My Most Precious Human

Leo wasn't lying about putting me through hell. After my first practice that lasted six hours straight, I felt as if I was going to vomit my guts out. Nonetheless, I was ecstatic! This strange change within me made me stronger than I could ever imagine. I also found super-Lilith faster and with sharper senses than ever before. Patrick stayed with me throughout my workout, watching me fight Leo with his mouth wide open Well, he wasn't the only one surprised by my abilities. I surprised myself over and over again when I responded to whatever Leo threw at me, dodging, blocking, or counter-attacking. Finally, I was able to use every single combat technique that Ezra had taught me, which I could never execute perfectly. At that moment, I could do whatever I wanted, and it all came almost effortlessly.

"Lady Lilith... You could actually keep up with Master Gotha! You are incredible!" Patrick applauded my abilities, even though I was still miles away from being able to match Leo's fighting skills. "Thanks, Patrick," I panted heavily, wobbling on my way to the locker room.

Despite my body shaking out of exhaustion, I had to admit I felt incredible. The strong dose of endorphins ran in my veins, making me forget how miserable I felt in the morning. After my first training session with Leo, I was confident that I was able to fight Kylo as his equal. Especially after hearing from Patrick that he saw Kylo fight and that my speed and agility were way above his level of skill.

I no longer thought that agreeing to this duel was a bad idea, although that was the first time I voluntarily risked my life. It was a gamble, but it was a gamble with a big price to win. Later, when I thought about it, rejecting Kylo's challenge would definitely mark me as a weak human girl, arrogantly hiding behind the King's back. Afterward, no matter how many supporters I would have gained, the Royal Army would never accept me as the one standing next to the King. Nonetheless, chills ran down my spine at the thought that I would have to thank Leo for getting me into this fight. I was certain that it would never happen. Changing back to a dress and high-heels was more difficult than ever. I had to walk back to the east wing of the Palace on my own and still pretend that I was absolutely fine... despite stumbling every three steps. The closer I got to my chamber, the gloomier I felt. The view of the main palace entrance perfectly dissolved my beautiful endorphins. The fact that I wouldn't see Sariel that day, even if I had his permission to enter the center part of the Palace didn't improve my mood in the slightest. Actually, it made it worse. He left somewhere without a goodbye, and despite telling me that he would protect me, I was left unguarded. If it weren't for my new abilities, which he didn't even care to ask about, I could have been bullied by Elora's maid or worse. It was clear to me that he might have had some important issues to solve, but he was the one asking me to trust him and depend on him, and he made me feel betrayed. I was pissed. Just when I was thinking about finding something I could break to release my anger, an unexpected person showed up in front of my chamber and instantly disarmed my rising fury.

"Prince Kanan? What are you doing here?" I asked while forming a smile on my face.

"It's just Kanan, and I thought you would like some good tea." He grinned, pointing at the box he held in his hands.

I nodded, inviting him into the room. I was eager to drink anything that could help my body regenerate, although alcohol could have been better.

I boiled the water and prepared the cups myself. Thankfully, I could do that inside my chamber without needing to go to the kitchen. Who knows what might have happened if I asked another maid to do it. The combination of hot water and someone who would most likely try to hurt me didn't sound too good.

"I heard that you are going to fight Sophia's brother," Kanan smirked, sitting comfortably by my table.

"Wow..." I chuckled, "The news sure travels fast around the Palace."

"I have lived here since I was born. Of course, I would know everything that was going on." He shrugged, putting the tea leaves into the pot of hot water to brew.

"Then I bet that Elora knows about it as well..." I sighed, sensing more trouble to come.

Kanan snorted, "I am certain that she was the one who told Kylo to challenge you."

"Now that you mentioned it, I think you might be right." I gave him a lopsided smile.

"I know I am right, Lilith," he stated confidently, looking into my eyes. "She thought that she would win no matter if you accepted the challenge or not. She must have done it, knowing that the King had left and that you would have to make a choice yourself..."

"Why does it seem that everybody knew that Sariel left except for me?" I angrily crossed my arms over my chest.

