"How did you know I was there?"
Vastarael turned his head slightly to glance at her. He lowered his glaive and then gave her a small smile.
'It's not that difficult to tell when someone's nearby. I can feel the presence of others, especially in places like this. I've been trained to notice. You're wondering about Adelasta, aren't you?"
Elyonari's eyebrows furrowed, surprised by how easily he read her.
"Yes. She didn't look too happy after the match."
"Adelasta has been my rival for years. Every duel was a challenge for both of us. But I think she didn't want it to end. I can tell she's sad, despite how hard she tries to hide it."
"..."
"I think she needed those duels, just like I did. We both pushed each other to become better but now that I've finally won, it feels different. I know she doesn't want to admit it but I think she'll miss it too."
Elyonari stood still, listening intently. She hadn't expected such a raw admission from him, especially not so soon after the fight.
"Well... sometimes, it's okay to miss things. It doesn't make you weak. It means you cared. But you can't let that stop you from moving forward, you know?"
She hesitated as the words left her lips, unsure if they were the right thing to say. After all, she wasn't exactly the expert on dealing with rivals.
"Even though I have no right to say this but from what I saw, you're not just a symbol of victory for her, Prince Vastarael. You're a reminder that people change. And sometimes, endings are the beginning of something new. Maybe she just needs time to understand that."
There was a moment of silence after her words and Elyonari watched as he stood there.
"You're right. Maybe it's time to move on. For both of us."
Then, to her surprise, he lifted his hand slowly to his face. Elyonari's heart skipped a beat as he gently removed the mask from his face. For a moment, everything felt like it froze in time. As it slipped away, Elyonari was left staring at the face beneath it.
His features were nothing short of mesmerizing. His white, curly hair framed a face that was sculpted with a perfect balance of sharp angles and soft curves. He was absolutely radiant but it was his eyes that captivated her the most.
And then there was the smile.
The smile he gave her was genuine and for the first time, Elyonari understood why he wore the mask. The sheer magnitude of his beauty was almost overwhelming. It was as if the very air around him had changed, pulling her closer to him in a way that made her breath catch in her throat.
"Thank you. You didn't have to say that, but... I think I needed to hear it. You've helped me more than you know. Even though we just met yesterday, you're pretty easy-going."
She could barely breathe for a moment. But then, she understood. She understood why everyone—including his own sisters—couldn't stop looking at him. It wasn't just the mask or the air of mystery that surrounded him. It was the power and vulnerability he carried with him. She cleared her throat and forced a smile.
"I—I'm glad, Prince Vastarael. And... happy seventeenth birthday."
Vastarael's expression softened and there was a glimmer of appreciation in his eyes as he nodded.
"Thank you. I don't think I've ever had someone say that so genuinely before."
She could only smile back, even if it was slightly embarrassed.
°°°°°°°
Hours passed in a quiet lull after the interaction and Elyonari found herself wandering the royal gardens with her mother. It was one of those rare moments when everything felt still. The gardens were alive with vibrant flower that seemed to glow faintly under the sun's soft light.
She inhaled deeply, taking in the scent of the flora that filled the air. It always brought her peace and for a moment, she let herself get lost in the serenity of the moment. Her mother stood beside her, admiring the delicate flowers in silence.
"I've always found something mystical about the royal gardens of Richinaria. The way these flowers grow, how they bloom with such intensity... there's something deeply symbolic about it. Every petal and leaf feels like it's part of a story we can't fully understand. They have the rarest flora in Spheraphase."
Elyonari, glancing at the flowers around them, nodded slowly.
"And they're taken care of so well. I heard that Monarchess Lysameria came today and she's the one who takes care of the garden herself. I'm impressed. She's more gentle than I expected."
They continued walking in companionable silence but it didn't take long before the conversation shifted again, this time to a subject Elyonari had not expected to come up so soon.
"So, What about Prince Vastarael? I noticed you spent some time with him earlier today. How are you finding him?"
She tried to keep her expression neutral but she was sure her mother could see right through her.
"I saw him without the mask earlier."
She hadn't planned on saying that but the words spilled out before she could stop them. Her mother's gaze looked amazed, though she didn't seem at all surprised. She studied Elyonari for a moment before speaking softly.
"I see. And how did that make you feel?"
"I... didn't know what to expect at first. But when it came off... It's like everything about him changed. I can't even explain it. It's as if he became more real somehow. He's the most handsome man I have ever seen."
Her mother was silent for a moment, watching her with that knowing look.
"He has lived through a lot of burdens, Elyonari. He almost died at thirteen. His mother subjected him to harsh training at a young age. His father also taught him about mysticism. Anywho, I'm glad you are in good terms. Since you'll be going to the academy soon and he'll be joining, it's best that you befriend him."
"For political matters?"
"No. Because you need friends. I know that you don't like being close around me after what I did but you need friends."
Elyonari's expression faltered for a moment. She had friends in the natural world so...
"But... I don't know if I can just 'befriend' him. He's a prince. He's different. And there's something about him I can't quite figure out. It's confusing."
Her mother placed a hand on Elyonari's shoulder, grounding her with her touch.
"I know, my dear. He's different but that doesn't mean you can't find a way to relate to him. You've always had a way with understanding things most people can't see. This will be no different."
She took a deep breath, finally looking up at her mother with a smile.
"I'll try, Mother. I'll try to be his friend."
"That's all I ask of you, Elyonari."