EPISODE 4

By now, Maria had grown comfortable enough in the camp to leave behind the careful composure she wore in the palace. She laughed freely, her voice carrying over the flickering lanterns as Karl worked silently nearby. Today, she had decided to wander closer to the training grounds, where the younger soldiers practiced their swordplay. She carried a small bundle of fruit, having insisted she could contribute something to the camp, though Karl knew it was more for her own amusement than any real need.

“You’ve been sneaking in too often,” Karl said, his voice low as he caught sight of her approaching. He didn’t scold her—he never did—but there was a faint note of mock annoyance that made her grin.

“I could say the same to you,” Maria replied lightly, tossing him a small apple from her bundle. He caught it instinctively, eyebrow raised. “Careful,” she teased, stepping closer, “or you’ll drop it like the clumsy soldier I almost imagine you to be.”

Karl’s jaw twitched, the hint of a smile tugging at his lips, but he didn’t answer. Instead, he turned slightly, pretending to examine the sword one of the recruits was practicing with. Maria tilted her head, watching him, noting the way his muscles moved as he shifted, the precision in every movement. She leaned against a tree, letting the apple rest in her hand, waiting for him to glance back.

“You know,” she said after a pause, “if you keep standing there looking so serious, people might start thinking you’re some kind of statue.”

Karl finally looked at her, dark eyes catching the last rays of sun through the trees. “And if people think that,” he said carefully, “then they would be wrong.” His tone was measured, calm—but there was a flicker of amusement in his gaze, and Maria felt a thrill run through her.

She laughed softly, stepping closer. “I’ll have to test that theory,” she said, holding out the apple as if daring him. Karl’s hand hovered over it for a moment, then he took it, rolling it slowly in his palm before biting into it. The smallest smirk played on his lips as he watched her eyes widen in mock surprise. “See?” he said, voice steady. “Not clumsy.”

Maria laughed again, a sound like bells in the quiet evening. “Perhaps there is hope for you yet,” she teased, leaning closer, letting the brush of her sleeve against his arm be accidental—or not. Karl felt it, the warmth and proximity, and for the first time, his silence felt heavy, almost unbearable. He wanted to speak, to tell her that every little joke, every laugh, every playful glance had become the center of his thoughts, but he held back, clenching his jaw to keep the words locked away.

They walked together along the training grounds, Maria teasing, Karl responding with subtle restraint, and the camp seemed to shrink around them until it was just the two of them—the quiet forest, the flickering lanterns, and the soft sounds of laughter and metal clashing in the distance. At one point, a younger soldier tripped over a stray root, sending his wooden practice sword skittering across the ground. Maria bent to retrieve it and tossed it lightly to Karl, who caught it midair with effortless precision.

“See? I can handle more than apples,” he said quietly, eyes glinting with something she couldn’t quite name. Maria’s grin widened. “Impressive. But can you handle a princess who insists on testing your skills?”

Karl raised an eyebrow, letting a trace of amusement flicker across his face. “I think I could manage,” he said, though his tone carried a weight of caution. Maria stepped closer, nudging him lightly with her shoulder, a playful challenge in her movements. For a moment, Karl allowed himself to meet her gaze fully, noting the spark in her eyes, the lightness in her laughter, and the boldness in the way she leaned toward him.

They paused near the edge of the forest, the last rays of sun painting gold on the leaves. Maria tilted her head, smiling softly. “You’re not so serious all the time, are you?” she said, her voice gentle but teasing. Karl’s lips twitched, almost a smile, but he looked away, shaking his head. “Some things are serious,” he replied quietly. “Some things… need caution.”

Maria reached out impulsively, brushing a stray lock of hair from his forehead. Karl felt the touch linger longer than it should, the warmth searing into him. He wanted to speak, to confess everything, but the silence remained, heavy and deliberate. Maria noticed the way his gaze flickered toward her hand, the faint hesitation, and she smiled softly to herself, knowing that her playful gestures had not gone unnoticed.

As the evening deepened, Maria reluctantly prepared to leave, her laughter still echoing in the quiet camp. Karl followed her to the edge of the trees, silent, his eyes tracing her every step. “Be careful,” he said quietly, the words carrying a weight that made her pause.

“I always am,” she replied, a small teasing lilt in her voice. She glanced back, letting her eyes meet his, and for a moment, the forest held only them—the bond between a princess who dared to play and a soldier who dared to care, yet remained silent.

Maria disappeared into the shadows, and Karl stood for a long moment, watching her go. His chest ached with the words he would not say, the feelings he could not reveal, and the awareness that each playful moment, each spark of connection, was both a blessing and a torment. The forest whispered around him, leaves rustling softly, and Karl Russo understood something dangerous and beautiful: that even silence could carry a bond deeper than words, and that the princess who teased and laughed at the edge of his camp had claimed a part of him he would never let go of.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***