Love The Way He Lied

The recruits clashed swords in the distance, their grunts and metal echoes filling the training ground. But away from them, beneath the shade of a large training pavilion, Eva stood facing Eyan alone, unarmed, and slightly uncertain.

Eyan crossed his arms, his tone firm but not unkind.

"Lady Eva, as I said—your training begins with learning to defend yourself. No weapons yet. First, you'll learn how to fight with your fists."

Eva's eyes widened slightly. "Fists? I… I don't think I can fight with my fists."

Then with a small playful smirk, she added, "But my slaps are very powerful."

Eyan chuckled, the sound surprising in its warmth.

"I've already witnessed what your slap can do."

Eva turned red and laughed, looking away in embarrassment. "I was hoping you'd forgotten that."

"Hardly," he said, still amused.

Then his tone shifted back to serious. "But a slap won't help if your opponent is armed. Especially," he added pointedly, "if they have a Dagger pressed to your throat—like that day in the market."

Eva's expression sobered. "You're right."

Eyan stepped forward, his gaze intense but encouraging.

"You need to know how to survive. To block, dodge, counter. You'll start with defensive techniques. Then we'll move to basic strikes—fists, legs, and eventually weapons."

Eva nodded, determination flickering in her eyes. "Yes, Your Highness."

Eyan raised a brow. "Lady Eva… I believe you've forgotten something."

She tilted her head. "Forgotten…?"

"I seem to remember asking you to call me by name. Not Your Highness."

Eva's cheeks flushed again, a small nervous smile on her lips. "Ah… yes… Eyan."

His lips curled into a smile, genuine and approving.

"Much better. Now…" He stepped back, motioning to the center of the mat.

"Shall we begin your training?"

Eva took a deep breath and stepped forward.

"Yes. Let's start."

"Today," "you'll learn how to disarm someone holding a blade and use their momentum against them."

He stepped into position opposite one of the palace guards acting as the mock opponent. With swift precision, Eyan lunged, and in a blink, had twisted the attacker's wrist, grabbed their arm, and flipped them flat onto their back on the mat.

The impact made a solid thud. Eva blinked, startled but impressed.

Eyan stepped back smoothly and glanced at her.

"This technique doesn't require strength—just speed and the right angle."

Eva nodded slowly. "It looked fast…"

"Now it's your turn," Eyan said, motioning to the center of the mat.

Another recruit stepped forward—a girl taller and more muscular than Eva. She held a wooden knife and gave Eva a challenging smirk.

Eva swallowed but stepped up with growing resolve.

Eyan crossed his arms. "Lady Eva, remember this: If you use the correct technique, you can bring down someone twice your size. Strength is nothing if you control the movement."

Eva nodded. "Got it."

The mock opponent raised the wooden knife. Eva watched her closely, remembering Eyan's movements—the twist of the wrist, the shift of the weight, the step around…

The opponent lunged—and in one fluid motion, Eva grabbed her wrist, turned her body, and with a surprising force, flipped her clean over her shoulder.

THUD!

The girl landed hard on the mat, groaning.

The recruits nearby stopped to stare. Even Eva looked shocked for a second.

Eyan smiled faintly, impressed. "Not bad."

Eva looked at him, wide-eyed, half-disbelieving. "Did I really just…?"

Eyan nodded. "You did. That's what happens when you trust the technique."

Eva grinned with sudden confidence, wiping sweat from her brow. "This is… actually fun."

Eva was still catching her breath when Eyan stepped closer, the faintest smirk playing on his lips.

"Impressive," he said, glancing at the girl still recovering on the mat. "But one successful throw isn't enough."

Eva straightened, wiping a bead of sweat from her brow. "Then what now?"

Eyan's eyes sharpened. "You will repeat this technique. One hundred times."

Eva blinked. "One… hundred?"

"Yes," he said firmly. "Repetition builds instinct.

And instinct is what saves your life when fear clouds your thinking."

He turned to the recruit Eva had just thrown. "Switch out. Next."

Another girl stepped forward, a little more cautious after watching the previous flip.

Eva took a deep breath, squaring her shoulders.

"Repeat the move exactly," Eyan instructed, stepping back. "Don't rely on strength. Feel the shift in their balance. Use it."

Eva nodded, then looked at her new opponent.

Eyan paused at the edge of the mat, then looked back at her once more.

"Master it," he said, voice cool and commanding. "Only then will you move forward."

And with that, he turned and walked away, his cape flowing behind him, leaving Eva in the middle of the mat, surrounded by curious stares and waiting opponents.

She exhaled. "Alright, Eva," she muttered to herself, clenching her fists. "Only ninety-nine more to go."