Free Web NovelChapter 169: Chapter 169
The sound of clashing swords cut through the morning air, drifting up to where she stood at her bedroom window overlooking the vast courtyard below. From her vantage point, she could see Ragnar and Casilo locked in an intense sparring match, their movements sharp, and fluid as they met each other’s strikes with precision.
If anyone were to ask why she was watching so intently, she would claim it was simply to observe their technique, nothing more. It certainly had nothing to do with Ragnar’s current state of undress, or the way sweat traced the lines of his bare torso, glinting under the afternoon sun as muscles flexed and coiled with every strike he parried with his sword. ƒrēewebnovel.com
"It just doesn’t make any sense," Circe muttered under her breath, a faint crease forming between her brows as she watched the scene unfold.
Why would anyone spar shirtless? It defied logic no matter how she turned it over in her head. It only made him more vulnerable to injury, even if this was just a friendly match. Anyone with a shred of sense would know that wearing more layers was the safer choice.
She was so focused on the sight below that she didn’t notice when she was no longer alone in the room.
Nieah stepped in quietly, her presence going unnoticed until she spoke. Circe didn’t turn away from the window.
"What has you so captivated, Your Highness?" Nieah asked after a long pause, her tone tinged with mild amusement.
"I’m waiting to see if Ragnar gets injured," Circe replied flatly. "At least then he might think twice before being so reckless next time."
Nieah let out a soft hum. "Are you worried about His Highness getting hurt?"
Circe’s head snapped toward her, eyes narrowing into sharp slits.
"What made you think that? Of course I don’t care," she said quickly, a little too quickly for the words to sound convincing. A note of defensiveness had crept into her voice.
Nieah only offered a small shrug.
Circe turned back to the window, hoping the movement would end the conversation.
Down below, Ragnar had just dodged a particularly aggressive strike from Casilo, the edge of the latter’s blade missing him by mere inches.
Instead of stepping back like any sane person would, Ragnar lunged forward with reckless abandon, his sword slicing through the air in a fluid arc that disarmed Casilo completely.
The clang of metal echoed across the courtyard as Casilo’s weapon hit the ground. Ragnar straightened, chest rising and falling heavily, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips as he offered his opponent a hand up.
Circe’s fingers tightened around the window frame before she realized it. She quickly drew back when she noticed what she was doing.
"Reckless," she muttered again, though it came out softer this time.
" Do you think his majesty knows how intently you watch them?" Nieah asked after a while.
Ragnar knew without a doubt. He had always been able to sense when she was looking at him so Circe wouldn’t put it past him. But she didn’t bother voicing out her thoughts. Instead she said, " I think he just likes putting on a show."
" That’s only if there was someone in particular the show was meant for." Nieah said. The words were so casual, like she simply tossed out an offhand comment.
Circe tried to ignore it but the implication of Nieah’s statement made her cheeks heat.
In the short time they had been friends, Circe had discovered a side of Nieah few ever saw, a playful, mischievous streak that contrasted sharply with the genteel image she so carefully maintained. Yet somehow, it suited her perfectly.
And lately, Nieah seemed to have made it her mission to torment Circe with it.
Circe’s ears burned, and she forced herself to look away from the courtyard, pressing her palms lightly against the cool glass. "It’s not like that," she muttered, though the words lacked conviction even to her own ears.
Nieah only smiled knowingly, moving to stand in front of the dresser with her hands clasped in front of her, and a casual grace that made it clear she had no intention of letting the matter drop.
"Of course, Your Highness. Not like that at all," she teased lightly.
Circe groaned softly, her shoulders slumping as she tried to retreat further into the room. Yet, her eyes couldn’t resist flicking back toward the courtyard, where Ragnar had already sheathed his sword. He turned his attention to Casilo, speaking in low tones that Circe couldn’t hear from this distance.
Just then a knock sounded and at once, Circe and Nieah turned their gazes towards the door.
Nieah was the first to move. She went to unlock the door, checking to see who was on the other side. After a second, Nieah opened the door even wider to reveal the maid standing on the other side and in her hands was a delicately wrapped box.
Circe glanced at the maid, then at the small box, brows furrowing.
The maid bowed respectfully. " Your highness, this is for you. It was just delivered. The guards say it is from Lady Mina Hawthorne."
Nieah took the box gently from the maid, dismissing her with a polite nod before shutting the door with a soft click, leaving Circe staring at the mysterious package with a puzzled expression.
" A gift from Lady Mina, how exciting." Nieah beamed.
Circe could admit to feeling a flicker of curiosity about what was inside the box but saying that she was overly excited to open it would be an exaggeration.
The luncheon had gone better than Circe imagined and though she enjoyed the time she spent with Mina, she didn’t think they had gotten to the point where they willingly offered each other gifts.
She took the box from Nieah and sat on edge the bed
She pulled on the ribbon tied around the box as she began unwrapping it. When she finally pulled open the lid of the box, she was greeted by the most stunning pair of earrings she had ever seen.
