Kovacs had always prided himself on his ability to read people. Years on the battlefield, leading soldiers from all walks of life had honed his instincts to a razor’s edge. So when Garrik’s teasing comments about Kaian being a potential son-in-law started to swirl in his mind, Kovacs decided it was time to observe the boy more closely.
At first, Aian had been a headache. The "pretty boy" had no true sense of discipline, and Kovacs had been ready to write him off as a hopeless case. But over the weeks, Aian’s attitude began to shift. He no longer questioned every order or dragged his feet during training. He pushed himself harder, listened intently, and learned quickly. The results were undeniable. Kovacs saw the once-awkward young man morph into a competent and capable soldier. His sword
