Breakfast was a rare moment of peace.

The scent of roasted bread, warm butter, and spiced tea filled the dining hall. Morning sunlight streamed through tall glass windows, painting golden shapes across the long table.

Raiden sat between his father and Kent, trying not to fidget too much. His new necklace gleamed faintly under the sunlight that found it's way through the windows, a small blue glow that seemed to pulsed in time with his heartbeat.

Lord Cedric noticed first. "That's new," he said mildly, slicing through a piece of fruit. "Where did you get it?"

Raiden perked up, proud. "Sir Leonard gave it to me!"

Kent raised a brow. "Leonard gave you a gift? You must be his favorite now."

Raiden puffed his chest. "Obviously. I'm a hardworking student."

His father's lips curved into a small smirk. "Hardworking, yes. Quiet, no. The servants said they could hear your shouting all the way from the west garden yesterday."

Raiden froze mid-bite. "That… was part of the training. Vocal exercises."

Kent nearly spat his drink. "Vocal exercises?"

"Yes," Raiden said firmly, nodding. "Shouting builds stamina."

Lord Cedric chuckled quietly. "I'll make sure to tell the guards that next time they hear you 'training.'"

Raiden pouted and looked down at his plate. "You're all mean."

Across the table, Sir Leonard who'd joined them today, was eating with his usual composure, slow, precise movements, as though he were dissecting each bite for flaws. When he finished, he folded his napkin neatly and stood.

"You have thirty minutes of rest before we resume," he said to Raiden, his tone polite but carrying that quiet authority that left no room for argument.

Raiden perked up again. "Thirty minutes?"

"Yes. Use them wisely."

He bowed lightly to Lord Cedric, then stepped away toward the courtyard.

Raiden grinned to himself. Thirty whole minutes. That was more than enough time for one thing. To visit Miss Hilda.

He hadn't seen her properly since sword training began. Between being tossed, dragged, and nearly drowned by his teacher, there hadn't been any time left for the woman who used to fuss over him daily.

Now was the perfect chance.

He finished the last sip of his tea, thanked his parents, and slipped away.

Miss Hilda's residence was quiet that morning — a small, ivy-covered building tucked beside the garden, its windows open to the soft hum of birds and wind. Raiden reached the door and knocked twice.

There was a brief pause before her voice floated through, warm and familiar. "Come in!"

Raiden pushed the door open… and froze.

"Ah—! I— I'm sorry!!" he yelped, spinning around so fast he nearly tripped over himself.

Miss Hilda blinked in surprise, halfway through dressing. She had been wrapping a silk cloth around herself, shoulders bare, her long auburn hair tumbling down her back like a waterfall.

Her lips curved into an amused smile. "Raiden, dear, you could have knocked louder."

"I did knock!" Raiden squeaked, eyes squeezed shut. "Twice! You said to come in!"

"And you did," she said teasingly, voice lilting with laughter. "You're quite obedient when you want to be."

Raiden groaned, still facing the door. "Miss Hilda, please, put some clothes on before I melt!"

She giggled softly. "Alright, alright. Give me a moment, my modest little knight."

Raiden waited, covering his face with his hands for good measure. He could hear the soft rustle of fabric, the click of jewelry, and the faint scent of her lavender perfume drifting through the air.

When her voice came again, it was calm. "There. You may look now."

Raiden cautiously peeked through his fingers and then sighed in relief.

Miss Hilda now wore a flowing white dress, light and simple, though it did little to hide her graceful figure. Her long hair was tied back loosely, a few strands framing her smiling face.

"You're red," she said, amused. "Did my beauty shock you that much?"

Raiden puffed his cheeks. "I came here for peace, not trauma!"

Her laughter rang like chimes. "Oh, how I missed your little dramas and mischievous acts."

Finally relaxing, Raiden turned fully toward her. "It's not funny! You almost made me go blind!"

"Hmm," she said, tapping her chin thoughtfully. "Maybe next time I'll warn you. Or maybe not."

"Miss Hilda!"

She grinned, clearly enjoying herself. "Fine, fine. Now, to what do I owe the pleasure? You've been far too busy to visit me lately."

