Rylan stood at the edge of the training grounds, his black hair tousled by the breeze. The sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows across the field where he had spent countless hours honing his skills. Despite his impressive strength and determination, there was an ache in his heart that no amount of training could dispel.
Rylan was the son of the second Dukedom, a position that came with its own set of expectations and burdens. But unlike others of his station, he had been abandoned by his family. Left to fend for himself, he had grown up with a fierce determination to prove his worth. His resolve had been solidified the day he met Lilian.
Lilian had captivated him from the moment he laid eyes on her. Her grace, kindness, and unyielding spirit had ignited something within him—a desire to protect and cherish her, no matter the cost. As he watched her interact with others, her laughter and warmth lighting up every room she entered, he knew that he wanted to be the one by her side.
But Rylan’s path had not been an easy one. The neglect he had suffered at the hands of his family had left deep scars. He had been forced to grow up quickly, learning to rely on his own strength and resilience. Despite the heartache, he had never let go of his dream to become a knight—one of the three main forces in the kingdom.
As he watched Lilian from a distance, he felt a pang of longing. He wanted to be stronger for her, to be worthy of her love and admiration. It was this desire that fueled his determination to attend the prestigious academy where the kingdom’s finest knights were trained. He would do whatever it took to prove himself, not just for his own sake, but for Lilian’s.
With a deep breath, Rylan made his way to the stables, where his loyal steed awaited. He had made up his mind—he would leave for the academy and dedicate himself to becoming the best knight he could be. As he saddled his horse, memories of his childhood flashed before him—the loneliness, the pain, the constant yearning for approval. But those memories were now overshadowed by a new hope—a future with Lilian.
Rylan’s journey to the academy was arduous, but his resolve never wavered. Each day, he pushed himself to the limit, training harder than anyone else. He endured grueling drills, sleepless nights, and the harsh judgment of his peers. But through it all, he kept Lilian’s image in his mind, her smile and laughter guiding him through the darkest moments.
Despite the hardships, Rylan found solace in his growing strength. His muscles ached from the intense training, but he welcomed the pain—it was a testament to his dedication. He knew that every ounce of effort brought him closer to his goal. He envisioned himself standing tall as a knight, ready to protect Lilian from any danger that might come her way.
One evening, as he sat by the campfire with his fellow trainees, Rylan’s thoughts drifted to Lilian once again. He wondered if she missed him, if she thought about him as much as he thought about her. He imagined her surrounded by the people who cared for her, her dragon in cat form perched on her lap, and a soft smile playing on her lips.
“Why do you always look so serious, Rylan?” one of his fellow trainees asked, breaking through his reverie.
Rylan glanced up, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. “I have something worth fighting for,” he replied, his voice steady.
The trainee raised an eyebrow. “A girl?”
Rylan nodded. “Not just any girl. She’s… everything to me. And I’ll do whatever it takes to protect her.”
Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.
The trainee nodded, understanding dawning in his eyes. “Then you’re in the right place. We’re all here to become stronger for the people we care about.”
Rylan had only been at the academy for a few weeks, but it felt like an eternity. The rigorous training, the harsh schedules, and the relentless drills were physically and mentally exhausting. Yet, it wasn't the training that weighed most heavily on his mind—it was the aching void left by Lilian's absence.
Every morning, as the sun rose over the horizon, Rylan would wake up with a sense of determination. He pushed himself harder than anyone else, driven by the image of Lilian's smile. But as the days wore on, the distance between them seemed to grow. He missed the sound of her laughter, the way her eyes sparkled with kindness, and the warmth of her presence.
In the evenings, after the day's training was done, Rylan would retreat to a quiet corner of the academy grounds. There, under the canopy of stars, he would open the letters Lilian sent him. Her delicate handwriting and the sweet scent of the parchment brought a smile to his face. She wrote about her daily adventures, her dragon's antics, and her thoughts on various matters. Each letter was a lifeline, a reminder of why he was enduring the grueling training.
One evening, as Rylan sat by the campfire, he unfolded yet another letter from Lilian. He could almost hear her voice as he read her words:
*Dear Rylan,*
*I hope this letter finds you well. Today, I spent some time in the garden and thought about you. The flowers are blooming beautifully, and I wish you could see them. I know you're working hard, and I believe in you. Stay strong and remember that I'm always thinking of you.*
*Yours, Lilian.*
Rylan's heart ached with longing. He missed her more than he had ever thought possible. But he knew that he couldn't let his emotions distract him from his goal. Lilian believed in him, and he couldn't let her down.
As he folded the letter and tucked it away, one of his fellow trainees approached him. "Another letter from your girl?" the trainee asked with a grin.
Rylan nodded, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Yes. She always knows how to brighten my day."
The trainee clapped him on the back. "You're lucky to have someone like her. Just remember, every step you take here brings you closer to her."
Rylan's resolve hardened. He would endure whatever it took to become the knight Lilian deserved. He trained with renewed vigor, each swing of his sword and every grueling drill a testament to his unwavering commitment. He would become stronger, not just for himself, but for Lilian.
As the weeks turned into months, Rylan's skills improved. He became more adept at swordsmanship, his movements fluid and precise. He earned the respect of his instructors and peers, his determination and strength setting him apart. But no matter how exhausted he was, he always found time to read Lilian's letters.
Her words were a balm to his soul, a reminder of why he was pushing himself to the limit. He imagined the day he would return to her, standing tall as a knight, ready to protect and cherish her. He pictured her smile, the way her eyes would light up when she saw him, and it gave him the strength to keep going.
One evening, after an especially grueling day, Rylan found himself sitting by the campfire, staring into the flickering flames. He thought about Lilian, about her unwavering support and the love that shone through her letters. He knew that he was doing the right thing, that his sacrifices would be worth it in the end.
"Hey, Rylan," a voice broke through his thoughts. It was one of the senior trainees, a seasoned knight who had taken an interest in Rylan's progress. "You've been pushing yourself hard. What's driving you?"
Rylan looked up, his eyes steady. "Someone important to me. She's the reason I'm here."
The senior trainee nodded, a knowing look in his eyes. "Keep that fire burning. It's what will see you through the toughest times."
Rylan's heart swelled with determination. He knew that he couldn't return to Lilian anytime soon, but he would keep fighting, keep pushing himself until he was ready. He would become the knight she believed he could be.
As he lay down to sleep that night, Rylan clutched Lilian's latest letter to his chest. Her words were a beacon of hope, guiding him through the darkness. He would endure the hardships, the pain, and the loneliness, because he knew that one day, he would return to her side.
And when that day came, he would be ready to protect and cherish her, just as he had promised himself. Until then, he would keep fighting, driven by the love he held for Lilian and the future they would build together.