After returning to the castle, Vetra began to head toward her room, hoping to rest for a while after the long day. Before she could take many steps, however, Martina suddenly reached out and grabbed her wrist.
Vetra stopped at once, her gaze dropping to Martina's hand before lifting to her face. "Where are you going?" Martina asked. Her tone was soft, but there was something in it that made it clear she did not want Vetra to leave just yet.
Vetra remained calm, as always. "I am heading to my room. Do you need something?"
Realizing that she was still holding on, Martina quickly let go of Vetra's wrist. A faint embarrassment crossed her face as she looked away. "Apologies for that," she said quietly. Then, after hesitating for a moment, she added, "Well... actually, I wanted to say thank you for today..."
A soft scoff left Vetra's lips, almost too quiet to hear. "You don't have to thank me. I'm your bodyguard and personal assistant. That's my job."
Martina sighed softly. She was already used to the way Vetra thought. To Vetra, respect and gratitude were things that had to be earned for a reason. Martina, on the other hand, believed kindness should exist without conditions.
"Well... but still, I—" Martina began, then stopped, appearing slightly nervous. "I actually wanted to ask if... you could spend more time with me...?"
The request clearly surprised Vetra. For a brief moment, she was stunned, though she did not let it show. Her expression stayed composed, her usual calm, almost lifeless demeanor still in place.
"Well... we can surely spend more time later," she said evenly. "But for now, you could—"
She paused mid-sentence.
A soldier had approached from behind Martina without either of them noticing. Martina turned around, sensing the shift in the air.
"What brings you here?" she asked.
The soldier bowed. "The king wishes to see you in the royal hall."
Martina nodded at once. "No need to bow. I'll go and see him."
Martina turned back and looked at Vetra with a small smile. "Please be in my room upstairs for now. I need to talk to you after..."
Then she left.
Vetra gave a slight nod, even though Martina could no longer see it, and stood there for a moment before turning to leave as well. She did not say anything, but her thoughts lingered on Martina's strange kindness and the way she had asked for her company so casually, as if it meant something important.
———
At the royal hall, King Victor sat on his throne with his face resting on one hand, looking deep in thought. The moment he noticed Martina entering, he sat upright, his posture returning to the firm authority of a king.
"Father?" Martina asked as she approached. "You called for me?"
"I did," Victor replied. "I heard you went to the orphanage today. I hope everything went well."
As he spoke, he rose from the throne and descended the short steps leading down from the raised platform. He stopped a few paces in front of her, his expression serious, though concern still lingered beneath it.
Martina smiled gently. "Everything went well. I really enjoyed spending time with the children... they're as sweet and playful as ever."
Her tone was warm and reassuring, and she hoped it would be enough to ease his worries. She knew he had likely been concerned while she was away, and she wanted him to know there was nothing to fear.
Victor studied her for a moment before speaking again. "I see... That's good to hear. Are you sure that your new bodyguard isn't suspicious at all?" he asked.
It was obvious that he still did not trust Vetra. Even so, he had agreed to let her stay beside Martina because his daughter had insisted so stubbornly.
Martina answered without hesitation. "Ahh... well, yes. Of course she isn't suspicious at all... she helps me a lot with things."
She understood why her father had asked. His suspicion had likely been there from the beginning, ever since Vetra revealed her past. Still, Martina made it clear that she believed Vetra could be trusted.
Victor seemed to relax a little after hearing that. He trusted Martina's judgment, even if a trace of doubt remained.
"Okay," he said. "You're old enough to make good decisions for yourself, and I am trusting you with this one. But you must tell me immediately if this 'Vetra' girl starts acting suspicious in any way. Don't disappoint me."
Martina listened quietly. Her father's concern was understandable. Vetra had once served Shadowfen, a kingdom Riverbend had long considered an enemy. The rivalry between the two kingdoms had lasted for years, bringing hatred and loss with it. Even though Vetra no longer served Shadowfen and no longer lived there, her past was still enough to make people wary.
And though Martina had spoken confidently, a small trace of that same suspicion still lingered somewhere inside her too.
"Of course, Father," Martina said gently. "You'll be informed immediately. May I take my leave now?"
Victor hesitated for a brief moment, as though weighing something in his mind, but eventually he gave a small nod. "Yes, you may leave now."
Martina returned the nod and left the royal hall. She walked through the castle halls, then along the long corridors, and finally climbed the stairs to the upper floor. When she reached her room and opened the door, she found Vetra already standing there waiting for her.
Martina stepped inside and closed the door behind her. A small smile appeared on her lips. "You actually waited? That's quite nice of you."
Vetra answered with a simple nod, still adjusting to Martina's gentle nature. There was something unfamiliar about it to her—something almost unsettling, not because it was unpleasant, but because it felt so unlike the world she knew. Her past had never included warm smiles, patient words, or unnecessary politeness. In her world, people were guarded, direct, and often cold. This kind of kindness felt almost alien.
After a brief pause, Vetra spoke. "Why did you want to talk to me in your room? You should know that someone like me can't just be in a royal's room."
Her voice was calm, but there was a faint edge to it, as if she was reminding Martina of a rule that should have been obvious. She looked down at the shorter woman standing before her, still smiling in that soft, effortless way. It was irritating in the most confusing manner. Vetra could not decide whether Martina's warmth was genuine innocence or something far more difficult to understand.
Martina did not seem bothered at all. She stood there with the same bright expression, as though Vetra's words had not changed the atmosphere in the slightest.
"That's not necessary," Martina said at once. "And besides, you're my bodyguard, not a servant. And even if you were a servant, so what? Everyone deserves to be treated equally."
Vetra stared at her in silence. How naive, she thought. It feels unreal. Martina kept speaking about equality as if the world truly worked that way. In Vetra's eyes, royals lived better than peasants for a reason. People like Martina were either hiding behind kindness that was too pure to be real, or they were simply too soft-hearted to accept the truth of the world.
Still, Vetra said nothing more. There was no point arguing. Changing someone's beliefs was never easy, and pressing Martina further would only upset her.
"I serve you, so I'm basically a servant," Vetra said at last, her tone flat, "but whatever you say."
Martina huffed softly, clearly not pleased with that answer, but she let it go. For a moment, silence filled the room.
Then Martina spoke again. "Anyway... as I said, I wanted to talk to you..."
She paused, and for a brief beat, the room stayed quiet. Then, with complete seriousness, she asked,
"What's your favorite color?"
————