Raiden's pout softened into a small smile. "That's why I came. Sir Leonard gave me thirty minutes before training, so I decided to spend it with you."

For a heartbeat, her teasing expression faltered, replaced by something softer, warmer. "You came here… just for that?"

Raiden nodded. "Of course! You've been taking care of me since forever. I thought you might've missed me."

She chuckled quietly, walking closer and ruffling his hair. "You really are growing up fast, you know that?"

Raiden beamed, a little shy under her fond gaze. "I try."

It was then that Miss Hilda's eyes caught the faint glow around his neck. "What's this?" she asked, reaching gently toward the blue crystal hanging on his chest.

Raiden brightened instantly. "Oh, this? Sir Leonard gave it to me yesterday! It's enchanted. He said it'll help me focus and stay calm when training!"

"Really?" she said, curiosity shining in her eyes. "That's quite a gift. He doesn't seem like the type to hand out enchanted items easily."

Raiden puffed up proudly. "He said I earned it! And it used to belong to his old student, so it's special. He told me the student was kind of like me, stubborn and awesome."

Miss Hilda smiled. "I can imagine." She touched the crystal lightly, her fingers glowing faintly with mana as she examined it. "It's beautifully crafted. I can feel the enchantment. It's pretty steady and warm. It does suit you."

Raiden looked at it, the blue light reflecting in his eyes. "It helps a lot. I feel like I can think straight when I wear it. Sir Leonard said I should train better, not harder."

Miss Hilda's smile widened. "Wise words. He's a harsh teacher, but he does care about you in his own way."

Raiden nodded slowly. "Yeah… I think so too. He acts all serious, but sometimes I catch him smiling when he thinks I'm not looking."

She chuckled again, sitting gracefully by the small round table beside her window. "That sounds like him. And your training — how has it been?"

Raiden hesitated before plopping himself onto the opposite chair. "Painful. Mostly painful. But also… good, I think? I can actually swing the sword without dropping it now."

"That's progress," she said warmly. "Every warrior starts somewhere."

"I guess," Raiden sighed, tracing the edge of his necklace. "Sometimes it feels like I'm running to catch up to Kent. He's a genius, you know?"

Miss Hilda's expression softened. "You both have your strengths, Raiden. Kent was born for the sword, perhaps. But you…" She leaned closer. "You have heart. You keep getting back up. That kind of strength can't be taught."

Raiden blinked at her words, and for a moment, he didn't know what to say.

"Thanks," he murmured, cheeks slightly pink.

Miss Hilda laughed softly. "You don't have to thank me for telling the truth."

They talked quietly for a while longer, about the guards, about how she'd been called to heal one of them who had foolishly challenged Captain Baren, and about how Raiden still couldn't believe anyone would do that willingly.

Her laughter filled the room again. "The young always test their limits. Even when those limits involve broken bones."

Raiden grinned. "I'll remember that next time Sir Leonard tries to break mine."

"Do," she said playfully. "But please, try to keep your bones intact."

Time passed quickly in the comfort of her company. Raiden barely noticed the minutes ticking by — not until a sharp, polite knock echoed against the door.

Both of them looked up.

Miss Hilda raised an eyebrow. "That was exactly thirty minutes."

Raiden sighed dramatically. "He's punctual even when I wish he wasn't."

"Go on, before he drags you out again," she said with a smile.

Raiden stood, brushing imaginary dust off his clothes. "Yeah, I should. Thanks for the chat, Miss Hilda. I'll come back again — maybe when Sir Leonard gives me another thirty minutes."

She chuckled. "I'll hold you to that."

As he turned to leave, the door opened on its own, and there stood Sir Leonard — arms crossed, expression perfectly unreadable.

"Time's up," he said simply.

Raiden groaned. "You really do have the worst timing."

Leonard's brow twitched. "And yet, here I am. Let's go."

Miss Hilda waved as Raiden trudged toward the door. "Don't worry, Raiden. I'll keep your seat warm for next time."

Raiden grinned faintly over his shoulder. "Thanks! And next time, please be dressed first!"

Her laughter followed him out the door, echoing like a bell through the morning air — a sound that made even Sir Leonard's lips twitch slightly as they walked back toward the courtyard.

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