Lili, now eight years old, was doing pull-ups on the frames of her king-sized bed, wearing her pyjamas. Sweat trickled down her face as her small muscles flexed, straining with each effort. Despite the struggle, she pushed herself to complete the sixth pull-up, her determination burning bright.
At the side of the bed, her personal maid, Rose, watched with a mixture of concern and readiness, prepared to catch Lili if needed.
"Four… five… six!" Lili gasped between breaths, her small body trembling with effort. As she finished her sixth pull-up, she released the frame, but before her feet could touch the floor, Rose's strong arms caught her mid-air.
Rose gently set Lili down, but the gesture only left the young girl feeling frustrated. Rose, with her jet-black hair and towering height—over 40 centimeters taller than Lili and likely twice her weight—was a constant reminder of her own perceived weakness. The thought of being constantly watched and protected made Lili feel small and embarrassed.
She huffed, glancing at Rose with irritation. "Rose, I told you I'm fine. You don't need to catch me every time. I'm eight now. I'm strong enough to take care of myself."
Rose bowed respectfully, as always, her tone unwavering. "I will keep that in mind, young miss."
Lili's frustration deepened. She knew Rose wouldn't listen to her request. With a sigh, she chose not to argue, instead marching toward the bath that Rose had prepared for her. Today was a significant day. Finally, after years of practice, she had managed to do six pull-ups in a row—something she'd never been able to do before.
Not only that, but she could now complete ten push-ups in one go and hold a handstand for a full minute. Gymnastics had become her forte, and her past life's knowledge only made her training easier. She was capable, strong, and determined. Perhaps now, her father would finally acknowledge her achievements and allow her to begin her real education.
As she undressed and stepped into the steaming bath, her thoughts turned inward. Would her father be impressed? Could this finally be the key to earning his approval and securing a chance to leave the castle, to fight monsters and help humanity expand once more?
As Rose gently combed her long, blonde hair, Lili gazed down at her reflection in the water. She tried not to admit it, but she couldn't deny that she was rather cute. Her heart-shaped face, button nose, full lips, long eyelashes, thick eyebrows, and deep blue eyes made her undeniably beautiful for someone her age.
However, there was something that troubled her. Despite her rigorous training, her body wasn't developing the way she'd hoped. Instead of growing more muscular, her chest was becoming noticeably more feminine—rounder, softer, and undeniably womanly. Her chest had begun to take on a perky shape that only seemed to grow with each passing day.
She felt a strange twinge of discomfort as she absentmindedly cupped her chest, feeling the softness beneath her hands. A brief spark of warmth and pleasure shot through her body as she squeezed, and she quickly released her grip, embarrassed by the sensation.
"Hmm? Did you say something, young miss?" Rose's voice broke her thoughts.
Flushed with embarrassment, Lili quickly shook her head. "No."
Rose hummed a soft tune, seemingly oblivious, and continued her task, but Lili couldn't help but feel a nagging sense of discomfort. She was developing quickly, and her body seemed to be betraying her as she grew more aware of the changes happening within her. Even her private areas had become overly sensitive, making her hyper-aware of the slightest touch.
Once the bath was over, Rose styled her hair into pigtails, all the while encouraging Lili to wear the new dresses her mother had bought her. But Lili, ever stubborn, refused.
"I already let you brush my hair and tie it up how you like. I'm not your dress-up doll, Rose," Lili insisted, her voice firm.
"Please, miss, the Madam would love to see you try them on at least once." Rose pleaded, holding up one of the beautiful dresses.
"No. Absolutely not. Today's a big day," Lili said, frustration creeping into her voice. "I'm going to show Father just how capable I am. I don't need to be in a dress for that. I cannot be if I'm going to do the moves that I'm going to do."
Rose's eyes softened with affection as she looked at Lili pleadingly, but Lili merely felt increasingly annoyed seeing this. Here despite all her hard work in training this far, and coming as far as she did, everyone here still treated her like a delicate little thing.