"Not everyone," Kanan corrected me. "Only those from the center part of the Palace knew."

"And you live in the main building... with Elora and the King?"

"Of course not," he laughed, "I live in the west wing... but I have my spies everywhere." He put a mischievous grin on his face.

I started to discover ways when I could find Kanan useful. Despite not having permission to walk anywhere he wanted around the Palace, he used secret passages. He knew them all since he was a kid. He even showed me how to open the one Sariel was using and told me the passage led to the corridor right outside the King's chamber. Certainly, I could get into trouble if someone caught me walking through that secret door, but I felt better knowing that I could visit Sariel when I needed to.

"So, what do you think about your chances of winning against Kylo?" Kanan asked, finishing his tea.

"Hard to say," I smiled wryly, "I've never seen the guy fight..."

"You have something of a supernatural creature within you, don't you?" he snickered.

"Why do you say that?" A peal of nervous laughter escaped my throat.

"I know that Gotha guy maneuvered you into accepting the challenge, and he wouldn't do it if he was convinced you were going to die," he deduced with a smart-ass-like kind of smirk.

"Truthfully, I initially thought he was aiming to get me killed by doing that," I chuckled.

"And yet, now you sound confident," he stated, scanning me from head to toes.

I smiled hesitantly and leaned my elbows on the table with my hands supporting my chin. "I guess there is some "super" part in me," I admitted shyly.

Kanan grinned and leaned closer, "Tell me all about it."

I decided to trust him, and I told him about my suddenly developed abilities. I also said that I kept changing as if I was evolving into some sort of super-human.

"It's like my Alpha parents' genes were finally getting active, and maybe I'm becoming a werewolf, only without the "wolf" part..." I explained slightly awkwardly.

Despite my ineloquent choice of words, Kanan seemed agitated by my story. He kept nodding with interest, and I could see his eyes burning and a wicked grin forming on his lips when I talked about my strength and agility during my first training session with Leo.

"Wow... you are really going to win this," he sang joyfully.

I could see he was genuinely excited. I somehow felt that he thought of me as his weapon. If I was strong enough, I could easily protect him. I didn't mind. It was nice that, for once, someone wanted to depend on my power and strength. For the first time in my life, I didn't feel weak.

Kanan's beaming grin lasted for a while until he suddenly became serious. "That Gotha guy is one hell of a cunning bastard," he said, out of the blue.

"You don't need to tell me that," I chuckled, "but, just out of curiosity, why do you think so?"

He took a deep breath and then started to talk. "The Royal Army is a large group of ego-centric, cocky fuckers. They stayed loyal to my father when he was strong enough to challenge any one of them and win When he grew old, he had to increase their payment to make them stay." He gritted his teeth.

"So... how come they pledge their vows to Elora?" I asked since she didn't seem particularly strong, not enough to gain their respect.

"My sister knows how to fight, but of course, she wouldn't take on any soldier from the Royal Army, so she used other means. She surrounded herself with powerful semi-nobles and all of those who had lost their titles but kept their good genes. She even recruited some of them to the army and gave them positions. She replaced those who opposed her the most, and finally, the whole army had to accept her leadership. It took her twenty years..." ." he explained.

I began thinking that whoever owned the Royal Army had the ability to conquer the world. If someone like Elora spent twenty years just to have their loyalty, then the army must have been a force beyond imagination. It was clear that no one wanted to stand against a power like that. I started to understand why the army's leadership was the perfect bargain chip. Elora must have been more than aware that Sariel would make her Queen, even though he hated her, just to have that army on his side.

"That is why I said that I admire Gotha's wickedness," Kanan continued, "If you win against one of the cockiest jerks in the army, they will have to acknowledge your strength... But Gotha tricked them, and in their arrogance, they all agreed to pledge their loyalty in case you win." His lips curled up, painting a malicious grin.

I gasped, finally understanding the true weight of my upcoming duel.

"Now, all you have to do is win," he snorted as if it was the most natural and obvious thing to do.

"Yes..." I muttered under my breath, "All I need to do is win."