Light from the Shadow

Chapter 12

Rishi was sitting in his office inside the Grand Library, doing his work. Since becoming the princess' instructor, he had to catch up on his works until late in the evening. He rested his head on his hand. His eyes were on the document in front of him but his mind was elsewhere. It was a given. The princess was still unconscious after their unfortunate training 2 days ago. Royal physicians had been summoned but they could not find anything wrong with her body. She was, as they said, just asleep. Rishi did not tell them about her magi. It's not the time yet. He did not actually see it but he was sure Ayna had used her power to save him.

Someone knocked on his door. His assistant came in. "Sir, the knight's captain... Lord Jyaga is here."

Rishi was in no mood to entertain the hot-headed knight. And he was pretty sure he would receive another blow on his face if he did not answer his question about the princess' condition carefully.

"Please show him in." Rishi said after doing some thinking.

"Uh, no, Sir. He was here to escort you to the palace." The assistant added.

"The Palace?" Rishi repeated. The assistant nodded.

"He said the princess has woken up and asked for you, Sir."

They did not exchange words on their way. Both just wanted to reach the palace as soon as possible. After passing through a few checkpoints, they were now standing in front of their future queen's chamber. Rishi slowly turned the handle and pushed the door open.

There were a few people in the room, including the king himself. Rishi could see Ayna sitting on her bed. Her face was pale. What happened...

"Your Highness..." Rishi called softly. All the eyes in the room turned to him, including Ayna.

"Uh..." The princess used whatever strength left in her body to get off the bed. Her legs were wobbly and she tripped as soon as she tried to walk. Rishi caught her arms in time.

"Are you okay?" He asked.

Ayna did not answer. Her eyes were teary. She touched his face frantically with her hands as if trying to make sure nothing was missing.

"What's wrong?" It felt weird to have someone touching his face like that.

The princess broke into tears and hugged him. "You are alright... I was so scared!" She cried like a baby. Everyone in the room was stunned. The twin attendants tried to suppress the urge not to squeal at the sight in front of them.

Rishi hugged the princess back, raising the eyes of many in the room. He patted her back gently. "Everything is alright. Don't cry. You've done well, Your Highness." Ayna sobbed even louder.

He lifted her up and laid her back to her bed. "Please rest for now. We will continue your training when you have fully recovered." He turned back and was about to leave when he felt a pull on his sleeve.

"Don't go." Ayna pleaded.

"Princess, it's late. Mr. Rishi has to rest too." Jyaga interrupted.

"I don't have to actually..." Rishi said but the knight interrupted again.

"You DO, Sir. You can come again tomorrow." Jyaga tried to put on a polite smile on his face. Rishi chuckled.

He turned back to Ayna. "You heard him. I have to leave now."

She let go of her hand and turned to the king. "Father, can I talk to him alone? For a few minutes?"

The king looked at his daughter. "Are you sure you don't need me around?"

Ayna nodded. The king ordered everyone to leave her room. Jyaga protested so King Ekua dragged him out by force.

After everyone had left, Rishi sat down on the bed. "You used magi on the bear the other day, didn't you?"

She nodded. She rubbed the mark on her right hand. "I don't know why it suddenly worked." The magi was weak but it was enough to paralyze an adult bear.

"Are you going to tell the king about this?"

Ayna shook her head. "No, not yet. I'm still not sure how and why it appeared suddenly." She did not want to give a false hope to her father. Best to wait a little while more.

"If you decide so. I'll just follow along." Rishi let out a sigh. He got up and patted her head. "I should leave now. Rest well."

"Thank you..." Ayna said without looking at Rishi. Her voice was so soft it was almost inaudible. Rishi turned his head. Half surprised half shocked.

"Did you hit your head?"

"Never mind!" She turned the other way. Hiding her face inside the blanket.

Rishi laughed. "Good night, Your Highness."