In her past life, people feared her—no one dared to speak to her unless absolutely necessary. But here, in this new life, it seemed no one took her seriously. They patted her on the head and showered her with praises, as if she were a child.
Clad in her brother's old clothes, Lili stood her ground and seriously said to Rose. "I'm serious, Rose. Today's the day. Today I will show you all just how strong I am, you will see."
****
The Duke's throne room was a hub of whispers and awe as the Westfield family and their servants had gathered to witness the display of Lili's strength.
Dressed in clothes meant for boys—just one more attempt to distance herself from the life she'd been given—Lili showcased her abilities with all the precision of a skilled gymnast. She flipped and spun through the air, her small form defying expectations as she balanced on her hands and contorted into impossible poses. Her muscles burned with effort, but the thrill of proving herself kept her going.
The room fell into a stunned silence as Lili finished her routine with a final, graceful bow to her father, the Duke, who stood watching her with a look that was equal parts surprise and admiration. His slow clap broke the stillness, and soon the hall was filled with applause.
"Impressive, Lili," Frank Westfield's deep voice echoed. "Your control of your body is remarkable. But I must admit that I have never seen moves like that before, maybe your dancing still needs some more work? Well I'm sure that once you polish those skills, and get better you'll have no trouble impressing your future partner."
The words, meant to praise, were like daggers to Lili's pride. She had worked for this moment, and what did she get? Compliments on her dancing, but she wasn't dancing?
Thinking of it she couldn't help the frustration that welled inside her. She wasn't demonstrating her strength in dancing, that wasn't it at all. Why couldn't anybody understand her at all?
Still she remembered her manners, and with determination, she straightened, looking her father in the eye and spoke up in her soft girly voice saying. "Thank you, Father, but what I wanted to show you today isn't my dancing. It's that I've grown strong and agile. Please father, please allow me to train with a sword."
A wave of disbelief passed through the room, and Frank raised an eyebrow, amused. "My little girl, ready for a blade?" He smiled, clearly entertained. And after a moment of pause he took out his own sheathed blade and said. "Very well then. Show me your strength, Lili. Lift this sword over your head and hold it there for ten seconds, by only holding the handle. If you can manage that, I'll consider your request."
Immediately gasps could be heard around the room from the guards and maid servants alike. But most of all mother Isabel and little brother Felix were gasped at fathers words, Felix even voiced out his worries.
"Father, this is madness. You can't do this, sister will be hurt if she does this."
However mother to Lilis surprise held brother back as she seemingly saw Lilis determination. Big brother Ford also like always kept quiet not stepping into stop her which she was glad to see.
Lili's heart quickened with excitement then. This was it, this was her chance to prove herself finally.
Stepping forward before father's throne, Lili was eager to finally get her hands on a weapon, a real sword no less even if it were only within its sheath. As she extended her small arms to take the sword, her father dropped it into her hands. The weight of it almost made her knees buckle. It was far heavier than she had expected, and the sword's hilt slipped, pulling her down with it.
Immediately a collective of gasp echoed in the room as she crashed to the floor, the sword unceremoniously dropping against the stone floor.
"Are you alright, Lili?" Frank asked, his voice tinged with concern for his little daughter which only made Lili more determined to show him her strength.
She didn't let the moment of failure break her. Instead she braced herself, her fingers wrapping tightly as they could around the hilt once more. Sweat slicked her brow, but her resolve only hardened.
"I can do this. I have to do this." She told herself in a whisper.
With great effort, she lifted the sword, inch by inch, her arms trembling under its weight. And slowly, but surely she managed to get it above her head, but her balance faltered as it rose up high. The swords weight made it hard to balance, it was taking her backwards, and just as she thought it might fall, she felt a pair of strong arms catch her.
And before she could even comprehend what was happening, her older brother, Ford, had scooped her up Into his arms. His large eight years older, muscular frame dwarfed her with ease, and his concerned blue eyes locked onto hers as he asked. "Are you okay Lili?" His voice sounded so soft, full of affection, and quite unexpectedly gentle to her.
