Three weeks into training, Dorian noticed the change.
Subtle at first—Adrian smiling during evening meals, lingering in conversation rather than retreating to solitary practice, his guarded expression softening when Alice asked questions. Small shifts that accumulated into undeniable pattern.
His son was opening up.
Dorian watched from the manor's window as Adrian led morning training in the yard below. Alice and Mira moved through demon-specific forms with visible improvement, their initial awkwardness transforming into competent execution.
"He's different with her," Elara observed, joining her husband.
"I've noticed."
"Good different. More alive. Less like he's carrying the weight of the world alone." Elara smiled. "She challenges him. Makes him explain rather than just demonstrate."
"And he enjoys it," Dorian said thoughtfully. "Teaching usually frustrates him—most students can't keep up. But Alice matches him intellectually even when her body's still learning."
Below, Adrian corrected Alice's stance with careful attention. When she executed correctly, his approval was genuine, not perfunctory.
"She's good for him," Elara said quietly. "Brings out parts of Adrian we haven't seen in years."
Dorian didn't respond immediately, watching his son interact with ease that seemed foreign to Adrian's usual reserve.
Later that morning, Dorian observed combat sparring. Adrian simulated Demon Soldier behavior while Alice defended, her responses notably improved from three weeks ago.
"Better spacing," Adrian called. "You're reading the telegraphed strikes faster. But don't anticipate—react. Demons won't follow expected patterns perfectly."
Alice adjusted, forcing herself to respond rather than predict. When Adrian shifted tactics, she adapted mid-defense.
"Good! That's exactly right. Demons exploit predictable responses."
Nearby, Mira worked with Garrick on maintaining fundamentals. Both women showed substantial progress.
"They're learning fast," Garrick commented, approaching Dorian. "Elite foundation accelerates everything. Another month and they'll have genuine demon combat capability."
"My son is excellent teacher when motivated," Dorian replied. "Question is what motivates him here."
Garrick's knowing smile suggested he understood. "Princess Alice challenges him appropriately. That's rare combination."
Below, Adrian and Alice talked with easy familiarity that spoke of hours spent together beyond formal training. The way Alice looked at Adrian suggested growing attachment. The way Adrian unconsciously angled toward her revealed reciprocal interest.
Evening brought family dinner. Alice and Mira had been invited regularly, initial formality dissolving into comfortable routine.
"Three weeks complete," Dorian said, raising his glass. "To our dedicated students, who've adapted to border life impressively."
"To surviving Northwatch's brutal schedule," Alice replied. "I've gained muscle mass I didn't know was possible."
"Border conditioning builds different strength than capital training," Adrian said. "You're adapting well."
"Thanks to excellent instruction," Alice replied, meeting his eyes with warmth that made Dorian's observation settle into certainty.
Yes. Something was definitely developing between them.
"How much longer until we're ready for actual demon engagement?" Mira asked.
"Another two weeks," Adrian estimated. "You're progressing faster than standard timeline, but I won't risk premature exposure. When we engage real threats, I need confidence you'll survive."
Conversation flowed naturally. Dorian watched Adrian participate fully, laughing rather than maintaining distant reserve.
This Adrian was warm. Present. Connected.
And it traced directly to the princess beside him.
After dinner, Dorian found Adrian in the library reviewing demon behavior documentation.
"Working late again," Dorian observed, settling into adjacent chair.
"Preparing tomorrow's theory session. Alice asked about demon hierarchy command structures—how Generals coordinate Imp forces."
"You're taking teaching seriously."
"She deserves serious instruction. They came to Northwatch for real education."
Dorian studied his son. "You're different lately. More engaged. Like you've found purpose beyond duty."
Adrian glanced up, slightly defensive. "I've always had purpose. Border defense, family duty—"
"That's obligation. I'm talking about choice. Something you want rather than something you're expected to do."
Silence stretched. Adrian returned to the reports, tension in his shoulders suggesting the observation had struck deeply.
"Teaching Alice challenges me differently," Adrian said finally. "She questions everything, demands explanation. Makes me articulate knowledge I've internalized. That's stimulating."
"Just intellectually?"
Adrian's careful expression suggested otherwise. "She's dedicated student. I'm effective teacher when students meet me at appropriate level."
"I received letter from Lucien today," Dorian said, shifting topics. "He's been promoted to senior command at Ironfang. Third promotion in a year."
"That's excellent," Adrian said, genuine pleasure breaking through. "He's earned it."
"He's also making a name for himself outside family legacy. Building reputation independent of being Blackthorn heir, proving capability on his own merits rather than inherited position."
"Lucien chose his own path," Adrian observed. "After graduating, he could have returned to Northwatch. Instead he stayed at Ironfang, built his own career. That took courage."
"It did. And I've never regretted supporting his choice." Dorian paused deliberately. "Sometimes the best service to family legacy is proving it can thrive in different contexts. Lucien's success brings honor to Blackthorn name precisely because he chose it freely."
Adrian looked at his father with sharp attention. "What are you suggesting?"
