrow, but that wasn’t the only thing on everyone's minds. The royals from other kingdoms were arriving today, and the entire academy was alive with gossip—especially the girls.

  "I heard the princes from the Air Kingdom are ridiculously handsome," one girl whispered to her friend as we walked past.

  "Not just that," another chimed in. "Both princes are supposed to be the strongest in combat. Some say they’re even on par with Prince Lucian."

  But then, as expected, the conversation shifted.

  “None of them can compare to Prince Lucian,” someone declared confidently. “He’s the most powerful, the most ruthless. No prince comes close.”

  I clenched my jaw but remained silent, keeping my expression neutral as we moved toward the breakfast counter. It wasn’t surprising. Lucian’s reputation extended far beyond Kaeloria—he wasn’t just feared; he was practically revered. And tomorrow, my friends and I wouldn’t just be competing alongside him but facing senior students who had spent their entire academy years preparing for moments like this.

  As we grabbed our food trays, I tried to push the thoughts away. But, of course, fate had other plans.

  On the way to our table, my gaze unwillingly landed on the last person I wanted to see. Celeste.

  She stood near the center of the hall, surrounded by her usual minions, preening like she was the Empress of the Academy. Her perfectly styled hair shimmered under the soft glow of the chandeliers, and she was laughing at something one of her lackeys said. The sight alone threatened to sour my mood.

  No. Not today.

  I had more important things to focus on. The competition was our priority, and I needed my full concentration. Letting Celeste and her petty antics get to me wasn’t an option.

  Esme nudged me. “Ignore her. She thrives on reactions, and I know you don’t want to give her the satisfaction.”

  “Trust me, I plan to,” I muttered, keeping my head high as we walked past them.

  Unfortunately, Celeste was never one to be ignored.

  “Well, well, look who decided to crawl out of the shadows,” she drawled, her voice dripping with mockery. “Excited about tomorrow, Aria? I hope you’re ready to be humiliated.”

  I didn't bother slowing down. “We’ll see who gets humiliated.”

  Her smirk widened as she stepped directly into my path, forcing me to stop. “Oh, I already know. You might have some talent, but you’re not in my league. And this time, Lucian won’t be there to shield you like some fragile little princess.”

  A flicker of irritation sparked in my chest, but I forced my expression to stay neutral. “I don’t need anyone to shield me, least of all Lucian.”

  Celeste laughed, a sharp, unpleasant sound. “Right. Because you did so well holding your own last time. Face it, Aria, you’re just an outsider pretending to belong. But tomorrow? Tomorrow, I’ll make sure you know exactly who the real threat is.”

  She leaned in slightly, voice dropping to a venomous whisper. “And when I crush you in front of everyone, don’t expect Lucian to come running to save you.”

  My fists clenched at my sides, but I refused to give her the satisfaction of seeing me react. Instead, I stepped around her, keeping my voice calm and steady. “Good luck with that, Celeste. You’re going to need it.”

  Esme shot her a smug grin before we continued to our table, leaving Celeste fuming behind us.

  As we settled into our seats, Sofia leaned in, her eyebrows raised. “What was that Celeste—” she paused, adding a dramatic shudder, “—saying to you?”

  I scoffed. “Nothing important. She just blabbers nonsense. And right now, I don’t have time to waste on her. We should focus on preparing for the competition.”

  “She really thinks she’s untouchable, doesn’t she?” Lila muttered, rolling her eyes.

  Esme snorted. “Delusions are a powerful thing.”

  Calen leaned back in his chair, smirking. “I’m actually looking forward to seeing her lose. She talks like she’s already won, but we all know reality doesn’t work that way.”

  Dante chuckled. “The bigger the ego, the harder the fall.”

  “I just hope her fall is spectacular,” Nico added, grinning.

  Kai, who had been quiet until now, glanced at me. “So, are you ready?”

  I nodded. “I have to be.”

  Just then, a familiar scent drifted through the air, hitting me before I even needed to turn around. I stiffened slightly but forced my posture to remain relaxed. I knew exactly who had just walked in.

  Kai’s gaze was already on me, studying my reaction like he was trying to decipher something. Again. I met his eyes briefly before looking away, keeping my expression neutral.

  And then, they arrived.

  Zane. Ryker. And Lucian.

  Zane took the seat beside Sofia, Ryker slid in next to Lila, and Lucian—of course—sat directly across from me.

  Sofia huffed, turning to Zane. “You’re already late. And weren’t you three supposed to help us with competition prep?”

  Zane stretched lazily, looking completely unbothered. “We were.”

  Lila narrowed her eyes. “And?”

  Ryker grinned. “We got distracted.”

  Esme raised a brow. “By what?”

  Zane shrugged. “Stuff.”

  Dante scoffed. “That’s suspiciously vague.”

  Sofia crossed her arms. “You just didn’t want to wake up early, did you?”

  Zane smirked. “Guilty.”

  Lila rolled her eyes. “You’re useless.”

  “I prefer ‘selectively helpful,’” Zane corrected.

  “You’re selectively something,” Nico muttered, shaking his head.

  Ryker leaned forward. “Anyway, we’re here now. So what’s the plan?”

  The conversation continued, but my focus wavered.

  Because sitting across from me was Lucian.

  And despite my best efforts to ignore it, I could feel his presence like a storm on the horizon—silent but impossible to ignore.

  He hadn’t spoken yet. Hadn’t even looked at me directly. But he was there, effortlessly commanding attention without needing to do anything at all.

  I forced myself to focus on the discussion, pushing aside the awareness curling at the edges of my mind.

  This wasn’t the time to get distracted.

  Not when the competition was looming ahead.

  Not when I needed to be at my strongest.

  And definitely not because of him.