“Your Highness?” a quiet voice pulled me from my thoughts.

  I looked up from my cup, realizing I had been lost in memory again.

  “Would you care for another serving of tea?” the attendant asked, holding a still-warm pot in his hands.

  I gave a small nod. “Yes, thank you.”

  He poured with practiced grace, and I took the cup in both hands, letting the warmth steady me as I sipped in silence.

  The attendant then turned to Trevon. “And for the young master—would you like a refill as well?”

  Trevon offered a brief smile and nodded. “Please.”

  He waited patiently as the tea filled his cup, steam curling in the cool morning air.

  I watched him for a moment, quiet, thoughtful. In this life, I wanted to rebuild the bond we once had—to reach that pce again, the one where trust had been forged in fire. And if fate demanded it, I knew this time… I would be willing to protect him, even at the cost of my own life.

  A moment ter, Theoden and Constantine approached, their voices casual, their presence grounding.

  They took the seats across from us as the attendant they were ordering stepped outside after confirming which supplies were to be donated to the vilge.

  Theoden leaned slightly toward Trevon, finally noticing his quiet demeanor. “Are you tired, Trev?”

  “Don’t tell me you trained again after dinner st night,” Constantine added with a teasing gnce. “Didn’t you say you were going to rest early?”

  “Yes… I trained after dinner,” Trevon admitted, his voice quieter than usual. “I guess I’m just a little nervous. What if Master Ba doesn’t like me? What if he tells me I’m not good enough and sends me back down the mountain?”

  He tried to smile, but the unease on his face was unmistakable.

  Theoden let out a soft ugh. “He’s going to like you just fine. You’ve already mastered the first stance of the Sky-Piercing style—that’s not something most people your age can do.”

  “Exactly,” Constantine chimed in. “It took Theoden and me nearly a year to get it right, and you figured it out just from watching us train. That’s no small thing, Trev. You’re seriously gifted.”

  I sat quietly, listening.

  In my past life, Trevon had always seemed unshakable—confident, composed, always the one others leaned on. But now, in this quiet moment, I saw a different side of him. A younger version. One who still doubted. One who hadn’t yet grown into the strength I knew he carried.

  They were right—he was gifted. No, more than that. He was extraordinary. Someday, he would stand among the Empire’s greatest swordmasters. Of that, I had no doubt.

  The words hovered on the edge of my tongue. You’re better than you think. You’ll be fine. You’re not alone.

  I wanted to tell him. I wanted to give him that reassurance—that one day, he’d become someone remarkable, someone who mattered.

  But I didn’t.The instinct to hold back was too deeply ingrained. Old habits, like old wounds, were slow to heal. And the weight of who I once was still clung to me like a second skin.

  So I stayed silent.

  Old habits are hard to break. The boy I once was never reached out—never knew how.

  Instead, I lifted the teapot from the tray, carefully poured a fresh cup, and wordlessly set it down in front of Trevon.

  He looked at it, then at me—brows raised slightly, surprised.

  I didn’t say anything. Just gave him a small nod.

  And that was enough.

  His hand curled around the cup. His shoulders eased, just a little.

  But quietly, I made a promise to myself: Next time… I’ll say it.

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