Their Hidden Princess (Zora) novel Chapter 89

**Zora**

I could hardly wrap my mind around the scene unfolding before me as they dragged Kairos off the gym mat. The atmosphere in the gym was thick with disbelief, a heavy silence enveloping us, punctuated only by the soft whispers that echoed against the walls, drifting into my ears like a haunting melody.

My classmates, who had once been so eager for a spectacle, now looked bored, claiming that Kairos had held back during the fight. I couldn’t help but nod in agreement; it felt as if he had been momentarily stunned, lost in a daze as I unleashed a flurry of punches. And then, in a swift motion, I had choked him out as if it were the most natural thing in the world. As I continued to watch Kairos’s limp form being carried away from the gym, the crowd around us began to dwindle, until only Maximus, Loren, Valentin, and I remained.

Suddenly, Loren sprang towards me, her excitement palpable as she enveloped me in a tight embrace. “You did it!” she exclaimed, her voice bubbling with joy. “You really did it!”

I held her at arm’s length, wanting to meet her gaze. A smug smile crept onto my lips as I replied, “I did, huh?”

But before we could bask in the victory, Maximus’s voice cut through the moment like a knife. “There’s still one more challenge ahead,” he stated, his expression serious as he met my eyes. “We need to train harder.”

“Geez,” I scoffed, a playful edge to my tone. “Can’t you be happy for my win for even a second?”

It was a light-hearted jab, but I could see from the look on Maximus’s face that he wasn’t taking it as a joke. Valentin cleared his throat, a sound that made Maximus step aside so we could face our headmaster. Valentin ascended the stage, his gaze locking onto mine with an intensity that sent shivers down my spine.

“Though I still think this is idiotic,” he mused, his voice steady but laced with a hint of admiration. “I can’t deny that I’m impressed. Your efforts outside of our sessions have clearly paid off.”

A blush crept across my cheeks, and I murmured a soft, “Thank you.” I felt Maximus inch closer, his arm wrapping possessively around my waist, his fingers digging into my skin, igniting a warmth that spread through me.

“Still think my methods are ‘unethical’?” he growled from behind me, his tone low and challenging. I furrowed my brow in confusion, glancing at Valentin, whose expression remained a mask of stoicism.

“Highly,” Valentin replied, a hint of grit in his voice. “Your methods are untraditional and could potentially be fatal during practice. Yet, it appears Miss Smith has managed to adapt them to her advantage.”

“Unethical?” I echoed, directing my question at Maximus, but he remained fixated on Valentin, ignoring me entirely.

“So you agree she should be taught these methods?” Maximus pressed, his tone insistent.

“Not in our sessions, she shouldn’t,” Valentin countered sharply.

“If the threat,” Maximus said, casting a sideways glance at Loren, “is as deadly as we believe, why wouldn’t she be taught to kill?”

Loren’s expression faltered, her eyes widening in concern. “What threat?”

“The school is facing a slight breach of borders,” Valentin interjected quickly, his voice steady. “It’s nothing for you to worry about.”

“But Max is worried,” Loren pointed out, gesturing to Maximus, who stood beside me like an unwavering guardian. She turned to me, searching my eyes for assurance. “Are you being threatened?”

I shrugged nonchalantly. “Nothing more than usual.”

“It’s more than usual,” Maximus insisted, his tone turning stern. “That’s exactly why we should be preparing for real battles, not engaging in pointless sparring matches.”

Valentin narrowed his eyes at Maximus, a flicker of irritation crossing his features. “Are you suggesting my methods are flawed?”

Maximus took a step forward, his posture tense. “I’m saying they’re not appropriate for this situation.”

“Careful, Wolfham,” Valentin snapped, his voice sharp. “Do I need to remind you that I’m your Headmaster?”

“For one more semester,” Maximus hissed back, his defiance evident. “After that, we’ll be equals. You better start treating me like one.”

The tension in the air crackled as both men glared at each other, the animosity palpable. I felt a surge of panic rise within me, and before I could think, I stepped between them, hands raised in a placating gesture. From the corner of my eye, I noticed Loren’s expression morph into one of shock.

“Okay, okay,” I said hurriedly. “How about I decide how I train? After all, it is my life we’re talking about.”

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