The morning haze hadn't fully settled when Rio stirred in his bed, eyelids heavy and mind half-lost in dreams of tournaments, jade tokens, and Ana's teasing smile.
Suddenly, the door creaked open without warning.
"What? I don't know what you're talking about!" Rio snapped, quickly sitting up in bed, his voice laced with hesitation and confusion. (Why didn't she knock?)
Clearing his throat, he adjusted the sheets and glared toward the door. "Ahem… Can I ask why you didn't knock before barging in?" he asked with irritation creeping into his voice.
Ana, standing with a tray in her hands, raised an eyebrow. "I thought you might be sleeping. Didn't want to disturb you too early."
(She really thinks I'll fall for her again this easily?)
Rio narrowed his eyes. "Still, I'm your employer. You're my maid. I'm ordering you—always knock before coming into my room. Got it?" His voice, though commanding, carried a trace of guilt for being so direct.
Ana's lips curled into a smirk. She bowed theatrically. "As you command, young master. I'll bring your breakfast here. Until then, why don't you sleep in or watch a movie?"
"Nah. I'm not going back to sleep. And I'll eat in the dining hall, so don't bring anything here," he said, waving her off.
"As you wish," she said sweetly, then added with a wink, "Should I come help wash your back afterward?"
"Only if you behave—no funny business like last time,but today I'm busy so from next!" Rio warned. (Still... that was awesome.)
Ana giggled and nodded, picking up his laundry. "Today's breakfast includes tofu, curry rice, fruit salad, and a fresh pot of Aroma Tea. You've got a royal menu, Rio."
She exited with a smile, leaving a confused, blushing Rio behind.
"That's a good spread... but I'll have to eat light," he muttered, pressing a hand against his chest. (This new heart condition is a real mess... I should visit the med center. Maybe Ryunn Tech & Drug Store has a supplement or patch I can try. Ugh... And where is that so-called 'system'? Oh wait—it's not a system. It's just a stupid voice of that overpowered monkey spirit!)
Dining Hall,
Rio arrived freshly dressed, expecting to see the usual bustling crowd. Instead, he found only one familiar face.
Xanthia.
She was seated across the long dining table, calmly discussing recipes with the kitchen staff while sipping from a delicate teacup.
"Rima! Where's my food?" Rio barked a little too sharply as he entered.
Xanthia glanced up, clearly unimpressed. "Hey, calm down. No need to bark like a wild dog. Look, I'm not rushing anything—why are you?"
"I've got things to do," he replied, sitting across from her. "If I'm late, my entire day gets wasted."
"Hah. I see the resemblance now—your temper's as short as Theo's. The whole bloodline's cursed with impatience," she quipped, pouring a second cup of tea for him.
Rio smirked. "Well, I wouldn't mind wasting my whole day... if it meant talking to you." (Did I really just said that?)
Xanthia paused, staring at him for a long moment, then turned her gaze away toward the kitchen. Her silence was louder than any words.
"Anyway," she said abruptly, "where are you headed today?"
"Ryunn Tech & Drug Store. Need something for... health maintenance," he said, sipping the cardamom and Gonkhur-nut blend tea.
Xanthia eyed her own outfit, then looked over Rio's. "I was planning to stop by Louxis Store. They dropped a new collection—premium cuts, high fashion."
"Sure, let's go together. But we stop by Ryunn store first ."
Xanthia said nothing but nodded slowly.
Just then, the maids arrived, setting the table with elegance. The scent of curry, herbs, and sweet fruit wafted through the hall.
Internal Thoughts
(Three days until the tournament... and I've barely trained. Neither has Xanthia. What's wrong with us? Why aren't we hungry for power like the others?)
(Maybe I'm too content right now. Too comfortable. I need a spark. Something to reignite the fire inside.)
As the dishes were placed, Rima spoke cheerfully, "Young Master, your mother asked us to prepare Darchlin Soup—good for strengthening the health and body."
"Bring it here, then," Rio mumbled between mouthfuls. (Mom really thinks of everything.)
Another maid stepped forward—a young woman with pale skin and elegant features.
"Here is your soup, Rio-sama," said Yaruni Motihake, a rare descendant of a once-great eastern lineage—now nearly extinct from disease.
"Where is everyone else?" Rio asked, looking around the empty hall.
"Erame and Theo left early for training," Xanthia answered, dabbing her lips with a cloth napkin. "Your father's at the palace. Your mother went to the military headquarters."
(Great. Everyone's doing something useful… and I'm just sipping tea and flirting. I need to make today count. Let's be productive—with Xanthia.)
---
Xanthia's Room – Moments Later
Rio finished breakfast and grabbed his keys, heading toward the hallway. He shouted from the entrance of her room:
"Xanthia! Are you ready?"
A sharp reply came through the door.
"You idiot! I'm changing! Go away—I'll be there in five minutes!"