Lili's heart raced—not just from the sword dropping to the ground then again, but from the realization that her brother wasn't the indifferent figure she'd always seen him as. For a moment, she felt a sense of protectiveness radiating from him, as though he was shielding her from the weight of her failure.
His grip around her tightened, almost possessively, as his large hand rested on her waist. Her body pressed against his muscular chest that was so different from hers, and she couldn't ignore the flush that spread across her cheeks at the realisation of their closeness just then. Embarrassment tinged her words as she shook her head. "I'm fine," she muttered, trying to regain her composure.
Her father, too, seemed concerned, his brows furrowing. Lili ignored the murmurs of the room, turning to face him with an unwavering gaze. "Please, Father, you can't deny me the chance to learn swordsmanship. It's important that I learn how to defend myself, isn't it."
Frank sighed and gently patted her head, an action she had grown far too accustomed to. "Lili, I understand you don't want to follow the path of most ladies, but you must understand there's no point in teaching you to wield a sword if you cannot even lift it properly. You're still too young for such things. For now, focus on your studies."
Lili's heart sank. This was the answer she had feared. Her father, always so protective, was keeping her from what she truly wanted. She clenched her fists, frustration bubbling up. "But Father, I need to see the world! I want to meet people, make my own choices. I can't stay locked away here forever."
For the past eight years, she had watched the world from the castle walls, the bustling town below always just out of reach. The life of a noble girl—distant and controlled—wasn't the life she had imagined. There had to be more out there.
Her father hearing her plea came close and placed a gentle hand upon her head. It rested there as his voice was softer this time. "Don't worry, Lili. When you're married, you'll see the world. But for now, it's too dangerous for you to leave. It's better that no one knows too much about you. You understand that, don't you?"
Lili bit her lip, unable to suppress her frustration. "No, I don't understand," she muttered. "How am I supposed to get married if no one even knows I exist? And why is it so dangerous to leave the castle? It doesn't make sense."
Her mother, who had remained silent until now, spoke up. "Lili, your future is already set. Since you were three years old, we've chosen a suitable partner for you. But who he is will remain a secret for now. When you turn fifteen, he will come to claim you. Until then, it's best that you stay here and focus on your education."
Lili's stomach churned at the thought of a stranger, some faceless husband waiting for her. The idea was too much to bear. "You're marrying me off to a stranger?" she thought desperately. "How can you do that? Why can't I choose my own path in life?"
Her mother's voice remained calm, almost too calm as she explained. "Lili, you've been blessed with exceptional beauty. That's something you must be careful with. If you catch the wrong person's eye, it could put you in danger. That's why you must remain hidden, for now."
Lili's mind raced with thoughts of being locked away forever, controlled by a life she didn't choose. She had never asked for this. "So I'm to be married to someone I don't know, and I can't even leave this castle? Is that really how it's going to be?"
Her mother's words echoed in her mind: You are too blessed with beauty, and that's dangerous. To her this felt just wrong, it felt unfair, no it was unfair. Why was her beauty suddenly bad for some reason? Plus the idea of being married off to some unknown man—possibly someone mean and ugly, someone who would decide her future, control her and worst of all have his way with her—felt so suffocating.
As the room began to clear and the weight of the conversation settled in, Lili couldn't help but feel more trapped than ever before.
Father didn't even let her argue anymore and merely ordered her to leave and go cool off.
And Ford, still holding her in his arms, didn't let go of her no matter how much she tried to struggle and stay to argue. He was too strong, and his presence felt too close, too familiar. She didn't know what to make of it as he carried her toward her room, Rose already preparing a bath for her there.
In that moment laying helplessly in Ford's arms, Lili realized that there was much more that she needed to do. And there was a lot at stake here other than just her desire to fight with swords. There was a future with a man waiting for her, and that she most definitely wasn't ready for. It was a future she would have to fight against with all her might and in her own way if she wished to escape it.