After what had happened, the prince's demeanor turned cold and indifferent. Because of that, Leela interpreted his outburst as nothing more than pity and remorse. She didn’t want to build false hopes or dream of something impossible.

They continued their training as usual, but regaining the trust and camaraderie they’d built before that kiss proved painfully difficult.

“Focus!” came the prince’s voice from somewhere in the distance. It had been days of the same drill, and although she had improved since the beginning, she still hadn’t mastered it.

Leela wore a blindfold and a special training suit that weighed three times her body weight. At first, it had rendered her...