"I'm observing that you have options, Adrian. You're exceptional warrior, proven champion, capable of excelling anywhere in the kingdom. Northwatch is home, yes. Family duty, yes. But it's not the only path available."
"You want me to leave?" Adrian's voice carried hurt.
"I want you to consider what you actually want rather than what you assume you must do. Lucien found fulfillment at Ironfang. You might find similar satisfaction exploring the kingdom, serving in different capacity."
"Border defense matters. Northwatch needs competent command when you eventually retire."
"Border defense does matter. And Northwatch will always need dedicated leadership. But we have options for succession." Dorian leaned back thoughtfully. "Your uncle Kael, for instance. He's been bringing the fight to demons in their territory for years—exceptional warrior, deeply committed to border defense. Should I retire, he could take command here. The position doesn't require you specifically."
Adrian looked genuinely surprised. "Uncle Kael would leave active demon hunting to command Northwatch?"
"In a heartbeat if asked. He's been fighting demons longer than I have, understands border defense intimately, and has the respect of every warrior at Northwatch. The succession isn't as rigid as you've assumed." Dorian met his son's eyes seriously. "You're not shackled here, Adrian. The family legacy doesn't require you to sacrifice your own path."
"I never considered..." Adrian trailed off, processing.
"And there's another consideration," Dorian continued. "You're young. If acceptance letters arrive from the six academies, you still have three years of academy training ahead of you. Three years exploring the kingdom, developing skills beyond border combat, discovering what else you might want beyond Northwatch."
"The academies," Adrian said slowly. "I hadn't thought about that possibility."
"Why not? You're tournament champion. The academies would be fortunate to have you. Three years of education, travel, meeting people from across the kingdom, learning specializations we can't teach at the border—that's valuable experience regardless of where you ultimately serve."
"But leaving Northwatch for three years—"
"Would be normal development for someone your age. Lucien did the same at Ironfang's academy. He learned, grew, discovered what he wanted, then made informed choice about where to serve." Dorian smiled. "And look at him now—third promotion in a year, building reputation that honors our family name precisely because he chose his path freely."
"You really think I should consider academy training?"
"I think you should consider all your options rather than assuming your path is predetermined. Academy training, service elsewhere in the kingdom, even..." Dorian paused deliberately, "pursuing connections that matter to you, wherever they might lead."
Adrian's careful expression suggested he understood the implication. "You're talking about Alice."
"I'm saying this because I see you coming alive in ways you never have before. And that vitality traces to experiences outside Northwatch, connections beyond border duty."
"My path is Northwatch. Family legacy, command succession—"
"Is one option," Dorian interrupted gently. "Not the only option. Lucien proved that. You could too, if you chose to."
"What about duty? Family responsibility? The expectation that Blackthorn heirs serve at Northwatch?"
"Expectations adapt. Legacy evolves. What serves the family best isn't always blind adherence to tradition—sometimes it's courage to forge new paths." Dorian gestured broadly. "You and Lucien both serving elsewhere, your uncle commanding here, our family name earning respect across the kingdom rather than just at one fortress—that's not abandoning legacy. That's expanding it in ways my generation never imagined."
Adrian returned to the reports, mind clearly elsewhere. "I don't know what I want beyond Northwatch. This has been my entire world. The idea of academy training, of choosing different path..."
"Terrifying?"
"Foreign. Like considering becoming different person."
"You're already becoming different person," Dorian observed. "The Adrian who left for the trials and the Adrian teaching Princess Alice now—they're not the same. Growth changes us. The question is whether you embrace that change or resist it out of fear."
Adrian had no response, internal conflict evident.
Dorian stood, placing hand on his son's shoulder. "You don't have to decide tonight. Just know that whatever you choose—Northwatch, academy training, service elsewhere, something unexpected—you have my support. Your uncle ensures Northwatch will have capable command regardless. Your path is yours to determine, not something duty demands."
He left Adrian alone with larger questions than demon behavior reports could answer.
Dorian found Elara in their private chambers.
"You talked to him," she observed.
"I suggested he has options beyond Northwatch. Mentioned Kael as succession option, academy training as legitimate path."
"How did he take it?"
"With confusion. He's never seriously considered leaving." Dorian settled beside his wife. "But watching him with Alice—he's discovering parts of himself that have nothing to do with border defense."
"You think he should pursue her," Elara said.
"I think he should pursue whatever makes him that alive, that engaged, that genuinely happy. If that's Alice, then yes." Dorian smiled. "I refuse to let duty trap him in life that denies who he's becoming."
"Even if that means losing him to the wider kingdom?"
"Lucien serves at Ironfang and I've never been prouder. Adrian serving elsewhere would be same source of pride. Kael can command Northwatch—he's been bringing the fight to demons for years, understands border defense as well as anyone." Dorian smiled. "Besides, it's not losing him. It's watching him find himself."
Outside their window, Northwatch maintained its eternal vigilance. Somewhere in the fortress, Adrian was processing implications he'd never considered. And Alice was probably reviewing notes, unaware of the thoughts she'd catalyzed.
But Dorian was determined his son would have freedom to follow his heart, wherever it led.
Even—especially—if that meant leaving Northwatch behind.